Posted by The mushroom category within botanicals can take the form of functional (or nootropic), microdosing, or recreational mushrooms, generally. Here, we are going to explore recreational mushroom products.
Let’s get the scoop on what they are, what makes the best mushroom products, and a review of some of the particularly great ones.
What Are Psychedelic, Entheogenic, or Magic Mushrooms?
In short, they are mushroom products that induce mind-altering effects. The longer version is: They are for having fun and enhancing enjoyment as well as sensory and even mental and emotional perception. Whether in introspection, meditation, art, yoga, socializing, eating, or another mindful or sensory activity, many people report that they get to levels of depth and insight they never thought possible.
However, they are legal and do not contain psilocybin. Some might contain amanita. Others combine certain functional (nootropic) mushrooms with one or more proprietary synthetic ingredients. If you’re wondering – No, you cannot trip on nootropic mushrooms, although they can certainly be a potentiator and help enhance the effects of their natural or lab-created cousins.
When I use the term “recreational mushrooms,” I am referring to either of these. So far, these are all the names they have been called – a vendor will choose one to refer to their mind-altering mushroom products to match the marketing and (hopefully) may accurately describe their effects.
Are They Interchangeable?
Yes, although the names are slightly different, they are talking about the same mushroom category: Recreational mushrooms that get you high legally and give you some kind of dosing system. Another aspect is that they don’t all use the same formulas to achieve the effects of heightened sensory awareness, changes in perception, expanded creativity, etc. The proportions of ingredients and specific ingredients within their formulas – sometimes the entire formula – are unique. It’s probably why certain vendors will refer to their recreational mushroom products as psychedelic, another entheogenic, and another magic.
What Makes the Best Mushrooms
I look for the following features (in no particular order; they’re all about equally important):
- Transparent ingredients; you should be able to know exactly what’s in it.
- Easily-accessible COAs: If you have to buy the product first to scan a QR code, you’re going to have to take something of a leap of faith (this is where reputation precedes the vendor if they’ve been around a long time).
- Pricing that makes sense for quality and format, but more affordable ones get a mention, too
- Great quality control: Purity, consistency, and all that jazz (manufacturing practices) you can hopefully read about other than inferring from the COAs.
- Great flavor and consistency: You don’t deserve a strange taste that comes off as medicine-y, artificial sticky sweetness or super bitter. If it’s an edible, it should have a pleasant consistency that’s akin to the same format as a regular food product without the mind-altering ingredients.
Trust me, none of the mushroom products on this list will disappoint. If you’ve never eaten mushroom chocolate where you only feel strong effects after 2 squares and never with just 1, you’ll know what I mean – otherwise, this should save you a “This is weak, what a waste of money” moment.
The Top 4 Picks for Recreational Mushrooms
Best Recreational Mushroom Chocolate: Road Trip
I’m not a huge fan of the chocolate format of anything, but this mushroom chocolate by Road Trip convinced me. True to its name, it takes users on a journey that includes altered visual perceptions. It’s delicious, too, and the consistency is much the same as a regular chocolate bar.
There’s one caveat, however: You need to be patient, as with other edibles. Over an hour in, almost two hours, and I thought it wasn’t doing much of anything, and then boom – suddenly, I was tripping (it’s more noticeable when you’re moving around). Then, the peak came, and I still had effects for another two hours.
If you’re wondering what the “proprietary euphoric mushroom extract” is, I think I can tell you. They already mention nootropic (functional) mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, but anyone who’s familiar with them knows you can’t trip on them. So they add amanita muscaria into the mix; it’s all plant-based, and that’s the only legal one I can come up with.
Pro tip: Order online directly through the vendor or one of their partners, because if you buy it in-person at a shop, it’s going to be more expensive.
Best Recreational Mushroom Shot: Mmelt
I’ve tried both the mushroom shot and the mushroom chocolate by Mmelt, and the chocolate – in my opinion – was nothing to write home about, and the texture was off. The shot won by a landslide, and it really doesn’t take much at all. In fact, taking more than what you can handle will feel horrible, especially on your stomach, and you’ll have a bad trip.
Pro tip: Take advantage of the “Get more, save more” offer and the newsletter coupon.
Best Recreational Mushroom Vape: TRE House
To be fair, there aren’t a lot of vendors that offer mushroom vapes, but TRE House has some excellent products. I never thought such a thing existed, but then again, who am I kidding when nicotine and cannabis vapes abound? It was only a matter of time, and the world is all the better for it.
TRE House makes several delicious flavors. Keep in mind that a vape has a faster onset and can feel more overwhelming. The original pricing is costlier-than-average, but if you subscribe, you can save a whopping 30%.
Best Recreational Mushroom Gummies: BudPop
Aura Mushroom Gummies by BudPop are high-potency with a vegan-friendly formula that avoids gluten and other allergens and sensitive ingredients. It contains no psilocybin or illegal compounds. Every batch gets sent and tested at an ISO-certified lab, after which the results are posted on the lab’s website.
Besides enhanced mood and euphoria, you can also look forward to expanded creativity and introspection, a deepened mind-body connection, and heightened sensory perception. Finally, a mushroom gummy that works excellently.
Final Thoughts
Recreational mushroom products might be called psychedelic, magic, or entheogenic mushrooms. The legal option to psilocybin, they might contain amanita or nootropic mushrooms and synthetic ingredients for potent formulas in one or more formats. Things like transparent ingredients and testing, good pricing, excellent quality control, and pleasant flavor and consistency are part of what makes a leading choice for recreational mushroom products. The formats in this list were what I believed to be the superior choice for that particular vendor.
If recreational mushroom products aren’t your thing right now, consider microdosing mushrooms for a mood boost with mental energy, clarity, focus, and creativity. Real Botanicals is a pioneer with a legal mushroom product that is specifically for mindful introspection and productivity.
Relevant reading: “4 of the Best Mushroom Vendors“