What are magic mushroom spores?
Spores are microscopic reproductive cells produced by magic mushrooms and other fungi. The word spore comes from the Greek word sporā, meaning “a sowing,” or “seed.” Though they aren’t the same, spores and seeds share the same function: to create new life forms and spread the species across new areas.
The mushroom spore reproduction cycle
A mushroom life cycle begins with spores. Once these single-celled structures land upon a suitable nutrient source, known as substrate in cultivation, the mushroom growing process starts. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and sunlight, must be favorable for growing to begin successfully.
- Germination is when filaments known as hyphae grow from the spores and mate to create mycelium. The mycelium then rapidly expands, absorbing nutrients from its surroundings.
- Some parts of the mycelial network form knots that develop into “primordia” or baby mushrooms. Thousands of primordia form; however, only a tiny percentage of candidates with strong survivability are selected to develop into fruitbodies. Fruitbodies are the visible “mushroom” part of a fungal lifeform.
- Cells called basidia, found in the fruitbody caps, produce spores, which are then released into the environment for the cycle to begin again.
Mushroom spores are airborne, meaning the wind can carry them to land at new habitats once released. This is essential for the species to flourish since locating to areas uninhabited by other fungi reduces competition for resources.
How to start a mushroom growing journey
If you’re interested in growing mushrooms at home, spores are your essential starting point.
Most growers begin with a spore syringe – a syringe filled with a sterile solution containing mushroom spores in suspension. Once a substrate is ready, you can inject your spores into the medium to begin the growing process. ‘
Alternatively, some people begin with a spore print – a powdery deposit of spores. To start the growing process with spore prints, you can transfer a print to a petri dish containing agar. Once the dish is colonized with mycelium, you can transfer agar into your substrate for further growth. Spore syringes can also be made from spore prints.
Though spore prints are more complicated to use, they have advantages over syringes. Firstly, they are much longer-lasting than syringes, and several can be made from one print. They’re also generally more accessible for shipping as they can be easily transported in a letter.
Liquid cultures are another starting point in mushroom cultivation. These are suspensions of mycelium and nutrients stored in liquid that can be quickly injected into the substrate.
Liquid cultures grow much quicker than spore syringes since the spores are already germinated. Moreover, this method decreases the risk of contamination with mold or other harmful microorganisms during germination. However, liquid cultures are generally more expensive than syringes and prints, and some mycologists may prefer to experience the mushrooms growing in their very early stages.
Types of magic mushroom spores
There are over 200 estimated different species of magic mushrooms, with the majority failing under the Psilocybe genus. Psilocybin and psilocin–the active ingredients in magic mushrooms–also naturally occur in species belonging to the Panaeolus, Pleteus, and Gymnopilus genera.
Within a given mushroom species, you can also find different strains or subtypes. Strains are genetically identical, unlike a species, so they can’t provide fertile offspring. Over the years, mycologists have cultivated many different mushroom strains to enhance desirable characteristics such as appearance, resistance to contamination, and psychoactive effects.
If you’re interested in cultivating mushrooms, it’s first essential to consider the different species and strains out there to know what type of mushroom spores you’re after. Factors you may want to consider include:
- Is the strain/species easy to grow?
- What is the psilocybin and psilocin content of these mushrooms?
- Are there common themes in people’s experiences with these mushrooms on trip reports?
Spores have characteristic shapes, sizes, and colors depending on the species, and so are valuable tools for mushroom identification. For instance, Psilocybe cubensis has dark-purple oval-shaped spores, but Psilocybe mexicana has dark-red, round spores.
You can see the color of spores by looking under the cap and identify their characteristic shapes and ornamentation by looking under a microscope. You could also create a spore print by placing the cap of a mature mushroom on a piece of paper and covering it for a few hours. And can then cross reference your resulting spore print with reliable online resources.
Legal considerations
In many countries, spores are legal, but psilocybin and “magic mushrooms” are Schedule 1 equivalent compounds. This means that you can legally buy spores, but growing mushrooms from these spores, or “manufacture,” is a criminal offense. Spore kits may also fall under the category of “drug paraphernalia,” which could make owning and selling kits illegal.
Exceptions to these rules include countries where magic mushrooms are legal, such as Jamaica and the Bahamas. In the Netherlands, psilocybin-containing sclerotia (a mass of hardened mycelium) is legal, so magic mushroom spore kits can be legally sold and bought in headshops.
Some countries are in a legal grey area regarding psychedelic mushrooms. For instance, under Article 32 of the UN Controlled Substances Act, psychedelic mushrooms are permitted in areas where they grow natively and are used in traditional spiritual ceremonies, such as in Mexico. Therefore, growing mushrooms from spores may be legal in these countries so long as they are intended for traditional and ceremonial use.
Countries such as Brazil have a ban on “psilocybin” and “psilocin,” but not “magic mushrooms,” meaning growing mushrooms from spores in these areas may be legal, as long as their active ingredients aren’t extracted.
Certain countries and US states also have decriminalization laws regarding psychedelic use. This means that if you buy or sell spore kits with illegal intent in these areas (i.e., growing magic mushrooms), then you’re likely to receive either no or reduced criminal punishment.
With psychedelic laws varying from country to country and state to state, you must do your own research into your local area’s laws before deciding to purchase mushroom spores.
Acquiring Magic Mushroom Spores
There are hundreds of vendors selling magic mushroom spores online, but not all of them can be trusted. You may find yourself paying for spores you never receive, receiving a lower quantity than you paid for, or being mis-sold with a different product (such as another non-psychoactive mushroom species).
Therefore, it’s essential to choose a vendor with a good reputation. You can use formal review sites like Trust Pilot to check vendor reviews. You could also refer to forum sites such as Reddit and Shroomery to see what experienced mushroom growers have to say.
According to subreddit threads, such as a recent thread titled “Best Spore Websites,” reputable vendors include:
Because of the uncertain legality of mushroom spores, some vendors may only allow payments through Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. This can be a complicated and timely process; however, it offers anonymity and security for both the buyer and seller.
Another point you should consider is the ethical sourcing of spores. For example, in the Sierra Mazateca in Mexico, psilocybin mushrooms grow naturally and have been used by indigenous people of the land for centuries for healing and spiritual purposes. However, local people have reported it increasingly challenging to find mushrooms in their natural habitat. If a mushroom species is on the verge of extinction, it may be unethical to source this species from the wild for its spores.
Storage and handling
Mushroom spores can be viable for years, with reports of spore prints lasting at least a decade. However, its essential prints and syringes are stored in proper conditions, or else environmental factors can make the spores “turn bad” and no longer be able to germinate.
Spore prints should be stored in a sealed, airtight bag to prevent weather-related damage and contamination from other microorganisms, such as mold. Prints should also be kept dry since mold growth flourishes in moist environments. They should also be kept somewhere dark to prevent degradation by sunlight.
Spore syringes should also be kept in sealed, airtight bags away from sunlight. Online sources suggest storing syringes in refrigerators between +2°and +8°C is best for long-term storage.
If you’re planning on germinating spores, it’s critical you maintain a sterile environment to prevent contamination during the process. Accidentally infecting substrate with mold may completely ruin your mushroom crop, so ensure you use alcohol or disinfectant to clean any tools you may use, including the spore syringe. You could also use clean gloves during the process to decrease the risk of spreading microorganisms from your hands.
Final thoughts
Spores are one of nature’s greatest tools, spreading and distributing fungi across the globe. As the critical starting point, mushroom cultivators should be diligent when it comes to buying spores, carefully researching their local laws, and considering which types and sources of spores may be best. It’s also critical to handle spores carefully so they can be stored for long periods and encourage successful mushroom growth once germinated.
Martha Allitt Jamila Thomson
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