💊 Making Mushroom Capsules

Essential Equipment

1. Digital Scale (0.01g or 0.001g precision)

• 0.01g scale: $15-30, good for macrodoses (1g+)
• 0.001g scale: $30-50, necessary for precise microdoses (0.1-0.3g)
• Must be calibrated regularly
• Weighing tray or paper

2. Coffee/Spice Grinder

• Electric coffee grinder ($15-30)
• Blade type works fine
• Dedicated for mushrooms only
• Easy to clean

3. Empty Capsules

• Size 00: Largest, holds ~0.5-0.7g powder (most common)
• Size 0: Medium, holds ~0.3-0.5g powder
• Size 1: Small, holds ~0.2-0.3g powder (good for microdosing)
• Vegetarian/gelatin: Both work, veg capsules slightly larger
• Cost: $10-15 per 1000 capsules

4. Capsule Filling Machine (Optional but Recommended)

• Manual capsule filler: $20-40, holds 24-100 capsules
• Makes process 10x faster
• More consistent filling
• Available for all capsule sizes
• Alternative: Fill by hand (slower but free)

5. Additional Supplies

• Small funnel or scooping card
• Clean workspace/tray
• Desiccant packs
• Airtight storage containers
• Labels (for dose and date)
• Small brush for cleanup

1. Ensure mushrooms are cracker-dry
   • Should snap cleanly when bent
   • No sponginess or flexibility
   • If not dry enough, use dehydrator or desiccant
2. Weigh total amount
   • Know exactly how much you're working with
   • Calculate how many capsules you'll make
   • Account for ~5% powder loss
3. Break into smaller pieces
   • Easier for grinder to process
   • More consistent grinding

Grinding Technique

1. Fill grinder 1/3 to 1/2 full (don't overfill)
2. Pulse in short bursts (5-10 seconds each)
3. Shake between pulses to redistribute
4. Grind until very fine - consistency of flour
   • Takes 30-60 seconds total
   • Finer powder = better capsule packing
   • Check consistency - no chunks
5. Empty into clean container
6. Repeat until all mushrooms are ground

Tips for Best Results

• Pulse rather than continuous grinding (prevents heat buildup)
• Very fine powder packs tighter = more per capsule
• Clean grinder with brush between batches
• Store powder in airtight container if not filling immediately

Method A: Using Capsule Filling Machine

1. Separate capsules - bodies in machine, caps aside
2. Spread powder over machine
3. Use card to push powder into capsules
   • Scrape across surface
   • Repeat several times
   • Tamp down with tamper tool
4. Add more powder and tamp again until full
5. Place caps on top
6. Close machine to seal capsules
7. Remove and weigh each capsule (see next step)

Method B: Hand Filling (Slower but Accurate)

1. Separate one capsule
2. Use small funnel or folded card to scoop powder
3. Fill larger half first, tap to settle
4. Overfill slightly, then scrape level
5. Fill smaller half if desired (for larger doses)
6. Close capsule firmly
7. Weigh immediately
8. Repeat for each capsule

Critical for Dosing Accuracy

Especially important for microdosing!

1. Tare scale with empty capsule
   • Place empty capsule on scale
   • Press "tare" to zero it out
   • Or note weight and subtract later
2. Weigh each filled capsule
   • Record weight of powder only
   • Write on capsule with marker (if desired dose)
   • Set aside by weight category
3. Adjust as needed
   • Too heavy? Remove some powder
   • Too light? Add more powder
   • Aim for ±0.02g variance max

Sorting by Weight

• Group capsules by weight ranges
• Example: 0.08-0.12g, 0.13-0.17g, 0.18-0.22g
• Label containers clearly
• Use different colored capsules for different doses (optional)

Proper Storage Method

• Airtight container: Glass jar or plastic capsule container
• Add desiccant packs: 1-2 per container to absorb moisture
• Label clearly: Dose range, strain, date made
• Cool, dark place: Cupboard, drawer, not refrigerator (condensation risk)
• Avoid: Heat, light, moisture, frequent opening

Shelf Life

• In capsules with desiccant: 12-18 months
• Without desiccant: 6-12 months
• Signs of degradation: Capsules stick together, powder clumps, reduced effects

Microdosing Tips

• Make multiple batches at slightly different doses (0.1g, 0.15g, 0.2g)
• Find your optimal dose through experimentation
• Label very clearly - easy to confuse micro vs macro doses
• Store microdose capsules separately from macro

Macrodose Considerations

• Easier to swallow multiple small capsules than large pieces
• Slower onset: Capsules digest slower (~45-60 min vs 30-45 eating)
• Reduced nausea: No mushroom taste or texture
• Take with water: Help capsules go down
• Empty stomach: For best absorption

Stamets Stack in Capsules

Combine three components in one capsule:

• Psilocybin mushroom powder: 0.1-0.2g
• Lion's Mane extract: 400-500mg
• Niacin: Separate tablet (causes flush, not in capsule)

How to make:

1. Grind psilocybin mushrooms
2. Empty Lion's Mane capsules into bowl
3. Mix powders thoroughly
4. Fill into 00 capsules
5. Weigh to ensure consistent ratios
6. Take with separate niacin tablet

Use different colored capsules for different purposes:

• Clear/white: Microdoses (0.1-0.3g)
• Blue: Light macrodoses (0.5-1g)
• Green: Moderate doses (1-2g)
• Red: Strong doses (2g+) - WARNING

Prevents accidental mix-ups!

Ensuring Consistency

• Grind all mushrooms together - ensures even potency across batch
• Mix powder thoroughly before filling
• Weigh every capsule - especially for microdoses
• Label everything - strain, date, dose range
• Test one capsule first from new batch

Hygiene

• Clean workspace before starting
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Use clean, dry equipment
• Work in low-humidity environment
• Don't breathe directly on powder (wear mask)

Storage Safety

• Child-proof containers if applicable
• Clear labeling - including "NOT FDA approved supplement"
• Keep away from heat/light
• Check regularly for moisture or degradation

Example: Making 100 Microdose Capsules (0.15g each)

Initial Equipment (~$50-100): One-time investment that makes hundreds/thousands of capsules.