Stargazer Mushrooms: What Are They?

Stargazer mushrooms are Psilocybe cubensis, known for their psilocybin content — a naturally occurring psychedelic substance.

These now rare mushrooms, also called Inca Stargazer, were supposedly originally found in the highlands of South America, primarily in the Andean regions near the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

According to contemporary mycologists, the Inca Empire used Stargazer and other magic mushrooms in spiritual ceremonies centuries ago to help people connect with the divine, receive advice from ancestor spirits, and develop a greater understanding of the universe and oneself. 

Additionally, the mushrooms were employed for recreational and healing purposes.

To learn out more about Stargazer mushrooms, including their physical characteristics, potential medical uses, and legal status, please read on.

Stargazer Mushrooms: Identification, Therapeutic Value, Psychedelic Effects, and Legal Status in the U.S.

• How to Spot Stargazer Mushrooms

Stargazers mushrooms were among the earliest naturally occurring strains of Psilocybe cubensis produced by modern mycologists. Their primary physical attributes are as follows:

• Cap: The tiny, convex cap of stargazer mushrooms is usually one to two inches in diameter. As the magic mushroom ages, its cap turns from reddish-brown while it is young to golden brown and then pale yellow.

According to some mushroom enthusiasts, the name Stargazer comes from the way the mushroom’s caps have a tendency to tilt slightly upward, giving the impression that they are “gazing” at the stars. Additionally, Stargazer caps feature pale dots that are sometimes compared to the cosmic veil.

• Gills: The gills beneath the cap gradually turn almost black from gray at first as the Stargazer mushroom ages.

• Stem: Ordinarily pale yellow, the slender stem, which can grow up to 5 inches in length, frequently bruises to a blue hue when touched. The majority of Stargazer stems feature a distinctive ring.

• Spores: Millions of microscopic spores, which are mushroom reproductive units, are released from the gills of a healthy magic mushroom when it matures.

These spores are frequently collected by mycologists to aid in the identification of various mushroom species.

Stargazer spores range in color from dark purple to brown. PNW Spore sells the best 10cc Stargazer Cubensis spore syringes, exclusively for taxonomic and microscopy uses.

• Medical Uses and Research

Over the last ten to fifteen years, several modest clinical studies permitted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have produced encouraging results on the possible medical benefits of psilocybin, a chemical found in magic mushrooms, in treating depression, PTSD, anxiety, and some types of addiction. 

For example, a 2023 research involving 104 depressed participants found that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy administered once and paired with psychological support significantly decreased depressive symptoms in 8 days, with mental benefits continuing for 6 weeks. 

More recently, a 2025 peer-reviewed meta-analysis published in ScienceDirect found that psilocybin showed significant positive effects across depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, while noting that larger clinical trials are still needed to establish long-term safety and optimal dosing protocols.

There wasn’t enough data to be sure, but it’s probable that the positive effects could last longer than six weeks.

Researchers believe psilocybin can cure treatment-resistant depression by promoting stronger connections across different brain regions in depressed people, releasing them from long-held negative thoughts that cause their depression.

If the initial clinical research is further confirmed by deeper studies, psilocybin has the capacity to significantly change the treatments offered for mental illnesses.

• Stargazer Mushroom Psychedelic Effects

Magic mushrooms‘ claim to fame comes from their ability to change peoples’ emotions, thoughts, and perspectives.

This is because the fungus contain psilocybin, which alters the brain’s processing of the hormone serotonin, which controls mood and behavior.

When humans ingest these magic mushrooms, their bodies convert the psilocybin into psilocin, which has psychedelic qualities akin to those of the classic hallucinogen d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Psilocin’s effects are unpredictable and can differ greatly from person to person; factors such as dosage, setting, metabolism, and mindset all play a significant role.

People who have used Stargazer mushrooms at certain doses, for instance, report experiencing euphoria, remembering old memories, seeing colorful visuals, feeling intimately linked to nature, and seeing aspects of their lives from completely different angles.

After consumption, these effects often manifest 20 to 60 minutes later and can persist for 4 to 6 hours. 

Additionally, psilocybin can cause unpleasant side effects, frequently referred to as “bad trips.” The most prevalent ones are severe anxiety, excessive yawning, nausea, balance issues, and in extreme instances, seizures and even death. 

There hasn’t been much research done on the potency of Stargazer mushroom strains.

Penis Envy and Golden Teacher are two P. cubensis strains that have so far been found to be highly and moderately potent, respectively, in potency tests.

• Legal Status of Stargazer Mushrooms

With the exception of California, Idaho, and Georgia, and Florida it is permissible to purchase Stargazer and other magic mushroom spores for research purposes in practically every U.S. state., but  it is against the law to use the spores to grow magic mushrooms.

Under federal law, psilocybin mushrooms are categorized as a Schedule I substance, which is the most highly restricted class on the federal controlled substances act, making their cultivation, possession, or use for recreational purposes illegal.

However, some states and cities, like Oregon, have recently passed laws that permit the use of therapeutic psilocybin under certain guidelines or decriminalize the personal use of magic mushrooms outside of therapeutic contexts, meaning although it is not legal, law enforcement prioritizes it as a low-level offense.

Legal restrictions on the use of magic mushrooms may soon be loosened in America due to the strong interest in psilocybin’s medicinal properties.

Polite Reminder: Although it is legal to buy magic mushroom spores in the U.S., it’s vital to keep in mind that many U.S. states have laws against growing magic mushrooms. To ensure you’re adhering to magic mushrooms regulations in your area, please review your local laws.