The Mushroom Chocolate and psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, masks the strong taste of the mushrooms. These psychedelic edibles are gaining popularity because of their potential to elevate mood, focus, and relaxation without the earthy flavor often associated with mushrooms. However, psychedelic edibles like mushroom chocolate bars can have serious risks and cause a variety of physical side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, elevated heart rate, and high blood pressure. These effects can be particularly dangerous for individuals with preexisting heart conditions or who are taking medications for other health concerns.

While psilocybin is a naturally occurring substance found in nature, psychedelic edibles are manufactured with synthetic versions of the chemical, such as psilocin or 4-AcO-DMT. The main reason for this is that synthetic compounds require less space and time to grow than a fungus does, making them more cost-efficient for manufacturers to produce at scale. They also don’t have the earthy flavor that a fungus does, so they can be easily mixed into foods and beverages.

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In addition to psilocin and other psychoactive compounds, some manufacturers add mix-ins such as lion’s mane mushrooms or other nootropics to enhance cognitive effects. These additives lack scientific validation and may introduce additional health risks or drug interactions.