Ever wonder if you should buy magic mushrooms online or medicinal mushrooms?
Both types of fungi are readily available through online magic mushroom dispensaries or medicinal mushroom shops, but how do they differ? Do they offer the same benefits and effects? Let’s explore the differences.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic fungi that contain psilocybin. They affect the central nervous system, causing users to see or hear things that aren’t real.
- Functional mushrooms improve performance, help manage stress, and strengthen the body’s immune system.
- Psilocybe cubensis is the most commonly available magic mushroom online, but some dispensaries also offer alternatives such as Amanita muscaria, Panaeolus cyanescens, and others.
Mushrooms in General
A mushroom is the fruiting body of a fungus and is responsible for producing and spreading spores, which are tiny reproductive cells that can grow into new fungi. The mushroom is the visible part, while the rest of the fungus exists underground as a network of root-like structures called mycelium.
The mycelium only forms a mushroom when the conditions are ideal, typically when temperatures drop and humidity rises, such as at the end of summer or the beginning of autumn.
There are many types of mushrooms, but for those looking to enjoy the benefits of shrooms or experience a shift in perception, two types are particularly popular: Medicinal and Psilocybin mushrooms.
| Criteria | Magic Mushrooms | Medicinal Mushrooms |
| Primary Use | Recreational or therapeutic purposes | Health benefits, such as boosting immunity or reducing stress |
| Active Ingredients | Psilocybin and psilocin (psychoactive substances) | Polysaccharides, polyphenols, beta-glucans, amino acids, vitamins, dietary fibre, steroids |
| Effects | Psychoactive effects such as altered perception, euphoria, and hallucinations | Non-psychoactive, promotes physical well-being and mental clarity |
| Health Benefits | Support mental health | Supports immunity, reduces inflammation, and boosts brain function. |
| Potential Side Effects | Mild nausea and headache | Rare side effects, mostly mild (e.g., digestive discomfort). |
What are Psychedelic Shrooms?
Also known as magic mushrooms, psilocybin mushrooms, or simply shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi containing psilocybin. These mushrooms act as hallucinogens by targeting the nervous system and causing users to see or hear things that aren’t there.
Some users report positive effects from psychedelic mushrooms, such as euphoria, enhanced creativity, altered perception, and relaxation.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms dates back over 6,000 years, particularly in Aztec rituals. They are still used in spiritual practices, as well as for recreational purposes, and increasingly for medicinal purposes. Over 100 different species of mushrooms have psychoactive or hallucinogenic effects.
Commercial Availability
Before the rise of home cultivation and online shopping, people foraged for mushrooms in the wild or participated in rituals to access these psychoactive fungi. As people learned to cultivate mushrooms at home, the need to hunt for them in the wild decreased.
With the advent of e-commerce, purchasing magic mushroom products online has become increasingly popular. The widespread availability of these products has led to a greater variety of options for consumers.
Magic mushroom product selections online:
- Magic mushroom chocolate bars
- Dried magic mushrooms
- Edibles (similar to cannabis edibles)
- Shroom drinks like lemonade or green tea
Common brands: Magic Pluto Mushroom Gummies, Bright Future, Magic Beans, Osmosis, etc.
Why are Buying Magic Mushrooms?
A dried magic mushroom or a shroom chocolate bar serves two main purposes: recreational and medicinal. This unique dual-purpose effect is specific to magic mushrooms. It sets them apart from other types of fungi in the mushroom kingdom.
- Recreational or Psychedelic Experiences: Inducing sensory hallucinations, most commonly visual ones. This is the primary effect. In addition to hallucinations, some people experience an out-of-body sensation. Others may have different perceptions based on how they view their environment. Some describe this as a mystical or spiritual experience that makes them feel more connected to everything around them.
- Medicinal or Therapeutic: The most compelling evidence for psilocybin comes from clinical trials focused on cancer-related depression and anxiety, as well as treatment-resistant depression. There is also moderate-level evidence from multiple clinical trials supporting its use for alcohol use disorder and tobacco addiction.
Types
There are various species of magic mushrooms, with Psilocybe cubensis being the most commonly available online at Zoomies Canada. This species has several strains, each containing different amounts of the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. The most common strain is Golden Teachers.
While less common, you may also come across other types, such as Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe azurescens, or Amanita muscaria mushrooms. Unlike Psilocybe species, Amanita mushrooms don’t contain psilocybin or psilocin. Instead, they contain the compounds muscimol and ibotenic acid. You can buy them in dried form or Amanita gummies (which may contain synthetic muscimol).
Medicinal Mushrooms
Functional mushrooms, also referred to as medicinal or adaptogenic mushrooms, have historically been used to boost performance, aid in stress management, and strengthen the body’s defences against illness. Unlike psychedelic mushrooms, functional mushrooms do not induce any hallucinogenic effects; instead, they improve your body’s overall function.
Intended Use
A review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences highlights that various types of fungi possess a range of beneficial properties, including anti-allergic, antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immunomodulating effects.
Some fungi have also demonstrated protective benefits for the liver, brain, skeletal and cardiovascular systems, as well as supporting lipid and glucose metabolism.
These benefits are due to the presence of bioactive compounds in medicinal mushrooms, such as polysaccharide β-glucan, polysaccharide-protein complexes like lectins, lactones, terpenoids, alkaloids, antibiotics, and metal-chelating agents.
Types
Common examples of medicinal mushrooms are Chaga, Reishi, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane.
- Lion’s Mane: Commonly found in supplements that claim to improve brain function, mood, and cognition.
- Chaga: Slows down infections, cancers and type 2 diabetes.
- Reishi: Potent antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-neurodegenerative and antidiabetic.
- Cordyceps: Reduces fatigue and stimulates the immune system.
Combination of Both
Did you know that you can find capsules containing functional mushrooms combined with classic psychedelics?
Countries that have decriminalized psilocybin have conducted research on the effects of small amounts, known as microdosing. You can even buy these microdosing capsules online, which don’t contain pure psilocybin but a blend of psilocybin and functional mushrooms or herbs.
Combining these two mushrooms enhances brain performance by improving memory, focus, creativity, and mood. The best part is that you can take this as a supplement, and it will not cause any changes in perception, a feeling of vivid dreams, or panic attacks since it is a small dosage.
Some product samples at Zoomies Canada:
| Product | Psilocybin | Functional Mushroom | Other Ingredients |
| Bright Future – Microdose Capsules – The Hustler | 100mg | 50mg Chaga50mg Reishi50mg Cordyceps50mg Coriolus50mg Lions Mane50mg Maitake | – |
| Ground Sounds – Microdose Capsules – Super Freak | 50mg | Reishi 80mgChaga 40mgTurkey Tail 40mg | Ashwagandha 40mgGinger 40mg |
| Osmosis Immune Support | 100mg | 100mg Chaga Sclerota100mg Reishi100mg Maitake100mg Shiitake100mg Turkey Tail | – |
Where to Buy Magic Mushrooms Online vs. Medicinal Mushrooms?
Medicinal mushrooms are widely available both online and in physical stores. They are easy to find and purchase, even including spores for cultivation. In contrast, magic mushrooms are trickier to access, as they are primarily available online. Unlike full-spectrum hemp extract, which is fully legalized in Canada, psilocybin exists in a gray area, mostly accepted for medical or research purposes.
At Zoomies Canada, our online dispensary offers magic mushrooms in various forms, so you can find a product tailored to your desired psychedelic experience or effect. We also offer capsules that combine both medicinal and psychoactive mushrooms to support cognitive function. We provide discreet packaging for all orders, with delivery available across Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a bad effect if I take higher doses of medicinal mushrooms?
Some users experience gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea or diarrhea, especially when taking a high dosage initially.
Do medicinal mushrooms look like Psilocybes?
Medicinal mushrooms and psilocybe mushrooms have distinct appearances. Each type of medicinal mushroom looks different, just as psilocybes do, so you can expect them to vary in appearance.
Can I cook with or add these mushrooms to my meals?
You can easily cook or add functional mushrooms to any recipe you make. However, with magic mushrooms, it’s a bit more delicate. The psychoactive compound, psilocybin, can degrade at high temperatures, so it’s best not to cook them. Instead, consider adding magic mushrooms as a garnish, like topping salads or pizzas, to preserve their potency.
