Magic mushrooms (psilocybin mushrooms) have been in the picture for millennials. Over time, they have proven vital for the following reasons:
- Spiritual & Religious Practices
- Healing & Therapeutic Purposes
- Recreational Use
- Creative & Personal Growth
- Social & Cultural Practices
- Exploration of Consciousness
It might interest you to know that they are used for medicinal research. You can click here for more information on this.
However, the preservation of these highly beneficial funguses that have a rich number of psychoactive compounds was once an issue. As a result, users could not make the most of them over a long period.
Fortunately, freezing drying is one of the preservation techniques that have come to the rescue. This article discusses the process and benefits of freeze-dried magic mushrooms. So, ensure that you continue reading to find out about these.
The Process of Freeze-Drying a Magic Mushroom
The need to preserve penicillin and blood plasma during the Second World War gave rise to a preservation technique known as freeze-drying (also known as lyophilization). The remarkable process of producing freeze dried magic mushrooms is hinged on this preservation technique. Below is how the technique is applied for the preservation of magic mushrooms:
Preparation
The psilocybin mushrooms to be freeze-dried are first cleaned and trimmed. The purpose is to get rid of dirt and debris. Also, caution is of the essence while doing this as bruising and damage can occur if care is not taken.
Freezing
These psychoactive funguses are then subjected to freezing temperatures, as the name of the preservation technique suggests. The major objective of this step is to prevent enzymatic reactions and preserve cellular structure. This is all while ensuring that there is no degradation in quality.
Vacuum Chamber & Sublimation
A properly done job with the vacuum chamber sets the stage for what happens next – sublimation. The mushrooms have to be frozen to a certain extent before they can be suitable enough for the vacuum chamber.
Sufficient time in the vacuum chamber subjects these psychoactive funguses to optimally regulated air pressure. The next stage is then sublimation, where the ice does not go through a liquid state before transforming into a gaseous state. By the way, sublimation is vital for the preservation of texture, shape, and even nutrients.
Drying
The sublimated magic mushrooms are afterward dried. The period of drying depends on several factors, including Mushroom:
- Size
- Moisture Content
- Drying Equipment
- Intended Packaging
- Drying Preferences
Packaging and storage come after all of these vital processes. For more specifics on the processes of freeze-drying magic mushrooms, you can visit: https://www.researchgate.net/.
Why Choose Freeze-Dried Magic Mushrooms: Top Benefits
There are notable perks that come with opting for freeze-dried magic mushrooms. Some of them include the following:
Potency Preservation
There are a few other preservation techniques besides this one. However, some of them can adversely affect the potency of magic mushrooms, making them less effective.
Fortunately, this option is one of the best in terms of potency preservation. The reason is that moisture is eliminated in such a way that potency is not adversely affected. Mind you, the same cannot be said about other preservation alternatives.
Extended Shelf Life
Can you imagine these products keeping their quality and potency for months and even a few years? This is what you get with this preservation technique, which is one of the ways it edges alternative preservation techniques like air-drying.
Keeps Form & Feel Intact
One irony is that while there are magic mushroom products that offer the desired psychoactive and therapeutic expectations, they may not necessarily have a good appearance and texture.
The choice of preservation technique used is a common reason for this, which leads us to another benefit of the freeze-drying preservation technique. The texture and appearance of a magic mushroom remain intact with this technique.
Of course, this is provided that it is properly done. For example, carelessness during the delicate preparation stage can leave the mushroom bruised and damaged, as explained above.
Significantly Reduced Risk of Contamination
This preservation technique subjects these fungi to optimally regulated temperatures. These are temperatures that are capable of killing or (at least) inhibiting contaminants such as mold and bacteria. This also means that you have little or nothing to worry about as it concerns spoilage.
Convenience
Freeze-dried magic mushrooms offer convenience in several ways. Firstly, they are very lightweight as a result of how moisture is eliminated. This makes them easy to transport.
Secondly, they are also very easy to rehydrate. This offers benefits such as:
- Quick Preparation
- Versatility in Terms of Cooking
- Enhanced Nutritional Profile
- Consistent Texture
- Reduced Waste
Consistent dosage is also another area in which these psychoactive funguses offer convenience. By the way, this is a huge concern with several other alternatives, especially those that do not sufficiently get rid of moisture.
Wrap Up
The possibility of freeze-drying is one of the best things that happened to users of magic mushrooms. This is considering all the benefits that this preservation technique offers, as shared here. As a result, it is a good idea to consider freeze dried magic mushrooms when the need for these psychoactive fungus products arises.