Can Blue Light Increase Your Magic Mushroom Harvest?

Growing psilocybin mushrooms is an art. Whether you start from a little spore, or a pre-inoculated grow kit (one of the wonders of the modern world!) there is a certain pride in cultivating the best shrooms you possibly can. From substrate, to temperature, to lighting, all of these elements can be tweaked by cultivators until they find their sweet-spot. 

In this article we will discuss the topic of lighting when it comes to growing magic mushrooms. Do they need it? Is the legend of blue-light-making-mushrooms-grow-faster true? Can specific lighting make a shroom harvest more potent? Read on, and we’ll shed some light on the situation…

Good Mushroom Cultivation Includes Many Factors

The cultivation of magic mushrooms (in this case, primarily ‘Psilocybe’ species) is influenced by many environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, substrate, and light. While light is important for the fruiting process of some mushrooms, the impact of specific light spectra, such as blue light, black light, or others, on ‘Psilocybe’ mushrooms is less well understood compared to its role in plants. In fact, research into mushrooms always lags behind when compared to that of their green cousins. However, there is some research and practical knowledge that can shed light on the issue. Let’s break down the different types of light you can use, and how they might impact mushroom cultivation.

1. Do Mushrooms Need Light? A General Overview

Unlike plants, mushrooms do not photosynthesize, so they do not rely on light for energy. However, light still plays a role in certain stages of their growth, particularly in initiating the fruiting process and aiding in the development of the mushroom’s structure. The ‘fruiting process’, for the uninitiated, is simply when the mushroom body sprouts from the earth, showing off all the work that the mycelium beneath has done. Light serves as a signal to the mushrooms, particularly when it comes to determining the orientation, or growth direction, of the fruiting body (also known as the “phototropic” response).

2. Can Blue Light Increase Your Magic Mushroom Harvest?

Blue light is often said to be the most effective spectrum for stimulating the fruiting of mushrooms in general. In fact, research on various mushroom species (such as Agaricus bisporus — the button mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus — the oyster mushroom, and others) suggests that blue light can influence several factors in fungal growth:

• It Can Induce Fruiting: Blue light, particularly around 450-470 nm, can trigger the start of fruiting in some mushrooms. This light spectrum mimics natural conditions that signal the mushroom to start producing fruiting bodies.
• It Stimulates Growth and Morphology: In addition to triggering fruiting, blue light can also affect the size, shape, and quality of the mushrooms. Some studies show that exposure to blue light during certain stages of growth can improve the overall morphology (shape and structure) of the fruiting bodies.

For Psilocybe mushrooms, studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that blue light (often from LED lights) may help stimulate the fruiting process, although the effects are less dramatic than for plants or other types of mushrooms that have more complex photoreceptors.

 3. Black Light and Psychedelic Mushrooms

Black light (typically referring to ultraviolet light, or UV light) is not commonly used or recommended for cultivating mushrooms, including magic mushrooms. UV light is harmful in high doses and can cause damage to biological tissues, including mushrooms. However, there is some nuance here:

• UV Light and Psilocybin Content: There is some anecdotal evidence that exposure to UV light may affect the concentration of psilocybin and psilocin in magic mushrooms. This would mean more potent shrooms. UV light might stimulate the production of these compounds as a form of protection against environmental stressors (like UV radiation). This phenomenon has been observed in plants, where UV light increases the production of secondary metabolites.
• Potential Harmful Effects: While a low dose of UV light may not harm the mushrooms, exposure to high-intensity UV light could inhibit growth or cause other stress responses that negatively impact the overall yield.

Overall, while black light or UV light might have some influence on the chemical makeup of magic mushrooms, it is not a primary factor for encouraging fruiting or healthy growth.

 4. Red, Green, and Other Light Spectrums

Other light colors, such as red and green, have been less studied in relation to magic mushrooms. However:

• Red Light: Some mushrooms may respond to red light, particularly in the later stages of growth. However, red light is generally less effective than blue light in initiating fruiting. Red light may still have some impact on the growth cycle by influencing spore germination or the development of fruiting bodies in other types of mushrooms.
• Green Light: Green light is less likely to have a significant impact on the fruiting or growth of magic mushrooms, as it is often reflected rather than absorbed by fungal tissues. Some studies suggest green light is less effective for stimulating growth compared to blue or red wavelengths.

Lights, Camera, Action! Best Practice for Light and Growing Magic Mushrooms

Based on available research and practical cultivation practices, here’s what an experienced cultivator might recommend:

• Blue Light for Fruiting: If you are cultivating Psilocybe mushrooms, exposing them to blue light (450-470 nm) for about 12 hours a day can help signal the mushrooms to begin fruiting. Blue LED lights are commonly used for this purpose.
• Ambient Light: Mushrooms don’t need direct sunlight but do benefit from some ambient light. Many cultivators use indirect lighting or low-intensity LED lights to simulate natural light cycles. A typical light cycle might involve 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness during the fruiting phase.
• Avoid Direct UV Exposure: High-intensity UV light should be avoided, as it can cause stress or damage to the mushrooms. If you want to experiment with UV light for enhancing psilocybin production, be cautious with the intensity and duration of exposure. Be prepared that you might compromise your harvest.

Scientific Research on Light and Psilocybin Content

There has been limited research that focuses on the effect of different light wavelengths on the psilocybin content in magic mushrooms. While some studies on other fungi suggest that light may influence the production of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, this area of research is still in its infancy when it comes to psilocybin mushrooms.

In particular, some studies have shown that UV exposure could potentially increase psilocybin content, but these findings are not conclusive enough to recommend UV light as a standard cultivation method. The impact of light on the psilocybin yield is still not well understood and would likely vary by species and growing conditions.

Conclusion: Does Light Help to Grow Magic Mushrooms?

It is true that, light, particularly blue light, can help with the cultivation of magic mushrooms by stimulating the fruiting process. However, light is just one factor among many, and its effects on growth and psilocybin production are less dramatic than other factors, such as substrate quality, humidity, temperature, and ventilation.

If you’re aiming to grow healthy and potent magic mushrooms, a basic light cycle with indirect blue light (such as from LED bulbs) for 12 hours a day during the fruiting phase will likely be the most beneficial. Avoid direct UV exposure, as it could harm the mushrooms or lead to unintended stress responses. The exact impact of different light spectrums on psilocybin content is still not fully understood, so it’s best to focus on general cultivation practices and environmental control to achieve optimal yields.

In short, light does influence the growth of magic mushrooms, but the most significant effects are related to fruiting initiation and morphology rather than boosting psilocybin production. 

Regardless of whether you decide to experiment with different types of lighting, with a pre-inoculated grow kit, growing magic mushrooms is a relatively easy and straightforward process. Just treat your mushies with love, and they’re sure to love you back!