We fell in love with magic as soon as we could walk and speak.
Stories filled with wonder made us curious and got us walking through life, thinking that so many things are possible.
As adults, we crave to reintegrate that curious, joyful way of seeing life and befriending magic again.
We spoke in previous articles about “los niños santos”, also known as Magic Mushrooms, and their unique capacity to help us, just like magic, understand and rewire aspects of our embodied life.
Today, we’re speaking about Magic Truffles vs. Magic Mushrooms.
We’ll be looking at their common traits and what sets them apart for a better understanding of their magic and place in nature.
But what are Magic Truffles?
Magic Truffles are simply at a different stage of development, discovered in 1977 by physician and mycologist Steven H. Pollock while cultivating Magic Mushrooms in his mobile laboratory.
You can say one is the fruiting body (Magic Mushrooms), and the other is a technique for preserving the mycelium (Magic Truffles).
Also called sclerotia, or the philosopher’s stone, Magic Truffles can be seen as a survival mechanism of a mushroom. When faced with harsh conditions, the fungus creates a dense mass underground in order to preserve its nutrients.
Same as mushrooms, not all truffles are magic. The most well-known Magic Truffles are Psilocybe Mexicana, Psilocybe Galindoi (Atlantis), Psilocybe Pajaritos, Psilocybe MicroMex, Psilocybe Hollandia, and Psilocybe Tampanensis. Some of them are known to be stronger than others, but just like with Magic Mushrooms, the dose is everything.
Magic Truffles vs Mushrooms: What do they have in common?
They both:
- Belong to the same organism.
- Contain psilocybin and psilocin, making them equally magical and powerful.
- Have similar physical effects: dilatation of pupils, increased blood pressure and heart rate.
- They lead to a non-ordinary state of mind where things such as colourful visuals, distortion of shapes, heightened sensitivity, and rewiring of thought patterns can occur.
- Have different breeds that differ in intensity (given the amount of psilocybin they contain).
- Tend to generate similar amounts of psilocybin.
- They are used ceremonially for healing.
- Are non-addictive.
- They lead to a certain degree of tolerance if consumed often. That leads to a constant increase in dosage. However, it is proven that if a certain break is taken, the body recovers to its initial degree of sensitivity.
- They should never be mixed with other drugs or alcohol.
- Can be micro-dosed for sub-perceptual benefits like creativity, energy boost, and an overall state of well-being.
- Should be taken on an empty stomach for full effects.
- Set and setting are crucial for both, and the state of mind one might find oneself in before joining a ceremony.
- They take up to 60 minutes to come up within the body, and the journey lasts up to 6 hours.
- Lead to similar body feelings, visuals, and consciousness states.
- Can be consumed in the same ways: eaten directly, in tea, in recipes, or in capsules.
- Can be preserved and dried in vacuum bags, capsules, or frozen (very important to ensure they are properly dried before freezing), as well as in the form of drops or tinctures.
Magic Truffles vs Mushrooms: How are they different?
When it comes to appearance, mushrooms are white and have a soft, fine structure, while truffles are dark-coloured with a rough and hard structure. It is needless to say, Magic Mushrooms are a more developed organism than Magic Truffles.
If we are to look at the way they live, Magic Truffles remain underground, where they grow and die, all while Magic Mushrooms rise to the surface, release spores, fall to the ground, and eventually die.
Magic Truffles take up to 3 months to grow, which is much longer than Magic Mushrooms, which need up to 3 weeks to develop.
Not only do the mushrooms grow faster, but the soil used for their upbringing can be used for three rounds of growth, while that of Magic Truffles can only be used once.
If we are to look at the conditions needed to grow these beauties, Magic Truffles are less picky when growing and require less care and environmental management. They are more discrete, and external factors such as heat (21-25 degrees Celsius compared with shrooms that grow at a lower temperature) and dehydration don’t affect them as much.
Psilocybin and psilocin are controlled substances on Schedule I of the 1971 United Nations Convention. Therefore, the sale of these substances is illegal.
However, the only exception is made by Magic Truffles for being considered mycelium and not mushrooms.
Magic Mushrooms can only be bought in spores or culture kits, while Magic Truffles can be directly purchased in some smart shops.
Uses of Magic Truffles vs. Mushrooms
Magic Mushrooms have been extensively used in medical research over the recent years, ever since the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the mushroom Psilocybe Mexicana in 1958. They have shown results in healing depression, addictions, anxiety, and many other physical and mental conditions. There is no information on medical studies that used psilocybin from Magic Truffles.
There are countless records of Magic Mushrooms being used by various indigenous tribes in celebrations and spiritual quests, but none about the use of Magic Truffles. According to ICEERS, the first documented reports about the use of Magic Mushrooms are from the coronation of Moctezuma II in 1502, during the Aztec civilisation.
When fresh, Magic Truffles contain more psilocybin than dried ones, and on the other hand, Magic Mushrooms contain less psilocybin when fresh compared to when dried. The difference comes from the percentage of water each has. When dried, Magic Mushrooms lose up to 90% of their total weight, while Magic Truffles will lose up to 30%.
Magic Truffles dosage vs. Magic Mushrooms
A heroic dose of Magic Mushrooms is considered to be 5gr or more, but that’s not the case for Magic Truffles, where a typical dose is between 10-15gr. What’s important is that there is a great variety of each with variable potency, which always needs to be considered when planning a dose.
When considering micro-dosing, Magic Truffles are better than Magic Mushrooms because they have a more homogenous body. The psilocybin is evenly distributed in Magic Truffles, while in shrooms, the potency can vary depending on the part of the shroom.
Regarding conservation, the lower water content makes Magic Truffles easier to preserve their freshness for longer, while Magic Mushrooms are better dried as soon as possible.
Preparing for the journey
The dosage
There’s no journey without a hint of an intention, and that’s where the dosage comes in.
The right dose and the way in which both mushrooms and truffles should be worked with has to be decided by your guide based on the specificity of your case.
Lower doses are typically encountered in group workshops, such as cacao ceremonies, creative workshops, mindfulness meditation, or movement meditation (e.g., Ecstatic Dance). In these cases, the superficial layers of our identities are being gently softened, allowing us to better understand ourselves in relation to others and as individuals.
Higher doses are generally used when one is prepared to journey deeper into their psyche, and they typically imply private sessions (such as shamanic or therapeutic guidance) or small groups (such as nature retreats).
The guide
We can’t close this article without touching on the importance of working with these magnificent medicines responsibly and mindfully.
Choose a guided session because:
- It’s exponentially more profound and meaningful because knowing someone’s there allows you to go deeper, and you can process and integrate the journey faster and more accurately, as most sessions include a post-journey review.
- The cost of the solo ride isn’t just financial; it’s also emotional. Regardless of your economic status, your relationship with yourself and others can suffer significantly if your journey takes an undesired turn due to the incorrect magic truffle dosage.
The set and setting
Feeling safe and warm are the primary factors that enhance the journeying experience with magic truffles and mushrooms.
Whether in nature or the comfort of a studio, a cosy setup with many blankets and fresh water is usually provided. We recommend that you inquire about the preparation before joining a workshop or session, as small details can make a significant difference.
Ready to explore deeper healing with Avalon?
We hope you found the article on Magic Truffles vs Magic Mushrooms informative and that it sparks your curiosity to continue exploring the wonders of these natural medicines. At Avalon, we’re creating a safe and transformative space for healing, self-discovery, and inner growth through our guided Magic Mushroom retreats. Whether you’re seeking clarity, emotional release, or spiritual insight, our experienced facilitators are here to support you every step of the way.
If you’re curious about how a retreat could support your journey or have questions about what to expect, we invite you to book a call with us. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you find the path that’s right for you.
