Magic Truffles Vs Magic Mushrooms: Which Is Better?

Though they come from the same fungus, psilocybin truffles and mushrooms feature some subtle differences that nevertheless can impact your trip. Find out how they compare, so you can determine whether magic mushrooms or truffles are best for you.

Magic mushrooms, magic truffles—are these just two terms for the same thing? Is one more potent than the other? Is one more legal than the other? These are some common questions, and we're here to answer them.

ARE MAGIC TRUFFLES THE SAME AS MUSHROOMS?

At first glance, magic truffles and magic mushrooms are remarkably similar. However, there are a few subtle differences when it comes to texture, cultivation, dosage, and legality. For the most part, these differences won't translate into changes in your psychedelic trip. That said, they're still worth considering.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAGIC TRUFFLES AND MAGIC MUSHROOMS?

So, let's compare and contrast these fantastic fungi. Here are the main differences between magic truffles and magic mushrooms.

ENVIRONMENT

Magic truffles and magic mushrooms come from the same fungal organism. Truffles are the sclerotia of the fungus—the part that grows underground. Mushrooms are the sporocarp, or fruit body—the part of the fungus that grows above ground.

Mushrooms bloom, like flowers, under the right conditions. For fungi, that usually means warm and humid (mushrooms love moisture). By contrast, truffles can thrive under drought conditions. This part of the fungus continues to develop and preserve itself underground, waiting for conditions to improve before sprouting mushrooms.

APPEARANCE

Two noticeable differences between magic mushrooms and truffles are appearance and texture.

Magic truffles are smaller and more condensed. They have a lower moisture content than mushrooms (around 70% vs 90% with mushrooms). As a result, truffles are smaller and more dense, with a rough, hard texture. Mushrooms, on the other hand, can grow to many different sizes. Even after drying, they maintain a softer and more flexible form than truffles.

Quick tip: Mushrooms stay relatively chewy after drying, but truffles can actually be quite sharp. To make dried truffles easier to ingest, we recommend using a grinder to break them up into smaller pieces.

PSILOCYBIN CONTENT

Magic mushrooms and truffles are two parts of the same Psilocybe fungus. They both contain the same psychoactive compounds: psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, and norbaeocystin. But is one more potent than the other?

The first factor to consider here is whether they are dried or fresh. Fresh truffles often contain more psilocybin gram for gram than fresh mushrooms. That's largely due to the fact that fresh truffles are denser, thanks to their naturally lower moisture content. So it could be said that psilocybin truffles pack a harder psychedelic punch in a small package.

Another factor is overall consistency. In general, truffles provide a relatively stable dose of psilocybin from one batch to the next. Mushrooms, on the other hand, can grow to a wide range of sizes and contain variable levels of psilocybin. We can even see this variation within the fruiting body itself—the caps usually contain slightly more psychoactive alkaloids than the stems.

So when it comes to answering the question of which contains more psilocybin, magic mushrooms or truffles—it depends. But rest assured, both can take you on a powerful psychedelic trip.

TRIP EXPERIENCE AND INTENSITY

Some anecdotes suggest that magic mushrooms cause a longer and more intense trip than truffles. Other anecdotes claim the exact opposite. Unfortunately, there is not much scientific evidence to support either claim.

The important thing is that psilocybin truffles and mushrooms contain the same psychedelic compounds. As long as the psilocybin content is the same, both should theoretically result in a similar trip experience, intensity, and duration. Regardless of which you choose, make sure you trip in a safe and comfortable environment for the best outcome.

DOSAGE

The differing stories about mushroom vs truffle trips could be explained by the greater variation in psilocybin concentration within magic mushrooms. By contrast, magic truffles provide a much more consistent dose (though there can still be some variation).

The consistency of truffles may provide an advantage when planning your trip, affording you greater control. They also come sold in ready-made packs, so you know what you're getting. Remember, you should always start with a lower dose and work your way up to avoid overdoing it.

Another key takeaway is to avoid consuming the same amount of fresh truffles as you would mushrooms, thinking the dose will be equivalent. Again, fresh truffles are denser and more concentrated with psilocybin than the same amount of fresh mushrooms, which will contain a larger amount of water. Consuming them dried renders the two more comparable, though magic mushrooms will always have greater variability when it comes to potency.

TASTE AND CONSUMPTION METHOD

We won't sugarcoat it—both magic mushrooms and magic truffles taste pretty bad.

That said, you may want to sugarcoat it. Enrobing the dried psychedelic fungi in chocolate is a popular consumption method to mask the taste. Or, for those who prefer an alternative intake method, it’s entirely possible to grind up your mushrooms or truffles and make a tea. This way you can sip at your leisure. Just make sure not to expose your shrooms or truffles to boiling-hot water, as this can damage the psilocybin and other components. Instead, first allow it to cool a bit.

There are other options at your disposal, including mushroom/truffle honey or the classic lemon tek method—but you can also just consume them as is. They don’t taste great, but not everyone struggles to get them down.

LEGALITY AND SAFETY

Magic mushrooms aren't legal anywhere in the world, though there are some jurisdictions where they are decriminalised. Magic truffles are subject to the same status in most countries, with the exception of the Netherlands, which makes a distinction between the two.

The Dutch government outlawed the use of magic mushrooms in 2008, but a legal loophole didn't prohibit the sclerotium form of the fungus (aka truffles). Then, in 2019, magic truffles were fully legalized and the government began taxing their sale.

This legal distinction can have an impact on safety. Magic truffles are regulated and sold in ready-made kits with the dose clearly labelled, whereas growing or purchasing magic mushrooms is more of a guessing game when it comes to the concentrations of psilocybin, psilocin, etc.

WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE: MAGIC TRUFFLES OR MUSHROOMS?

When it comes to magic truffles vs mushrooms, neither is “better” than the other. They are both part of the same fungus and have an identical pharmacological profile. Any difference between the two is small, and both offer similar psychedelic trips. So it's really up to you which you prefer, especially if you have experience with psilocybin.

Overall, magic truffles are great for beginners because they come prepared to consume. Not only are these truffle packs sold legally, but they often have clearly labelled doses and descriptions. This offers some additional reassurance, ease, and consistency of expectation.