This article is part of our article collection, “Unlocking the Magic: A Comprehensive Guide to Safe and Responsible Psilocybin Exploration.” Find the full collection here.
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as “magic mushrooms,” have rapidly become more popular in recent years after decriminalization spread to multiple cities and clinical evidence advances. Even more so as people explore their many potential therapeutic and health benefits.
More people are gaining the information and confidence to use these beneficial fungi on their own. So, it’s important to educate yourself on the best way of storing psilocybin products and your mushrooms. Proper storage is crucial not only to retain maximum efficacy and potency but also to maintain the safety of psilocybin-containing products. In this article, we’ll look at best practices for storing psilocybin-containing shrooms and the shelf-life of these fascinating fungi.
Find out How to Take Shrooms Safely.
Keep Your Magic Mushrooms Dry
What is the first guideline to follow to ensure your precious mushrooms are kept at their best? Ensure the storage environment is free from moisture.
Moisture is the enemy of shrooms. To preserve its potency and quality (no mold, please!), store your mushrooms or extracted psilocybin in a dry environment. Ensure the container you’re storing the psilocybin mushrooms in is airtight, like a glass jar or a vacuum-sealed plastic bag. This will prevent moisture from getting in and causing your mushrooms to deteriorate.
Another good tip for keeping your mushrooms crackling dry is to use desiccants, such as silica gel packs. These will absorb any residual moisture within the storage container. I like to save the ones I get in other products, then toss them in with the mushrooms in a sealed container and store them appropriately.
Chill Out, But Avoid Freezing
Temperature is another factor that has an effect on optimal storage of your psilocybin mushrooms. Being heat-sensitive, it’s advised to avoid exposing your treasured fungi to high temperatures, as this can degrade the psilocybin compound.
When determining where to stash your magic mushrooms or psilocybin products, be sure to choose a cool, dark place, ideally below 70°F (21°C). Do not ever freeze psilocybin—freezing can cause the formation of ice crystals, potentially damaging the integrity of the compounds.
Turn Down the Lights
Psilocybin is photosensitive and can degrade when exposed to light, especially UV rays. Be sure to use opaque containers or wrap your magic mushrooms in aluminum foil. This will protect the fungi or psilocybin from direct sunlight or artificial light.
Your mushrooms like things cool and dark, just like a Las Vegas hotel room! Be sure you’re putting your babies to bed in the right environment so they can be their best for your journey into their consciousness.
Keeping Track and Keeping it Clean
Always label the containers where you store psilocybin with the date of acquisition and preparation. This helps you keep track of the product’s freshness. If you know your source—which is always advisable—see if you can get a package date if it isn’t already included. Include any relevant information about the source or strain on your labels to ensure a safe and responsible experience.
Delve into The Wonderful and Diverse World of Psilocybin Mushroom Strains.
Maintain cleanliness in your storage area. A clean environment reduces the risk of contamination and ensures your fungi will be their best. They will deliver the desired effects that are generally anticipated for each varying dose.
Be sure to inspect your storage containers and the psilocybin regularly for any signs of mold or degradation. If any is spotted, remove your mushrooms and discard affected products – and don’t mix the mushrooms from the contaminated container with other fungi! The contaminant can easily spread from one container to the next.
Storing Extracted Psilocybin
If you have extracted psilocybin in a liquid form (e.g., a tincture), keep it in a dark glass container with an airtight seal. Use a dropper or syringe to measure and consume the liquid extract accurately.
Avoid oxygen exposure as it can lead to oxidation and the degradation of psilocybin. Use containers that allow you to remove excess air, or use vacuum-sealing techniques to minimize oxygen exposure.
Capsules, Chocolates, and Other Delivery Mechanisms
Whether you’ve got your hands on some capsules containing dried fruiting bodies or microdoses of psilocybin mushrooms, or you have an assortment of psychedelic sweets, the storage best practices remain the same—cool, dry, dark places free of potential contaminants, exposure to heat, freezing temperatures, and sunlight.
As with whole dried mushrooms, it’s a good idea to mark the date the shrooms fall into your hands. This way, you can keep track of their shelf life and consume them before they begin to degrade naturally.
Find out How to Dose Magic Mushrooms here.
Psilocybin Shelf-Life
The shelf-life of psilocybin-containing products can vary based on several factors. These can include storage conditions, initial quality, and the format of the medicine—mushrooms, chocolates, capsules, extracts, etc. As a good guideline, under proper storage conditions, you can expect the following approximate shelf-life of your magic mushroom products:
- Dried Psilocybin Mushrooms: One to two years or longer
- Microdose Capsules: One to two years or longer
- Psilocybin Extracts (liquid or powder): One to two years, with some reports suggesting it can remain effective for even longer
- Fresh Psilocybin Mushrooms: Several weeks to a couple of months, depending on refrigeration
It’s important to note that the potency of psilocybin-containing products may gradually decline over time. For this reason, consuming them within the recommended shelf life is ideal for the best experience. Keep a record of both your psilocybin product purchase dates and harvest dates. Don’t let your precious medicine deteriorate to the point of being ineffective.
Read about the importance of Setting Intentions for Psychedelic Journeys.
Proper storage practices are essential to maintain the potency and safety of psilocybin-containing products. Following these guidelines can reduce uncertainty around dosing and quality to have a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Always remember to consume these substances responsibly, in legal jurisdictions, and with intention by always putting safety first. If you haven’t already done so, it’s an excellent idea to understand harm reduction best practices.
Learn about these through Psychedelic Support’s FREE Harm Reduction Course.
