Lemon tekking is a popular method among psilocybin enthusiasts, not only for its ability to intensify and accelerate the effects of magic mushrooms but also for easing tummy troubles, which is a common complaint when consuming.
In this installment of The Psilocybin Experiment, we will cover everything you need to know about lemon tekking, including how it works, its benefits, a step-by-step recipe, and insights into whether it makes mushrooms more digestible.
What is Lemon Tekking?
Lemon tekking involves soaking finely ground psilocybin mushrooms in lemon juice before consumption. The acidic environment provided by the lemon juice is believed to pre-convert psilocybin (the inactive compound) into psilocin (the active compound), making the mushrooms’ effects come on faster and stronger.
How Lemon Tekking Works
Psilocybin mushrooms contain psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. Psilocin is what produces the psychoactive effects. Lemon juice, with its high acidity (pH around 2), mimics the stomach’s acidic environment and starts breaking down psilocybin into psilocin before you ingest it.
This process can lead to:
1. Faster Onset
Effects may start within 10-20 minutes instead of the usual 30-60 minutes.
2. Shorter Duration
The overall trip duration might be shorter but more intense.
3. Enhanced Effects
The experience can be more powerful, with stronger visuals and heightened sensations.
4. Digestive Benefits
Reduced Nausea: One of the primary reasons people use the lemon tek method is to reduce the nausea commonly associated with consuming raw mushrooms. The citric acid in the lemon juice helps break down the chitin in the mushroom cell walls. Chitin is a tough, fibrous substance that can be hard for the stomach to digest, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort. By breaking down this chitin, lemon tekking makes the mushrooms easier to digest and less likely to cause nausea.
Faster Digestion: Lemon tekking pre-digests the mushrooms, meaning your stomach has to do less work. This not only speeds up the onset of the psychedelic effects but also reduces the digestive load, making for a more comfortable experience. Users often report a smoother and less intense “come-up” phase when using the lemon tek method.
Enhanced Absorption: By converting psilocybin into psilocin in the lemon juice, the body can absorb the active compounds more efficiently. This leads to a faster and often stronger experience, as the psilocin is readily available for absorption in the digestive tract. This can also mean fewer residual effects on the digestive system, such as bloating or cramps, that can occur when the body has to process raw mushrooms.
How to Lemon Tek: A Step-by-Step Guide
You’ll need:
- You desired dose of dried psilocybin mushrooms**
- Fresh lemons (enough to produce 1-2 ounces of juice per gram of mushrooms)
- Grinder or mortar and pestle
- Small bowl
- Spoon
- Optional: Honey or ginger (to improve taste and aid digestion)
**When dosing magic mushrooms, it’s important to remember you can always take more, but you can’t take less, so start small. If you’re new to psychedelics, start with a small almost sub-perceptual dose of .15g to .25g, and wait at least 30 minutes before taking more. See our psilocybin dosing guide for more information and what to expect with different quantities.
Step 1: Prepare the Mushrooms.
Grind your dried mushrooms into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. The finer the powder, the better the lemon tekking process will work.
Step 2: Juice the Lemons.
Squeeze fresh lemons to extract the juice. You will need about 1-2 ounces of juice per gram of mushrooms. Strain the juice to remove any pulp for a smoother mixture.
Step 3: Mix.
Place the mushroom powder in a glass or small bowl. Pour the freshly squeezed lemon juice over the mushroom powder, making sure all the powder is submerged.
Step 4: Let the mixture soak.
Stir the mixture well to ensure all the mushroom powder is covered by the lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the acid in the lemon juice to start breaking down the psilocybin into psilocin.
Step 5: Add Honey or Ginger. (Optional)
To improve the taste, you can add a teaspoon of honey or a small piece of ginger. Ginger can also help reduce nausea.
Step 6: Consume
After 15-20 minutes, give the mixture one last stir and drink it all, including any mushroom sediment at the bottom.
Step 7: Wait for Effects
Find a comfortable, safe environment to enjoy your experience. Effects should start to come on within 10-20 minutes.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Experience:
Start Small: If you’re new to lemon tekking or psilocybin in general, start with a lower dose to gauge your reaction.
Stay Hydrated: Drink water before and after consumption to stay hydrated.
Set and Setting: Ensure you are in a safe, comfortable environment with people you trust.
Be Prepared: Have everything you might need during the trip within reach, such as water, snacks, a blanket, and calming music.
Integration: After the experience, take time to reflect and integrate your insights. Journaling or discussing your experience with a trusted friend can be helpful.
Conclusion
Lemon tekking offers a way to enhance your psilocybin experience while also making the mushrooms easier on your stomach. By breaking down tough chitin and converting psilocybin into psilocin before ingestion, this method can lead to faster, stronger effects with less gastrointestinal discomfort. Whether you’re a seasoned psychonaut or a curious beginner, lemon tekking might just be the key to a more pleasant and powerful psychedelic journey.
You might also enjoy our article Should You Mix Cannabis and Psychedelics and our primer on 2 Microdosing Protocols That Work.
Have you tried lemon tekking? Share your experience and tips in the comments!