Are the effects of sclerotia truffles similar to magic mushrooms?

Don’t take a huge dose under the mistaken impression that sclerotia truffles are a much weaker version of magic mushrooms! 

The only known active ingredients of magic mushrooms are psilocin and psilocybin, which are also contained in sclerotia. 
The psilocybin gets converted to psilocin before it enters the brain, so the difference in effects between any type of mushroom or sclerotia will depend purely on how much psilocin gets into your brain and the timescale over which this takes place. 
Some types of mushroom (such as the Hawaiian) are very strong and take effect very quickly. In terms of potency, sclerotia are more similar in effect to the Cubensis-type mushrooms previously sold as Mexicans, Columbians and so on. 

Sclerotia take effect noticeably more slowly than mushrooms, but at comparable doses the results are very similar. 
Expectation can play a large part, so if you are told that what you are taking is very visual or more philosophical that can influence your trip.

Fly agaric - Amanita muscaria mushroom

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita  is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. 

Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the southern hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. 
It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. 
The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture.

First time magic truffles experience

Thank you very much for providing a this opportunity to try these wonderful Shamantar magic truffles. This was the first time i tried magic truffles and I was not expecting much of an experience or trip like with other psychedelics I have used in the past. 
I decided to go for half a portion just in case and I can say that it was a very wise decision because 10 minutes later everything was really bright, intense and fairy-tale like. 

Me and my friend decided to go for a walk to a park. The colours of everything were almost too much to take in, especially with the sunlight. We walked around the park with amazement, sat and pondered on the meaning of life, wondered into the dark spheres of the mind and floated back up with laughter. 
All in all, it was definitely a trip and I would sincerely recommend your website www.shamantar.com and the magic truffles :)

Philosofers stone / Latin: lapis philosophorum

The philosopher's stone (Latin: lapis philosophorum) is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals (lead, for example) into gold or silver. 
It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. 

For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal in Western alchemy. The philosopher's stone was the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection at its finest, enlightenment, and heavenly bliss. Efforts to discover the philosopher's stone were known as the Magnum Opus.

Dr. Rick Strassman

Dr. Rick Strassman (born February 8, 1952 in Los Angeles, California, United States) is a medical doctor specialized in psychiatry with a fellowship in clinical psychopharmacology research. 

Rick Strassman MD performed the first new human studies with
psychedelic drugs in the US in over 20 years.

Rick Strassman was the first person in the United States after twenty years of intermission to embark on human research with psychedelic, hallucinogenic, or entheogenic substances. 
During the intermission period, research was restricted by law to animals studies only.

Sclerotia Psilocybe mexicana, Tampanensis and Atlantis

What is sclerotia ? 
A sclerotium (plural: sclerotia) is a hardened mass of mycelium which is more resistant to adverse environmental conditions than normal mycelium. Sclerotia form from the mycelium of certain mushroom species as a defense mechanism against dryness, cold, heat, or excessive moisture. Sclerotia contain approximately 30% dry matter. The potency of dry sclerotia is around 2/3 that of dry Psilocybe cubensis fruitbodies. 

Sclerotia Magic Mushroom Truffles

How are sclerotia grown? 
Sclerotia can be grown in vitro on rye grass seed or different grains, or harvested from spent casings of Psilocybe mexicana or Psilocybe tampanensis. Growing sclerotia in vitro is very simple and does not require any of the terrariums, air exchanges, or other complexities of fruiting mushrooms, but takes longer. Different grain substrates will work for sclerotia, but PF substrate is not suitable because of its vermiculite content. Any substrate containing materials not fit for human consumption should not be used for growing sclerotia, as it may be difficult during harvesting to separate the sclerotia from the substrate. 


What species form sclerotia? 
Psilocybe mexicana and Psilocybe tampanensis both form sclerotia, as well as Psilocybe atlantis. The 'A' strain of Psilocybe mexicana in particular is known for its exceptional sclerotia forming abilities.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin is a chemical found in the Psilocybe mexicana species of mushrooms. 
Psilocybe mexicana mushrooms are also called Magic Truffles 
The mushrooms (over 200 species of Basidiomycota) are typically found in tropical and subtropical areas of the United States, Mexico and South America. 
It is the ingredient that produces hallucinations and other experiences of an altered consciousness in people who consume the mushroom. Psilocybin is a crystalline tryptamine, a naturally occurring nitrogen compound, chemically similar to the human neurotransmitter DMT (dimethyltryptamine). Psilocybin is concentrated in specialized cells called sclerotia underneath the mushroom tops. Usually a person will simply eat the sclerotia or boil it in water to make a tea. The effects last about six hours, and may include hallucinations that gradually grow further apart until they disappear. Some people get silly under the influence of psilocybin, but others become more introspective. 
Each mushroom contains less than one half of one percent of psilocybin and trace amounts of psilocin, another hallucinogen. Both substances can be synthesized in a lab. 
Mushrooms containing psilocybin can be either fresh or dried and have long, thin stems topped by dark gilled caps. Like many hallucinogenic substances, mushrooms that contain psilocybin can be eaten, brewed in tea, coated with chocolate or added to other foods. Once inside the body, the digestive system will break down psilocybin to produce psilocyn.