This method is not something simply read from a book and passed along.
It is a tried and true method (by myself an many others). This wonderful carpophore has a oddly dangerous "taboo" surrounding it which is undeserved. Granted, it does contain some toxins. These have been HIGHLY overemphasized, *PLUS* there has been a great deal of misinformation about this mushroom (and its species cousins.). This is due to a number of reasons which I will try to make clear here.
First; the procedure.
Make sure the cap to stem ratio is kept about 3:1, the same as it is
found per mushroom in the natural state. Dry on screen in the oven on
the lowest setting with door cracked open. This only takes an hour or
so at most. Render into a powder in a small electric coffee or spice
grinder/mill; the finer the better. I try to attain a powder size like
baking powder and certainly finer than coffee. This WILL NOT affect
the activity of the end product, it only makes ingestion more
difficult. Use around 1 cup water per dose and start with a bit more
than this to allow for evaporation during processing.
The lower end dose/person is 8 grams dried and the upper end is 15 to
20 grams dried. What follows is the most important part of the entire
ritual of preparation. Bring the water up to within a few degrees of
190 degrees (F). Use a high quality candy thermometer or better yet, a
lab thermometer. This temperature shouldn't vary more than 22 degrees
on the upper end. A little simmering won't kill it, but it is an
indication that one has reached at least 212. You'll find stirring
lowers the temperature very quickly, but it's best to keep a close eye
on things throughout. Once 190 has been reached, stir in the powered
material and leave to steep at least 30 minutes. I usually leave it
there for at least 1/2 hour to 3/4 hour, stirring frequently.
Allow to cool until warm enough to drink. That's all there is to it!
The active principle in Amanita muscaria was, until quite recently, thought to be
muscarine. Dr. Albert Hofmann and Dr. Richard Schultes have discovered, in tandem
with Dr. Eugster in Switzerland and Dr. Takemoto in Japan, MAINLY ibotenic acid
and muscimole as the active principles. The ibotenic acid fraction is converted,
via the refluxing in water, into muscimole. Inconsequential amounts of other
alkaloids ARE present, but largely inactive mentally.
Muscarine is also present in this mushroom in tiny amounts and is converted
to muscimole during the reflux as well. It remains intact in the raw mushroom,
however!
Part of the reasons behind the medical misinformation surrounding Amanita muscaria
is due to the fact that many people who have presented to physicians with stated
"mushroom poisoning" were generally thought to have ingested A. phalloides.
They then usually promptly administer atropine, which would be fine if one HAD
INDEED ingested this toxic mushroom. But it only exacerbates toxic effects of
the raw Amanita muscaria several hundred fold, sometimes resulting in the
death of the patient (and this only infrequently..) Known deaths recorded from
it are rare.
These have usually been children who ate HUGE amounts of the RAW mushroom. One
child died only after eating almost two dozen large raw specimens.
Abstain from ALL OTHER drugs for 24 hours previous to ingestion, with the exception
of sativa/indica or tobacco. Likewise during the entire experience and 8 or
so after. From 1/2 to 1 1/2 hours after ingestion (preferably on an empty stomach)
you will begin to get drowsy. You may notice (on higher doses), slightly blurred
vision, watery eyes and/or a bit of a runny nose. One will begin to feel increasingly
relaxed. At this point it is important to lie down in a area where you will
not be disturbed and sleep.
This stage is critical. I find a alchemical analogy of the body, in
this case being the alembic, in which the crude product is transformed
into the purest soma. Dreaming can be EXTREMELY intense, and sometimes
the transition from dreaming to what seems a clear and lucid dream upon
awakening presents itself. Awakening and arising is like a caterpillar
metamorphosing into a butterfly. This is not like anything else.
It is most certainly NOT like psilocybin! The more you become familiar
with the glorious qualities, the better the symbiosis between the two
of you will be. Superior pain relief, floating euphoria, effortless
movement and general feelIngs of peace and well beIng. Another thing I
noticed is the almost complete and effortless quieting of the "internal
chatter" inside my mind. My friend, Triple Six, and I both agreed that
it lends itself perfectly to long periods of meditation.
These are all at the 8 to 10 gram level.
Above that (which one should have a non-ingesting guide; but I suppose
if I need to be telling anybody that, they shouldn't even be contemplating this anyway) one may experience out-of-body experiences, seeing and communicating with preternatural entities, unity with the object of ones attention, ESP, feelings of flying and many differing types of ecstasy.
Today, this mushroom is totally legal. Don't frivolously abuse it, and
it will probably remain that way. It is unique in that it doesn't lend
itself to abuse by ignorant, impulsive, impatient and/or irresponsible
people. It seems to have a built in safeguard in that it requires the
user to follow a few more rules and attend to more detail in order to
achieve success. If not used correctly, it screens out others by
making them so sick, they are in no hurry to repeat the experience.
Used incorrectly, it is uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst.
Used correctly, it is pleasurable at its worst and limitlessly creative, intensely
ecstatic, universally beneficial and incredibly healing at its best!
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