The rise in popularity of psychedelics has led to an influx of online “magic mushroom vendors.” Although psilocybin — the active ingredient in psychedelic shrooms — remains illegal in most places, several black market companies selling the trippy fungi operate regardless.
Although it's possible to buy psilocybin mushrooms online, it may not be the best option. Buying shrooms on the Internet isn’t without its risks. Customers could face legal repercussions or receive a potentially dangerous product.
Psilocybin mushrooms aren't the only option for someone interested in magic fungi. Other psychoactive species exist that don't contain this banned substance, such as the Amanita muscaria mushroom.
The only caveat is that this mushroom is only truly “psychedelic” if combined with other synergistic ingredients. Learn about how this works and why so many people are raving about Area 52’s new Magic Pluto Mushroom Gummies, which leverage the powerful effects of (legal) Amanita mushrooms and other botanical entheogens.
#1 – Area 52 Magic Pluto Gummies (Editor’s Choice)
If you want the best legal shrooms, go for gummies made with full-spectrum Amanita muscaria extract and a range of adaptogens that work synergistically to enhance and improve the effects of the mushroom.
This is exactly what Area 52 has achieved with their Magic Pluto Mushroom Gummies.
These gummieswere developed by a master herbalist and psychedelics expert. It took the team years to perfect these gummies, but finally, a potent full-spectrum product that’s capable of inducing a dream-like sense of reality has been created.
The Magic Pluto gummies contain a full-spectrum Amanita muscaria extract and a host of other natural psychoactive ingredients and adaptogens that work synergistically to improve the effects of muscimol…
What Makes the Area 52 Pluto Gummies So Good?
The Area 52 Magic Pluto Mushroom Gummies combine eight ingredients that work synergistically. The range of psychoactive plant extracts and adaptogens enhances the effects of the muscimol within the full-spectrum Amanita extract.
Let’s take a look at what’s inside and how each ingredient works together to create a trippy, dream-like state…
1. Muscimol
Muscimol is the main psychoactive ingredient in the Magic Pluto gummies. It has been extracted from dried Amanita muscaria (fly agaric)mushrooms along with other naturally occurring compounds present in the mushrooms. Its effects can be described as lucid, surreal, and somewhat psychedelic.
It’s a powerful dream enhancer as well — inducing vivid, psychedelic dreams that can only be described as utterly bizarre.
2. Blue Lotus Flower
Nymphaea caerulea — known commonly as the blue lotus flower — is an ancient medicinal flower that has been used for centuries by the Egyptians and Syrians to induce a trance-like state. People use it today for its effects on dreaming. It’s often taken to aid in lucid dreaming, and it compliments the dream-altering abilities of Amanita muscaria.
3. Dream Herb
Calea zacatechichi — also known as the “dream herb” — is a shamanic plant that originates from Central and South America. Like the blue lotus flower, the dream herb has been consumed for thousands of years to aid shamans in connecting with “other realms.”
Alongside the blue lotus flower, the Calea zacatechichi compliments the dream-enhancing effects of muscimol, making for more intense, vivid dreams.
4. Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera — also known as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng — is a revered adaptogen that’s been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. It’s used to reduce stress and anxiety and increase stamina, energy, and performance. It’s also used for improving cognitive function and improving sleep quality.
Ashwagandha has been used in the Magic Pluto gummies to balance out the impact of some of the other, more psychoactive ingredients.
5. L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid isomer found in the leaves of Camellia sinensis (green tea). It’s used for sleep improvement and relaxation. It may also support cognitive function.
L-theanine shifts brain activity toward the alpha frequency. Alpha brainwaves are associated with relaxed alertness and calm focus — making it the perfect synergistic ingredient for harmonizing the psychoactive components in the Magic Pluto gummies.
6. Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract
A full-spectrum hemp extract containing CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, and THC (under the legal threshold of 0.3% total THC) is used in the Magic Pluto gummies. This extract is also used in the Area 52 UFO gummies. Its role in the Magic Pluto gummies is to help reduce feelings of anxiety and induce a sense of calm.
7. 5-HTP
5-HTP is an essential amino acid that serves as a precursor for serotonin — a critically important neurotransmitter responsible for mood and sleep regulation. It has been added to the Magic Pluto gummies to stabilize any fluctuations in serotonin levels that may occur from some of the psychoactive ingredients in the gummies.
This is believed to help combat any groggy feelings as the effects of the gummies wear off.
8. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an essential vitamin that has a key role in supporting the synthesis of neurotransmitters. It works in harmony with the 5-HTP amino acid to help regulate neurotransmitter levels and reduce any drowsiness or grogginess from chemical imbalances resulting from the psychoactive ingredients in the Magic Pluto gummies.
Best Budget-Friendly Option: Royal Amanita Mushroom Gummies
These calming Amanita Mushroom Gummies is a testament to Royal's unwavering dedication to quality and innovation. After years in development, Royal has perfected a formula that stands out in the crowded legal shroom market.
Rather than rely on just muscimol, Royal blends 6 potent herbs and nutrients to optimize the mind-altering and sleep-supportive effects of these gummies.
These legal shroom gummies are a boon for anyone seeking a restful night without breaking the bank. They maintain the same 10 mg muscimol potency level of other high-end products but are priced more affordably.
By comparison, these gummies are roughly 2–3X as strong as the average mushroom gummies in the same price range.
Royal Amanita Mushroom Gummies contains:
10 mg muscimol to facilitate relaxation and alter the mind
Full-spectrum hemp extract for boosted cognitive effects
5HTP to support natura melatonin production
Ashwagandha for stress-relief and to minimize anxious side effects
L-Theanine to reduce stress, improve focus, and stabilize the mind
Mexican dream herb for added visual effects and lucidity
What to Look for When Buying Legal Shroom Products
Psilocybin is completely illegal in the United States — so there’s no legal way to obtain them. The best alternative is the Amanita muscaria gummies, which are also psychedelic (especially when combined with other active ingredients).
Although Amanita muscaria is legal in most countries, many of the companies manufacturing “Amanita” gummies are somewhat unethical. Ninety percent of the Amanita gummies online contain synthetic muscimol or a blend of research chemicals that induce psychoactive effects.
This mushroomcan’t be cultivated, meaning it must be collected sustainably from nature. It’s also a difficult mushroom to work with. Obtaining high-quality, full-spectrum extractions with consistent muscimol levels is challenging. Most Amanita muscaria vendors avoid using natural muscimol for this reason.
Products that contain synthetic muscimol don’t work the same as a product that contains a full-spectrum extract. The other compounds in Amanita muscaria appear to improve the effectiveness of the muscimol through an entourage effect.
Here’s a quick checklist of what to look for when shopping for legal shroom products:
Made from real, wildcrafted Amanita mushrooms
Doesn’t contain synthetic or illegal ingredients
Formulated with other synergistic ingredients for maximum effect
Third-party lab tests available (either on the website or by request)
Vendor is well-known and reputable
Is It Legal to Buy Magic Mushrooms Online?
In most countries across the globe, psilocybin is a restricted substance. In the United States, Canada, and most of Europe, it's illegal to knowingly buy, sell, and possess magic mushrooms that produce this compound.
People caught in possession of magic mushrooms can face legal repercussions such as fines, community service, or jail time, depending on the region, amount, and circ*mstances.
Even in countries that have decriminalized psilocybin, it’s still not legal to buy, sell, or possess significant amounts of magic mushrooms. Decriminalized substances simply don’t warrant a felony charge.
In US states such as Oregon and Colorado, where psilocybin has been legalized for medical use, shrooms are only available from government-funded psychedelic treatment centers.
In Canada, psilocybin mushrooms remain illegal, but law enforcement doesn’t prioritize drug-related crime. This has led to an increase in both physical and online magic mushroom dispensaries. Although illegal, Canadians don’t face the same risk of repercussions as people in the United States and Europe do.
What's the Best Legal Alternative to Psilocybin Mushrooms?
Although psilocybin is widely illegal, another mushroom species exists that induces psychoactive effects but doesn’t produce any restricted substances.
Amanita muscaria — also known as fly agaric — is that classic toadstool mushroom with the red cap and white spots that’s famous worldwide. This fairytale shroom has been featured in Alice and Wonderland and the popular Nintendo game “Super Mario Bros.”
Amanita muscaria grows in coniferous and deciduous forests across the Northern Hemisphere. They’re more prominent in cooler climates but can grow in warmer climates too — being found in Australia, parts of South America, and South Africa.
Many people grow up believing that the fly agaric mushroom is deadly and shouldn’t be touched, let alone consumed. However, it’s not as toxic as it’s made out to be. This shroom can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested fresh, but when prepared correctly, the toxin responsible for the unpleasant effects (ibotenic acid) is converted into a psychoactive compound.
Muscimol is the psychoactive component in Amanita muscaria mushrooms. Its effects can be described as dreamlike and surreal. It’s quite different from psilocybin, and the effects it induces are unlike any other substance.
Muscimol isn’t particularly trippy on its own, but when extracted alongside the other compounds in Amanita muscaria and combined with the right adaptogens, it’s capable of inducing a surreal, lucid psychedelic experience.
Differences Between Psilocybin & Amanita Mushrooms
Although Amanita muscaria mushrooms induce psychoactive effects, muscimol is structurally different from psilocybin. The two compounds induce altered effects. Psilocybin is far more trippy and visually stimulating, whereas muscimol is more dreamlike and sedative.
The effects of psilocybin include:
Altered perception of time
Visual distortions and hallucinations
Enhanced sensory experiences
Changes in mood, ranging from euphoria to anxiety
Introspective and insightful thoughts
Altered sense of self (ego dissolution)
Enhanced creativity and abstract thinking
Potential for mystical or spiritual experiences
Changes in auditory perception
Increased emotional sensitivity
The effects of muscimol include:
Sedation and relaxation
Dream-like states of consciousness
Altered perception of reality
Altered sense of time and size
Closed-eye hallucinations, often described as vivid and colorful
Disorientation and confusion
Changes in sensory perception
Potential for dissociative experiences
Drowsiness and lethargy
Impaired coordination and motor skills
Possible feelings of euphoria or dysphoria (depending on the individual)
Psilocybin is present in over 180 different species of mushrooms. The most prevalent species is Psilocybe cubensis, but others such as Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps), Psilocybe azurescens (Flying Saucers), and Panaeolus cyanescens (Blue Meanies) are also commonly consumed.
Muscimol is produced by species in the Amanita genus. Other species may also produce the compound, but there is little research into the percentages present in species outside of Amanita family.
Amanita muscaria is the most popular muscimol-producing species, but other species, such as Amanita pantherina, also contain high percentages of the compound. Several other Amanita species produce muscimol, but many also contain toxins that are harmful and potentially fatal if ingested in high enough quantities.
Other Legal Psychedelic Alternatives
Amanita muscaria gummies aren’t the only option for people looking for a psychedelic experience without committing any offenses. Although classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD are illegal pretty much everywhere, there are a handful of natural substances that induce psychoactive effects of some description.
Dozens of legal research chemicals that are capable of inducing psychedelic experiences also exist. However, many of these synthetic compounds carry risks, and not much is known about their long-term effects.
Here’s a list of legal (in most regions) psychoactive substances that are widely considered safe if used responsibly:
Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric)
Salvia divinorum (Sage of the Diviners)
Morning Glory Seeds (Ipomoea spp.)
Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Seeds (Argyreia nervosa)
Blue Lotus Flower (Nymphaea caerulea)
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)
Delta 8 THC (Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol)
HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol)
Frequently Asked Questions About Magic Mushrooms
Perhaps you have a few more questions about psilocybin or muscimol-producing shrooms?
You may find an answer among these frequently asked questions we've received:
1. What’s the Difference Between Muscimol and Psilocybin?
Muscimol and Psilocybin are both psychoactive compounds found in different mushroom species. Psilocybin is generally found in species in the genera Psilocybe and Panaeolus, whereas muscimol is found in species of the genus Amanita.
Amanita muscaria is the most popular muscimol-producing mushroom, and Psilocybe cubensis is the most common psilocybin-producing mushroom. These two species can be found growing across the globe in a range of different climatic regions.
Muscimol is a psychoactive alkaloid that belongs to a class of compounds known as isoxazoles. It acts on the central nervous system by interacting with GABA-A receptors, reducing neuron activity. The overall effect of muscimol is sedative, hypnotic, and mildly psychedelic.
Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound in the tryptamine class. Psilocybin itself isn’t strictly psychoactive. When ingested, it reaches the liver and turns to psilocin. Psilocin is structurally similar to serotonin and acts as a partial agonist at serotonin receptors, especially the 5-HT2A receptor. It’s actions at these receptors and other regions of the brain that are responsible for its effects.
After ingesting psilocybin, users may experience vivid visual and sensory distortions, altered sense of time, and profound changes in the perception of self and reality.
2. Can I Buy Mushrooms Legally Online?
In most countries, psilocybin — the psychedelic compound found in most magic mushrooms — is an illegal substance. This makes it illegal to purchase psilocybin mushrooms online. Even more liberal countries such as Canada, where magic mushroom vendors are all over the place, it’s still an offense to purchase psilocybin mushrooms.
Psilocybin has been legalized for medical use in certain US states. However, in legal states such as Oregon, individuals must go through government-approved psilocybin treatment centers to gain access to shrooms.
With all that said, Amanita muscaria doesn’t contain psilocybin. The active compound muscimol is not an illegal substance in most countries. This means that Amanita muscaria products, such as the Area 52 Pluto gummies, can be purchased legally online in the United States, Canada, and most of Europe.
3. Is It Easy to Grow Magic Mushrooms At Home?
Albeit illegal in most countries, growing magic mushrooms at home is surprisingly easy.
“Ready-to-fruit” mushroom grow kits can be purchased in the United States, Canada, and most of Europe. These kits contain live mycelium that will begin to produce magic mushrooms after a few simple steps. This is undoubtedly the easiest way to grow shrooms at home, but it’s not the most cost-effective means of cultivation and isn’t available for everyone.
The easiest way to cultivate mushrooms from spores is by utilizing a method known as “PF-Tek” — Psilocybe Fanaticus Technique. This cultivation method involves filling jars with a sterile growing medium, inoculating them with Psilocybe spores, allowing the substrate to colonize with mycelium, removing the “cakes,” and fruiting them over a period of weeks.
This technique requires minimal investment of time and money. It’s easy for beginners to grasp and can be successfully performed by anyone.
Just keep in mind that hat growing psilocybin mushrooms is illegal in most countries. You could face criminal charges for cultivating magic mushrooms if you live in a restricted region.
4. Can I Microdose Amanita muscaria Mushrooms?
Yes. It’s possible to microdose Amanita muscaria. Microdosing is the act of consuming non-perceptual doses of a psychoactive substance semi-regularly to improve a certain area of your life. It’s easy to do when using edibles like magic mushroom gummies or magic mushroom chocolate bars since dosing is easier and more consistent.
Several people microdose substances such as LSD, psilocybin, THC, or ketamine to improve mental well-being, ease certain mental disorders, or improve productivity and quality of life.
Although there’s less research into the effects of microdosing muscimol, some claim that taking sub-perceptual doses of Amanita muscaria improves creativity, focus, productivity, and well-being while reducing anxiety and symptoms of depression.
→ Recommended Brand: Area 52 Magic Pluto Mushroom Gummies
