Do Magic Mushrooms Have Calories

A fundamental piece of advice from fitness experts is that eating the right foods is key to getting visible abs. While exercising at the gym is important for getting the body you want, it’s not the only thing to focus on. This is especially true if you’re trying to lose weight. Basically, if you want to reach your weight loss goals, you need to be careful about what you eat every day and how many calories you’re taking in versus how many you’re burning.

The food you eat plays a big role in whether you gain or lose weight. As you work on losing weight, every calorie you eat matters. While magic mushrooms are not technically a food, they indeed have calories in them since they are mushrooms, after all. In this article, we will discuss the calorie count of magic mushrooms and the distinction between magic and gourmet mushrooms.

How Many Calories Are There in Magic Mushrooms?

As already mentioned, magic mushrooms are not exactly food. Therefore, there is very little information available about the nutrients in magic mushrooms. This lack of research is solely due to their legal status, and as a result, there isn’t a lot of information about what’s in them.

Fortunately, there are some analyses of the nutrient structure of dried magic mushrooms, and according to My Fitness Pal, they have 64 calories per Oz. It is composed of 8 grams of carbs and 16 grams of protein. They’re also rich in potassium and iron.

From this data, consuming a regular dose of 2 grams will increase your intake by 4 calories, which is negligible and won’t affect your diet as much. Magic mushrooms might have some similarities in nutrients with regular mushrooms that we can eat.

Nutrition Facts About Mushrooms

While we don’t have much information about the exact nutrients in magic mushrooms, it’s reasonable to think they might share nutrients with regular mushrooms we eat. Remember that the sizes of servings for these two types of mushrooms will be quite different, so keep that in mind when you’re thinking about how they fit into your daily diet and calorie count.

According to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Proteins

Mushrooms have a moderate amount of protein. A single cup of edible mushrooms has around two grams of protein.

Carbs

A single serving of mushrooms has about two grams of carbs. But the interesting thing is that mushrooms have a low glycemic index. This means that even though they have some carbs, they don’t quickly raise your insulin or blood sugar levels.

Fat

Edible mushrooms also have a little bit of fat, specifically the kind called polyunsaturated fat. This type of fat is considered good for you because it can help lower levels of LDL cholesterol, which is the “bad” cholesterol. And it might even lower the chances of heart disease and stroke.

Vitamins and Minerals

Apart from their moderate amounts of carbs, fat, and protein, mushrooms are also packed with fiber, which is really good for you. Edible mushrooms are rich in various vitamins and minerals. They’re especially good sources of minerals like copper, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. You’ll also find some important vitamins in mushrooms, like B3, B5, and even vitamin D.

Magic Mushrooms vs Gourmet Mushrooms

Both gourmet and magic mushrooms share similar characteristics. They usually have three parts: a stem, a cap, and the gills that hold the spores. Gourmet mushrooms thrive in different mediums, depending on the species it can be woodchips, mulch, hardwood sawdust, cardboard, and grain, while magic mushrooms thrive in cow dung. Although Psilocybe cubensis can be grown on a variety of mediums such as brown rice, rye, and sorghum.

They also have the similarity of being made up of 92% water. However, magic mushrooms have something that gourmet mushrooms don’t, and it’s psilocybin, the substance making them “magic.” This compound is the reason why magic mushrooms are not considered as food but a potent drug with exceptional hallucinogenic effects.

Benefits of Magic Mushrooms

Although magic mushrooms could potentially have similar amounts of calories, fat, protein, carbs, and other nutrients, most people don’t use them as a source of sustenance. Traditionally, magic mushrooms have been linked to the search for inner understanding and spiritual experiences. However, as more researchers show interest in psilocybin mushrooms, they’re uncovering more potential health benefits.

Magic Mushrooms Can Help Depression

A research team from the Beckley Foundation conducted a study investigating the impact of administering either 10 or 25 mg of pure Psilocybin on the symptoms of 12 individuals dealing with severe, hard-to-treat depression. When reevaluated six months later, the study revealed substantial reductions in depression scores among the participants.

Magic Mushrooms Can Treat Addiction

A 2015 study revealed that Psilocybin might have the potential to assist with alcohol addiction when combined with therapy. In this study, participants underwent two therapy sessions with doses of either 0.3 or 0.4 mg/kg of pure Psilocybin (equivalent to around 4 or 6 grams of magic mushrooms).

Following the treatment, there was a notable reduction in alcohol consumption and cravings among the participants. These positive effects were sustained even three years later during the follow-up.

Magic Mushrooms Help With Anxiety

Research conducted in 2011 demonstrated that Psilocybin had a notable beneficial impact on individuals facing terminal cancer who were diagnosed with stress, anxiety, and depression as per the DSM-IV guidelines.

Each patient took part in two distinct sessions: one involving a psilocybin dose of 0.2 mg/kg and the other with a placebo. These sessions were separated by at least two months. The study revealed that a majority of participants reported considerably reduced anxiety levels that persisted for up to 6 months following the psilocybin administration.

Benefits of Gourmet Mushrooms

Even though various cultures have used edible and medicinal mushrooms for thousands of years, they are often undervalued. When you read about the nutrition they offer, you might wonder why more people aren’t eating them.

Mushrooms are rich in important nutrients like protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Beyond that, they contain essential vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin B. What’s more, they have a decent amount of protein that can help you feel full without piling on excessive calories.

However, there’s more to it. Edible mushrooms can also bring some health benefits. For example, they can improve gut health and prevent cell damage due to their high antioxidant content. Some mushroom species also improve cognitive functions and support brain health. Intrastegly, many edible mushrooms are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber offers multiple health advantages, including lowering the risk of diabetes.

FAQ

1. Do Magic Mushrooms Have Calories?

Yes, while magic mushrooms are not traditionally considered food, they do contain calories. Dried magic mushrooms, for example, have 64 calories per ounce.

2. What Nutrients Do Magic Mushrooms Provide?

Magic mushrooms have a distinct nutritional composition. Although not very well researched, they are composed of approximately 33% carbs and 67% protein. According to available data, they are also a source of potassium and iron.

3. Can magic mushrooms be part of a balanced diet?

While magic mushrooms contain some nutrients, due to the presence of psychoactive compounds, they are highly unlikely to contribute to a balanced diet.

4. Can magic mushrooms be considered a superfood?

Due to its unknown nutrient content, magic mushrooms are not typically referred to as superfoods.

5. Can magic mushrooms contribute to weight loss?

Despite their low-calorie content, the effects of magic mushrooms on weight loss have not been thoroughly researched.