Could 3 Grams Change Your Life? 🍄

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to experience a full-dose of magic mushrooms?

Are you curious to get a sense before trying it?

In this issue, I’m excited to guide you through a 3-gram psilocybin journey—from brewing your tea to experiencing the trip, and the integration practices afterward.  Plus, I’ll introduce you to Terence McKenna, one of America’s most legendary psychonauts whose explorations have inspired generations.

But first, I want you to paint a quick picture in your mind: a bonfire, a breathtaking sunset, and the first waves of psilocybin carrying you into the night. This is where my story begins.

I’m at a beach bonfire on Maui when the 3.5 grams of Golden Teacher mushrooms start to kick in. Several close friends lay on the warm sand beside me watching streaks of pink and purple paint the dusk as the setting sun disappears into the Pacific Ocean. A polyrhythm of percussion from the drum circle around the roaring bonfire carries the scene as waves of bliss and gratitude roll over us. We feel the warmth of the fire, but are a safe distance away. There is a sense that everyone present is looking out for each other here, and we are safe. I slowly get up and dip my toes into the water as the gentle waves lap at my feet. The sea lights up around me as one of nature’s trippiest and most awe-inspiring phenomena kicks the magical evening up to its pinnacle: The tide tonight is bioluminescent, lighting up in neon blue around our bodies as we frolic in the warm Pacific Ocean. No one says a word as we bob ike corks on the bioluminescent tide, completely fulfilled by the mystery and enchantment of nature and suspended in a seemingly infinite sense of ‘here and now’. For the first time in a while, I completely forget about my phone, about the dopamine bursts and urgent projects that require my attention to be spread across devices, platforms and calendar notifications seemingly 24/7. I’m completely in awe and captivated by the lived experience at hand. When the effects of the mushrooms start to subside a few hours later, we head back to civilization for an incredible dinner and some karaoke - everyone in the crew is carrying the swagger of a perfect trip, laughing and embracing each other in a celebration of life that will not soon be forgotten. 

A full-sized dose of mushrooms - typically starting around 3 Grams if you have the widely available ‘Golden Teacher’ variety or similar - can invite magic and enchantment into your life and bring on a deeply meaningful experience. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used by humans for thousands of years and are generally considered one of the safest and most physiologically benign mind-altering substances you can take, but the surest bet for a safe and meaningful experience is to adequately prepare yourself in advance and employ best practices to minimize any potential discomfort. But how does one do that exactly?

Let’s drop in!

🍵 Preparing the Dose: Magic Mushroom Tea

If you’re looking for a smoother, more comfortable way to enjoy the journey, psilocybin tea might be your answer. Brewing mushrooms into a tea isn’t just about the ritual—it’s about easing digestion, reducing nausea, and setting the stage for a gentler experience.

Here’s what you need to prepare tea for 1:

Ingredients & Tools:

• 3 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms

• 2 cups of water

• A lemon (optional, for “lemon tekking” to enhance potency and ease digestion)

• Tea of choice (chamomile, ginger, or peppermint are popular options)

• Honey or another sweetener (optional)

• A teapot or saucepan and strainer

Instructions:

1. Grind the Mushrooms: Use a coffee grinder or break them up by hand into small pieces and put them in a loose-leaf tea strainer (two of them, because of course, you want to do it with a friend). 

2. Lemon Tekking: Squeeze a lemon over the mushrooms and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. The citric acid in the lemon can “pre-digest” the psilocybin, reducing stomach discomfort.

3. Boil Water: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. 

4. Steep the Mushrooms: Add the water to a to a mug, drop in your tea strainer and let them steep for 10-15 minutes. 

5. Add Tea and Sweetener: Add your chosen tea and sweetener in the last few minutes, then strain out the mushroom bits before drinking.

6. Sip Slowly: Enjoy your tea gradually, allowing yourself to adjust to the onset of effects.

🍄 Trip Timeline: What Should I Expect?

This is a general guide based on hundreds of trip reports, but many factors—such as dosage, set and setting, method of ingestion, personal mindset, body chemistry, and tolerance—can all influence how you feel and when.

🕛 0-30 Minutes

• After ingestion, a warm wave might wash over you as colors begin to intensify, hinting at the visuals to come. A shift in consciousness gently starts.

🕐 30-90 Minutes

• Here’s where euphoria kicks in. Walls may seem to breathe, and intricate geometric patterns might emerge. Music becomes deeply immersive, stirring emotions you didn’t know were there.

🕑 1.5-2 Hours: Peaking

• This is the most intense phase, with vibrant colors and fractals blossoming before your eyes. It’s a great time to decide if you want to reflect solo or connect with others. Solo trips are excellent for introspection—try some non-vocal music, like the renowned Johns Hopkins playlist on Spotify, for deeper immersion.

🕓 2-4 Hours

• As you go further inward, meditative, closed-eye visuals take over, and many people feel connected to a “universal energy”—a warm, comforting feeling like being gently guided through your own subconscious.

🕕 4-6 Hours: The Come-Down

• Visuals soften, but a sense of warmth, love, and peaceful acceptance lingers. This is a time for quiet reflection, gently processing insights or emotions stirred up during the journey.

Takeaway: While every psilocybin experience is deeply personal, common elements include euphoria, vivid visuals, emotional release, and insights. It’s an intense but often rewarding path for introspection.

🔍 Mindful Tips for a Meaningful Experience

Set & Setting:
Create a peaceful, safe, and cozy environment. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, bring some blankets, pillows, and ambient lighting to set a comforting vibe.

Music:
Instrumental music or songs in unfamiliar languages (to avoid distracting lyrics) can enhance the journey. Check out Spotify’s Johns Hopkins playlist or East Forest’s curated psychedelic playlist for introspective tracks.

Solo or Shared Experience:
Tripping solo can foster deep self-reflection, while being with friends may bring shared insights and support. It’s your choice—do what feels right for your goals.

Pro Tip: If difficult thoughts or emotions arise, remember to breathe, relax, and observe. Often, these moments are trying to guide you to meaningful insights.

📓 Integrating Insights After the Trip

After the journey ends, integration begins. Reflecting and absorbing the experience can make the most of what you learned and help turn insights into life changes. Here are a few ways to approach integration:

• Journaling: Capture any thoughts, feelings, or realizations from the experience. Writing things down can help reinforce your insights.

• Creative Expression: Drawing or painting the patterns, colors, or emotions from your trip can be a powerful way to solidify your understanding and processing of the journey.

• Reflection Time: Take a day or two afterward to let your mind revisit the experience. This can be an excellent opportunity to process the journey privately without feeling the need to share it with others right away.

• Goal Setting: Based on the trip’s revelations, think about small actions you can take to bring those insights into daily life.

Takeaway: A magic mushroom experience doesn’t truly end when the visuals fade—taking time to integrate insights can lead to powerful personal growth.

🧠 Psychedelic Exploration Resources

Preparation is everything! Here are some guides and resources to deepen your understanding:

• A Beginner’s Guide to Magic Mushrooms

• Psychedelic Safety Checklist

• Psychedelic Podcasts

These can provide essential information and perspectives for a safe, insightful experience.

🌌 Going Deeper: 5 Grams in a Dark Room,

If you’ve heard the name Terence McKenna, you know he was no ordinary explorer. He championed the “heroic dose”—5 grams of magic mushrooms, taken alone in complete darkness. To McKenna, this wasn’t just a trip; it was an unfiltered confrontation with the mushroom’s power. In the silence and blackness, he believed the self would dissolve, revealing a profound connection to the universe.

🪨 🐒 🍄‍🟫 McKenna also gave us the Stoned Ape Theory—a bold idea that psilocybin mushrooms played a role in early humans’ evolution and the development of consciousness. While it’s more speculative than scientific, it’s an intriguing lens on the cultural and historical significance of mushrooms.

Take it slow: 5 grams in the dark isn’t for the faint of heart. Approach it with respect—and consider having a guide by your side.

✨ Key Takeaway

A psilocybin journey can be a deeply transformative experience, revealing the hidden layers of self, mind, and universe. Yeah…really. 

Whether you’re curious about taking the journey yourself or simply exploring the possibilities, remember to approach with respect, curiosity, and care. The insights from these experiences can last a lifetime. While every experience is unique and your method of consumption plays a role, this is generally what you may expect on a journey. 

Prepare Responsibly!

There are many potential considerations when preparing for a 3 gram mushroom trip:

• 🧘🏻‍♀️👥 to trip with a guide, with a group of friends, or maybe even alone? 

• 🛋️ 🌲 Indoors or outdoors? 

• 🎧 What kind of music should be on the playlist? 

• 📵 Or maybe no technology at all for the trip?

In the end, it can take some practice to find out how to set up the perfect trip. You may not know exactly what you need until it finds you in the moment. But in my experience, the formula of close friends, an environment where you feel safe, unspoiled nature, and free time to simply be and make space for magic is one recipe for a deeply meaningful trip. 

What Did You Think of This Issue?

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Reply with feedback or let us know if you have questions about any topic covered here. And as always, stay curious, explore safely, and keep learning! 🌱