Whether you use them for recreational or medical benefits, you want your magic mushrooms — or “shrooms” — to last. One of the last things you want is to open the container and find your stash slimy or moldy when you only got them a short time ago. 

Fresh or dried, the quality and potency of your psychedelic fungi depend on proper shroom storage. Fortunately, that’s pretty easy, and you have plenty of options. Best of all, most of those methods won’t cost much, especially if you already have the supplies on hand.

How Long Do Magic Mushrooms Last?

It depends on if they’re stored properly, and if they’re fresh or dried.

Fresh Mushrooms

Fresh magic mushrooms generally don’t last very long. If you don’t store them properly, they can rot within just a few days. Even if you do, they typically won’t last more than ten days.

Dry Mushrooms 

Drying your magic mushrooms can significantly extend their shelf-life. Depending on the storage method you choose, your stash can last anywhere from six months to two years.  You can make them last even longer by stashing them in the freezer. 

Keep in mind that drying your shrooms can decrease their potency a bit. If you plan to use what you have within a few days, you might consider keeping them fresh. That will give you the most potency. However, if you don’t use much, use shrooms sparingly, or have more than you’ll be able to use within two weeks, drying them and then storing them will allow you to ensure their longevity.

Why Do You Need To Store Your Shrooms Properly?

While magic mushrooms are psychedelics, they’re also mushrooms. Like any other fungi, they’re highly susceptible to mold and decomposition, especially when there’s moisture involved. When that happens, your shrooms lose potency and are no longer fit to use. Along with a less than stellar trip, you run the risk of getting sick. 

Storing Fresh Shrooms

Let’s start with the best storage options for fresh shrooms. These are the most susceptible to getting moldy and going bad. Thankfully, however, they’re pretty easy to store. Just remember to use them within five to ten days, so you don’t end up having to throw them away. 

Paper Bag

A brown paper bag is probably the most straightforward storage method. All you have to do is place your shrooms inside a paper lunch bag and pop them into the fridge. For the best results, roll the bag up so that it protects your shrooms from the elements — moisture in particular. The bag acts as a barrier and absorbs additional moisture, keeping it from your mushrooms.  

Plastic Storage Container

A plastic container like the ones you store leftovers in also makes for decent shroom storage. Make sure to wrap your magic mushrooms in paper towels first, though. They’ll absorb any moisture that collects in the container while in your fridge, keeping your shrooms safe. 

Storing Dried Shrooms

When it comes to dried shroom storage containers, you have a few more options. Regardless of the one you choose, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:

• Make sure you keep your stash away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.  
• Desiccants like silica gel packets can help keep your dried shrooms dry. 
• Make sure your containers are out of reach of anyone who shouldn’t have them. 

A cabinet or pantry that’s not near any home appliances is an excellent place. Properly stored, your dried shrooms will last quite a bit longer than they would if they were fresh. 

Mason Jar

Mason jars are easily one of the most popular storage solutions. They come in a variety of sizes, and an entire case will only set you back a few bucks. Plus, they’re glass. They won’t hold odors, they’re easy to clean, and you can see your shrooms without having to open the jar. That limits their exposure to oxygen and moisture. 

Choose the right size mason jar for your needs. The fuller the container, the less room for air. 

CVault Container

Another excellent choice is a CVault container. It’s a unique food-grade stainless steel container with two-way humidity control. In other words, it can remove or add moisture based on the relative humidity inside of the container. 

CVault containers — being stainless steel — are much less likely to break than glass mason jars. They also block light, protecting shrooms from potential degradation due to UV rays. However, you can’t see through them, which means you’ll have to open them if you want to check your stash. 

Ziplock Bag

Plastic ziplock bags, like mason jars, are highly affordable. They also come in various sizes, ranging from snack-size to gallon bags. Being plastic, you can squeeze out a lot of air before you seal it, significantly reducing the amount of oxygen inside. A good seal helps to protect the potency and quality of your shrooms.

You do have to be careful with plastic bags, though. Not sealing them all the way allows air in, which can drastically reduce the shelf-life of your shrooms. Make sure you check the seal before you store your stash away. 

Use high-quality ziplock bags, as they tend to have thicker plastic and two seals. You could also double bag your shrooms or place your bag inside of a mason jar for an extra layer of protection.

Vacuum-Sealed Bag

A vacuum-sealed bag is the next step up from ziplock bags. Instead of you squeezing out as much as possible, a machine removes it for you and then seals the bag with heat. These bags don’t leak, so you won’t have to worry about any air or moisture getting inside. Additionally, you can get mylar bags, which protect your shrooms from light. 

The most significant downside to vacuum sealing your magic mushrooms is that you need a machine to do it. You’ll also need some vacuum sealer bags. Vacuum sealers themselves range in price from under $50 to a few hundred dollars. However, they are one of the best options for storing shrooms, especially if you want to keep them long-term in the freezer. 

Creative Shroom Storage Options

Now let’s take a quick look at a few unique solutions for storing shrooms:

• Chocolate: Mix ground dried shrooms into melted chocolate and let it cool in a mold. The chocolate protects your magic mushrooms from light and oxygen.
• Honey: Place your dried shrooms in a mason jar and completely cover them with honey. Bonus: the active ingredients in your shrooms will diffuse into the honey, giving it some psychedelic properties, too.
• Capsules: Grind your dried magic mushrooms and add your doses to oral capsules. For the best results, ensure the capsules are as full as possible.

Methods for Drying Magic Mushrooms 

What if you have fresh magic mushrooms that you aren’t going to use within two weeks, but you want to ensure they last? In such cases, you’ll want to dry them. The following are some of the best methods.

Air-Drying

The most straightforward solution is air-drying. It does take the longest — sometimes up to two to three days — but it’s zero hassle. 

To dry your shrooms this way, place them out somewhere safe, preferably in sunlight. The more sun they receive, the faster the process is likely to go. Make sure to check on them periodically, especially if you put them in direct sunlight or it’s a hot day. 

Oven or Dehydrator

An oven gives you a faster alternative to air-drying. The key, however, is that you want to do it low and slow. Place your shrooms on a parchment-lined sheet pan and lay your shrooms out. Pop the tray in the oven at 90 degrees or so and let your magic mushrooms bake. Avoid going much higher than the recommended temperature, though, because too much heat can lead to a significant loss of potency. 

An alternative to the oven is a food dehydrator. The machine uses gentle heat to dry the air that flows consistently across your shrooms, effectively removing moisture from them. The process takes a bit longer than the oven, but it’s great for anyone living in a humid area. While some dehydrators are quite an investment, you can find others that are much more affordable. 

Epsom Salts

The process takes a while, but you can use Epsom salt to dry your shrooms effectively. First, you’ll have to heat your salt for about two hours at 400 degrees. Next, break the solid block of salt into pieces and place them in glass jars. Create a small metal mesh platform and place it above the salt with a paper towel on it. Then add your shrooms and seal them up. 

During the next few days, the salt will absorb the moisture in your shrooms. The airtight container keeps oxygen out, which helps to prevent oxidation. 

Make Your Magic Mushrooms Last Longer With Proper Shroom Storage

You want your magic mushrooms to be there when you’re ready to use them. The last thing you want is to find out they’ve gone bad. Then, not only are you dealing with waste of product — and money — but the disappointment of not getting to use them as you wanted. 

Whether fresh or dried, proper storage is vital. If you want your shrooms to last as long as possible, you need to ensure that you keep them in the right type of container and the ideal conditions. That way, you know your shrooms will be there for you when you decide you want to take a trip.