Mushroom Drops: A Comprehensive Guide

Magic mushroom drops allow users to take concentrated doses of psilocybin without having to eat mushrooms or consume any other stomach-churning substances. Instead, you can simply extract the active compounds from dried mushrooms and concentrate their effects into a dropper bottle filled with high-proof alcohol.

This not only saves your taste buds and stomach from an often less-than-pleasant experience, but it also allows for the regular and predictable dosing of psilocybin, which can be a challenge when eating shrooms or drinking shroom tea. Great for both macro- and microdosing, mushroom drops are all the rage!

What are mushroom drops?

Mushroom drops are a liquid extract derived from magic mushrooms—i.e. mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus (plus a few others!). These drops are an alternative to consuming raw or dried mushrooms, offering a more controlled and precise method for experiencing the effects of psilocybin. Fortunately, this method doesn’t alter the psychoactive effects; it offers the same high via a different method of administration.

The active compounds in the mushrooms are extracted into a liquid solution, usually some kind of high-proof alcohol, and then consumed by placing the drops under the tongue where they are absorbed sublingually via the mucous membrane. This sublingual method allows for quick absorption of the psilocybin into the bloodstream, leading to a faster onset of effects compared to traditional ingestion methods such as eating or drinking, which require the compounds to first be digested.

How long do magic mushroom drops take to work?

Magic mushroom drops start to work relatively quickly, usually within 15 to 30 minutes after consumption. This isn’t that much quicker than when eating the mushrooms, but the sublingual administration method does increase the speed of onset to some degree.

Individual factors will also influence the amount of time it takes to feel the effects. These include metabolism, body weight, and whether the drops are taken on an empty stomach (though this last point is less important with drops compared to ingested shrooms).

In short, mushroom drops take effect fairly quickly.

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How to make mushroom drops

Making mushroom drops at home is a straightforward process, but it requires attention to detail to ensure the potency and safety of the final product. What’s more, to make a meaningful amount you will need a fairly large amount of dried mushrooms to start with, which can make it an expensive undertaking. Rather than buying a whole load of dried mushrooms, consider growing your own at home, as this is much cheaper and great fun.

Once you have your shrooms, here's a simple method to create your own mushroom drops.

Note: For the final product, 1 ml of solution should equal about 2 grams of dried mushrooms.

Ingredients

• Dried magic mushrooms
• Grinder (cannabis or coffee)
• High-proof alcohol (as close to 100% as you can find)
• Dropper bottle
• Glass jar
• Coffee filter or cheesecloth

Directions

1. Grind the dried mushrooms: Start by grinding the dried magic mushrooms into a fine powder. This increases the surface area and allows for better extraction of the active compounds, leading to a more potent final product. The drier your shrooms are initially, the easier they will be properly grind.

2. Prepare the alcohol solution: Place the mushroom powder in a glass jar and add enough high-proof alcohol to cover the mushrooms completely. But you don’t need to drown them—so long as they’re just covered, it’s enough. The alcohol acts as a solvent and extracts the psilocybin and other active compounds from the mushrooms.

3. Leave it to extract: Seal the jar tightly and store it in a dark, cool place for 1–2 weeks. During this time, shake the jar occasionally to ensure the mixture is well combined.

4. Strain the liquid: After the extraction period, strain the liquid through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove any remaining mushroom solids. Transfer the filtered liquid into the dropper bottle.

5. Store properly: Store the mushroom drops in a cool, dark place to maintain their potency. Proper storage can extend the shelf life of the drops, allowing them to remain effective for several months.

How long do the effects of mushroom drops last?

The effects of mushroom drops typically last between 4 to 6 hours—which is the same as with ingested magic mushrooms—depending on the dose and individual tolerance. However, you will likely feel some residual effects, or an “afterglow”, in the hours that follow the experience. Don’t expect to return to true sobriety until at least 6 hours after taking the drops.

How to store mushroom drops

If you want your drops to last, then, as with most things, you’ll have to store them appropriately. Store your mushroom drops in a dark, cool place, ideally in a glass dropper bottle if they are to be preserved for as long as possible. Exposure to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures can degrade the psilocybin content, reducing the potency of the drops over time. When stored correctly, mushroom drops can remain potent for several months at least, making them a convenient option for those who prefer to prepare larger batches in advance.

The importance of alcohol

High-strength alcohol is essential for both the creation of the mushroom tincture in the first place, and later on for its preservation. Alcohol works as a solvent, meaning that soluble compounds dissolve into it without degrading. In the case of this tincture, it’s the psilocybin in the dried mushrooms. After extraction, the alcohol also works as an effective preservative as it’s a fairly hostile environment, meaning it won't be subject to fungal/bacterial growth.

Just bear in mind that alcohol evaporates in open air, so the bottle must be fully sealed to ensure you don’t come to use it one day and find it mysteriously dry and empty.

Do mushroom drops cause a hangover?

Due to the tiny doses of alcohol you’ll be consuming, you shouldn’t experience any kind of alcohol-related hangover as a consequence of consuming mushroom drops. However, you might find that you feel something from the shrooms for a day or two after. After-effects from shrooms, where they are present, tend to be mild, but could include:

• Emotional sensitivity
• Fatigue
• Fogginess

Mushroom drops legality

Mushroom drops generally fall under the same legal restrictions as psilocybin. In other words, if magic mushrooms/psilocybin are legal in your jurisdiction, then chances are psilocybin-containing tinctures will be too. The opposite is also true. Note that very few places have legalized or decriminalised psilocybin at present, so always do your due diligence before purchasing or creating mushroom tinctures.

In some specific cases, it may be the case that the raw mushroom products are legal to buy and sell but tinctures aren’t, so never assume that the legality extends to the trade of mushroom drops.

Risks of mushroom drops

Once again, the risks associated with mushroom drops are the same as those associated with magic mushrooms—except in the case of the former, it’s much easier to take an excessively large dose, given how concentrated the drops are and how “innocent” each drop appears.

In the event that you do take too much, the effects can be overwhelming, inhibiting normal function and causing anxiety. While these effects themselves are not life-threatening, occasionally they can be quite disturbing. To avoid this, start with just one small drop and work your way up from there, if necessary.

Benefits of mushroom drops

Mushroom drops have many benefits, the most obvious being:

• Easy to dose
• Better taste
• Convenient
• Discreet and portable
• Better for the stomach
• Great for microdosing

Magic mushroom tinctures: Easy!

Mushroom drops may not have the iconic appearance of magic mushrooms themselves, but they make up for it with ease and convenience. Relatively easy to make and very easy to dose, they are a great alternative to raw fungi. Some people find they’re too far removed from the earthy goodness of our fungal brethren, while others are quite content to enjoy this distilled version!

Max Sargent

Max has been writing for over a decade, and has come into cannabis and psychedelic journalism in the last few years. Writing for companies such as Zamnesia, Royal Queen Seeds, Cannaconnection, Gorilla Seeds, MushMagic and more, he has experience in a broad spectrum of the industry.

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