Psychedelia as a way of getting to know yourself and those around you better is experiencing a second golden age after the one it experienced in the 50s, before the prohibition policies arising from the famous war on drugs. We could write an extensive paragraph about the reasons for this resurgence (which I have been forced to delete because it was boring), but we are here to guide those who may feel somewhat lost when starting to grow magic mushrooms. One can get overwhelmed when deciding which mushroom to use for the first time, or which one to use for microdosing, for a deep inner journey, or simply to have a good time with friends. As you can see, psilocybin – the active compound in mushrooms – has a wide range of action, so it can be normal for a non-initiate to get lost.
When deciding which mushroom cake to buy, a few important aspects must be taken into account, since, as with marijuana, there are genetics of hallucinogenic mushrooms for all tastes and needs. A person who does not have a fixed space to grow it and is looking for a powerful and introspective effect will not select the same mushroom cake as a person who has bought a grow kit and wants to start microdosing. Below, we present what we have determined to be key aspects for selecting your genetics, and which mushroom cake or bag we recommend.
We have established the following key points as essential to learning how to select your variety: the effects they cause, the overall yields, and the ease of growing them. Let’s go!
How to choose magic mushrooms according to the effect they cause
Magic mushrooms can be used for a multitude of purposes, both recreational and therapeutic. This does not only depend on the dose, it also depends on the meaning that each user gives to the experience; a high dose can serve to travel within oneself, seeking why we interpret the world as we do, seeing our ego from another perspective, or to “freak out” with everything around us. See geometric shapes, have another point of view of nature and, ultimately, have a good time in company.
If this is the goal, we recommend high-potency varieties, so you have to eat fewer mushrooms to get a potent effect. The most potent mushroom species on the market is Panaeolus cyanescens, also known as Copelandia Hawaiian. But if we talk about Psilocybe Cubensis, the Penis Envy strains and their derivatives such as Tidal Wave Ape, Melmac Trasher or Yeti are the most potent on the market.
Differences between Panaeolus Cyanescens (Hawaiian Copelandia) and Psilocybe Cubensis
Most varieties of hallucinogenic mushrooms currently on the market come from of Psilocybe cubensis. In this article we compare this variety with Panaeolus Cyanescens (or Copelandia), which has been gaining a reputation for all the mycologists who discover it due to its Psilocybin content. This is 4 times more powerful than that of any Psilocybe Cubensis or similar. Homegrower mycologist, welcome to a new tomorrow.
Magical mushrooms for laughing with friends and partying
A low dose can be ideal for going out to party, losing the fatigue inherent to spending hours dancing, being more sociable than usual, and not consuming other drugs that harm the body like alcohol. It is also an ideal option to spend an ideal afternoon with friends, chatting and crying with laughter for the smallest reason you can think of. To achieve these low doses, it is more advisable to use less potent varieties, so that if you accidentally take too much you do not have to avoid the party or have a bad time. Genetics such as Golden Teacher and its derivative Cascadian Teacher, B+, McKennaii, etc. will be ideal.
Which mushrooms do we recommend for microdosing? Low psilocybin
Another way to enjoy the benefits of psilocybin is microdosing. This relatively new technique is a fantastic option for anyone who wants to enjoy some of the benefits of psilocybin without the hassle of experiencing the effects it causes. In posts like “How to Microdose Psilocybin“, we explain the reasons for its popularity and some techniques to keep your psilocybin intake under control. The ideal strains for microdosing are those with a lower tryptamine content such as Whitebilly, Mexicana, Ecuador, or Mazatapec.
How to choose magic mushrooms according to cultivation and production
We have already talked about the effects and consumption aspects, but that is not all. When you are thinking of growing mushrooms at home, you must take into account the space you have available and the time you want to dedicate to it. For example, growing cake requires almost daily work, even if it is just to make sure that everything is in order and that there are no problems with the weather conditions; on the other hand, growing bags are a much more “autonomous” product, in which you only need to monitor the temperature and make sure that you do not miss the time to collect them.
Magic Mushroom grow bags: Forget about humidity and contamination
As we have mentioned, grow bags are the easy version of a magic mushroom grow. They have revolutionized the market due to their low maintenance requirements, as well as producing mushrooms of impressive sizes never seen before in Europe. They will only need a temperature of around 22-24ºC to generate an indecent amount of monstrous mushrooms. In addition, among the three varieties we have for sale, there is one for every user style: Tidal Wave is one of the genetics with the most tryptamines on the market, making it ideal for those looking for a powerful trip; the Cascadian Teacher variety can be the best companion for a night of partying and the Whitebilly is the one for anyone who wants to start micro dosing.
Introduction to microdosing psilocybin
As we mentioned in our article on psilocybin and its effects, the use of this substance in various therapies is becoming more common, especially in the form of microdoses. Today we offer you a brief but succinct guide on psilocybin microdosing: what it is, how it works, and what are the recommended doses, are only some of the topics we will be discussing below.
On the other hand, mushroom cakes need a regulated temperature and humidity to be able to fruit properly. A magic mushroom cake will only bear fruit if it is kept at around 22-26ºC and above 80% humidity. It must also be considered that the space must be kept as sterile as possible. This makes it necessary to prepare the environment in advance using a mini-greenhouse, a heating blanket, and a humidifier – apart from the thermo-hygrometer to measure it. To grow mushroom cakes, high knowledge or laborious daily work is not required, as can happen with marijuana seeds, but maintaining these parameters and certain additional steps – which we will not explain now – is very helpful if you have the experience of having grown before.
Ideal varieties for a novice grower to grow: high production and resistance
If it is your first time growing mushrooms, it is best to choose varieties that have high yields in somewhat adverse conditions and that do not require exhaustive monitoring. Good examples of these varieties are B+, Golden Teacher, Mexicana or Brasil. All native varieties tend to withstand somewhat adverse temperatures and humidity, as well as certain hybrids such as those mentioned.
However, if the grower has already dared to grow magic mushroom cake before and wants to take a step further in his cultivation, there are varieties that, if pampered more, can give large yields. The entire Penis Envy family, if under favorable conditions and the required steps are taken, can give lush productions with large specimens. This added to the high amount of psilocybin that they generate on their own, making a Penis Envy cultivation cake (or derivative) a real tide of psilocybin.
Panaeolus Cyanescens or Copelandia Hawaiian: Lots of psilocybin with a complicated cultivation
Just as for a pirate in search of treasure the most precious commodity is often the most difficult to obtain, the same occurs with the cultivation of mushrooms. The Panaeolus Cyanescens species contains 4 or 5 times more psilocybin than a standard Psilocybe, but its cultivation is the most difficult. Only a few hours of temperature-humidity drop or small contamination are necessary to send an entire Copelandia Hawaiian cake to the trash. In addition, the production is minimal compared to other genetics, which makes it a challenge for experienced growers and a true relic once harvested.
As you can see, choosing the ideal magic mushroom strain to grow is a personal decision that depends on several factors, such as your goals, environment, and level of experience. Exploring the characteristics of each strain and knowing its specific needs will help you enjoy a successful grow and a truly rewarding consumption experience. Remember to always act responsibly and respect local laws!
Happy harvest!
