We’ve heard many stories: folks snag some psychedelic mushrooms and hoard them for a “big moment,” only to be let down by a lukewarm trip.
Psychedelic shrooms do decay. What did you think? Are they invincible? They rot like any other organic matter.
The real question is, how long do they stay fresh? This is probably the first thing that pops into your head after getting your hands on some shrooms.
Shrooms go bad, losing their punch and tasting awful. Are you curious how to spot spoiled magic mushrooms or make them last longer? This article covers how long they stay fresh and tricks to extend their shelf life.
It all boils down to how you buy, store, and prep them. Read on to get more details.
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How Do Magic Mushrooms Go Bad?
Magic mushrooms are fungi prone to mold and rot if you don’t store them correctly.
If they’re not correctly dried or get too damp, they’ll start to decay and not be safe to eat in about a week.
Here are the factors that contribute to them going bad:
- Moisture: When your shrooms are exposed to excess moisture, they become slimy. This condition makes them more vulnerable to bacteria and mold buildup.
- Temperature: Studies have even shown that the greatest degradation of tryptamines (a mushroom component) occurred in fresh mushrooms stored at -80°C. High temperatures increase their degradation.
- Light: UV light from the sun can break down the active compounds in magic mushrooms (psilocybin). So, this can contribute to its loss of potency.
- Time: Even when you store shrooms in perfect condition, there will come a time when they begin to degrade, especially in potency, not necessarily in appearance.
Like other mushrooms, when magic shrooms go bad, they become slimy, shrivel up, or develop dark spots that weren’t there before.
But it sure takes a while before these begin to happen.
How Long Do Shrooms Last Before Turning Bad?
How shrooms are prepared and stored makes a massive difference in how long they last before turning rancid. It also depends on whether it’s dried, fresh, or edible mushrooms.
Fresh mushrooms only last 1 to 2 days at room temperature and about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Dried shrooms typically last between 8 and 12 months but are best used within the first month. When stored properly, shroom-infused chocolates last as long without turning sour.
Pro Tip:
- For every hour shrooms spend, about 8 hours are shaved off their overall shelf life.
Edible shrooms, such as gummies and chocolate bars, remain safe to consume for up to two years.
Shroom-infused dark chocolate lasts up to two years, while milk, white, or ruby chocolate can start turning bad after one year if stored properly.
But ultimately, you have to consider the expiration date on these edibles, as it depends on the kind of magic mushroom used to make them.
Shroom bars with fresh mushrooms will only be good for 3-7 days.
How Do You Know a Spoiled Shroom?
Spotting bad shrooms is usually a no-brainer. Look for glaring signs like funky colors and weird textures.
If it smells off, like anything but that fresh, earthy aroma, it’s probably bad news. And if it tastes strange? That’s a major red flag!
But it doesn’t end there. Here are some signs that show a shroom is spoiled:
- Color changes or looks darker: Fresh mushrooms usually have a uniform color, whether white, brown, or another hue, depending on the type. When mushrooms spoil, they can darken or have discolored spots.
- Slimy texture: As shrooms degrade, mucus-like substances begin to appear and will break down the mushroom’s tissues. When you touch or handle the mushrooms, it’ll feel excessively slippery or slimy.
- Mold growth: Mold can appear as fuzzy patches or spots on the surface of the mushrooms. The color is usually white or green but can also appear in blue or black, depending on the type of mold.
- Nasty smell: Of course, another telltale sign of a spoiled shroom is the awful smell oozing from it. The smell is like ammonia or rotten food. Fresh mushrooms have a mild, earthy aroma.
Can You Take Shrooms That Have Gone Bad?
If you suspect your shrooms have gone bad, just don’t eat them! Eating rotten mushrooms can give you food poisoning, with symptoms like stomach flu, projectile vomiting, sweating, and chills.
Some folks on r/shroomers claim they use the “lemon tec” trick to dodge food poisoning, thanks to its antibacterial properties.
While that might work, we still say avoid spoiled shrooms—better safe than sorry!
How To Store Shrooms From Going Bad
There are different ways to store shrooms depending on how long you want to extend the shelf life.
- Drying: To keep your shrooms fresh and safe, keep them dry until you’re ready to chow down. Dry them in the sun till they are not moist, and then store them in a jar. Mushrooms slurp up water, so don’t wash them before storing—just brush off any dirt.
- Refrigerating: You can’t tuck the shrooms in a brown paper bag in the fridge; they’ll stay primo for 5 to 7 days. But when you leave them out, the shrooms will start wilting in a day or two.
- Freezing: Freezing is an option, but without drying first, magic mushrooms will turn into mush from all that water. Properly frozen magic mushrooms can last about nine months.
- For long-term storage, dry them out in a dehydrator. Once bone-dry, stash them in an airtight container on the shelf or in the freezer. That way, they’ll stay fresh for up to nine months.
Pro Tip:
- Remember that magic mushrooms lose their potency over time, no matter how you stash them. For the strongest effect, use them as soon as you can.
What are the wrong ways to preserve shrooms?
One erroneous recommendation for preserving shrooms is to grind them into a powder and mix them with honey. Sure, you’ll end up with Blue Honey, which seems like a genius move because it masks the taste and eases tummy troubles.
But you lose a ton of potency this way. The bluer the honey, the more of your psilocybin has gone kaput.
Honey contains hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a rust creator for psilocybin. Each time it rusts, it ruins not just one but four psilocybin molecules. So, you’re basically flushing away the good stuff.
Shroom Capsules For Longer Shelf Life
We suggest shroom capsules for a longer shelf life, so you don’t have to worry about shrooms going bad.
It involves drying your mushrooms and then stuffing them into capsules. This way, you get a mix of the caps and stems, making dosing super precise.
The benefits of preserving your shrooms in capsule form are the following:
- Longer shelf life because not only did you turn dried shrooms to powder, but you also store them in caps, which will keep them dry and prevent them from absorbing moisture.
- It helps for those who want to microdose.
- It’s space-conserving in your fridge.
But let’s be honest: making these capsules from scratch can be a pain.
That’s why at Schedule35, we offer the best shroom-infused capsules for microdosers. Available in 100, 200, and 500mg doses, just pick what suits you best.
You can check out our collection online and have it delivered straight to your door anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
Wrapping Up
Just like any other organic food, shrooms can go bad. But if you dried them right and kept them away from crazy heat, they should still pack a punch even after months.
No matter the situation, always check for mold and ensure your shrooms are still bone-dry, as you left them.
The shrooms are good to go if they haven’t turned fuzzy or stinky.