With hundreds of psychedelic mushroom species available, choosing the right one to grow can be daunting. This guide explores popular magic mushroom types, highlighting the top five strains for home cultivation.
Magic Mushroom Classification
Most common magic mushrooms belong to the Psilocybe genus. This is why scientific names for these species often start with “P.” Other genera like Gymnopilus and Copelandia also contain psychedelic mushrooms.
Within each genus are different species denoted by a lowercase letter in scientific names (e.g. P. cubensis). And each species has distinct strains with unique chemical compounds and effects.
Psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin are the main psychoactive ingredients in most magic mushrooms. But some species also contain additional compounds like aeruginascin or muscimol.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Strains:
- Popularity and ease of cultivation
- Yield size
- Potency
- Subjective effects
Opt for resilient strains to avoid crop loss from contamination. Yield and potency depend on your intention, like microdosing vs. mystical experiences. Match effects to your desired purpose and preferences.
Top 5 Psilocybe Cubensis Strains
P. cubensis grows naturally in the tropics and has a long history of traditional use. It produces brown-capped mushrooms with white stems and is moderately potent. The convenience of growing P. cubensis fuels its recreational popularity.
B+
The B+ strain is widely grown for its resilience, large fruits, and fast germination. It produces a large first flush followed by smaller flushes. Users report balanced cognitive, visual, and body effects, though some feel B+ is more sedating and nauseating than other strains.
Penis Envy
Named for its distinct large, penis-shaped stem, penis envy is more difficult to grow than other strains but offers greater potency for some growers. It’s known for wavier visuals, faster onset, and less body load than typical cubensis varieties.
Cambodian
This strain from Cambodia produces small mushrooms with brown caps. It’s praised for rapid growth and easier cultivation compared to other strains. The Cambodian trip is described as meditative and soothing.
Golden Teacher
A classic beginner strain, golden teacher is highly resilient with large yields. It provides a standard psilocybin experience perfect for first-timers. Effects are euphoric, enlightening, and visually vibrant.
Ecuador
Originally from Ecuador, this strain has excellent potency. It’s on the difficult end to grow but rewards experienced cultivators with its mystical mind-expanding trip. Ecuador is intellectually and emotionally insightful.
Beyond cubensis, experienced growers may want to branch out to potent wood-lovers like wavy caps or azurescens. Proper setup and diligence is key for exotic species. Starting with a forgiving cubensis variety builds skills for advancing your cultivation efforts.
