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So in one of the posts I did last year I covered what we colloquially call magic mushrooms as well as various molecules that make up parts of our neurochemistry. Research over the past few years into psilocybin and it's effectiveness in regards to treating a range of mental health issues has slowly been making its way into the mainstream. I do have doubts as to whether we will ever see it marketed or prescribed widely as serotonin antagonist and inhibitors are far to profitable for big pharmaceutical industries to abandon. But it's still slightly encouraging to see the finding by John Hopkins University and Imperial College London (among many others) actually receiving some press. 

Many of us who pursue natural alternatives are already aware of the many benefits of entheogens. But for those who aren't I'll do a quick run down of some molecules that our brains are literally built for in hopes of helping the reader understand the natural role certain molecules play in our neurochemical make up. 

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUq8QUwGYcLZmziT5u3iDnAAmX4r5WGX9rVRyKaGy3qSt/image.png)

So above is tryptamine. It's derived from tryptophan and is part of wonderful little group of molecules which include DMT. (Dimethyltryptamine)

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWs6DJCRGFH5mBXXbcd4NdigyTHSbKKZj6s5cFrjRtVFe/image.png) 

So this is Serotonin. If we take added a single atom of oxygen we have tryptamine. I avoid taking opioids simply because codeine wipes out our levels of Serotonin which takes our bodies up to 90 days to reassert. 

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So above you will see Dimethyltryptamine. If we ditch the oxygen molecule I suggested we add to Serotonin and added two methyl groups to Serotonin we would get what you see above. DMT.

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Above is psilocin. This is what your body converts into psilocybin once you consume it. Add to this molecule  one single atom of oxygen and you get DMT. 

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Now that I've outlined the make up the important thing to remember is your brain is outfitted and designed by good old mother nature to handle this family of molecules. The problem is if you try to experiment with a couple of them it will land you serious jail time. By no means is the government on board with you taking true control of your mental health or spiritual well being. 

In a grossly materialistic world with a society that awards the characteristics of psychopathy it's almost impossible not to feel like you are becoming spiritually deadened some days. So most go and seek advice, and often the end result is a prescription for SSRI's or a psychotropic medication of some description.. You're depressed/fit the criteria for this or that disorder so take this and be merry. Don't worry about the daily assault on your consciousness, the trauma you suffered we will eventually talk about, take this referral, grab a number, I'll see you next month... 

This is the revolving door of sorts. We pathologise the side effects of society on our complete well being then go straight back to something that plays a profound role in making us more unwell. This isn't an attack on clinical professionals by the way. Everyone I had the privilege to work with were and are stand up human beings who deeply care for others. But as I outlined in a previous post there is a cult of convention in modern medicine. If you are doing a MSc in psychology you only spend about ten days studying hallucinogenic drugs and the curriculum is... incomplete. So the fact that a round of treatment for severe depression using something as seemingly simplistic as a hallucinogenic mushroom is almost never entertained by most. 


GROWING YOUR OWN MUSHROOMS AT HOME

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So having covered all of this I'm now going to outline how you can grow your own magic mushrooms. Though ordering the kits is legal in the U.K you still will have an unfriendly visit from the police if it gets found out you are preparing or consuming  psilocybins. In fact as I write this I want to make clear that I only used the kit I ordered for purposes of study and by no means did I consume any of the fungus I grew.... I disposed of it in a responsible fashion. I was going to take pictures of the disposal but my camera was on the blitz and trash day has come and gone... shucks... But the grow box was full of fungus fruiting bodies when disposed of and by no means picked clean... So with that being said let's jump into sourcing your own grow kits so you to can "study" psilocyb mushroms yourself. 

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSPeUeudL9iswRhRUh1remmvi57jcmR4b1LD8SB6onr2u/image.png)

So here in the U.K we have a company called   https://www.cylocybe.com/ This outfit is great for ordering grow kits and accepts cryptocurrency payments. I went for the large box and it only cost 30 pounds. You do have an option for smaller grow kits though. I found the postage time from these guys back when I used them highly reliable. 

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When you are prepping your environment to implant the spores try to remember to keep it extremely sterile. Gloves, rubbing alcohol, thoroughly sterilized surface, etc. You are in for a little over a month wait once you implant the spores. Try to keep it in a warm room but not blazing. Once the fruiting bodies start to pop up it's just a matter of spotting mold before it takes hold and removing it while keeping the grow mix moist. 

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Once your brave little mushrooms have surfaced don't chuck your grow kit. You can get a few yields if you care for it.

CREATING A QUITE SPACE AND CONSUMING

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If you are more adventurous than most and choose to take your study of this wonderful natural remedy to the next stage you can do the following: 

1. Try to prepare. If you are at a point where you are going to try this remedy fasting is a must. Not extreme, but not eating for around eight hours before would be wise. Drink plenty of fluid. If you do feel compelled to eat then try to go for things like fruit. This isn't so much a recreational experience that you are preparing for but rather a moment of interaction with something for self mending so preparation both internally and externally is important. 

2. Pulp the mushrooms in a blender with lemon juice. If you have never tried mushrooms or hallucinogenics before you may want to start slow. 1 gram (if this is your first time) with just under half a cup of lemon juice. After you have made a pulp with a smoothy like texture let it stand for around half an hour. 

3. Preparing a place free from insane amounts of noise and distractions is important. If you are intending to meditate while under the influence of the mushroom this is extremely important. Using a blindfold and ear plugs won't take you wrong either. 

4. After you consume you will feel nausea come on. Don't panic it's normal. Having a sick bucket by your space does add a degree of comfort even if you don't end up using it. For the next couple hours follow where the sensation and visuals take you. It does help to have a sitter but that's down to you. Approaching the mushroom like you are actually communicating with it can yield interesting results so while you are in that state not being interrupted in the dialogue is important. 

5. After around two to three hours you will start to exit your peak. The substance is still rocking around in you though so this is usually a great time to go for a walk. Make sure it's somewhere with little noise. I.e. a wooded area. Connect with the natural world. If you have a sitter/companion make sure they understand how to let you just be with your observations and experience. 

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I can't help but feel in today's world no matter what measures we take we're up against fierce opposition if we are to live an interconnected existence with health and empathy intact. There are measures we have to take when dealing with our mental health that are no different than treating a cut or wound; because getting wounded or down trodden in this struggle is a very real thing. Remedies are required for these injuries to aid in healing. 

When we examine our relationship with natural remedies we almost never consider the plant or the molecules that comprise it as having an intelligent pact with us as a species. But when we look at the structure of the molecules present in certain natural hallucinogenic plants and fungus's it's almost impossible not to see a relationship between them and our consciousness. It probably started long ago in our history as a species... well this is my suspicion. But for those who are in doubt about our relationship with these remedies then the best way forward is to go experience them yourself. Just always be safe and above all respectful of what your working with. 

Well guys thanks for giving this little write up a read. I have written on this topic before but it's been almost a year or there abouts so I figured I'd revisit. I look forward to checking out all your posts and projects and as always keep Steeming. :)

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image credits: 
Moises Velasquez-Manoff.com
wikipedia
lanternchurch.com
Business Insider.com
https://www.cylocybe.com/
reachmd