by Brittney Graham
Since the beginning of time early humanity has been interested in mycology, the study of mushroom and fungi. Thanks to their extensive research we know that there are six different types of fungi: edible, ornamental, medicinal, contaminant, venomous, and entheogens. We are going to be focusing on entheogen fungi, which is also referred to more commonly as “Magic Mushrooms”.
These types of mushrooms don’t just create hallucinogenic effects though. Lately, they have been gaining notoriety for helping with the treatment of depression and other medical issues. It has been proven that the two main elements which cause the psychotropic effect when consumed, psilocybin and psilocin, can be (and have been) used as medication to control or modify behavior, affectivity, and states of extreme euphoria. They also help filter heavy metals from the ground and that is why in some places like Fukushima and Chernobyl, they have planted hallucinogenic mushrooms in order to reduce contamination.
Psilocybin is the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms,” which have hallucinogenic and psychedelic qualities, and are increasingly used in therapy to treat addiction, trauma, anxiety, and other mental disorders. This is a huge and confusing world of fungi, in which minor biological differences can make for major mental alterations.
For example, even the term “psilocybin” can be slightly misleading, because there are over 100 species of mushrooms outside the genus Psilocybe that have psilocybin as their active ingredient. And in every species and every genus, there are dangerous mushrooms that are poisonous to humans, or should not be taken. This is why we strongly urge education and professional assistance when taking mushrooms for therapeutic purposes.
With that information in hand, lets talk about the most common types of magic mushrooms.
Psilocybe cubensis
This is the most common of psilocybin mushrooms, and what people generally refer to when talking about “shrooms” or “golden caps.” It’s very easy to cultivate and has a widespread natural distribution. It’s known for a dark purple or deep grey color on its gills. The cubensis has .63% psilocybin, which is right in the middle for most mushrooms, explaining its popularity.
Psilocybe tampanensis
The tampanensis is in the “magic truffle” family, which also includes Psilocybe mexicana and Psilocybe atlantis. Unsurprisingly, the tampanensis was originally found in Florida, and only once again in Mississippi. It was cultivated and cloned, but only native to that area. The truffles, which have long stems and short caps, are also called “philosopher stones.”
The tampanensis has a moderate .68% psilocybin component, which is the standard for most magic truffles.
Psilocybe semilanceata
This is an easy-to-spot mushroom, sporting a curvy, almost undulating stem, a cap like a knit winter hat pulled down tight over a head, and a nipple-shaped protrusion on the top. It’s extremely-widely distributed in nature and is one of the most powerful psychedelic mushrooms found. The semilanceata is extremely potent, with psilocybe percentages between .98% and a full 1%. For this reason, it’s very prized, but also very dangerous for the newcomer.
Psilocybe baeocystis
With long stems and compact tops, baeocystis is both distinctive and very common. It has a lot of nicknames, including bottle caps, blue bells, lovie caps, and knobby tops. This is more powerful than some other common mushrooms, with a psilocybin rate of .85. For some reason, this mushroom is known to have a very varied effect, and even mushrooms from within the same patch can have very different impacts
I also wanted to make sure we added a few strains for discovery as well, take a look below.
Golden Teachers
One of the most popular and prevalent strains thanks to its intense effect and high yield, is the Golden Teacher strain. It is known for its eye-catching red tinge and is almost impossible to find in an original strain nowadays.
Psilocybe Mexicana
Also know as the beginners choice, Psilocybe Mexicana is a variety widely pointed as the best to take for first timers because of its light yet surprising effects. The effects have been known to enlarge your creativity and original thoughts, your social behavior, and good feelings.
Psilocybe Atlantis
The Psilocybe Atlantis was discovered in Georgia and is also called “fruits of Utopia”. The reason it is called this is because of the beautiful visual effects brought about by these magical mushrooms.