Psilocybin mushrooms often cause stomach upset, a common physical reaction that goes beyond the psychological effects of the psychedelic experience. This discomfort, which ranges from mild nausea to pronounced gastrointestinal distress, is a well-documented side effect of consuming the fungal material. The distress is primarily rooted in the mushroom’s physical structure, compounded by how the body processes the psychoactive compounds themselves.
The Primary Culprit: Fungal Structure
The main reason mushrooms are difficult for the human stomach to process lies in the composition of their cell walls. Unlike plants, which use cellulose, fungi use chitin, a tough, fibrous carbohydrate. Chitin, a structural polysaccharide also found in the exoskeletons of insects, is highly resistant to human digestive enzymes.
The human digestive system does not efficiently break down this rigid material, so the mushroom material remains largely intact as it travels through the stomach and intestines. This bulk of indigestible fiber physically irritates the sensitive lining of the stomach and bowels. The undigested material also slows down the overall digestive process, contributing to a feeling of heaviness and discomfort.
While humans produce a specialized enzyme called acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) in the stomach, its ability to break down chitin is limited and varies significantly among individuals. The insolubility of chitin means the fungal cell walls act as rough, undigested particles in the gastrointestinal tract. This physical irritation is the foundational cause of much of the initial stomach distress associated with consuming whole mushroom caps and stems.
Common Gastrointestinal Reactions
The physical presence of the indigestible fungal matter triggers a range of distinct gastrointestinal reactions. Nausea is the most frequently reported side effect, often beginning shortly after ingestion and sometimes preceding the onset of the psychoactive effects. The physical irritation caused by the chitin in the stomach lining is a primary source of this queasiness.
This discomfort can quickly escalate into stomach cramping and pain as the digestive system attempts to process the material through increased intestinal activity, known as peristalsis. In some cases, the body’s defensive reaction leads to vomiting, a mechanism to quickly expel the material. Vomiting and diarrhea are less common but can occur, especially with higher doses or in individuals with sensitive digestive systems.
These symptoms are also influenced by the chemical process that occurs after ingestion. Once consumed, psilocybin is converted into the psychoactive compound psilocin. Psilocin interacts with the body’s serotonin (5-HT) receptors, many of which are located throughout the gut. This direct activation of serotonin receptors in the digestive tract stimulates gut motility and sensitivity, exacerbating the physical discomfort caused by the chitin.
Preparation Methods to Reduce Stomach Discomfort
Practical adjustments to how the mushrooms are consumed can significantly reduce the severity of gastrointestinal distress. The goal of these methods is to separate the water-soluble psilocybin from the indigestible fungal fiber before ingestion. One highly effective approach is the preparation of a mushroom tea.
To make the tea, dried mushrooms are ground into a fine powder and steeped in hot water for ten to twenty minutes. This process extracts the active psychoactive compounds into the liquid while leaving the bulk of the chitinous material behind. Straining the mixture and discarding the solids allows consumption of the compounds without the physical irritant, substantially lessening the burden on the stomach.
Another method, often called the “Lemon Tek,” involves soaking the powdered mushroom material in an acidic liquid, such as lemon or lime juice. The acidic environment mimics the natural acidity of the stomach and is thought to begin breaking down the chitin slightly. The acidic conditions may also facilitate the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin outside the body, potentially leading to a quicker onset of effects.
Simply grinding the dried mushrooms into a very fine powder before consumption is also beneficial. Reducing the particle size minimizes the physical irritation that large, rough pieces of mushroom can cause on the stomach lining. While grinding does not eliminate the chitin, it makes the material easier for the body to pass through the digestive system. Consuming the prepared material with a light, easily digestible food can also provide a small buffer against irritation.