Do Shrooms Go Bad? Shelf Life, Storage & Potency Test (2025 Guide)
Do shrooms go bad? Yes — magic mushrooms can absolutely go bad, both fresh and dried. Spoilage, potency loss, and contamination are common if they’re not stored correctly. This guide explains why psilocybin mushrooms degrade, how to spot spoilage, how long they last — and how to use a psilocybin potency test to check their strength before you use them.
You’ll also find clear answers to questions like “How long do shrooms last?” and “Can you freeze magic mushrooms?” — plus evidence-based storage tips to keep your stash safe and potent for as long as possible.
Magic mushrooms are chemically unstable: heat, light, oxygen, and moisture break down psilocybin and psilocin. Without airtight storage — and without a quick potency test — you risk losing effects or taking an unpredictable dose.
Author: Dr. Marina Garcia Moreno
Reviewed by: Dr. Felix Blei — Reviewed on June 4, 2025
Published on: March 18, 2025 — Reading time: ~7 min read
Do Shrooms Expire? Key Facts, Shelf Life & Degradation
Do shrooms expire? Yes — both fresh and dried magic mushrooms can expire if stored incorrectly. Fresh shrooms spoil quickly due to high moisture, while dried shrooms lose potency more slowly but still degrade over time through oxidation and moisture absorption.
The main reasons why psilocybin mushrooms go bad are oxidation, enzymatic breakdown, and photodegradation — all accelerated by heat, light, and air exposure. Enzymes like phosphatases (PsiP) and laccases (PsiL) cause the well-known blueing, which actually signals psilocin degradation, not strength.
✅ How to avoid this? Store mushrooms fully dried, vacuum-sealed, cool, dark, and with silica gel packs to prevent moisture reactivation. Done right, dried mushrooms can stay potent for up to 2 years — but mold, bacteria, or bad storage can ruin them much sooner.
1️⃣ Quick Navigation: Keep Shrooms Potent & Safe
2️⃣ Signs of Spoiled or Bad Shrooms
3️⃣ Do Dried Shrooms Expire?
4️⃣ Shelf Life & Freshness Timeline
5️⃣ Best Storage Tips for Freshness
6️⃣ Can You Freeze Shrooms?
7️⃣ Risks of Bad or Moldy Shrooms
8️⃣ FAQ: Shroom Spoilage & Storage
Why Shrooms Go Bad
Psilocybin Degradation: Why Shrooms Go Bad or Expire
Users often ask, "Do shrooms lose potency over time?" The answer is yes, especially if not stored correctly. The answer depends on the biochemical pathways affecting psilocybin stability. Psilocybin itself is relatively stable, but its active metabolite, psilocin, is highly susceptible to oxidation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and photodegradation.
1. Oxidation: The Primary Driver of Potency Loss
Psilocybin is a prodrug that remains relatively stable. Psilocin, on the other hand, is highly susceptible to oxidation, especially in the presence of oxygen and light. Oxidation leads to the formation of quinones, which further degrade into brown, inactive compounds, rendering the mushrooms less potent.
The Chemical Reaction of Psilocin Oxidation:
When exposed to air, psilocin donates electrons to oxygen, leading to:
- Formation of semiquinone radicals
- Conversion into quinones (inactive compounds)
- Polymerization into dark pigments, making mushrooms appear brown or black
💡 Tip: Vacuum-sealing dried mushrooms in an oxygen-free environment significantly reduces oxidation rates.
2. Enzymatic Breakdown: The Role of Phosphatases and Laccases
The blueing reaction seen in Psilocybe mushrooms is a biochemical process triggered by injury. When these mushrooms are bruised or cut, they rapidly develop a blue color due to the oxidation of their psychoactive compounds.
Under normal conditions, psilocybin remains stable within the mushroom. However, when the mushroom is physically damaged, enzymes are activated, breaking down psilocybin into psilocin.
Psilocin is chemically unstable and highly reactive with oxygen. Once exposed to air, it undergoes oxidative polymerization, forming complex blue pigments.
While blueing is often associated with potency, it is actually a sign of psilocin degradation. The stronger the blueing, the more psilocin has been oxidized, which may lead to some loss of psychoactive effects over time.
Note: Psilocin oxidation is often misunderstood. It can occur chemically due to air, light, or pH changes, leading to slow discoloration. Alternatively, enzymatic oxidation (mainly by laccases, a type of oxidase) is a rapid process responsible for the blue bruising in Psilocybe mushrooms.
💡 Tip: Dry mushrooms completely before storage to halt enzymatic activity.
3. Environmental Factors: How Storage Affects Stability
Several external factors accelerate degradation, making proper storage crucial.
pH Sensitivity
Psilocybin and psilocin degrade faster in neutral to basic environments (pH > 7).
Light Exposure
UV and visible light break down psilocin and psilocybin, forming inactive degradation products. Studies show that exposure to direct sunlight for just a few hours can significantly reduce potency.
Moisture and Temperature
High humidity promotes bacterial and fungal contamination, making mushrooms rot. Heat accelerates oxidation, meaning storage in warm places speeds up degradation.
💡 Tip: Store in opaque, airtight containers. Keep them completely dry with silica gel packs and store them in a cool, stable environment.---
two risks:
- Toxic mold or bacterial infections – especially from wet, fuzzy, or rotten mushrooms
- Lost potency – old mushrooms may not cause effects even if technically edible
While psilocybin degradation isn't toxic, moldy or improperly stored mushrooms can be dangerous.
How to Prevent Shrooms from Going Bad or Expiring
Magic mushrooms can go bad if not stored properly—leading to mold, bacterial contamination, or severe potency loss. The key to long-term preservation is minimizing exposure to light, heat, oxygen, and moisture. If you're wondering how to prevent your shrooms from going bad, the following tips are based on scientific studies and field-tested storage methods.
Best Practices to Keep Shrooms from Going Bad
1. Keep Them Dry
Fresh magic mushrooms are extremely perishable. Proper drying is the most important step to prevent microbial growth and enzymatic breakdown.
→ Tip: Use a dehydrator or desiccant method until cracker-dry before sealing.
2. Avoid Oxygen Exposure
Oxygen accelerates psilocin degradation and mold growth.
→ Use vacuum-sealed bags or airtight jars to limit oxidation.
3. Control Humidity
Moisture reactivates enzymes and allows bacteria and mold to grow.
→ Add silica gel packs to storage containers to absorb ambient humidity.
4. Minimize Light Exposure
UV light causes photodegradation of psilocybin and psilocin.
→ Store mushrooms in opaque or UV-blocking containers.
5. Regulate Temperature
Heat accelerates enzymatic and oxidative breakdown.
→ Store in a cool, stable place — ideally a fridge or freezer for long-term storage.
How Long Do Magic Mushrooms Last in Storage?
Proper storage of magic mushrooms is essential to prevent spoilage. Keep mushrooms dry, vacuum-sealed, and stored in cool, dark places to slow down degradation and avoid contamination. Without these measures, mushrooms go bad quickly, losing both potency and safety. When stored properly, dried psilocybin mushrooms can remain potent for over a year, while frozen specimens may retain activity for multiple years. Understanding why shrooms go bad and following these preventative steps ensures safe, long-lasting effects.
Magic Mushroom Potency Test: Do Shrooms Expire or Lose Potency?
If you're wondering "do shrooms go bad", especially after long-term storage, testing their potency can give you a clear answer. The miraculix Psilocybin QTest® is a reliable way to measure the strength of your magic mushrooms — even months or years after harvest.
Whether your shrooms have been stored in a jar, freezer, or mylar bag, degradation can occur — highlighting the importance of knowing how to store magic mushrooms properly to prevent potency loss. These mushroom storage tips can help minimize exposure to heat, oxygen, and moisture. Heat, oxygen, and time break down psilocybin and psilocin — but the QTest helps you determine how much active compound is left.
Can Magic Mushrooms Go Bad? Use QTest to Check Potency Loss
- Accurately measure psilocybin and psilocin levels at home
- Track potency changes over time and understand how shrooms go bad over time due to psilocybin degradation
- Confirm if older mushrooms still have psychedelic effects
- Gain peace of mind after long-term storage
This simple test helps answer the core question: Do magic mushrooms go bad — or just lose strength? With QTest, you'll know for sure.
The Blueing Reaction: Why Bruising Means Shrooms Go Bad
A 2020 study by Lenz et al. identified two key enzymes responsible for the blueing reaction in Psilocybe cubensis:
PsiP (Phosphatase): Removes the phosphate group from psilocybin, converting it into psilocin.
PsiL (Laccase-like oxidase): Oxidizes psilocin, triggering polymerization into blue pigments.
How Blueing Happens:
- Injury disrupts the mushroom’s internal structure, exposing psilocybin to PsiP.
- PsiP converts psilocybin into psilocin.
- PsiL oxidizes psilocin into unstable semiquinone radicals.
- These radicals further oxidize into quinones.
- Quinones polymerize into complex blue pigments — the visible bruising.
- The blueing intensity depends on oxygen, pH, and moisture. More oxygen exposure results in darker stains.
A major insight from Lenz et al. (2020) was that the resulting pigment isn't one molecule, but a mixture of psilocyl oligomers — primarily linked at the C-5 position of psilocin. That means the blue color results from multiple oxidative polymerization pathways, not a single pigment.
💡 Important Insight: While some associate blueing with potency, it actually indicates that psilocin has already degraded — answering the question: Do shrooms go bad when they bruise? Yes, at the molecular level, they’re already breaking down.
Figure on the right from: Lenz et al., 2020, Injury-Triggered Blueing Reactions of Psilocybe 'Magic' Mushrooms (Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 59, 1450–1454).
How to Identify Spoiled Shrooms: Signs They’ve Gone Bad or Expired
How to Identify Spoiled Shrooms: Signs They’ve Gone Bad or Expired
Magic mushrooms are highly sensitive to environmental conditions and can go bad over time — raising the question: do shrooms go bad from bacterial infections, mold growth, oxidation, or fermentation? While oxidation mainly affects potency by breaking down psilocin, microbial contamination makes mushrooms unsafe to consume.
Can Shrooms Expire Even If They Look Fine:
What do mushrooms look like when they go bad? Typically, they show dark spots, fuzzy mold growth, or excessive blue bruising beyond normal. Knowing how to tell when mushrooms go bad is crucial for safety. Signs include discoloration, sliminess, unusual odors, and the presence of mold.
The main causes: excess moisture, poor air circulation, and improper storage. Fungi and bacteria thrive in these conditions, leading to discoloration, slime, and unpleasant odors — all signs that shrooms may have gone bad. Below are three common types of contamination that help answer the question: how do shrooms go bad in storage — especially due to bacterial or fungal exposure, including Pseudomonas tolaasii (Bacterial Blotch), Trichoderma harzianum (Green Mold), and Cladobotryum mycophilum (Cobweb Mold).
Bacterial Blotch (Pseudomonas tolaasii)
What is it?
Bacterial Blotch is a bacterial infection caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii, a pathogen that thrives in high-humidity environments. It is one of the most common bacterial diseases affecting both cultivated and wild mushrooms.
Is It Safe to Eat?
No. Mushrooms affected by Bacterial Blotch can cause digestive issues if consumed. The bacteria produce toxins that may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or food poisoning.
Prevention Tips: Store mushrooms in low-humidity environments (below 60% RH). Ensure proper air circulation to prevent condensation. If drying mushrooms, use gentle airflow to avoid moisture accumulation.
Trichoderma harzianum (Green Mold)
"Moldy magic mushrooms" or "mold on psychedelic mushrooms" often appear as fuzzy white, green, or black patches and indicate bacterial or fungal contamination.
What is it?
Trichoderma is a fast-spreading green mold that contaminates soil and growing substrates. It thrives in humid conditions and releases enzymes that break down organic material, making it one of the most common contaminants in mushroom cultivation.
Is It Safe to Eat?
No. When Trichoderma infects the substrate, it can release toxins that may be absorbed by the mushrooms. Consuming contaminated mushrooms could lead to digestive discomfort or adverse health effects.
Prevention Tips: Use sterile soil and properly pasteurized substrates to prevent contamination. Keep humidity levels under control and ensure good air circulation. Regularly inspect your grow for signs of green mold and remove affected areas immediately. Always store harvested mushrooms in a clean, dry environment to avoid further contamination.
Cladobotryum mycophilum (Cobweb Mold)
What is it?
Cobweb Mold (Cladobotryum mycophilum) is a fast-growing fungal contamination that appears as a thin, grayish-white, wispy mold covering the mycelium or substrate. It thrives in high humidity and stagnant air, spreading rapidly and often mistaken for healthy mycelium.
Is It Safe to Eat?
No. While Cobweb Mold itself is not highly toxic, it can weaken mushrooms and increase the risk of secondary bacterial infections. If left untreated, it can lead to soft rot, making mushrooms unsafe to consume.
Prevention Tips: Maintain proper air circulation and avoid excessive humidity. Mist affected areas with a 3% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) solution at the first sign of contamination. Prevent cross-contamination by keeping the grow area clean and sterile.If the contamination spreads significantly, remove the affected areas and sanitize the environment.
Spot Bad Shrooms & Health Risks
Even dried magic mushrooms can go bad and become unsafe if mold or bacteria grow during storage.
- Unusual mold colors: Green or black mold spots (Trichoderma, Aspergillus) show that magic mushrooms have gone bad — discard immediately.
- Bacterial blotch: Brown blotches are signs of Pseudomonas infection, common in wet or old shrooms.
- Slimy or mushy texture: Indicates bacterial spoilage or partial fermentation — good shrooms should feel dry and firm.
- Strong sour or rotten smell: Confirms contamination with mold toxins — do not eat.
- Unpredictable potency: Expired shrooms lose psilocybin over time, making the dose unreliable.
⚠️ Mini-Risiko-Block:
👉 Health risks: Mild nausea, stomach cramps, or serious food poisoning can occur if you eat shrooms that have gone bad. If you’re unsure, do not use them and run a Psilocybin QTest to check remaining potency.
Study Insights: How to Store Magic Mushrooms to Prevent Spoilage
A 15-month study by Gotvaldová et al. (2020) explored how psilocybin mushrooms degrade under various conditions. They tested fresh vs. dried mushrooms, caps vs. stems, and powdered vs. whole forms.
Key Results:
- Fresh shrooms go bad quickly, especially when bruised or sliced.
- Dried shrooms last longer, retaining more psilocybin.
- Freezing fresh mushrooms caused up to 90% loss of active compounds.
- Room temperature + darkness gave the best long-term results for dried mushrooms.
💡 Conclusion: Yes, shrooms expire, but proper drying and freezing can preserve them for years. Want to know if your stash is still strong? Use the Psilocybin QTest® to check.
Figure on from: Gotvaldová et al. (2020), Stability of psilocybin and its four analogs in the biomass of the psychotropic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, Drug Testing and Analysis, 13, 439–446. DOI: 10.1002/dta.2950
Psilocybin Stability: Shelf Life & Storage for Fresh vs. Dried Shrooms
Many ask, how long do dried mushrooms last? and can you freeze magic mushrooms?— The answer varies, but proper storage can extend potency significantly. Freezing fresh mushrooms is generally not recommended because it damages cell structures and leads to rapid psilocybin loss after thawing.
Do Dried Shrooms Expire or Lose Potency Over Time?
Even dried shrooms can go bad if exposed to moisture or oxygen for too long. Signs of spoilage include discoloration, loss of aroma, and mold development. However, vacuum-sealed dried mushrooms may be frozen for long-term storage. The shelf life of magic mushrooms depends heavily on storage conditions. So, how long do magic mushrooms last? Dried mushrooms can remain potent for up to two years if kept cool, dry, and sealed. In contrast, fresh mushrooms only last 24–48 hours at room temperature.
| Storage Condition | Degradation Rate | Psilocybin Stability | Psilocin Stability | Key Factors | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh mushrooms (room temp.) | 24–48 hours | Rapid degradation | Highly unstable | High water content, microbial growth, oxidation | Consume immediately or dry |
| Refrigerated (~4°C) | 7–10 days | Moderate degradation | Continues oxidizing | Slows microbial activity, but oxidation occurs | Short-term storage only |
| Frozen fresh (-20°C) | Weeks to months | ~90% loss over time | Rapid loss after thawing | Prevents microbial growth, but freeze-thaw cycles degrade psilocin | Not recommended for fresh mushrooms |
| Dried, stored at room temp. | Months to years | Gradual oxidation | Moderate loss over time | Lower microbial risk, but oxidation progresses | Best for short-term storage |
| Dried, refrigerated (~4°C) | Over a year | Improved stability | Slower degradation | Lower temperature slows oxidation | Good preservation balance |
| Dried, frozen (-20°C, vacuum-sealed) | Decades | Near-zero degradation | High stability | Prevents oxidation and enzymatic breakdown | Best for long-term storage |
Table 1: The longevity of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on multiple factors. On this table a detailed analysis of psilocybin degradation rates under different storage conditions, highlighting the effects of oxidation, microbial activity, and temperature on alkaloid stability is presented.
Reference: Data adapted from Gotvaldová et al. (2020) https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2950 and Goff et al. (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2023.342161.
How Long Do Magic Mushrooms Last Before They Expire?
Magic mushrooms don’t come with an expiration date — but they absolutely can go bad over time. The question “how long do shrooms last?” depends on whether they’re fresh, dried, or stored under ideal conditions.
- Fresh magic mushrooms last only a few days at room temperature. In the fridge, they remain usable for 5–10 days, but they start losing psilocybin and psilocin almost immediately.
- Dried shrooms are much more stable. In airtight, dark, and low-humidity storage, they can last 6–12 months.
- Frozen or vacuum-sealed dried mushrooms retain potency for 1–2 years — though some degradation always occurs.
Real Lab Data:
- Freeze-dried & frozen: ~10–20% potency loss after 1 year.
- Dried & frozen, homogenized: ~30% loss.
- Psilocybe semilanceata at room temp: ~50% psilocybin still active after 5 years.
- Some Psilocybe cubensis maybe degrade faster due to stronger enzymatic blueing reactions.
Can Dried Shrooms Expire Without Mold?
Yes. Even clean-looking dried mushrooms can expire from psilocybin degradation, especially when exposed to air, heat, or light.
Conclusion: How to Keep Shrooms Potent & Safe for Years
Do Shrooms Go Bad Over Time? How to Preserve Potency Long-Term
Yes, shrooms can go bad — but with the right storage methods, their potency and safety can be preserved for years, sometimes even decades.
Magic mushrooms are extremely sensitive to oxygen, light, moisture, and temperature fluctuations. These factors accelerate psilocybin and psilocin degradation, leading to:
- Oxidation and loss of psychoactive effects
- Enzymatic breakdown triggered by poor drying
- Mold growth or bacterial contamination, making them unsafe to consume
💡 Key tip: Crushed or ground mushrooms degrade faster due to increased oxygen exposure. Even dried shrooms do expire eventually, so storage conditions matter more than you think.
Scientific Insights: How Long Do Magic Mushrooms Last?
Recent studies — including research by Gotvaldová et al. (2020) — show that the best way to preserve psilocybin mushrooms long-term is:
- Vacuum-sealing to eliminate oxygen
- Dark, cool storage to prevent UV and heat exposure
- Freezing temperatures for optimal chemical stability
In these ideal conditions, dried shrooms can retain over 80–90% of their potency for at least a year. Freeze-dried Psilocybe cubensis stored at –20 °C showed less than 10–20% loss in a year, while crushed or homogenized samples lost up to 30%. Remarkably, some Psilocybe semilanceata samples still retained 50% potency after 5 years at room temperature — showing how species differences also matter in psilocybin stability.
What Future Research Should Focus On:
- Comparing long-term storage methods under real-world conditions
- Identifying natural or synthetic stabilizers for psilocybin preservation
- Testing alternative methods like encapsulation, honey storage, or desiccant chambers
- Establishing protocols for medical-grade and research-grade mushroom preservation
Final Thought: Do Magic Mushrooms Expire?
They don’t come with a printed expiration date, but yes — magic mushrooms do expire. Not always visibly, but chemically. By understanding how mushrooms go bad and applying evidence-based storage techniques, you can protect their psychoactive potential for months or even years.
More Science
Explore More: Science on Psilocybin & Shrooms
If you're interested in learning about other aspects of psilocybin and mushrooms, from their evolutionary origins to cutting-edge research, don’t hesitate to explore our other blogs for in-depth scientific perspectives.
Test Your Shrooms: Discover the Psilocybin QTest Kit
Curious about how strong your magic mushrooms really are? The Psilocybin QTest gives you lab-grade results in minutes—easy to use, science-backed, and trusted across Europe.
How QTest Kits Work: Substance Testing Step by Step
From MDMA and LSD to THC and psilocybin—QTest Kits help you check identity and potency with precision. Explore how our lab-developed kits make drug testing safer and smarter.
QTest Photometer – Open Source Meets Precision
Together with our partners from IO RODEO. We’ve designed an open-source photometer that brings lab-level accuracy to your hands. It reads our QTest kits, making your results precise, consistent, and easy to document—perfect for science-minded users and harm reduction organizations.
Mushroom Hub: Everything About Magic Mushrooms in One Place
From cultivation to chemistry, dive into expert-level content about psychedelic mushrooms. The Mushroom Hub blog offers growing tips, science news, and deep dives into active compounds.
FAQ: Do Shrooms Go Bad or Expire?
This FAQ answers "Do magic mushrooms go bad?" by exploring their degradation over time, the effects of oxidation on psilocybin stability, and the best storage methods to preserve potency. Learn how to identify spoiled magic mushrooms and prevent psilocybin loss.
Yes — magic mushrooms can absolutely go bad. Fresh shrooms spoil quickly because they have high moisture and delicate psychoactive compounds that break down easily. Dried magic mushrooms are more stable but still degrade over time due to oxidation and moisture exposure. Mold and bacteria can also grow if they’re stored improperly. Always store your shrooms dry, airtight, and in a cool, dark place to keep them safe and potent for as long as possible.
Fresh magic mushrooms usually last just 2–5 days in the fridge. They spoil quickly due to high water content. Dried magic mushrooms last much longer — up to 12–24 months if kept fully dry, vacuum-sealed, and away from heat, light, and moisture. Freezing dried, vacuum-sealed mushrooms can extend their shelf life to several years with minimal potency loss.
Yes, even dried shrooms can expire. Without proper storage, oxidation slowly breaks down psilocybin and psilocin. They may look fine but have weak or no effects. Worst case: moisture enters and mold grows inside the bag or jar. Always use silica gel packs, airtight containers, and store them in a cool, dark place. Periodically check potency with a test kit if the stash is old.
Yes — poor storage can cause dried mushrooms to reabsorb moisture from the air. This creates the perfect environment for mold spores like Trichoderma or Aspergillus to grow. Once mold appears, the batch is no longer safe to eat. Regularly check for fuzzy spots, odd colors, or strange smells.
There are clear warning signs that your shrooms have gone bad:
- Unusual colors: Green or black mold spots mean fungal contamination; brown blotches often signal bacterial blotch on fresh or old mushrooms.
- Texture: Slimy, mushy, or soft mushrooms are no longer safe — they should be dry and cracker-hard.
- Smell: A strong sour, rotten, or sweet yeast-like smell is a clear sign of spoilage and hidden toxins.
- Potency: Old mushrooms lose psilocybin unpredictably. If you’re unsure, use a Psilocybin QTest® to check the active compound level before consuming.
Freezing fresh mushrooms is not recommended because ice crystals damage their structure and cause major psilocybin loss when thawed. However, freezing fully dried, vacuum-sealed mushrooms is a great way to keep them stable for years. Just make sure no moisture is trapped inside before freezing.
Mild blueing is typical due to enzymatic oxidation. However, excessive darkening may indicate significant degradation.
Oxidation converts psilocin into inactive quinones, significantly reducing potency. This process is accelerated by air exposure, light, and heat.
Magic mushrooms contain phosphatase and laccase enzymes, which break down psilocybin into psilocin. Psilocin is more unstable and oxidizes quickly, leading to potency loss.
Here’s how to keep your magic mushrooms potent and safe:
✅ Dry them completely until cracker-dry.
✅ Store in airtight vacuum bags or jars with oxygen absorbers or silica gel.
✅ Keep the container in a cool, dark place (like a cupboard or freezer).
✅ Avoid opening the bag frequently to reduce moisture and air exposure.
✅ Use a potency test kit occasionally for old batches.
It's generally better to store magic mushrooms in their whole form rather than homogenized. When mushrooms are homogenized (e.g., ground or blended), their surface area increases significantly, which exposes them to more oxygen and accelerates oxidation. This process can lead to a faster loss of potency over time. Keeping them whole helps reduce exposure and preserves their active compounds for longer.
The blueing reaction occurs when psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which then oxidizes. While this reaction indicates some degradation, it does not mean the mushrooms are completely ineffective.
Absolutely. Even if your mushrooms look clean, oxidation might have broken down the psilocybin. The miraculix Psilocybin QTest® can quickly measure how much active compound is left. This helps you avoid unexpected weak or too strong trips and prevents waste.
Studies should focus on alternative preservation techniques and controlled experiments to optimize long-term psilocybin stability for research, therapy, and responsible use.
Yes, but proper storage slows this process significantly. Research shows that:
Fresh mushrooms degrade within days, even when refrigerated.
Dried mushrooms stored at room temperature last 6-12 months but slowly lose potency.
Vacuum-sealed, frozen mushrooms can retain potency for years.
No. Plastic traps moisture, creating a perfect environment for bacterial and mold growth. Instead, use glass jars or paper bags with desiccants.
Magic mushrooms can go bad due to bacterial, fungal and yest infections, mold contamination, and improper storage conditions. The three most common threats are:
Bacterial Blotch (Pseudomonas tolaasii) – Causes yellow to brown slimy spots on mushrooms due to excessive moisture and poor ventilation. These mushrooms are unsafe to eat.
Green Mold (Trichoderma spp.) – Appears as a fast-spreading green mold that contaminates the substrate. It releases enzymes that break down organic material and can produce toxins that may be absorbed by the mushrooms.
Cobweb Mold (Cladobotryum mycophilum) – Looks like thin, grayish-white, wispy mold covering the mycelium. It spreads rapidly in humid conditions and can lead to soft rot, making mushrooms unsafe for consumption.
To prevent spoilage, always store mushrooms in airtight, dry containers at cool temperatures, ensure proper air circulation, and avoid excessive humidity.
Eating spoiled magic mushrooms can lead to mild to severe food poisoning. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Moldy mushrooms can contain harmful mycotoxins that irritate the gut. Also, degraded mushrooms have unpredictable potency, which increases the risk of accidental overdose or underdose. If you see mold, smell something off, or doubt the age — it’s safer to throw them away.
References & Scientific Sources
- Gotvaldová, K., et al. (2020). Stability of psilocybin and its four analogs in the biomass of the psychotropic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis. Drug Testing and Analysis, 13(2), 439–446. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2950
- Lenz, C., et al. (2020). Injury-Triggered Blueing Reactions of Psilocybe “Magic” Mushrooms. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 59(4), 1450–1454. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201910175
- Goff, R., et al. (2024). Determination of psilocybin and psilocin content in multiple Psilocybe cubensis strains using LC-MS/MS. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1288, 342161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2023.342161
Additional Research on Psychedelic Compounds:
- Psychedelic Passage. How long do shrooms last? Do psychedelics expire? https://www.psychedelicpassage.com/how-long-do-shrooms-last-do-psychedelics-expire-go-bad/
- PubMed Central. Psilocybin Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4052754/
- National Library of Medicine. Stability of Psilocybin in Solution and Biological Matrices. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17002211/
About Dr. Felix Blei
About the Reviewer: Dr. Felix Blei
Dr. Felix Blei is the CEO and Founder of miraculix Lab, and a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. With a PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Microbiology and a strong background in natural product biosynthesis, he is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on psychoactive fungi—particularly the biosynthesis of psilocybin and related compounds (Blei, F., 2020).
During his doctoral research at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Microbiology under Prof. Dirk Hoffmeister, Dr. Blei was the first to elucidate the full biosynthetic pathway of psilocybin in Psilocybe mushrooms (Fricke, Blei et al., 2017) Angewandte Chemie. He further developed an in vitro system capable of producing psilocybin, serotonin, and novel non-natural analogues (Blei et al., 2018) Chemistry- A European Journal . His discovery of naturally occurring β-carbolines in Psilocybe—compounds that may synergistically enhance psilocybin's neurotropic effects—led to the concept of “psilohuasca,” a naturally occurring combination of MAO inhibitors and psychedelics in fungi (Blei, Dörner et al. 2020) Chemistry–A European Journal.
Building on his academic expertise, Dr. Blei developed the first reliable rapid tests for psilocybin, which laid the foundation for the spin-off company miraculix. Today, miraculix provides quantitative drug checking tools that are used throughout Germany and Europe. He also leads the German ALIVE project—an evidence-based drug checking Initiative funded by state governments, offering mobile substance analysis and harm reduction at music festivals and public events.
With over 500 citations, numerous publications in high-impact journals, and a passion for accessible science, Dr. Blei bridges cutting-edge research with real-world application. His work contributes to safer substance use, public health strategies, and a deeper understanding of natural psychoactive compounds.
You can learn more about him on LinkedIn or read his publications on Researchgate
Dr. rer. nat. Felix Blei
About Dr. Garcia Moreno
About the Author: Dr. Marina Garcia Moreno
Dr. Marina Garcia Moreno is the Chief Scientific Officer at miraculix Lab, where she leads scientific development focused on harm reduction, drug checking, and psychoactive substance analysis. She holds a PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology from Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany), and has over 8 years of experience in biomedical and translational research.
Before joining miraculix, Dr. Garcia Moreno worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University Clinic Jena. Her academic training includes a Master’s degree in Biomedicine and Molecular Biology from the University of the Basque Country.
As a multilingual science communicator, she is deeply committed to science-based education, public health, and bridging the gap between research and society. Through her writing and development of analytical tools, she aims to make scientific knowledge accessible, reliable, and actionable for a broad audience, from professionals to the general public.
You can learn more about her background on LinkedIn.
