Can You Smoke Shrooms? Understanding the Risks and Effects

Can you smoke shrooms? Magic mushrooms have been used for centuries for their psychoactive effects, but as curiosity grows, some wonder whether they can be smoked instead of eaten. 

This article delves into the risks, effects, and misconceptions surrounding smoking magic mushrooms.

What Are Magic Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. Once ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which alters brain function and perception, leading to hallucinations and changes in cognition. Traditionally, people consume shrooms by:

• Eating them dried
• Brewing them into tea
• Mixing them into food
• Taking them in capsule form

Can Magic Mushrooms Be Smoked?

While technically possible to smoke dried mushrooms, this method is not advisable for several reasons:

1. Psilocybin Degradation – High heat from smoking destroys psilocybin, making it ineffective.
2. Health Risks – Inhaling burning fungal matter can lead to lung infections, respiratory issues, and exposure to harmful spores.
3. Difficult Dosage Control – Unlike ingestion, where psilocybin is metabolized predictably, smoking mushrooms makes it hard to gauge potency.

1. Psilocybin Degradation

Psilocybin, the active compound responsible for psychedelic effects, is highly sensitive to heat. When exposed to extreme temperatures, such as those generated from burning, the compound rapidly breaks down into non-psychoactive byproducts. As a result, smoking magic mushrooms does not produce the desired hallucinogenic effects and essentially wastes the substance.

2. Health Risks

Unlike traditional plant-based substances that are often smoked, mushrooms contain complex fungal structures that, when burned, release toxic spores and particulate matter. This can lead to serious respiratory health issues, including:

• Fungal Lung Infections – Some fungal spores, when inhaled, can colonize lung tissues and cause infections such as aspergillosis, which may require medical treatment.
• Irritation and Inflammation – Burning organic matter releases harmful irritants, potentially causing chronic coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
• Toxic Byproducts – The combustion of mushrooms can produce carcinogenic and toxic chemicals, further increasing the risk of respiratory illness.

3. Difficult Dosage Control

When psilocybin is consumed orally, the body metabolizes it in a predictable and controlled manner, allowing for gradual onset and measurable effects. However, when mushrooms are smoked:

• The inhaled dosage is inconsistent, leading to unpredictable and potentially dangerous experiences.
• Unlike measured oral doses, there is no standardized way to determine how much psilocybin (if any) is being absorbed.
• Users may attempt to smoke larger amounts, unknowingly inhaling toxic fungal material in the process.

The Dangers of Smoking Shrooms

1. Respiratory Health Risks

Smoking mushrooms exposes the lungs to harmful fungal spores, which can lead to aspergillosis, a serious lung infection. Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Severe lung damage in extreme cases

2. Inconsistent Psychedelic Effects

Unlike ingestion, where the psychedelic experience is well-documented, smoking does not effectively release psilocybin. This unpredictability can lead to:

• Ineffective psychedelic effects
• Increased tendency to experiment with unsafe methods
• Potentially dangerous overdosing attempts

3. Legal Consequences

Magic mushrooms are illegal in many countries, and attempting to smoke them may result in legal ramifications such as fines or imprisonment.

Alternative and Safe Methods of Using Shrooms

For those who choose to explore the effects of psilocybin, safer methods include:

• Microdosing: Taking very small amounts to enhance creativity and mood.
• Psilocybin Therapy: Under medical supervision, psilocybin is used for mental health treatment.
• Traditional Consumption: Eating dried mushrooms or making tea ensures a controlled, effective experience.

1. Microdosing

Microdosing involves consuming very small, sub-perceptual doses of psilocybin, typically between 0.1g to 0.3g of dried mushrooms. This practice has been associated with:

• Enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills
• Improved focus and productivity
• Mood stabilization and emotional resilience
• Potential mental health benefits, such as reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression

Microdosing is often done on a schedule, such as every third day, to avoid tolerance buildup. Many individuals report increased mindfulness and energy without experiencing full psychedelic effects.

2. Psilocybin Therapy

Under the guidance of medical professionals, psilocybin is being studied as a treatment for various mental health conditions, including:

• Depression – Clinical trials have shown psilocybin-assisted therapy may help alleviate symptoms of major depression.
• PTSD and Anxiety – Psilocybin may help patients process trauma and reduce anxiety levels, particularly for those with terminal illnesses.
• Substance Addiction – Studies suggest that psilocybin therapy can help individuals overcome alcohol and nicotine addiction by fostering new perspectives and behavioral changes.

Psilocybin therapy is typically conducted in a controlled clinical setting, ensuring safe administration and guided psychological support throughout the experience.

3. Traditional Consumption

The most effective and safest way to consume magic mushrooms is through traditional methods:

• Eating Dried Mushrooms – The simplest way to experience psilocybin’s effects is by chewing dried mushrooms thoroughly to aid digestion and absorption.
• Making Mushroom Tea – Boiling dried mushrooms in hot water helps extract psilocybin while making consumption easier on the stomach. Adding lemon juice (a technique called “lemon tekking”) can enhance the potency and shorten the onset time.
• Psilocybin Edibles – Shrooms can be ground into powder and incorporated into chocolates, honey, or capsules for easier ingestion and better taste masking.
• Tinctures and Extracts – Some users prefer psilocybin tinctures or liquid extracts, allowing for precise dosing and a more predictable experience.

Final Verdict: Avoid Smoking Shrooms

The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that smoking magic mushrooms is both ineffective and dangerous. Between health risks, legal concerns, and the destruction of psilocybin through heat, there is no legitimate reason to attempt smoking them.

If considering psilocybin for mental health benefits, always research legal, safe, and scientifically backed methods. Prioritize health, safety, and responsible use.

Read more:

• How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System
• How Long Do Shrooms Last? A Doctor’s Guide to Magic Mushroom Duration
• How to Grow Mushrooms at Home: Tents, Grow Bags, and Mono Tubs
• Liquid Culture vs. Spore Syringe: the Key Differences