Behind the Scenes: Cate Interviews Luminaire Mushroom Company
As a Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator and Wellness Coach, I’m committed to supporting individuals on their healing journeys. My experience with magic mushrooms, both personally and professionally, has revealed their potential to foster mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. I’m excited to highlight the exceptional psilocybin products provided by Luminaire Mushroom Company, one of Oregon's premier licensed manufacturers.
Continue reading to learn more about Luminaire Mushroom Company and their carefully crafted psilocybin products.
Disclaimer: The content shared in this interview is intended for informational purposes only and is directed toward individuals in regions where psilocybin use is legal. Please consult local laws before considering the use of any psilocybin products. Psilocybin is only available through licensed service centers in Oregon.
Who are you, and how did you become a mycologist?
My name is Alexander Romer. I’m the heart and soul behind Luminaire Mushroom Company, a testament to resilience, healing, and the profound journey I embarked upon following a life-altering event. My journey into the world of mycology wasn't a path I had foreseen, especially not as someone deeply rooted in the field of mental health. Yet, life has a peculiar way of guiding us toward our true calling, often through the most unexpected turns.
In the simmering heat of the summer of 2022, my life took a drastic turn due to a traumatic brain injury. This incident not only threatened my life but forced me to step away from a career I had passionately built over nearly a decade as a counselor and crisis intervention specialist. The aftermath was a daunting, unclear path, filled with uncertainty and the relentless question of “What next?” However, amidst this chaos, I found solace and an unexpected ally in the world of fungi.
Turning to mushrooms during my recovery wasn't something I had planned. It was a leap of faith, a desperate search for healing when conventional methods fell short. Remarkably, these natural wonders offered me the support and strength I needed, igniting a passion and a purpose I hadn't realized I possessed. This profound personal experience with the healing power of mushrooms led me to an undeniable conclusion: I had stumbled upon my life's calling.
Fueled by a relentless desire to support and empower others, much like my previous work in mental health, I set forth on a new mission. Creating Luminaire Mushroom Company wasn't merely a business venture; it was a declaration of my commitment to healing, innovation, and community support. Drawing inspiration from my journey and the remarkable work of esteemed mycologist Paul Stamets, whose dedication and contributions to mycology have been nothing short of revolutionary, I embarked on this new path with a clear vision and unwavering dedication.
The road to establishing Luminaire was paved with challenges, requiring over seven months of tireless effort to construct our lab from the ground up. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every aspect of our operation, from HEPA filters ensuring pristine air quality to our meticulous cultivation practices. As the 7th licensed manufacturer of psilocybe cubensis mushrooms through Oregon Psilocybin Services, we stand at the forefront of a burgeoning field, guided by the principles of quality, safety, and the transformative potential of psilocybin therapy.
Luminaire Mushroom Company embodies more than just my personal recovery; it represents a beacon of hope and healing for many. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the untapped potential of nature's bounty. My journey from a mental health professional to a mycologist might seem unconventional, yet it underscores a profound truth: sometimes, it's through our greatest challenges that we discover our true purpose. Luminaire isn't just a business; it's a mission, a passion, and a promise to harness the incredible power of mushrooms to illuminate the path to healing and wholeness for all.
Where are you located?
We’re located in Portland, Oregon.
Who is involved in Luminaire?
The family behind Luminaire Mushroom Company in Portland, Oregon
Currently, my incredible wife and I are working together to grow our beautiful mushrooms and bring medicinal mushroom tea and coffee to people's homes. Every weekend, you can find us, along with our son Matteo and my service dog Aspen, at the Happy Valley Farmer's Market, where we share our tea/coffee and bring fungi education to our community. It is a great opportunity to connect and meet with locals and open people's eyes to the magical web of mycelium that surrounds us all. We are proud to announce that we will be opening up at a second farmer's market this summer and are excited to be hiring a few new people to work at the market and laboratory, but right now, we are a two-person team.
How do I order from you?
At Luminaire Mushroom Company, we adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the safe and responsible distribution of our psilocybin products, strictly aligning with Oregon's regulatory framework. As such, our psilocybin products are exclusively available to service centers that are licensed within Oregon.
Unlicensed Individuals:
For individuals and entities not licensed to handle psilocybin but interested in mushrooms' therapeutic benefits, we offer a range of non-psychoactive mushroom tea blends and coffee. Our Lion's Mane and Reishi mushroom tea products are specially crafted to target various aspects of health and wellness, such as stress relief, sleep improvement, energy enhancement, and immune system support.
Each recipe is a careful concoction of specialty herbs and fresh organic mushrooms, all of which we cultivate ourselves. These teas reflect our commitment to healing and wellness, leveraging the natural power of mushrooms to foster health and well-being.
To explore or order our unique tea line and coffee, please visit our online store. Here, you'll find a variety of small-batch, handcrafted recipes designed to provide more than just comfort; they serve as a natural remedy to support both mind and body. We invite you to join us in our mission to spread love and light, one cup of tea at a time!
What forms of psilocybin do you offer?
We currently carry several different strains in both whole fungi and homogenized form. For those not wishing to eat the whole mushroom, we offer the homogenized version as a tea and a plain powder. We also offer the option to incorporate flavor and health benefits into the mix by pairing the powdered psilocybin with one of our many wonderful and unique medicinal mushroom herbal teas. Our psilocybin mushrooms come in many different strengths to meet everyone's needs.
McKennaii psilocybin product from Luminaire Mushroom Company
What strains do you have available?
We currently carry Columbian Gold, McKennaii, Z Strain, and Natal. These are powerful strains that we love working with. We are currently harvesting Big Blue Meanies, which we are preparing for testing, with Penis Envy on the way next month. I am proud to say that I have been working hard over the past two years to finalize a hybrid strain I have been isolating, which we are excited to release to the world this summer. This will be our Luminaire strain, and we are confident that it will be a powerful guide to accompany individuals in their journey towards healing. More to be revealed!
What do you use for the substrate?
When I started my journey to become a mycologist, I worked hard to perfect the recipes introduced to me by folks like Terrance McKenna and Paul Stamets. They recommended using a blend of coco coir and vermiculite to provide cubensis with the nutrients they need. Since then, and after much experimentation, I have created substrate recipes of my own based on the knowledge, success, and experimentation I had along the way.
At Luminaire, we use a specific recipe tailored to help our mushrooms thrive. To work towards perfection with our growing process, we took those basic components (coco coir and vermiculite) and introduced a very specific mixture of gypsum, coffee, and compost. Our coffee is sourced through a partnership we have with a local coffee shop. By utilizing and recycling these spent grounds, we have found a way to aid our mushrooms with the nutrition they need to thrive and prosper. We also use the coffee in our compost, which gives our mushrooms an added boost of nutrition.
Are your psilocybin products gluten-free?
Yes, all our products, including our tea and coffee, are gluten-free.
What excites you the most moving forward with Luminaire Mushroom Company?
Alex blessing the mushrooms with love!
When we began this journey, I didn't know what would happen. Here we are more than a year later, and I can hardly describe how grateful I am to see that we are making a difference in people's lives. I never expected to walk away from being a counselor, but after witnessing the power of mushrooms, it felt like sharing that with others was the only thing that made sense, and now I hope to help people in a different way. When people share with us the impact our teas and mushrooms have had in their lives, I am honored and humbled to have a chance to be a part of their story and to play a role in their journey.
The reason our company's motto is "sending love and light from ours to yours" is that I hope to share with the world the powerful truth, light, and positivity that fungi harness, as they have the ability to be true medicine that helps people recover in a way I certainly never expected. I want to bring that knowledge into the lives of those who seek true healing, and I believe every single day in the work that we do. As we grow, my goal is to hire individuals who share this same value, those who want to make a difference. At Luminaire, we will continue down our path toward bringing love, light, and peace into each other's lives, one mushroom at a time.
Explore the potential of Luminaire Mushroom Company’s meticulously crafted products. Whether you're preparing for a psilocybin journey with their caffeine-free Serenity and Hibiscus Serenity blends or winding down with Celestial Dreams, they offer tailored options to support every stage of your magic mushroom experience. Visit them to discover how their products can aid in your personal growth and healing process.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Cate Ritter is a Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator and Wellness Coach committed to guiding individuals on their healing journeys. With extensive experience in psilocybin facilitation, Cate empowers others to explore their mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. As the founder of Prism Bend, she creates transformative experiences that harness the potential of psilocybin for personal development and well-being.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this interview is based on personal experiences and professional insights into psilocybin services. Psilocybin remains a controlled substance in many regions and is legally accessible only through licensed service centers in Oregon. This content is not intended as medical or legal advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional and check local regulations before using any psilocybin products. Psilocybin services should not replace traditional medical treatments and should only be pursued under proper professional guidance.