What Are Psilocybin Spores? Everything You Need to Know and Grow

What Are Magic Mushroom Spores are microscopic, single-celled reproductive units capable of growing into the fleshy, fruiting bodies of psychedelic mushrooms. These mushrooms can often be found growing on forest floors or decaying logs across the U.S. (However, unless you’re an experienced mycologist, it’s best not to consume wild mushrooms, as some can be deadly.)

There are approximately 200 species of mushrooms in the Psilocybe genus, which contain psilocybin. These mushrooms sprout from spores, commonly referred to as psilocybin spores. While psilocybin spores themselves don’t contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin — which is illegal in the U.S. — obtaining the spores is generally legal. The problem arises when the spores germinate and begin developing into mushrooms, as psilocybin doesn’t appear until the fungus starts producing mycelium, a network of fungal threads. In the wild, mycelium grows underground or in decaying wood, eventually producing the mushroom fruiting bodies. At that point, the presence of psilocybin makes the mushrooms illegal.

Where to Find Psilocybin Spores

You can extract your own psilocybin spores, but buying them online is often simpler. A quick online search will yield numerous suppliers offering syringes or prints. A spore syringe contains water and spores, while a spore print is a piece of paper with spores imprinted on it, usually by placing a fresh mushroom cap on the paper and allowing the spores to fall. These prints must be dried and rehydrated before use.

People commonly buy psilocybin spores for the purpose of studying them under a microscope or growing them into mushrooms. In most U.S. states, it’s legal to buy and sell psilocybin spores for research purposes. However, Georgia and Idaho are exceptions.

It’s important to note that buying psilocybin spores with the intent to cultivate them is illegal in most areas, except for places where psilocybin use has been decriminalized, such as Denver, Colorado; Oakland and Santa Cruz, California; and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

How to Grow Psilocybin Mushrooms

If you’re thinking about purchasing and growing psilocybin spores, make sure you check your local laws first. Cultivating mushrooms requires attention to detail, as maintaining sterility is crucial to avoid contamination from mold or bacteria. You’ll need equipment such as plastic containers, canning jars, a pressure cooker, brown rice flour or vermiculite, and other basic kitchen tools. Several online guides can help you navigate the cultivation process.

Patience is key when growing mushrooms. Depending on the species, small white bumps will form from the mycelium before developing into mushroom pins. After about 5 to 12 days, they’ll be ready for harvest. To preserve potency, you should harvest them just before the veil breaks — as the mushrooms mature, they lose their psychoactive strength.

Buying Psilocybin Spores Online | What Are Magic Mushroom Spores

When purchasing psilocybin spores online, it’s important to ensure that you’re receiving the correct product. Since these items are largely unregulated, buying spores online can be risky. You may not be sure if the seller is taking the proper steps to ensure the sterility of the syringes or even if the syringes actually contain spores.

To reduce the risk, consider buying spores from vendors that cater to mycologists, whose primary focus is research and education. You can also check forums like Shroomery for reputable sellers. Keep in mind that if you intend to germinate the spores or use them for cultivation, you may encounter legal issues, as growing psilocybin mushrooms is illegal in most parts of the U.S.