A few years ago, a slew of gray-market mail order mushrooms brands sprouted up online and in shops specializing in drug paraphernalia. Amid tighter federal drug laws, they began to offer psilocybin-infused products like gummies and chocolate bars, selling them directly to people. It’s not uncommon for users to order multiple packs of these items, consuming them in rapid succession over the course of a few weeks or even a month.

From Farm to Table: The Journey of Mushrooms via Delivery Services

But as the popularity of these products has grown, so have concerns about their safety and legality. A British harm-reduction website centered on drugs used at nightclubs and raves has warned about the dangers of mushrooms, especially when mixed with alcohol or other hallucinogens.

The fungus can cause an intense trip that’s characterized by a distorted sense of time, place and reality. It can also produce anxiety, paranoia and a sense of fear or unease. The length and intensity of a mushroom trip depends on the dosage, how quickly it’s consumed and whether other drugs are mixed with it.

When ordering mushrooms online, it’s important to find a trusted vendor that sells only the highest quality specimens. Read reviews and look for certification seals from recognized Internet security providers to make sure the store is legitimate. Reputable vendors also take care to conceal the contents of their packages. Some use plain, white packaging with no identifying markings or shipping services to safeguard their customers’ privacy. They often send tracking information so customers can keep an eye on their purchase as it makes its way to their doorstep.