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Disclaimer: I do not suggest, or tell you to take them at any point in this article, although I do want to provide information to those of whom do want to take them out of personal choice and not the information read here. All information is given from my personal experiences with mushrooms - and all the similarities in the many trips I've had. Information could or could not be accurate, as drugs generally rely on the person who takes them and can differ greatly from person to person.
As you may or may not know, Magic Mushrooms are a herbal substance. In Canada it is illegal to posses magic mushrooms when they are dried out - but not when they are wet. It is also not illegal to grow them, so long as they are not dried. This information could be inaccurate for people who live in the states, or in specific states - always make sure before planning to do something potentially illegal that you check the laws specific to your state, country or province.

What do they do?: Magic mushrooms are a hallucinogenic. Although many users don't experience this, it just brings your senses up and makes everything heightened. Some users do experience slight hallucinations - things melting, waving or moving in some sorts. With this said, it is extremely possible to have a bad trip on mushrooms. Mushrooms can last for approximately 3 - 12 hours - depending on the quantity and quality consumed.

Things to know before consuming: ALWAYS make sure that you're in a good mood. What you eat during the day before taking them does have something to do with your trip and how intense. If you know you're doing them at some point during the day, try not to eat a whole lot - but make sure that you drink plenty of liquid to suffice. Make sure you're in a good trustworthy group of friends, or with one trustworthy friend. Unless you are an experienced user, it is not suggested to take them while being alone. Try to avoid conflict, and make sure you have -something- to do that doesn't involve a lot of brain activity. Good examples of this are playing videogames (some games granted - nothing scary or dark), watching movies (same thing. suggested movies to watch would be Alice in Wonderland, Heavy Metal, The Matrix, etc etc). Walking around is good too, and same with coloring books and crayons. Make sure you don't have to work or go to school the next day (the burnout is generally pretty bad).

Things to expect during the trip: A sense of stupidity. Don't get angry at yourself if you experience a drawn out brainfart - reassure yourself that you're on mushrooms and it's normal. Expect to be giggling a lot, and for things to be far more intense than they were. Being distraught and lost is another state of mind. Some hallucinations may occur. With the following said, even though you may feel stupid, lost or distraught the feeling is good and carefree.

Ways of consuming mushrooms: There are many ways but I will list the most frequent. each will be rated on time to kick in, intensity of trip and taste. Mushrooms do taste pretty gross on their own. All are rated from 1 - 5. 1 being worst, 5 being best.
Eating them straight up: Most common way of doing mushrooms.
Taste (2), High (4), Time to work (3).
Bud busting them: Can be done with a metal grinder or coffee grinder. It is greatly suggested that you do this YOURSELF and not buy them this way - as they can be laced with cocaine or other nasty substances.
Taste (1), High (4), Time to work (4)
Making oil with them: I will not explain how to make oil with mushrooms unless it is called for and approved by an owner/co-owner.
Taste (1), High (5), Time to work (5)
Smoking them: This isn't suggested at all, it's generally a waste of mushrooms.
Taste (1), High (2), Time to work (2)
Mushroom Tea: Put mushrooms in a teacup (or whatever) and boil water. Add a teabag.. stronger teas work well. Let it steep .. the longer it sits, the more potent. You can make a 'second generation cup', or just eat the mushrooms after you're done.
Taste (5) High (4) Time to Work (4)
Lacing food with them: Cheese generally gets rid of the taste of mushrooms. Best things to put them on are pizza or ice cream sandwiches. Oil, bud busted mush or normal mush can be used for this.
Taste (5), High (3), Time to work (2)

*I do not suggest any of these methods of consuming mushrooms, to each their own. ;D

Different strains?:: There are many strains of mushrooms and many different kinds. As with weed, the many different strains can be from growing outdoors / indoors and with different equipment. Different locations and the likes. More information will be posted on this soon, since I've only experienced a few different strains of mushrooms and I'm generally not good with names - do promise to research them though. <3

Well, I hear it's legal in Arizona to get spores for growing mushrooms. I never found any head-shops to ask, though.

And there are plenty of places which explain methods for growing the mushrooms. Notably, youtube.com

You don't need anything special to grow them. A mason jar, a dark room maybe damp, spores, and other supplies that you can find at cooking store/wal-mart.

Yes that is a good place to find them. Just remember to wash 'em.

Holy crap, what I posted before was pretty.. all over the place. xDD; Feeling abit better now. Just checkin up on this before I go to bed.

In regards to mushrooms growing in cow paddies - It's really nasty to pick but worth it. Sometimes you can get some pretty good mush, and large quantities of it. You obviously wash them off. Mushrooms you buy in the grocery store grow the same way. <__<;
Another place I've seen them, I live in a valley .. there's TONS of forestry around here so we generally go during the day into the bush where it's dark. Sometimes we find pot plants, which can be pretty cool.. xDDD
If you participate in picking wild mush, get a mushroom handbook or go with someone experienced. o.x; My friend picked a wrong type of mushrooms and took them and he wound up getting pretty sick.. so always having the right information is a must.