Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, have been embraced for their transformative effects and potential therapeutic benefits. However, like any organic material, they are perishable and can lose potency—or worse, become unsafe—if not stored correctly. Whether you're healing depression or having trippy sex to hallucinatory entertainment, understanding how to properly store your mushrooms can help you preserve their effects for months or even years.
This comprehensive guide outlines best practices, advanced techniques, and essential tips for safely storing magic mushrooms to maintain their potency and avoid spoilage.
Why Proper Storage Matters
Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, degrades over time due to exposure to oxygen, heat, moisture, and light. Improper storage can also lead to mold or bacterial contamination, making the mushrooms unsafe to consume. On average:
- Fresh mushrooms last 3–5 days.
- Dried mushrooms can last 6–12 months if stored correctly.
- Psilocybin-infused products like honey or chocolates can last up to 3 years.
With optimal storage, you can minimize these risks and extend the shelf life of your mushrooms. If magic mushrooms aren’t stored correctly, they can break down, lose potency, and even become highly susceptible to bacteria or mold – a major danger to your body.
Thankfully, knowing how to store magic mushrooms is a pretty straightforward process once you get it down, and it doesn’t need to be very expensive at all. The Bluntness has broken down everything you need to know about storing shrooms, whether they’re dried or fresh.
How to Store Shrooms: Everything You Need to Know
For any form of fungi, you run a potentially dangerous risk if you’re not taking proper storage precautions. There are four main factors you have to be aware of when trying to get the longest shelf life possible for your shrooms:
- Oxygen
- Heat
- UV light
- Mold & bacteria
If any of these four factors aren’t closely monitored and considered, your shrooms will lose potency, break down, or rot, and if you slip up and consume shrooms that have grown mold or bacteria on them, you are risking your health.
Dry Them Thoroughly
The first step in preserving mushrooms is proper drying. Fresh mushrooms have high moisture content, which makes them susceptible to mold and rot. To dry mushrooms:
- Use a food dehydrator or place them in a well-ventilated, warm area.
- Ensure they are completely brittle and crispy before storage.
Choose the Right Container
Airtight storage is critical to prevent moisture, oxygen, and light from degrading your mushrooms. Here are the best options:
- Vacuum-Sealed Bags: Remove all air to minimize oxygen exposure.
- Mason Jars: Use small jars to reduce excess air space. Add desiccant packs for extra moisture control.
- Ziplock Bags: Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
1. Mason Jars
How to Store Magic MushroomsThis method is the most straightforward way to store dried shrooms. Mason jars are easy to find at your local grocery store, and they provide an airtight, oxygen-free environment for your fungi to hang out in for up to 12 months. (We highly recommend writing the date you stored the shrooms on the jar for future reference).
For best results, make sure to keep your shroom-filled mason jars in a dry, dark, cool environment. Also, keep in mind that although the shrooms will remain active and mold-and-bacteria-free for up to 12 months, they will likely lose some of their potency after about six months of storage.
2. Ziplock Bags
How to Store Magic MushroomsZiplock bags are another incredibly cost-effective method for storing dried shrooms, and they offer about the same amount of protection that mason jars do, if you’re careful.
When storing magic mushrooms in a ziplock bag, make sure you squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it, and double check for any holes or openings in the bag before putting it away.
For added protection, some consumers will combine both methods by first placing their shrooms in a ziplock bag, and then storing the bag in a mason jar.
Advanced Storage Methods: If you want to go beyond basic storage, consider these innovative techniques:
How to Store Magic MushroomsIf stored properly, chocolate can stay good for up to 18 months, and combining the food product with psilocybin is a great way to ensure your shrooms don’t go bad.
You can easily create your own psilocybin chocolate by grinding your dried shrooms into powder, melting some chocolate on a stove, and combining the two. Just make sure you don’t add the powder until the chocolate has cooled down a bit, or you may damage the psilocybin content and reduce potency.
This is a great (and tasty) method for protecting your magic shrooms from the elements, as chocolate seals out oxygen and UV light.
4. Combine Dried Shrooms w/ Honey
How to Store Magic MushroomsIf the edible route seems to work best for you and your preferences, another great option is to combine your dried shrooms with honey. Shroom-infused honey can last up to 18 months or longer if stored properly – in many cases, up to two years.
To do this, simply place your dried shrooms in a mason jar and cover them with honey. Make sure they’re immersed by at least half an inch, and opt for raw honey if you can.
It doesn’t matter if you grind the shrooms into powder first or place them in whole – either method will store well in the honey. Throughout their time in the jar, the shrooms’ active ingredients will diffuse into the honey, which will eventually allow you to just eat the honey directly to experience the fungi’s effects.
5. Try Capsules and Microdosing
How to Store Magic MushroomsHaving shrooms in capsule form is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the brave new world world of microdosing. Believe it or not, capsulized mushrooms are quite simple to create at home, and can store safely for up to 12 months without losing much potency.
The key is to fill up the capsules as much as possible, because any empty spaces will result in oxygen making its way in and breaking down the fungi much quicker.
A pro tip for capsule storage is to utilize an oxygen absorber or desiccant, which will help ensure there is no drop in potency over time.
Storing Fresh Magic Mushrooms
If you’ve come across fresh magic mushrooms or truffles, which are still somewhat rare in the market, you’ll quickly learn they’re much more finicky and can mold and rot in just a few days if they aren’t stored properly.
If you plan to use them within 5-10 days, fresh shrooms or truffles can be stored in the fridge in a brown paper bag. However, if you’re planning to store them any longer, you’ll have to dry them out.
This can be done by: air drying – a.k.a., placing the shrooms on a paper towel for about 72 hours; dehydrating them with a food dehydrator; or freeze-drying, which is effective, but definitely the most complicated and costly method to utilize.
How To Tell If Shrooms Have Gone Bad?
You’ll know almost immediately if fresh mushrooms have spoiled because they'll have a nasty musty odor, and you’ll likely see blue or green fuzzy growths on the caps and stem. Although, it's worth noting that some white fuzziness on the stems is normal — this is the mycelial threads from the fungi trying to grow outwards from the harvested mushrooms.
For dried mushrooms, it’s not so easy to tell if they've gone bad. Obvious signs your shrooms went bad include green or blue mold growth, moisture or sogginess, and an awful smell. It’s no longer safe to use shrooms that look or smell like this. Throw them away.
If you store your mushrooms correctly, they will remain edible for many, many years. It’s more likely your shrooms will lose their potency than it is for them to go moldy if stored correctly. If you eat your stored mushrooms beyond their “expiration date”, they might just not work as well or at all. As long as they’re not moldy, they’re very unlikely to make you feel ill.
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Avoid the Freezer
Contrary to popular belief, freezing is not ideal for storing magic mushrooms. Studies show that freezing can accelerate psilocybin degradation in the short term, reducing potency. Instead, store your mushrooms at room temperature in a dark, cool place.
Use Desiccant Packs
Desiccants absorb residual moisture and help maintain a dry environment. Save silica gel packs from electronics or shoes, or purchase them online, and include them in your storage container.
Consuming shrooms can already result in an upset stomach or feelings of nausea, and throwing mold or bacteria in the mix can wreak some serious havoc on your digestive system, which won’t be fun at all to experience mid-trip.
How to Spot Bad Mushrooms
Even with proper storage, it's essential to check for signs of spoilage before consuming. Avoid mushrooms with:
- Mold Growth: Visible fuzz or discoloration (except for natural blueing) indicates contamination.
- Off Odors: A sweet, musty, or funky smell is a sign of bacterial growth.
- Soft or Slimy Texture: This indicates internal moisture and bacterial rot.
- Black, Brown, or White Spots: Discoloration suggests the presence of harmful mold or bacteria.
Note: Blue discoloration is normal and results from psilocybin oxidation, not mold.
The Science of Storage: What Works Best?
A recent study on psilocybin degradation examined different storage methods. Key findings include:
- Dark Room Temperature Storage: Retained 82% of psilocybin potency after two months.
- Refrigeration (~40°F): Moderate potency loss over 15 months.
- Freezing (-4°F): Significant potency loss within the first month.
- Exposure to Light: Rapid degradation, with psilocybin levels dropping by 35% in one month.
Conclusion: Room temperature storage in dark, airtight containers is optimal for long-term preservation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Storing Fresh Mushrooms Long-Term: Always dry mushrooms if you plan to store them for more than a few days.
- Skipping Desiccant Packs: Residual moisture is the enemy of preservation.
- Using Non-Airtight Containers: Oxygen accelerates potency loss.
- Overestimating Potency: Old mushrooms may require higher doses, but start with your usual amount to avoid overconsumption.
Final Tips for Long-Term Storage
- Dry mushrooms thoroughly before storage.
- Use vacuum-sealed bags, mason jars, or airtight containers with desiccants.
- Store in a cool, dark place at room temperature.
- Explore advanced methods like psilocybin honey or tinctures for extended preservation.
- Always check for mold, odor, or discoloration before consuming.
The Art of Mushroom Preservation
Properly storing magic mushrooms is part science and part art. With the right techniques, you can ensure your stash stays potent and safe for months—or even years. Whether you’re a microdoser, a psychonaut, or a curious explorer, mastering the art of preservation allows you to enjoy your magic mushrooms with confidence and peace of mind.
