In this category, you'll find all the magic mushrooms in our ever-growing range of mushroom grow kits, plus essential supplies for cultivating mushrooms. Become a master grower of magic mushrooms and impress your friends with your knowledge about mushroom species, strains, dosage, set and setting using the wealth of information in this description. Quick links:
Download cubensis manualCalculate dosage
In this description you’ll read about:
- Buying mushrooms. Which one should I choose?
- How to cultivate mushrooms?
- After harvesting: drying and storing mushrooms
- Using mushrooms
- Microdosing
- Frequently asked questions about mushrooms
Buying mushrooms. Which one should I choose?
Buying mushrooms online for the first time can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Which mushrooms grow quickly? Which grow kit is the easiest? And which mushrooms are the strongest? That depends on the species, the strain and the concentration of active substances like psilocybin.
Psilocybin
When we talk about magic mushrooms, we mean mushrooms that contain psilocybin. Amanita muscaria, the red mushroom with white dots, also has a strange effect, but it doesn’t contain psilocybin and can be very toxic if prepared incorrectly. We only offer safe mushrooms containing psilocybin and similar active substances like psilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, aeruginacin and norpsilocin.
Species
There are hundreds of mushroom species around the world. Most psychedelic mushrooms belong to the genus Psilocybe. There are a few exceptions, like Panaeolus cyanescens, which is also available at Dutch-Headshop. Most mushrooms are variations of Psilocybe cubensis, a species that thrives in a warm climate and is very easy to cultivate with a mushroom grow kit.
Strain
A strain is essentially a variety or subtype. We offer many strains of the Psilocybe cubensis species in our range.
Here’s a helpful overview to make your choice easier:
- Species: Cubensis | B+
- Potency: ⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | Mexican
- Potency: ⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | Thai
- Potency: ⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | Cambodian
- Potency: ⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | Colombian
- Potency: ⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | Ecuadorian
- Potency: ⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | Mazatapec
- Potency: ⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | Golden Teacher
- Potency: ⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | McKennaii
- Potency: ⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐
- Species: Cubensis | Marshmallow
- Potency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐⭐⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐
- Species: Panaeolus | Hawaiian
- Potency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐
- Species: Azurescens | Astoria
- Potency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of cultivation: ⭐
- Growth speed: ⭐
- Yield: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Buying a mushroom grow kit
Since 2008, the sale of ready-to-use mushrooms is no longer allowed. That’s why we only sell mushroom grow kits, spores, spawn, and cultures where it’s legal. What’s the difference?
- Mushroom Grow Kit – A mushroom grow kit contains everything you need to cultivate mushrooms yourself.
- Mushroom Spawn – Developed culture in a fresh growing substrate. Ready to multiply.
- Mushroom Culture – Inject or inoculate your own substrate with this liquid fungus in a syringe or vial.
- Spore Print – Start from the beginning: germinate your spores and create your own culture.
How to Grow Magic Mushrooms?
Each type and strain has its own optimal cultivation method and climate. Every product description contains detailed information on how to grow these mushrooms best. For all cubensis strains, it’s best to consult our manual, which can be found on the product page under the documents section. All manuals start the same: try to make your workspace and yourself as clean as possible before unpacking the grow kit.
By far the most important rule when growing mushrooms: stay clean!
Grow Your Own Mushrooms in 10 Steps
With this short guide, we’ll help you get started.
- Wash your hands and the outside of the grow kit.
- Remove the lid. Use a sterilized fork to make holes in the top layer of the grow kit.
- Fill the kit with lukewarm water up to the edge and replace the lid. Let it soak for 8 to 12 hours.
- Drain off excess water. Let the kit drain for 10 seconds.
- Add lukewarm water to the grow bag. Use 250 ml for 250 cc kits and 500 ml for 1200 cc kits. Place the kit in the bag and ensure the water doesn’t enter the kit itself.
- Close the bag, fold the top twice, and secure it with the included paperclips.
- Place the grow kit away from direct sunlight, not under a lamp or on a heater. The ideal temperature is 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Make sure there is always condensation on the inside of the bag during cultivation. No condensation? Mist the inside of the bag (but not directly on the kit) with a plant spray on the mist setting.
- After about 2 weeks, the first mushrooms should appear. Some strains may take a bit longer. Be patient and move to the next step once you see small pins.
- Seeing small mushroom pins? Open the bag daily for fresh air and mist the inside of the bag if there's no condensation. Always work cleanly and avoid contaminating the kit. Check carefully when the veil under the mushroom cap starts to loosen.
- Harvest when the veil under the cap is about to tear. Gently twist the mushroom left and right and pull it out as completely as possible.
Harvest all mushrooms from the grow kit once the veil under most of the caps starts to come loose.
When the caps open, they release spores. This can cause black, dark brown, or dark purple stains on mushrooms underneath. It’s not a problem, but it’s best to harvest before this happens.
After the Harvest: Drying and Storing Mushrooms
In the fridge, the grow kit is good for about 3 to 6 months. Outside of refrigeration, shelf life is limited.
You can eat mushrooms fresh, but that’s quite a large meal. To make the portion smaller and to preserve the mushrooms after harvesting, it’s best to dry them.
Drying Mushrooms
Start drying immediately after harvesting. Keep the mushrooms as whole and intact as possible. Take a large, clean plate, oven dish, or baking tray and cover it with paper towels. Spread out the mushrooms so they don’t touch each other. Drape a tea towel over the plate like a tent, for example by placing a glass in the middle. The simplest and safest place (away from kids or pets) is to put them on top of a cabinet. Replace the paper towels daily.
It is normal for mushrooms to turn blue-green after harvesting. Discoloration is part of the process.
Storing Mushrooms
Once dried, it’s time to store them. For large doses or trip sessions, store the mushrooms whole in a sealed grip bag. It’s even better to add a silica gel pack and an oxygen absorber to the bag. This keeps moisture and oxygen out. Place the bag in a sealed jar and store it in a cool, dark place out of reach of children and pets. This way, they can last for months or even years.
Are the mushrooms still good after storing? Use your senses: look, smell, and taste.
- As long as there is no gray-green fuzzy mold, they look fine.
- As long as they smell slightly like rye bread or mushrooms, they smell fine.
- As long as they taste slightly bitter and have the texture of cardboard, they taste fine.
Using Magic Mushrooms
Where (not) to use magic mushrooms?
This might be the most important question. The environment or setting largely determines how enjoyable your magic mushroom trip will be. That’s why we always say: only use mushrooms in a trusted, safe environment and make sure a sober tripsitter is present. The more comfortable you feel in your surroundings, the more pleasant the trip will be. Don’t let friends pressure you. Only do it if you truly want to and when it feels like the right day.
Best locations to use magic mushrooms
- In your own home
- At (very good) friends’ houses
- In a rented holiday cottage in nature
- Out in nature (forest, dunes, beach)
Bad locations to use magic mushrooms
Loud, crowded places with lots of unfamiliar people are absolutely a no-go:
- Festivals, parties, concerts – You lose the ability to filter sensory input, making the trip overwhelming.
- On the street, in the city, near roads and bike paths – Your reaction time decreases and you may not recognize danger.
- With people you don’t fully trust – If you’re not feeling well, can you trust your life to whoever is with you?
The mushroom trip
And then it begins: the mushroom trip. Unlike the stereotypes, “hallucinations” aren’t little gnomes running through the room. Mandala-like patterns, eyes, and figures may appear on the walls, ceiling, and floor, and everything seems to “breathe.” Here’s how a mushroom trip typically unfolds:
- Onset – when the trip starts: Usually 20 minutes to an hour after ingestion. The higher the dose, the sooner it kicks in. Never take more if you don’t feel anything after an hour. Save the rest for another time. Early effects include yawning, weak knees, tingling, smiling, and dilated pupils.
- Peak – the height of the effects: Around 2 to 4 hours in. Expect intense emotions, hallucinations, and deep thoughts. Waves of intensity shape the rhythm of the trip.
- Come down – effects gradually fade: After the peak, the effects slowly wear off. It feels like a glow. You’ll probably be tired and have vivid dreams. Give yourself time to rest and process. It can feel like returning from a long journey.
- Total duration: About 5 to 8 hours.
- After-effects: Called “tripping” because it feels like an adventure in your own mind. Many psychonauts say it’s not like a hangover, but you’ll need a day to several weeks to mentally digest everything.
It felt like I had been on a week-long journey.
Levels: the trip levels and effects of magic mushrooms
Each level includes the effects of the levels below it.
- Level 1: Light Dose – Introduction to Alteration | You feel slightly euphoric, like being mildly high. Colors are brighter, sounds richer, and music more beautiful. You stay fully grounded in reality. Great for beginners.
- Level 2: Mild Dose – The World Breathes | Colors shift, surfaces ripple, and mild closed-eye visuals appear. Creativity and laughter increase. You still have a good grip on reality.
- Level 3: Medium Dose – The Classic Trip | Noticeable patterns and visual distortions with eyes open and closed. Synesthesia and time distortion are possible. A rich inner world begins to unfold. Use only in a safe, familiar setting.
- Level 4: High Dose – Ego Dissolution | Intense hallucinations, talking objects, and a deep sense of connection. The ego dissolves partially or completely. Strong emotions and spiritual insight may arise. Only with experienced guidance.
- Level 5: “Hero” Dose – Loss of Self | All contact with physical reality disappears. No distinction between body, time, or space. Sensory input fails. Overwhelming emotion. Merging with the universe or total disorientation. Only for highly experienced users with proper preparation.
- Level 6: Beyond Usefulness | As each level increases, so does the risk of a bad trip. Communication becomes impossible at this stage. Blackouts or temporary paralysis are common. Extremely challenging. Best avoided.
How to consume magic mushrooms
Eating them directly is best. They taste like quite bitter mushrooms.
Pro tip: Don’t eat or drink anything except water for 3 hours before taking mushrooms. This maximizes effect and minimizes nausea.
If you dislike the taste, here are some alternatives:
- Make mushroom tea – Use hot water just below boiling (70-75°C) to preserve active compounds. Let finely chopped mushrooms steep for 20 minutes. Use a tealight to keep it warm. Ginger or licorice make great flavor additions, and blue lotus turns the tea a magical blue!
- Pasta ai funghi – Pasta, but not with ordinary mushrooms. Add mushrooms after cooking to preserve the active compounds. Don’t add cheese—it’s a nauseating and potentially risky combo.
- The mushroom burger – A favorite among our customers. Build a tasty burger and top it with fresh, uncooked mushrooms. Again: skip the cheese!
- Just chew through – Hate the taste but want the best effects? Chew the mushrooms briefly and swallow. Immediately rinse your mouth with water and swallow that too. Then brush your teeth.
Microdosing
You can also microdose with mushrooms. Our preferred strains are Mexican, Thai, and B+. For all the info and the best products and tools for microdosing, it’s best to go straight to that category.
Frequently Asked Questions About Magic Mushrooms