When indulging in magic mushrooms, commonly referred to as shrooms, experiencing nausea is a frequently reported side effect that many have encountered. This discomfort usually surfaces around 15-20 minutes after ingesting the mushrooms, sometimes reappearing later during the experience. For most individuals, it’s a transient annoyance that passes swiftly, while for some, it can escalate to severe levels, leading to vomiting. But why does this nausea happen? What triggers it? And importantly, is there anything that can be done about it? Let’s delve into these queries and more in this article!

Understanding Mushroom Digestion in Humans

Magic mushrooms, although distinct for their psychoactive components like psilocybin and psilocin, are digested in the human body quite similarly to non-psychoactive varieties. Considering how mushrooms are typically digested might shed some light on the issue. Leading mycologist Paul Stamets, author of “Psilocybin Mushrooms in the World,” highlights the rarity of consuming raw mushrooms due to their tough cell walls mainly composed of chitin. According to Stamets, raw mushrooms and mycelium might harbor harmful pathogens and heat-sensitive toxins, posing risks such as gastrointestinal irritation or allergic reactions, suggesting that cooking mushrooms is preferable for culinary purposes.

Another expert, Dr. Andrew Weil, underscores the indigestibility of mushrooms due to their tough cell walls, especially without proper cooking. He explains that the chitin material in cell walls, while indigestible, could potentially trigger inflammatory and immune responses during digestion. This unique substance, not naturally occurring in the human body, may lead to discomfort when broken down by the enzyme chitinase. However, cooking mushrooms, the typical approach in culinary usage, may compromise the psychoactive compounds found in magic mushrooms. Hence, these mushrooms are often consumed raw or commonly dried to retain their potency. The nausea associated with ingesting magic mushrooms might be linked to the consumption of raw chitin, though other theories related to the diverse chemical composition of magic mushrooms have surfaced.

Examining Other Chemicals in Magic Mushrooms

Psilocybin and psilocin are recognized as the primary compounds behind the psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms. Beyond these, other compounds like baeocystin, norbaocystin, norpsilocin, aeruginascin, and phenethylamine are also present. Studies indicate instances where individuals experienced nausea after consuming pure, synthetic psilocybin without prior exposure to mushrooms, minimizing the possibility of a placebo effect.

In contrast to earlier assumptions, it’s plausible that the psilocybin compound itself might induce nausea, even when isolated from other mushroom compounds. The conversion of psilocybin into psilocin during digestion or a related side effect could potentially cause these discomforts. Among the compounds listed, phenylethylamine stands out due to its characteristics as a central nervous system stimulant and neurotransmitter, capable of inducing hallucinogenic effects. Yet, Alexander Shulgin, an authority in this field, discounts the likelihood of phenethylamines in mushrooms being responsible for these effects. Shulgin suggests that phenethylamines are typically broken down rapidly in the human body unless specific accompanying molecules are present, absent in psilocybin mushrooms.

The Role of Beta-Glucan

After identifying potential nausea triggers in magic mushrooms (the chitin in cell walls and psilocybin), exploring the stomach’s breakdown process becomes pivotal. Biologist Ian Bollinger hypothesizes that beta-glucan, a sugar prevalent in mushroom chitin, could be a contributing factor to the discomfort. Beta-glucan, more abundant in mushroom cell walls than in oats or other grains, reacts when broken down in the acidic environment of the stomach, potentially causing reactions akin to the mixing of acids and bases.

Further evidence supporting this theory points to beta-glucan supplements, often taken for cholesterol or heart health issues, causing nausea as a side effect. Therefore, the nausea triggered by magic mushrooms ingestion might be primarily attributed to the chitin in cell walls and the psilocybin compound itself. Additionally, dehydration or poor physical health, along with excessive doses, heighten the likelihood of experiencing nausea. While this knowledge is insightful, nausea remains an unpleasant experience. Is there a solution to alleviate it? Fortunately, there are strategies that can help.

Reducing Nausea When Consuming Magic Mushrooms

A popular method involves using lemon juice to mitigate the nausea associated with mushroom ingestion. By exposing the mushroom cell walls and beta-glucan to lemon juice before consumption, the breakdown process begins, potentially reducing the stomach’s acidic reaction upon mushroom ingestion. Many individuals have reported positive results using this technique, but there are important considerations to bear in mind.

Using a citrus bath can expedite the onset of the trip, intensify the experience, and shorten its duration. Lemon juice’s low pH facilitates the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin, accelerating the trip’s effects. This alteration compresses the experience, producing a shorter yet more intense high, altering the overall trip experience. Secondly, while the citrus bath can alleviate some nausea, it might not eliminate it entirely. The inherent tendency of psilocybin to induce slight nausea suggests that even with a citrus bath treatment, some discomfort might persist.

Alternatively, exploring magic mushroom teas could offer a simpler solution to mitigate potential nausea.

1. Grind the shrooms into a fine powder.
2. Place the powder in a French press and cover it with lemon or lime juice.
3. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes.
4. Add ginger, your preferred tea, and honey or sugar.
5. Pour hot water into the French press.
6. Allow the mixture to steep, then press and pour the tea.

This method, known as lemon tek, jump-starts the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin before ingestion, reducing nausea while expediting the trip. Transitioning from eating mushrooms to preparing tea minimizes nausea during the trip, enhancing the overall experience.

In conclusion, while the experience of nausea with magic mushrooms is a common issue, utilizing lemon juice or exploring tea preparations can significantly alleviate these discomforts. These methods, though altering the trip’s intensity and duration, offer viable solutions for individuals seeking a more pleasant mushroom experience.

For those interested, explore our selection of magic mushroom teas for a smoother, nausea-reduced journey into the psychedelic realm.