Magic Mushrooms Near Me: 3 Legit Ways to Source Shrooms in Your Area

There are several ways to source magic mushrooms in your region. However, some ways are better than others…

By Connor McElroy Last Updated: May 06, 2024
Last Updated: May 06, 2024
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Magic mushrooms can be purchased, foraged, or grown. 

In this article, we’ll go over these three methods of sourcing psilocybin mushrooms, their benefits and drawbacks, and how you can stay safe while getting hold of shrooms in your area. 

New to shrooms?

Check out these guides:  Magic Mushrooms 101: Everything You Need To Know Before You Trip | List of Psilocybin Mushroom Species | How to Take Magic Mushrooms

Jump to section: Buying Shrooms in the US 🇺🇸 | Buying Shrooms in Canada 🇨🇦 | Buying Shrooms in Europe 🇪🇺 | How to Grow Magic Mushrooms | Spore Vendors 💉 | Finding Shrooms in the Wild 🌲 | Amanita Muscaria (Legal Alternative) 🍄

Three Ways to Source Magic Mushrooms

There are 3 different ways to get your hands on magic mushrooms, regardless of where you live:

  1. Buying them — Either from a local grower, dealer, or grey-market online vendor.
  2. Growing them at home — From spores bought online.
  3. Harvesting them from the wild — Psychedelic shrooms grow on every continent except Antarctica.

Each method has its own set of pros and cons. Let’s take a look: 

1. Buy Them

Buying Magic Mushrooms is the easiest way to source them, regardless of where you live. How accessible they are and how risky it is to purchase them depends on where you live, who you know, and how much you need. Buying shrooms online is the easiest way to source shrooms, but it also puts you at the highest risk of legal repercussions

If you’re lucky enough to live in Canada, it’s pretty much risk-free to order shrooms online because law enforcement doesn’t prioritize drug-related crime. The postal laws also prevent the infiltration of packages — this guarantees the arrival of any shrooms ordered online. 

If you live in the United States, the United Kingdom, or elsewhere in Europe, buying shrooms online comes with more risk. 

With that said, with the right vendor and the correct precautions, it’s possible to get high-quality dried magic mushrooms, chocolates, or gummies delivered to your door. 

Related: Where to Buy Shrooms in the US 🇺🇸 | Where to Buy Shrooms in Canada 🇨🇦

2. Grow Them

Growing magic mushrooms is one of, if not, the best way to source shrooms regardless of where you live. It’s the cheapest way to source decent amounts of high-quality magic mushrooms regularly. It’s also relatively low-risk — you’re less likely to get caught by the law and you can ensure the mushrooms are properly grown, dried, and stored. 

Growing mushrooms is easier than you may think, but it requires some basic equipment, time, and knowledge. There’s also some level of legal risk, and getting caught could lead to charges for production with intent to supply.

3. Collect Them From the Wild

Foraging for magic mushrooms is another low-risk way to source them, and it’s cost-free. However, you must know what you’re looking for — picking the wrong mushroom can be lethal. 

You’re also restricted to the time of year you can pick mushrooms in the wild. Most psychedelic species of fungi in the United States, Canada, and Europe flourish during periods of suitable weather in the months of fall. This means you’ll have to put in the time outdoors for a short period if you’re going to harvest enough shrooms to last the year. 

If you can positively identify a range of psilocybin mushrooms, you might find rare specimens that can neither be bought nor cultivated. It’s also possible to find large hauls of mushrooms, especially from the species Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy Cap) and Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Cap)

Where to Buy Shrooms Online (🇺🇸🇨🇦🇪🇺)

Although psilocybin is illegal in most countries, it’s possible to purchase magic mushrooms online in the United States, Canada, and some parts of Europe. Several reliable online vendors sell a range of dried magic mushrooms, psilocybin edibles, microdose capsules, and other mushroom products. 

Keep in mind that buying shrooms is illegal, and making an online purchase could land you in legal trouble. Order at your own risk.

With that said, here’s where you can buy shrooms online in your region:

1. Buying Shrooms in the United States 🇺🇸

Several online vendors and cannabis dispensaries sell magic mushrooms in the United States. You have to be cautious of where you purchase shrooms online in the US. Several scams are around, and vendors get shut down and opened as “honey pots” where law enforcement tracks purchases and convicts customers who unwillingly fall into their traps. Order at your own risk.

With that said, here are some vendors we’ve tried so far and would buy from again:

  • Psilouette
  • Eden Direct
  • Promoco DC
  • Trending Leafs
  • Dreams Wellness
  • Bliss Mushrooms
  • Neau Tropics

Learn more: Where to Buy Magic Mushrooms Online in the United States.

2. Buying Shrooms in Canada 🇨🇦

Canada is one of, if not the best places to buy magic mushrooms online or on the street. Dozens of “psychedelic cafes” and “mushroom dispensaries” can be found on the streets of most major towns. Reputable online shroom vendors that offer fast, discrete, and guaranteed shipping aren’t hard to find either. 

These are the top 11 online magic mushroom vendors in Canada:

Learn more: Where to Buy Magic Mushrooms in Canada.

3. Buying Shrooms in Europe 🇪🇺

It’s more challenging to buy mushrooms online in Europe. There are very few trustworthy vendors around and packages are more likely to get intercepted than they are in Canada and the United States. 

If you’re lucky enough to live in the Netherlands, it’s possible to order fresh magic truffles from various online “smartshops.” Some Netherlands-based microdose brands occasionally ship to other countries inside Europe. 

Microdose Pro is one company that successfully ships low-dose truffles within mainland Europe. However, purchasing these psilocybin-containing sclerotia is illegal, and there’s a chance they’ll get stopped by customs on the way to your country of residence. 

If you live in the Netherlands (or close by), these companies sell magic truffles:

If you live in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in Europe, growing magic mushrooms or harvesting them from the wild is a better option. 

Growing Magic Mushrooms at Home

Growing magic mushrooms at home is one of the best ways to source shrooms. You can be certain of their quality and potency by cultivating mushrooms yourself. It’s also much cheaper and safer to grow shrooms than to buy them online in the United States and most of Europe.

Growing magic mushrooms can seem like a daunting prospect, especially if you’ve never grown anything before. However, it’s simpler than you think and can be done with little knowledge, effort, time, and equipment. 

The easiest magic mushroom species to grow is Psilocybe cubensis because it’s resistant to contamination and can grow in an unoptimized environment, making it perfect for beginner cultivators. 

Psilocybe cubensis is made up of over 100 different strains. Some, such as Golden Teacher, are easy to grow and produce average psilocybin levels. Other strains, such as Albino Penis Envy, produce unique-looking fruits with extremely high psilocybin levels but are more difficult to grow. 

How to Grow Magic Mushrooms

The easiest way to grow magic mushrooms is to use a mushroom grow kit. These kits contain live mycelium that’s “ready-to-fruit,” meaning that mushrooms can be produced with a few simple steps. Magic mushroom grow kits aren’t available everywhere because, in some countries, live mycelium from psilocybin fungi species is illegal.

Luckily, growing magic mushrooms from spores isn’t too tricky. There are two beginner-friendly ways to do it. The first is a method known as “PF-Tek,” and the second is known as “Uncle Ben’s Tek.” 

Pf Tek involves inoculating a series of sterile glass mason jars filled with a growing medium. These jars are left to incubate and produce mycelium until the resulting “mycelium cakes” can be removed and fruited. The mushrooms are then harvested from the cakes as they mature. 

Learn how to grow shrooms using PF-Tek: How To Grow Magic Mushrooms: The Easy Way.

Uncle Ben’s Tek is a simple cultivation technique perfect for beginners. It involves inoculating a bag or two of Uncle Ben’s microwavable rice. 

The grain inside these bags is completely sterile and packed with nutrition perfect for mycelial growth. The bags are simply injected with spores, incubated until the rice is covered with mycelium, and then fruited by tearing open the bags. This is an almost foolproof cultivation method that’s just as easy as using a ready-to-fruit mushroom grow kit. 

Learn how to grow shrooms with Uncle Ben’s Tek: Guide To Uncle Ben’s Tek: The Cheapest Way To Grow Mushrooms.

Where to Buy Magic Mushroom Spores Online

If you want to grow magic mushrooms successfully, you’ll need to purchase high-quality spore samples or cultures that are completely contamination-free. 

Keep Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Buying Magic Mushroom Spores.

Here are 5 of the best spore vendors in the United States, Canada, and Europe:

1. Ralphsters Spores

Ralphsters Spores is a popular vendor that stocks a wide range of Psilocybe cubensis genetics and spore samples from other psilocybin-producing species. Ralphsters has been supplying high-quality magic mushroom spores to cultivators across the United States since the early 2000s. 

Spores are available in sterile syringes, as prints, and on swabs. They also sell cultivation equipment and growing mediums. The team at Ralphsters Spores cares about providing quality spores. They’re passionate about collecting and preserving rare strains and sharing genetics and knowledge with other passionate mycologists. 

2. Spores 101

Spores 101 has been operating since the late 2000s and is one of the largest spore vendors in North America. This company has two online stores — one serving the Canadian market and one serving the US market. 

This vendor stocks a variety of Psilocybe cubensis genetics in sterile spore syringes, prints, swabs, and vials. They also stock live cultures, live mycelium, spawn bags, substrates, and other cultivation equipment. Note: live cultures and mycelium are only available for shipping in Canada. 

3. Mushroom Prints 

Mushroom Prints sells spores and cultures from gourmet, medicinal, and psychedelic mushroom species. Samples are available in sterile syringes, swabs, and prints. They have guaranteed shipping in the United States and Canada and offer worldwide shipping at extra cost. 

Mushroom Prints claims that 90% of international orders reach their destination, and if an order gets stuck in customs, they will send another one completely free of charge. 

4. The Spore Works 

The Spore Works has been operational since 1998. It’s one of the oldest spore vendors around, and they have an excellent reputation. This vendor stocks a wide range of genetics from various psychedelic mushroom species. Dozens of strains of Psilocybe cubensis are available in spore syringes, vials, swabs, and prints. 

The Spore Works offers several multipack discounts where customers can mix and match three or more syringes (containing different genetics) to buy at a discounted price. The team provides excellent customer service, and the vendor ships internationally. 

Delivery in the United States is fast, discrete, and cheap. International shipping takes much longer and comes at a higher price, but it has a high success rate. If a package gets stopped at customs, Spore Works will send another identical package free of charge. 

5. Tatanka 

Tatanka is a psychedelics store and head shop based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. They sell a range of magic truffles (for delivery in Holland only) as well as cannabis seeds, spore syringes, and magic mushroom grow kits (for delivery to most European countries). 

This vendor provides the fastest shipping of spores in Europe, is reliable, and stocks high-quality genetics. However, Tatanka’s product range isn’t huge — around 20 different Psilocybe cubensis strains are available.

How To Forage Magic Mushrooms Around the World

If you want to forage for magic mushrooms, there are a few things you should know. Harvesting mushrooms from the wild can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. You must know exactly how to identify the species you’re searching for with 100% accuracy. Misidentifying a mushroom can be fatal.

I recommend purchasing a detailed identification guide as well as a field guide of your local area before going out in search of any kind of mushroom. Learn how to identify the species you’re searching for as well as all of its potential look-alikes with 100% accuracy. 

If you have a friend who’s more experienced at foraging for mushrooms, it’s wise to head out in the field with them first. An experienced forager will be able to teach you how to identify mushrooms much faster than any book, mobile identification app, or online guide. 

You’ll also want to know how to dry and store mushrooms properly before collecting large amounts. This will ensure you preserve your harvest in the best state so you can enjoy them over several months.

Here are some of the most common psychedelic mushroom species in the US, Canada, and Europe:

1. The United States

The United States is a diverse land that’s home to a range of different psychedelic mushroom species. Some species, such as Psilocybe cubensis, grow in several states across the country.

Other species, such as Psilocybe baeocystis, are much more localized and only grow in specific states (Oregon in the case of P. baeocystis). 

Here are some common magic mushroom species in the US:

2. Canada

Canada is less diverse in terms of magic mushroom species. However, several different species can be found in the country. There are also higher concentrations of species that thrive in cooler climates, such as Psilocybe semilanceata

Here are some common psilocybin mushroom species in Canada:

3. Europe

Europe is vast and diverse, but surprisingly, it’s home to fewer psilocybin species than North America — at least, that’s what has been discovered so far. That said, it’s possible to find psychedelic mushroom species growing in European countries. The most common is Psilocybe semilanceata (the Liberty Cap) — this species grows in pastures as far south as Spain and as far north as Sweden.

Here are some common psilocybin mushroom species found in Europe:

The Legal Risk of Sourcing Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psilocybin — the active component in magic mushrooms — is illegal in most countries across the globe. Getting caught buying, growing, or foraging magic mushrooms in the United States, Canada, and most countries in Europe can lead to legal repercussions. 

The severity of the penalties for magic mushroom possession depends on the country or state, the quantity of psilocybin mushrooms found, and whether the individual has any prior offenses. 

Getting caught with mushrooms in the United States and most European countries will lead to a fine and an official warning, at the very least. In worse cases, you may be prosecuted and served a larger fine, jail time, house arrest, or a suspended sentence. 

In Canada, the penalties are less harsh. Getting caught with magic mushrooms may lead to a fine in the worst case. However, the penalty could be harsher depending on the severity of the offense. 

Some places have relaxed their laws surrounding psilocybin. For example, in the Netherlands, the sale and use of magic truffles are legal, and in Portugal, magic mushrooms and other drugs have been decriminalized. 

Certain US states, such as Oregon and Colorado, have “legalized” psilocybin. However, shrooms remain inaccessible to most people in these “legal” states. They’re not available to purchase; instead, government-funded psilocybin-assisted therapy centers must be used to access psilocybin in a controlled environment. 

Amanita muscaria: A Legal Magic Mushroom Alternative

Amanita muscaria is a species of psychedelic fungus that doesn’t produce the restricted compound psilocybin. Instead, this species produces a compound called muscimol — an oneirogen capable of inducing altered perception and dream-like states of consciousness. 

Amanita muscaria and its active compound muscimol are legal to buy, sell, and consume in the United States, Canada, and most European countries. However, these mushrooms aren’t as easy to consume as psilocybin mushrooms. Amanita muscaria must be prepared before consumption to eliminate toxic traces of muscimol’s prodrug ibotenic acid. Otherwise, they can cause stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. For this reason, many people opt for ready-to-take Amanita extracts or gummies…

What Are Amanita Gummies?

Amanita gummies are edibles infused with a muscimol extract obtained from Amanita muscaria mushrooms. They provide a tasty way to experience the effects of muscimol without the hassle of foraging and preparing raw mushrooms for consumption. 

Not all Amanita gummies are equal. Many products on the market are ineffective or contain synthetic compounds.

Collecting large amounts of Amanita muscaria and obtaining a potent extract consistently is difficult. This pushes many companies to use synthetic muscimol which is far less effective than a full-spectrum extract from wild mushrooms. Other companies use psychoactive research chemicals in their gummies, so they induce psychedelic effects, cost less to produce, and are made faster. 

A good Amanita gummy should contain a full-spectrum muscimol extract from wild-harvested Amanita shrooms as well as a range of natural synergistic ingredients that enhance the effects of the extract. High-quality gummies that contain an effective formula are less common but they do exist. 

If you want to try real Amanita gummies that induce strong dream-like effects and altered perception, check out:

The Effects of Amanita muscaria

The effects of Amanita muscaria are different from magic mushrooms that contain psilocybin. Rather than inducing vivid hallucinations, muscimol (the active compound in Amanita mushrooms) induces dream-like states of consciousness where objects appear larger or smaller than they seem, time warps, and reality “isn’t quite as it seems.” 

The effects of Amanita muscaria include:

  • Altered perception of reality
  • Dissociation
  • Distorted sense of size
  • Distorted sense of time
  • Dream-like states of consciousness
  • Light hallucinations
  • Potential for confusion or disorientation
  • Relaxation
  • Sedation
  • Visual & trippy dreams

FAQs: Sourcing Shrooms 

Want to learn more about magic mushrooms? 

Have a read through the answers to some of the questions we frequently receive below:

1. How Many Species of Magic Mushrooms Are There?

There are over 180 different species of mushrooms that produce the psychedelic compound psilocybin. Most of these species belong to the genus Psilocybe, but magic mushroom species are present in other genera, such as Panaeolus, Inocybe, and Conocybe

The most common species of magic mushrooms is Psilocybe cubensis. It grows all across the globe in a variety of different climates and is a popular choice among cultivators for its ease of growth. 

Psilocybe azurescens is the most potent species of magic mushroom, producing a total tryptamine level as high as 2.51% and psilocybin up to 1.78% (dry weight). 

Psilocybe semilanceata — also known as the Liberty Cap — is Europe’s most popular wild magic mushroom. They grow across several Central and Northern European countries in pastures during the fall. They’re small but potent, producing total tryptamine levels of up to 2.06% and around 0.98% psilocybin (dry weight). 

2. What’s the Best Time of Year to Forage for Mushrooms?

The best time of the year to forage for mushrooms depends on the region, the mushrooms you wish to find, and weather conditions in particular periods. 

As a general rule, the best time of the year to go foraging for mushrooms is fall (autumn) in the Northern Hemisphere. The season offers the most diversity in terms of mushroom growth, regardless of whether you’re searching for gourmet, medicinal, or psychedelic mushrooms. 

When looking for psilocybin species in the Psilocybe and Panaeolus genera, it’s best to search when the heat of the summer has faded. Periods of sunshine after extended rainfall have always proved fruitful for me when searching for Psilocybe semilanceata and Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms.

3. What’s the Strongest Strain of Psilocybe cubensis?

The strongest strain of Psilocybe cubensis is Penis Envy and is worlds apart from other strains regarding potency and appearance. 

Compared to the average strain of Psilocybe cubensis that produces around 0.80% total tryptamines, Penis Envy is two to three times as potent. 

The average Penis Envy mushroom produces around 0.96% psilocybin with an average tryptamine content of 1.16%. Some of the strongest samples entered into the Oakland Hyphae Psilocybin Cup have produced total tryptamine levels of 2.90%, with psilocybin up to 2.90%. 

Another strain that could be considered “the strongest Psilocybe cubensis mushroom” is Tidal Wave, a hybrid of Penis Envy and B+ Strain. It produced a whopping 3.82% total tryptamine level in the Spring 2021 Psilocybin Cup. 

Although Tidal Wave is capable of producing higher levels of psilocybin than other strains, Penis Envy is more consistent in terms of potency. Take great care during the cultivation process if you want to grow a super-potent sample of Tidal Wave. On the other hand, potent Penis Envy shrooms can be produced by cultivators of all skill levels. 

4. Can You Grow Magic Mushrooms Outdoors?

Yes. All magic mushroom species grow naturally outdoors in their native habitats, so it’s definitely possible to grow them outside. However, some species are easier to cultivate than others, and you need to choose a species that thrives in your climate if you want to be successful.

A dark, moist environment is essential for promoting the growth of mycelium. It’s important to select a good, nutritious substrate and set up a mushroom bed in an area that doesn’t receive much sun. Most species will grow well on an organic medium such as straw, wood chips, compost, or manure. 

The medium must be seeded with spores and kept moist and dark to let nature do its thing. If successful, the medium will eventually be colonized with mycelium, which should fruit when the weather conditions permit mushroom growth. The mushrooms can then be harvested as they mature.

Leaving a few mushrooms to sporulate toward the end of each fruiting season will allow the fungus to spread. A well-established bed can produce mushrooms year after year if looked after properly. 

These are some of the best psilocybin mushroom species to grow outside:

  • Psilocybe cyanescens
  • Psilocybe mexicana
  • Psilocybe aztecorum
  • Psilocybe cubensis
  • Panaeolus cyanescens
  • Panaeolus cinctulus

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