Have you heard about the incredible potential of magic mushrooms or maybe even tried them, only to find the experience of eating them whole unpleasant? What if I told you that you could unlock their amazing benefits right in your own kitchen, even as a complete beginner? This guide will walk you step-by-step through creating your own magic mushroom concentrate at home. By the end, you’ll have a versatile, potent tincture or concentrate that’s effective, easy to enjoy, and, most importantly, gentle on your stomach.
Table of Contents
- Article Features
- Why You’ll Love This Guide
- Important Considerations Before You Start
- What Is Magic Mushroom Concentrate?
- TL;DR Quick Instructions
- What You’ll Need
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- More Helpful Information
- Understanding Digestive Distress from Mushrooms
- How to Make Magic Mushroom Concentrate | Step-by-Step Guide Recipe
- The Lab Tests
- Conclusion
- More Guides You Will Love
Article Features
- A simple, step-by-step guide to making a mushroom tincture
- From reclaiming alcohol to reducing costs, learn how this extractor works for you
- Ready to learn more? This post has been sponsored by ExtractCraft, click below to to learn more about the Source Turbo and grab your complete set.
Why You’ll Love This Guide
Earlier this year, I attended the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver, Colorado, with ExtractCraft and it was an amazing experience. It opened my eyes to so much about the world of medicinal mushrooms.
I learned from industry experts and heard personal stories of people using mushrooms to improve their health and wellness. One major takeaway from that event? A lot of people want to make their own mushroom medicine at home.
From tinctures and capsules to chocolates and beyond, there are so many creative ways to prepare these incredible fungi. But one method stood out to me above the rest, the mushroom tincture.
Why? Because some of the fibrous material in mushrooms can cause digestive issues for some people, and creating a concentrate lets you remove those compounds while retaining their benefits.
This means you can experience all the potential wellness benefits of mushrooms, without the stomach discomfort. It’s a simple, effective, and practical way to enjoy magic mushrooms.
For this process, I’ll be using the Source Turbo machine by ExtractCraft. This device makes evaporating alcohol safe, simple, and efficient, resulting in a high-quality concentrate.
While it’s amazing for mushrooms, it’s also incredibly versatile and perfect for creating extracts from other medicinal plants, including cannabis.
Are you excited to get started? My biggest tip is to read this guide all the way through first, so you feel confident before you begin. Then, follow the step-by-step instructions for a safe and easy way to make your own magic mushroom concentrate at home.
Important Considerations Before You Start
⚠️ Safety First: High-proof alcohol is extremely flammable. Always evaporate alcohol away from open flames or heat sources, preferably in a well-ventilated area. Follow all safety instructions when using equipment like the Source Turbo.
⚠️ Legal Matters: The legal status of magic mushrooms and psilocybin varies greatly by location. Make sure to research and follow the laws in your area regarding the possession and use of psychedelic mushrooms or any other medicinal plants.
⚠️ Sourcing Ingredients: Always seek out high-quality, food-grade grain alcohol for safe extraction. If you’re new to sourcing mushrooms, educate yourself on identification, purchase from trusted sources, and be aware of your local regulations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Not thoroughly drying mushrooms before use (can result in spoilage or weak extraction)
- Using the wrong type of alcohol (never use anything non-food grade)
- Overheating during evaporation (can degrade active compounds)
- Underestimating potency – always start low and go slow
What Is Magic Mushroom Concentrate?
Before jumping in, here’s a quick overview of what makes this process unique. This isn’t about making a mushroom-infused oil. Instead, you’ll work with high-proof alcohol as a solvent to extract the beneficial compounds from dried mushrooms.
Essentially, we’re soaking the mushrooms in alcohol to create a tincture, and then evaporating that alcohol to make a concentrated product rich in active compounds like psilocybin.
This method doesn’t just remove the fibrous material that can sometimes cause discomfort, it also preserves the therapeutic compounds, delivering a potent and versatile end product you can use in a variety of ways.
The team at ExtractCraft even ran lab tests to compare water-based extractions to alcohol-based ones, and the results are clear, alcohol extractions are more efficient at capturing the active constituents. With this method, you’ll have a highly effective, clean, and exciting way to explore the benefits of magic mushrooms.
TL;DR Quick Instructions
In a hurry? Here is a quick overview of the process:
- Prepare Your Mushrooms
Grind your dried mushrooms into a fine powder. This can be done using a pestle and mortar or a coffee grinder. - Create a Tincture
Combine the dried mushroom powder with high-proof alcohol to create a tincture. Allow the mixture to steep for 12 hours. - Strain and Evaporate
After 12 hours, strain the tincture using a fine mesh or cheesecloth. Then, evaporate the alcohol using a safe method, such as the Source Turbo machine. - Store Safely
Transfer your concentrated extract into a glass syringe or another airtight container to preserve potency and freshness. - Consume Responsibly
Remember, this extract is highly potent. Always consume your medicine in a responsible and mindful manner.
Find detailed instructions for each step below!
What You’ll Need
- Dried Mushrooms
You will need dried mushrooms for this recipe. The amount you use is up to you, but keep in mind that many factors can influence the final potency. For accurate dosing, it’s a good idea to weigh your dried mushrooms in grams before starting. - Alcohol
High-proof, food-grade grain alcohol is a must for this process. Look for alcohol that is at least 150 proof, though 190 or 200 proof is ideal for the best results. Lower-proof alcohols like vodka are less effective, and never use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), as it is unsafe for consumption.
Note: The recipe card below contains the complete list of ingredients with exact amounts and printable instructions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- If you haven’t already, weigh your mushrooms in grams so you have an idea of a starting dose.
- If needed, tear the mushroom into small pieces and place them in a coffee or spice grinder.
- Grind your dried mushrooms into a fine powder using a coffee grinder.
- Place the mushroom powder in a clean mason jar.
- Add just enough alcohol to completely cover the powder. Seal the jar and shake it gently.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 12 hours, shaking it gently as often as you wish.
- After the 12 hour soak time, prepare a straining area.
- Strain the tincture through a filter into a clean jar, separating the liquid from the mushroom material.
- You are now left with a magic mushroom tincture. You can leave this as-is, or you can continue the process to making a concentrate.
- Consider saving your leftover mushroom material for additional uses, like putting into capsules.
- To evaporate the alcohol, pour the strained tincture into your Source Turbo and follow the instructions. The alcohol will evaporate, leaving behind a small amount of golden, thick, sticky oil. This is your concentrate.
- If the concentrate is too thick, add a few drops of alcohol or a carrier oil (like MCT oil) to thin it out.
Storage Instructions: Store your concentrate in a glass syringe or another airtight glass container in a cool, dark place. Dose appropriately, as this concentrate can be very potent.
More Helpful Information
- Preparing Your Mushrooms
Unlike cannabis, magic mushrooms do not require decarboxylation (a heating step) to activate. Psilocybin is already in an orally active form, making this process simpler.
Begin by ensuring your mushrooms are completely dry. If they aren’t “cracker-dry,” use a food dehydrator on a low setting to eliminate all moisture.
Once the mushrooms are fully dry, grind them into a coarse powder. A coffee grinder or spice mill works well for this step. Grinding increases the surface area, allowing the alcohol to efficiently extract the psilocybin and other active compounds.
- Making a Tincture
The next step involves preparing the alcohol-based tincture. High-proof alcohol is widely used for creating medicinal tinctures at home. It serves as an excellent solvent and preservative, effectively extracting the psilocybin from the mushroom material.
For this recipe, we are using a soaking time of 12 hours, as the lab tests below have demonstrated that this duration effectively extracts the desired compounds. Unlike cannabis tinctures, there’s no need to freeze the mushrooms or alcohol beforehand since chlorophyll isn’t a factor in this process.
Once your tincture is complete, you can use it as-is or proceed to the next step to create a concentrated product.
- Evaporateing the Alcohol
Evaporating the alcohol helps concentrate the tincture into a high-potency, full-spectrum extract. However, this step requires careful attention to safety since high-proof alcohol is highly flammable. Never attempt to evaporate alcohol near an open flame or gas stove.
One of the safest and most efficient methods for alcohol evaporation is the Source Turbo machine. This unit is specially designed for home extractions, offering a closed-loop system to reclaim up to 95% of the alcohol while preserving active compounds.
Simply pour your tincture into the machine, set the temperature, and start the vacuum. It gently warms the liquid under reduced pressure, making evaporation safe and efficient.
- Evaporation Without a Machine
If a machine isn’t available, you can use a gentle heat source like a small warming crockpot. Place the tincture jar into a water bath created in the crockpot set to warm, ensuring the area is well-ventilated. A fan or open window can help dissipate the strong smell of evaporating alcohol.
Regardless of the method, as the alcohol evaporates, the volume of liquid will significantly decrease, leaving behind a small amount of golden, sticky oil – your mushroom concentrate.
- Preparation for Storage
Once the alcohol is evaporated, transfer the concentrated extract into airtight containers for long-term storage, such as reusable glass syringes. These syringes make dosing easier by providing measurement markings.
If the concentrate is too thick to handle, you can thin it using a few drops of food-grade alcohol or a carrier oil like MCT oil. Mixing with a carrier oil also helps create a more fluid product. A common ratio for dilution is 1mL of concentrate to 29mL of oil.
Alternatively, you can fill capsules with your concentrate for pre-measured doses – an easy and convenient option for consumption.
- Your Final Dose
Your final product will likely be highly concentrated, so starting with a very small amount is crucial. A common beginner dose is the size of a grain of rice. Always follow the golden rule of dosing: start low and go slow.
If you know the weight of your starting material, you can calculate the approximate potency of your concentrate using an online dosage calculator. This estimation can help you confidently and responsibly dose your product for the desired effects.
- How to Use Mushroom Concentrate
Now for the fun part! Your homemade concentrate can be used in a variety of ways. You can take it sublingually (under the tongue) for fast absorption, add a drop to your favorite food or drink for a personalized wellness boost. Just remember how potent it is, always start with a small amount and gradually adjust as needed to find your perfect dose.
Understanding Digestive Distress from Mushrooms
It’s common for some people to experience digestive discomfort, like nausea or upset stomach, when they consume whole magic mushrooms. This is often due to a substance called chitin found in the cell walls of mushrooms—a tough, fibrous compound that our bodies have a hard time breaking down. Some other naturally occurring compounds, such as tannins, can also cause irritation for individuals with sensitive stomachs.
The beauty of creating a tincture or concentrate is that this process separates the beneficial compounds, like psilocybin, from the plant fibers and other substances responsible for digestive issues. Through careful extraction, you’re left with a finished product containing only the compounds you want for wellness—leaving behind the tough-to-digest material that often causes discomfort. This means you can experience the positive effects mushrooms may offer in a much gentler, more enjoyable way.
How to Make Magic Mushroom Concentrate | Step-by-Step Guide
Ingredients
- 3.5 grams dried mushrooms (or your desired amount)
- 4 ounces high-proof grain alcohol (you only need enough to cover the mushrooms completely)
Instructions
- If you haven't already, weigh your mushrooms in grams so you have an idea of a starting dose. Grind your dried mushrooms into a fine powder using a coffee grinder.
- Place the mushroom powder in a mason jar. Add just enough alcohol to completely cover the powder. Seal the jar and shake it gently.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 12 hours, shaking it gently as often as you wish.
- After the 12 hour soak time, strain the tincture through a coffee filter into a clean jar, separating the liquid from the mushroom material.
- To evaporate the alcohol, pour the strained tincture into your Source Turbo and follow the instructions.
- The alcohol will evaporate, leaving behind a small amount of thick, sticky oil. This is your concentrate.
- If the concentrate is too thick, add a few drops of alcohol or a carrier oil (like MCT oil) to thin it.
- Store your concentrate in a glass syringe or another airtight glass container in a cool, dark place. Dose appropriately, as this concentrate can be very potent.
Notes
Nutrition
The Lab Tests
Here you will find two different lab tests, the first is for a water extraction and the second is for an alcohol extraction. You can see the alcohol extraction is much more efficient.
Conclusion
Making your own magic mushroom concentrate at home is such a fun and rewarding way to tap into the amazing benefits of mushrooms while tailoring the experience just for you.
This method not only boosts the potency and flexibility of your mushrooms but also makes dosing simpler and may even help ease digestive discomfort. Whether you’re here to support your wellness goals or just feel excited to try something new, this process brings the magic of plant medicine right to your hands.
Take it one step at a time, stay mindful, follow all safety guidelines, and be kind to yourself, it’s all about creating a positive and meaningful experience. Enjoy every moment, and let your curiosity guide you!
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