Magic mushrooms

Have you ever heard of a hallucinogenic ally and imagined an invisible companion guiding you through other realities? You're not far off. This concept, popularized by anthropologist and writer Carlos Castaneda, has fascinated several generations of readers, psychonauts, and those curious about psychedelic culture. Today we invite you to join us on a journey (a literary one, that is) through the universe of don Juan Matus, his power plants, and those mysterious forces that the shaman learned to master. We'll tell you what exactly an ally is, which plants "contained" it, why Castaneda's work continues to raise hackles among anthropologists, and above all, why some of these plants are genuinely dangerous. The Teachings of Don Juan  

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It's the question we get asked most about sclerotia: which is the strongest? A legitimate question, but also the most difficult to answer honestly, because the magic truffle market operates with trade names—Valhalla, Utopia, Hollandia—and not with laboratory analyses. At Alchimia we work with two different ranges, and it's worth knowing this before comparing: the Mondo range, which publishes its own potency scale from 1 to 6, and a premium range of Dutch references that doesn't use that scale. Comparing within Mondo is easy; comparing between ranges requires nuance. Let's look at the five most concentrated in the catalogue, with those nuances upfront. A sample of magic truffles  

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Did you know that hidden in the most inaccessible cliffs of the Himalayas there is a honey capable of altering the senses? Today we want to take you on a journey to Nepal to discover one of the most fascinating and mysterious natural products on the planet: psychoactive honey. A substance that combines ancestral tradition, extreme biology and a pinch of legend. At Alchimia we are passionate about natural substances with history, and this honey has so much that it would be enough material for several films. So make yourself comfortable, because we're going to tell you everything you need to know about this very special liquid gold.

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Tiny beings dwelling in the deepest parts of forests, visible only to the most observant. Mischievous and playful by nature, always inclined towards trickery and deceit. This description probably rings a bell — they're commonly known as goblins, and a mushroom has recently been found that reveals them. Well, recently is a bit of a stretch… but with our strong Western scientific lens, everything we didn't know about on this side of the planet counts as a recent discovery — just ask our American friends — since in China, these are mushrooms that have been used since time immemorial.

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Have you ever wondered why two people can take the same amount of psilocybin mushrooms and have completely opposite experiences? One may feel a profound connection with the universe, while the other spends hours trapped in a loop of anxiety. The answer, in the vast majority of cases, lies neither in the dose nor in the mushroom variety, but in something far more subtle and yet decisive: Set & Setting.

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The cultivation of magic or edible mushrooms, once reserved for a few well-equipped enthusiasts, is now much more accessible. Among the most popular methods with amateur growers, the technique known as Uncle Ben's Tek has become widely democratized. It offers a simple, economical and fast way to obtain mycelium from spores, without requiring complex equipment like a pressure cooker or a professional sterile environment. Although this method does not replace more rigorous approaches such as PF Tek or cultivation on sterilized grains, it nevertheless allows a motivated beginner to discover the basics of mycology while obtaining concrete results.

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Have you ever wondered how to preserve Psilocybe cubensis for long periods without losing potency or degrading over time? If you’ve been around the mycological scene for a while, you probably already know that traditional drying works… but it’s not always the most refined option. Today we want to talk to you about a technique that plays in a different league: freeze-drying. It’s a word that sounds like laboratories, cutting-edge technology and almost futuristic processes, but one that’s increasingly attracting interest among those seeking optimal preservation of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Is it really worth it? What makes it so special? Get comfortable—we’ll explain everything calmly and without beating around the bush.

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Have you ever wondered what that small, pointy-capped mushroom is that appears in damp meadows in autumn? Today we want to talk to you about Psilocybe semilanceata, one of the most well-known and discussed mushroom species in the world due to its powerful effects and its almost global presence in temperate climates.

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The home cultivation of magic mushrooms is becoming increasingly common due to the rise in their consumption. Being an easy, fast and convenient crop, as well as profitable, more and more people are choosing to grow them at home. While it may sound complex at first, with the right instructions and materials it turns into a rewarding experience that’s within anyone’s reach. Today we want to make things easy for you with this introductory guide, which covers the basic and most important aspects of cultivation so you can successfully harvest your mushrooms without setbacks or headaches. Let’s go!

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The world of mushroom cultivation continues to evolve, and MycoSupplies is establishing itself as one of the most innovative brands in the sector. This time, it presents two important new products designed for both novice and advanced growers: the new Albino Penis Envy and Mac Galactic mushroom grow bags, and a line of liquid mycelium that improves efficiency, colonization speed, and sterility control. Furthermore, the brand is expanding its offerings with complete kits that combine liquid mycelium with monotub or grow bag systems. This represents a practical and professional solution that simplifies the entire mycological process from start to finish. These additions reinforce MycoSupplies' —and Alchimia's—commitment to quality, innovation, and responsible mycological research. Today, we'll tell you all about these new products!

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In a lab at West Virginia University (WVU), environmental microbiology student Corinne Hazel made a discovery that has captured the scientific attention: an elusive fungus, dubbed Periglandula clandestina, that lives in symbiosis with the seeds of the morning glory ( Ipomoea tricolor ). This discovery not only solves a mystery that has intrigued scientists for almost a century but also connects to the fascinating story of Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the creator of LSD, and the ancient use of these seeds in ethnobotanical practices. In this article, we will explore this discovery, its relationship to LSD, the role of these flowers in history, and the possible implications for modern science, including the growing interest in microdosing. Join us on this journey into the world of fungi and plants!

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What do Thai Pink Buffalo, Cascadian Teacher, and Penis Envy have in common? No, this isn't the beginning of a bad bar joke, but rather a small sample of the psychedelic catalog you can find today in the form of magic mushroom cakes. What was extremely difficult to obtain in most places just a few decades ago is now sold legally in the form of a home grow kit, with complete growing instructions and the peace of mind of discreet shipping. The rise of magic mushrooms is no coincidence: in a world where stress and disconnection have become the norm, more and more conscious explorers are looking to psilocybin for more than just a "trip". They're seeking transformative experiences, modern rituals that somehow connect with the ancient traditions of shamans and spiritual seekers, whether we're talking about traditional doses or microdoses of psilocybin. In this article, we'll review seven mushroom varieties you should know about, available on the Alchimia website, and which offer a surprising range of potencies, effects, and experiences worthy of their name. Let's get started!

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For centuries, different cultures have turned to so-called "magic or hallucinogenic mushrooms" not only as a vehicle for spiritual connection, but also as a healing tool. What was once considered an ancestral ritual is now capturing the attention of modern neuroscience. The reason? A compound called psilocybin, capable of altering perception, modulating brain activity, and, with increasing scientific support, offering relief from disorders such as depression and anxiety. As research on psychedelics gains a foothold in clinical settings, it's crucial to understand how this substance acts in the brain. What mechanisms does it trigger? Which brain regions does it affect? Can its effects really be compared to those of conventional antidepressants? In this article, we aim to shed light on these and other questions by analyzing the most recent studies. Will you join us?

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What if the keys to healing the deepest wounds of the mind were hidden in substances we've demonized for decades? In July 2025, Germany took a revolutionary step by becoming the first country in the European Union to approve a compassionate use program for psilocybin —the active ingredient in magic mushrooms—to treat treatment-resistant depression. This milestone, led by the Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI) in Mannheim and the OVID Clinic in Berlin, is not just a medical breakthrough: it's a call to rethink our relationship with psychedelics in a society that has divided "good drugs" from "bad drugs" with alarming hypocrisy. In Alchimia, we explore how this program underscores the importance of set (mindset) and setting (environment), transforming powerful tools like psilocybin into healing allies. Imagine millions of people struggling with depression that doesn't respond to conventional antidepressants or standard therapies—20-30% of cases in Germany and worldwide. Wouldn't it make sense to explore other treatment options?

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There comes a time in every home mushroom grower's journey when plastic trays, radiator heat, and makeshift bags fall short. It's not that they don't work—on the contrary, they're the perfect gateway—but there comes a point where, if we truly want to improve results and professionalize our cultivation, we need to take a step further. That step has a name, and it's the one most growers take when they want to improve the yield of their mushroom batches: propagator + heating mat. An unbeatable duo that allows for better environmental control, stabilizes conditions, and, most importantly, reduces risks and increases harvest weight. If you've been growing your mushrooms for a while and are curious to take things a step further, read on. This might interest you.

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In a world where magic mushrooms have gone from being taboo to starring in scientific conferences, therapies, and festivals, two events stand out on the 2025 calendar: the Denver Shroom Cup and the Oklahoma Magic Mushroom Cup. Both competitions not only celebrate the diversity and potency of psilocybin mushrooms but also reflect a cultural shift toward accepting and studying these fascinating species. The Denver Shroom Cup, scheduled for June 15, and the Magic Mushroom Cup, held on April 12, provide platforms for growers and enthusiasts to showcase their best samples, fostering research and knowledge about these fascinating creatures of the mushroom kingdom. Today, we'll tell you more about these competitions and how events like this help destigmatize both the substance and the user. Will you join us?

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