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Do psychedelic mushrooms go bad and expire?
This is a primary concern for those who use them for recreational or therapeutic purposes.
While some believe that mushrooms may last indefinitely when properly stored, others claim that their potency diminishes over time.
Various factors can impact the life span of psychedelic mushrooms.
Let’s take a closer look at the shelf life of magic mushrooms.
Without a doubt, if not properly stored, practically every food and medication will lose some of its nutritional content or potency over time, and psilocybin mushrooms are no different.
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Psychedelic mushrooms can become contaminated, which could even be harmful to your health in addition to having a lower potency.
On the other hand, if stored properly, psychedelic mushrooms can last for years.
However, because the active ingredients (Psilocybin and Psilocin) decay over time, it may be difficult to determine how many psychoactive compounds will be in them after a prolonged period.
It’s also important to know that, like any other food, psilocybin shrooms have the capacity to support the growth of germs or mold.
This means that you should be alert to any signs of bacterial infection, as they can cause digestive problems and respiratory infections.
Psychedelic Mushroom Contamination
If fresh mushrooms are not stored properly, they can quickly become contaminated by either rotting, molding, or drying up.
However, drying mushrooms is a common preservation method that can be done with proper airflow and low humidity.
Although potency may decrease, drying is not much of a concern and is safe.
On the other hand, rotting and molding, can be dangerous and make the mushroom unsafe to eat.
Bacterial growth causes the mushroom flesh to turn black and wet.
Cutting off those small spots of rot will make the rest of the mushroom edible, however, they will continue to deteriorate over time.
High humidity, warmth, and limited airflow can cause rot to set in within a day if fresh mushrooms are not stored properly.
Mold, on the other hand, turns mushrooms white, discolored, or fuzzy.
It takes longer to establish, but it’s harder to avoid long-term.
If you’re unsure about mold growth, it’s best to discard the entire mushroom to avoid any potential health risks.
What To Avoid When Storing Magic Mushrooms
Fresh psychedelic mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if stored properly.
Avoid putting them in wet conditions as it will significantly increase the chances of contamination.
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Gently pat them dry before refrigerating.
Mushrooms can be stored in either a paper bag or a plastic container.
If using plastic containers, be sure to add some paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
If stored properly, fully dried magic mushrooms will not mold or rot, but they will gradually lose their potency.
It’s generally not recommended to store dried shrooms for over a year. Improperly stored dried shrooms can absorb moisture from the air and become moldy.
Similarly, psilocybin mushrooms that are only partially dried will eventually mold.
However, they can last longer than fresh if kept at room temperature.
If you do not have a means of getting your shrooms fully dry or have a refrigerator to store them in, air-drying is a good option to extend their shelf life(three weeks to a month).
Additionally, the drying process itself reduces potency, so even recently dried shrooms will be less potent than they were when fresh.
How To Dry Psychedelic Mushrooms!
Food Dehydrator
Drying shrooms is simple, using a food dehydrator can work wonders.
Just spread your shrooms on the dehydrator tray, and set the temperature to 100-150°F.
Leave them for around 3 to 8 hours, depending on the temperature.
You might want to check on them from time to time to see if they are cracker dry.
Oven Dry Shrooms
Drying shrooms in the oven is the same as with a food dehydrator.
Turn the fan on, don’t let the temperature raise above 150°F, and let them dry.
Check periodically until they’re cracker dry.
Silica Packs
Place some silica packs in a jar or an airtight container.
Crumble some foil and place it on top of the silica gel (you don’t want your mushrooms touching the silica).
Place the shrooms on top and leave it for about a week, or until fully dried.
With this method shrooms may need more time to dry, however, it will ultimately pull out all the moisture.
How To Store Psychedelic Mushrooms
Storing dried shrooms is easy, simply place them in an airtight container and leave them somewhere dark.
Oxygen will cause your psychedelic shrooms to lose potency faster. You can use ziplock bags, mason jars, or any kind of airtight container.
Keep them away from direct sunlight, with temperatures ranging between 60-70°F and they will maintain potent for 6 months to a year.
As we already mentioned, improper storage of magic mushrooms can lead to the growth of mold or bacteria, which can cause health problems.
Moldy mushrooms should never be consumed as they may trigger an allergic reaction or respiratory issues.
This implies that eating expired mushrooms can not only be dangerous but also life-threatening.
If you see any signs of contamination, throw your shrooms away.
There are various reasons why psychedelic mushrooms can expire, mostly related to how they are stored and prepared.
As such, it’s crucial to dry and store them properly, especially after harvesting from the wild or growing them at home.
How To Tell When Shrooms Are Bad!
Poor Storage
For example, fresh shrooms will expire faster if stored in a plastic container rather than a paper bag.
On the other hand, dried mushrooms can be stored in a Pyrex container or a glass jar.
Wrong Space
When it comes to the environment there are quite a few factors to consider.
For instance, direct sunlight can break down psilocybin and directly decrease the potency of your magic mushrooms.
Keeping psilocybin mushrooms in a dark place such as a cupboard will make them last longer.
Additionally, like with any other food, humid places will encourage the growth of molds and bacteria, causing your shrooms to spoil.
Bad Maintenance
The presence of soil or a substrate at the base of the mushroom indicates that they weren’t properly manicured.
Debris on the base can carry pathogens, meaning that they are more prone to going bad.
Shrooms Not Dry Enough
Shrooms should be completely dry before storage.
If they are still squishy, that means it hasn’t been fully dried and is still retaining moisture inside of them.
No matter how well you store them, if there is internal moisture, they will eventually start rotting.
If you are planning on taking magic mushrooms, it’s crucial to detect contamination so you can stay healthy.
You may also be able to tell if psychedelic mushrooms have gone bad if they show the following…
White Fuzziness
When stored in a humid environment without fresh air, mushrooms have the tendency to self-digest. This process results in the development of white fuzz on the surface.
Additionally, they can also exhibit white, black, or brown fuzzy patches as a result of bacterial growth.
Don’t get confused by that blue or blue-green discoloration on your shrooms, this is a normal occurrence indicating the presence of psilocybin(the main cause for trips).
Foul Smell
Giving your mushroom a good sniff prior to consumption may be the smart move.
If you notice any unusual smells, like sweat or dirt, it could indicate bacterial growth.
Soggy Texture
This is another indicator of bacterial growth.
If you notice that the mushrooms are slimy or wet when touched, throw them away immediately.
The lifespan of shrooms is dependent on the way they’re stored.
If shrooms are not stored correctly, they may go bad, which may be harmful to your health.
Drying mushrooms is a common preservation method that can be done with constant airflow and low humidity, and if stored properly shrooms can last up to a year.
It’s essential to ensure that shrooms are entirely dry before storing them to prevent mold growth.
Check your shrooms frequently and discard any contaminated fungi to reduce health risks.
Now that you know the life span of magic mushrooms, you can take the necessary steps to preserve them!
Getting the most from psilocybin mushrooms is easier when you know what factors make them go bad faster.