Psilocybe Cubensis: An Introduction to the Psychedelic Mushroom

All about P. cubensis, including its origins, types, effects, legal status and more.

Psilocybe cubensis is the most recognized of the 200+ magic mushroom species.

For ages, our forefathers around the globe used it to induce heightened states of consciousness, facilitate spiritual journeys and treat everything from rheumatism to headaches.

Today, a growing body of research indicates that a substance found in Psilocybe cubensis, psilocybin, has tremendous medicinal value, which may revolutionize the way many mental health illnesses are treated.

In this blog post, we’ll give you an overview of what you need to know about Psilocybe cubensis, including its origins, types, effects, legal status, and possible health benefits.

Psilocybe Cubensis spore syringes for microscopy purposes are available for purchase at PNW Spore.

Origin of Psilocybe Cubensis

According to ethnomycology, the scientific study of historical usage of fungus, there is archaeological evidence spanning thousands of years suggesting that early people were aware of the special qualities of P. cubensis and other psilocybin-containing mushrooms.

For instance, ancient cave paintings at Tassili, Algeria, have one of the earliest depictions of magic mushrooms. These paintings, which are thought to be between 7,000 and 9,000 thousand years old, portray various mushroom-related scenarios.

In one, shamans running happily with fists filled with mushrooms are surrounded by the geometrical structures created by their hallucinations.

Another painting appears to depict mushrooms as a source of wisdom, with multiple individuals holding up mushrooms in their right hands and parallel dotted lines linking each mushroom to the figure’s head.

More recently, Franklin Sumner Earl, an American mycologist, first named Psilocybe cubensis Stropharia cubensis in 1906 after discovering specimens of the species while conducting research in Cuba. “Coming from Cuba” is the meaning of the word cubensis.

In 1949, German-born mycologist Rolf Singer reassigned the species to Psilocybe.

Psilocybe Cubensis Types

Psilocybe cubensis is available in 50+ strains, each with unique characteristics pertaining to growth conditions, appearance, and potency.

Among the most well-liked P. cubensis strains are:

• Golden Teacher is the most popular strain of magic mushrooms, known for its golden-colored caps, average potency, and capacity to bestow upon its users significant life lessons and insights.

• Penis Envy, as the name implies, looks like a male penis. They feature a circular, swollen top and a thick stem. Many people believe that this strain of Psilocybe cubensis is the most potent.

• B+ are enormous mushrooms with round golden caps that may measure up to 4 inches in diameter and white stems that can grow to a height of more than 16 inches.

Due to their warm and uplifting psychedelic experience, B+ magic mushrooms are a favorite among novice magic mushroom users.

Tidal Wave, Jedi Mind F*ck, Blue Meanie, Mazatapec, and Cambodian are a few other famous types of Psilocybe cubensis.

The different magic mushroom strains can be found growing in humid tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Their preferred habitat is decomposing nitrogen-rich grasses in open grasslands and animal waste, such as cow dung.

Legality

On the federal level, it’s an offense to possess, consume, or sell P. cubensis mushrooms in the United States.

When harvested, these magic mushrooms are federally illegal because they contain psilocybin, which the body turns into psilocin, a psychoactive substance that can drastically change a person’s perception, emotions, ideas, and sense of time, raising concerns about their risk of misuse.

However, Psilocybe cubensis is legal and decriminalized in a few American states and cities. 

For example, residents of Oregon and Colorado are immune from criminal prosecution for possessing magic mushrooms, provided that they don’t exceed a certain quantity.

More cities and states are creating legislation along these lines as new information regarding the potential medical benefits of magic mushrooms continues to emerge.

Effects of Psilocybe Cubensis

After taking magic mushrooms, the effects take around thirty minutes to manifest, and they can last for three to six hours.

Several factors, like personality, age, dose, emotional state, history of mental illness, weight, and amount of food eaten before ingesting the psychedelic mushroom, will affect your “trip.”

Common effects consist of:

• Perceiving and hearing nonexistent things
• Euphoria
• Experiencing a stronger sense of connection with nature
• Increased awareness of emotions and an intense sense of calmness
• Radical realizations

Most people enjoy a peaceful high when they take psilocybin, but it can cause unpleasant effects. Nausea, vomiting, shivering, lightheadedness, disorientation, numb tongue, elevated blood pressure, fear, and an accelerated heartbeat can all result from a bad trip.

Cubensis Potential Medicinal Value

Research from prestigious universities like Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University over the past decade has produced encouraging findings that suggest psilocybin may be able to help treat behavioral and psychiatric disorders such as smoking, alcoholism, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Psilocybin works by interacting with the brain’s serotonin receptors, promoting positive changes in mood, perception, and cognition that may result in long-lasting mental health improvements.

According to one study, major depressive disorder may be alleviated by as little as one 25 mg dose of psilocybin.

However, to firmly establish psilocybin mushrooms as a successful treatment for mental health illnesses, further research is needed.

Important Warning. Psilocybin, an illicit substance under U.S. federal law that causes hallucinations and cognitive impairment, is found in mushrooms cultivated with P. Cubensis spores.

Since Psilocybe cubensis mushroom spores don’t contain psilocybin, you can legally purchase PNW Spores for use in microscopy and taxonomy research only.