Mushroom Chocolate Bars
Psychedelic mushrooms are often paired with chocolate in mushroom-related recipes. But these edibles are dangerous, and can cause physical and mental health issues if used improperly.
In a Colorado lab, a team of scientists is trying to find a way to replace sugar with mushrooms. Their goal is to make it possible for people to enjoy a sweet treat while staying healthy.
Mushrooms take away bitterness and naturally sweeten foods. They are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
One company, Mycotechnology, has developed a mushroom-infused dark chocolate bar that swaps 66% of the sugar with mushrooms. The idea comes from 30 years of mycology research, according to CEO Alan Hahn.
This functional dessert combines Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Reishi, Maitake, Cordyceps and Turkey Tail with cacao and carob for the chocolate flavor (and without caffeine). The medicinal mushrooms support immunity, cognitive function, and mood in Eastern Medicine.
Psilocybin-Infused Hot Chocolate
A growing number of mycophiles are consuming chocolate with a twist: hot chocolate infused with medicinal or functional mushrooms, such as lion’s mane, reishi, and turkey tail. The mushroom blend is said to promote focus, energy, and immunity, as well as lower inflammation and anxiety.
Moksha Chocolate is a small-batch, direct-trade craft chocolate maker and factory in Boulder, Colorado. Their products are dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and made with minimal, transparently-sourced ingredients.
The brand’s “Woodland Mushroom Hot Chocolate Super Adaptogenic Blend” is formulated with reishi, lion’s mane, and cordyceps to increase immune function, reduce inflammation, and promote calmness. This functional hot chocolate is lightly sweetened with organic coconut sugar and made with a combination of USA-grown whole fruiting mushroom bodies and a touch of cacao for an intense chocolate experience.
STEM Chocolate, which also makes a line of psilocybin-infused chocolate bars, calls its products “gray area” products: While the drug is illegal in the US, the legalization of small amounts of psilocybin in Canada allows entrepreneurs to operate within a gray zone and churn out psilocybin-infused bars quickly and surreptitiously.
Mushroom Chocolate Recipes and Effects
The effects of mushrooms are highly variable and unpredictable. The psilocybin in magic mushrooms is not metabolized by the liver, so it is hard to pinpoint how much a person will feel or how long the experience will last.
This makes the hallucinogenic effects of mushrooms hard to predict, and can be scary or unpleasant if taken incorrectly. The psilocybin and psilocin in magic mushrooms affect the brain’s neurotransmitters, creating a loop of communication between neurons that contributes to psychoactive effects. They can also be used to open up areas of the brain that are typically closed off, producing a psychedelic experience. magic mushroom chocolate bars