sychedelic mushrooms have a bunch of other names, so while you may be thinking you have never heard of them you just may know of different names such as booms, magic mushrooms, psilocybin mushrooms, and shrooms. The psychedelic mushrooms are a part of the polyphyletic group of mushrooms which is known for their psychedelic nature being rich in biocytin, psilocin, and psilocybin. Contrary to what most believe, psychedelic mushrooms are distinct from poisonous mushrooms, as their effects are limited to causing hallucinations effects only. This blog post will enable you to familiarize yourself with some important types of these mushrooms.

Important Types of Psychedelic Mushrooms

Psychedelic mushrooms are widely distributed with some common genera being Copelandia, Gymnopilus, and Psilocybin, and having a total of approximately 200 species. While they are distributed around the world, Mexico has the highest number (53) of psychedelic mushroom species. Typically, these mushrooms thrive in soil rich in plant debris and often appear to be filled and dark-spored. 

Psilocybe cubensis (Golden Caps)

Cubensis is the best-known and the most common type of psychedelic mushroom due to the ease of cultivating them indoors. These mushrooms boast a top cap of 2-8 cm diameter which is cinnamon-brown in color, giving them the name ‘golden caps. These mushrooms grow within the central and southern parts of America, Australia, Cuba, India, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. Since cubensis mushrooms can be easily cultivated indoors using specific substrates, they have enhanced potency and strength. 

Golden Teachers

‘Golden teachers’ are derived from Psilocybe cubensis, so they show similar growth requirements as its other varieties. Golden Teachers can be easily cultivated without using a casing layer as they aren’t malformed. Golden Teachers appear like the wild varieties of Psilocybin cubensismushrooms, and this variety produces a mass of purple-black spores.

Pink Buffalo

Pink Buffalo or “Thai” Pink Buffalo was spotted next to a pink buffalo in Koh Samui and named this by its founder ethnomycology John Allen. It is popular as a home-grown strain due to its ease of cultivation and colonization in favorable conditions. It exhibits similar size and potency as the other strains of cubensis. It has large broad caps with reddish coloration close to the center in some members. 

Albino Goldies

Albino Goldies were produced by crossing Golden Teachers with another variety called Albino+ resulting in a beautiful progeny exhibiting the best traits of both parents. These mushrooms have a large size owing to a long stem and they boast a delightful golden cap. These are considered a good choice for home cultivation. 

Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps)

Discovered in London and allegedly causing uncontrollable hysteria in one of their very first reported consumers, the Liberty Caps are known to be found in damp and grassy fields. These mushrooms boast a large, conical cap with a diameter ranging from 5-25mm. They are found to grow in many European countries as well as Canada, North America, and Euro-Asian Russia. Their consumption results in elevated heart rate, enhanced responses, pupil dilation, and hallucinations. 

Psilocybe Azurescens (Flying Saucer Mushrooms)

Psilocybe azurescens are sometimes called ‘flying saucer’ mushrooms due to their cap shape. These mushrooms are known to contain higher concentrations of psychoactive compounds such as psilocybin and psilocin exhibiting their psychedelic effect within 30 minutes of their consumption. Flying Saucer mushrooms have been only found on the West coast of the U.S. and are known to withstand chilly temperatures. 

Despite differences in time taken to cause psychedelic effects and appearance, all varieties are similar in terms of the resulting effects such as elevated heartbeat and responses, increased drowsiness, and hyperventilation. The stronger the concentration of constituent psychedelic compounds, the more pronounced the resulting effects.