When people think about nutrition facts, they often picture calories, protein, and vitamins. With magic mushrooms, the story is a bit different. They’re not really eaten for their food value, but they still have some interesting things inside them. Here are a few simple facts about what’s in shrooms.
1. Psilocybin and Psilocin
These are the famous compounds that make shrooms psychedelic. Your body turns psilocybin into psilocin, which changes how your brain processes thoughts, emotions, and senses.
2. Carbohydrates
Like other mushrooms, shrooms have carbs in their cell walls. They don’t provide much energy compared to food mushrooms, but the structure is there.
3. Proteins
Shrooms contain a small amount of protein. It’s nothing compared to eating beans or meat, but it is part of their makeup.
4. Flavonoids and Phenolics
These are natural plant and fungi chemicals often linked to health benefits. In shrooms, they add to the overall mix of bioactive compounds.
5. Tannins and Saponins
Shrooms also carry compounds like tannins and saponins, which are found in many plants and fungi. They may help explain some of the extra effects beyond psilocybin itself.
6. Big Differences Between Species
Not all shrooms are equal. Some species have much more psilocybin, while others have a different balance of these natural compounds. That’s why one type of magic mushroom can feel very different from another.
Final Thoughts
Magic mushrooms aren’t eaten for their calories or protein, but they do contain a mix of natural compounds. Psilocybin and psilocin do the heavy lifting, while other chemicals like flavonoids and tannins round out the profile. In short: shrooms are more chemistry than cuisine.