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Types of Psilocybin Shrooms: A Comprehensive Guide
Overwhelmed by all the different types of psilocybin mushrooms and not sure how to choose the strain for you? We hear you – with over 200 known species of magic mushrooms, the choices are aplenty. This comprehensive guide breaks down the most popular and potent shroom types according to their effects, their potency, how to spot them in the wild, and how to choose the strain for you. Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced psychonaut, you’ll leave speaking shrooms fluently. Keep reading for:
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are a fantastical fungi known for their psychoactive properties, and more recently, for their power to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, migraines, and addiction. They contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin which interact with serotonin receptors in the brain to produce psychedelic effects. This can look like visual and auditory hallucinations, emotional introspection, and an altered sense of reality. Psilocybin has also been shown to boost mood, reduce negative rumination, increase neuroplasticity, and improve connectivity in the brain. They’re called magic mushrooms for a reason!
Strain | Appearance | Potency | Effects | Best For |
Golden Teacher | Golden caps, wavy edges | Medium to High | Uplifting, spiritual, ideal for personal growth and emotional healing | Beginners & experienced users alike |
B+ | Large caramel caps, thick stems | Medium | Relaxing, euphoric, light visual effects | Beginners, casual trips |
True Albino Teacher | Completely white caps and stems | High | Physically stimulating, long-lasting | Deeper, intense journeys |
Penis Envy | Dense stems, small caps | Extremely High | Sensory-rich, introspective, intense visuals | Experienced users, spiritual transformation |
Psilocybe Cyanescens | Wavy caramel caps, slender stems | High | Strong visuals, emotional introspection | Outdoor trips, experienced users |
Psilocybe Azurescens | Pointed caramel caps | Extremely High | Intense visuals, euphoric sensations, life-changing insights | Veteran psychonauts |
Mazatapec | Brown mushrooms with conical caps | Moderate | Mystical, spiritual, meditative | Spiritual exploration |
Blue Meanie | Bluish bruising, medium caps | High | Vivid hallucinations, emotional and creative connections | Creative pursuits, adventurous trips, group settings |
Avery’s Albino | Pale white caps | High | Dream-like states, visual distortions | Unique visual trips |
Melmac (PE Variant) | Twisted stems, thick caps | Very High | Intense, long-lasting, sensory-rich experiences | Long-duration spiritual or therapeutic experiences |
Liberty Caps | Small pointed caps, thin stems | High | Euphoria, vivid visuals, heightened creativity, and deep connection to nature. | Foraging, profound yet gentle experiences |
Psilocybe Mexicana | Small caramel caps, slender stems | Low to Moderate | Light euphoria, mental clarity | Microdosing, beginner-friendly trips |
Psilocybe Tampanensis | Dense, nugget-like truffles | Moderate | Clear-headed, mild visuals, heightened creativity | Mild, grounded psychedelic experiences |
Golden Teacher mushrooms are one of the most popular and well-studied psilocybin mushroom species. They’re known for their:
Appearance: Golden, medium-sized caps with a slightly wavy edge.
Effects: Known for fostering emotional breakthroughs, golden teachers are a go-to for healing ceremonies; aiding in releasing trauma trauma and overcoming other mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Effects are powerful without being overwhelming.
Potency: Medium to high
Best for: Suitable for beginners and experienced users alike. Ideal for those focused on personal growth, healing, spiritual development, or creative exploration.
Golden Teachers are the strain we use in all of our Microdose Capsules and Magic Mushroom Chocolate. Our signature microdose blends combine high-quality golden teacher magic mushrooms with functional mushrooms and other healing plants for targeted effects on mood, motivation, memory, performance, and more:
Calm anxiety and boost mood with Lite Brite
Increase focus and productivity with View Master
Improve cognitive function and promote neurogenesis with Connect Four
Boost performance and endurance with Boomerang
Learn more about microdosing protocols, dosage, and intention setting in our Complete Guide to Microdosing.
Looking for a macrodose option? Our magic mushroom chocolate bars are made with golden teacher magic mushrooms and ceremonial grade cacoa and for a delicious treat for both your tastebuds and your spirit. Choose your own adventure: delight in a single square for a joy-boosting microdose or up the dose for a transformative journey.
One square = 250 mg psilocybin
Full bar = 3.75 grams psilocybin
Read our Complete Guide to Macrodosing for more on undertaking a full psilocybin ceremony.
B+ mushrooms are beloved by beginners for their consistent effects and moderate potency.
Appearance: Large, caramel-colored caps with thick stems.
Effects: Users report warm euphoric sensations, light visual enhancements, and a heightened sense of spiritual connection.
Potency: Moderate.
Best For: First-time users seeking a relaxing, manageable psychedelic trip.
Experience B+ mushrooms in our Prism Social Spice Tea, a warm, soothing spiced tea handcrafted to enhance connections, induce euphoria, and enrich shared experiences.
A rare and more potent variation of Golden Teachers, True Albino Teachers stand out for their:
Appearance: Completely white stems and caps.
Effects: Faster onset, longer-lasting trips, and a more physically stimulating psychedelic experience. Expect a deep and immersive journey, blending physical, emotional, and visual elements.
Potency: Medium-High.
Best For: Those seeking a deeper, more intense journey than Golden Teachers offer. Best for more experienced trippers.
Experience True Albino Teacher mushrooms in our Prism Social Spice Tea.
Penis Envy is one of the most potent psilocybin mushroom strains, named for its distinctive phallic shape.
Appearance: Thick, dense stems with smaller caps compared to other strains.
Effects: Penis Envy mushrooms deliver deeply introspective and transformative experiences. Expect sensory-rich visuals, emotional breakthroughs, and profound insights. Trippers often notice heightened clarity and a stronger connection to both their emotions and subconscious.
Potency: Extremely high; Penis Envy mushrooms are estimated to be two to three times more potent than most Psilocybe Cubensis strains.
Best For: Deep spiritual exploration, therapeutic breakthroughs, and those seeking an intense and transformative journey. Suitable only for experienced psychonauts.
Known for their high psilocybin content and intense psychoactive properties, Wavy Caps are a favorite for seasoned psychonauts.
Appearance: Wavy, caramel-colored caps and slender stems.
Effects: Intense visuals, strong emotional responses, deep introspection, and a profound sense of connection with nature.
Potency: Very high; wavy caps are one of the most potent naturally occuring psilocybin mushrooms species, with psilocybin content ranging from 0.5% to 2.0%.
Best For: Experienced users, exploring deep emotions, and outdoor journeys.
Psilocybe Azurescens, also known as Flying Saucers, are considered the most potent wild psilocybin mushroom. Revered for its intense psychoactive properties, this strain is best suited for seasoned psychonauts seeking transformative experiences.
Appearance: Pointed caps with a darker caramel or brown hue.
Effects: Exceptionally strong visuals, ego dissolution, physical sensations like tingling or heaviness, and deep introspection often leading to profound personal breakthroughs.
Potency: Among the highest, with psilocybin content ranging up to 1.8%.
Best For: Veteran psychonauts. Ideal for therapeutic settings and to address trauma and other mental health challenges.
An ancient strain originally used by the Mazatec indigenous people during sacred ceremonies aimed at connecting with the divine and gaining profound insights. Nowadays, they’re known as a forgiving and approachable strain for those seeking meaningful but not overwhelming journeys.
Appearance: Dark brown caps with a conical shape and light speckling.
Effects: Gentle yet deeply introspective and sometimes meditative experience. Trippers often notice mild visuals, a calm introspective energy, and heightened feelings of unity and spiritual connection.
Potency: Moderate.
Best For: Beginners or those looking for a lighter trip with a focus on emotional and spiritual discovery.
Blue Meanies are a highly potent strain that packs a powerful punch:
Appearance: Named for their bluish bruising, blue meanies have medium-sized caps and slender stems. The bluish tint intensifies when handled, indicating high psilocybin content.
Effects: Known for vivid hallucinations, intense euphoria, and a deep sense of connection to one’s surroundings. Blue Meanies can also induce deep self-reflection, making them a favorite for spiritual and creative exploration.
Potency: Higher than most Psilocybe Cubensis strains, making them suitable for experienced users looking for a stronger psychedelic experience.
Best For: Creative pursuits, spiritual journeys, or adventurous trips with an emphasis on visual and emotional intensity. Blue Meanies are great for group settings to enhance connections.
Liberty Caps are one of the most widespread and potent wild psilocybin mushrooms, known for their natural abundance in grassy areas.
Appearance: Small, conical caps with a distinctive pointed tip and slender stems.
Effects: Liberty Caps produce a cerebral and energetic high characterized by euphoria, vivid visuals, and heightened creativity. They can induce a sense of wonder and deep connection to nature. The trip can vary significantly based on dosage and individual sensitivity.
Potency: High; Liberty Caps are among the most potent psilocybin-containing mushrooms in the wild, with psilocybin content ranging from 0.2% to 2%, depending on environmental factors and specimen maturity.
Best For: Foraging enthusiasts and experienced users seeking a profound yet nature-focused psychedelic experience.
Also known as teonanácatl by the Aztecs, this strain has been used for thousands of years in spiritual ceremonies by indigenous cultures in Central and North America.
Appearance: Small caps with a caramel-to-brown coloration and slender stems.
Effects: Light, yet uplifting, this strain boosts mood, sharpens focus, and gives a glimpse into the spiritual world.
Potency: Low to moderate
Best For: Beginners or those looking for more creativity, focus, or a lighter experience.
A very rare psychedelic mushroom, Psilocybe Tampanensis is known for producing “magic truffles,” the sclerotia of the fungus, also known as ‘philosopher’s stones’.
Appearance: Dense, nugget-like truffles rather than traditional mushroom caps.
Effects: Clear-headed joy, heightened creativity, and mild visuals. Often used for brainstorming or creative pursuits.
Potency: Moderate, with effects often described as smoother and less overwhelming than other psilocybin strains.
Best For: Users seeking a less intense, more grounded and creativity-focused psychedelic experience.
Advances in cultivation have paved the way for unique hybrid strains that blend traits from various species. Some of the most sought-after hybrids include:
Avery’s Albino: A rare strain with a high psilocybin concentration, offering visual distortions and a dream-like state.
Melmac (PE Variant): A unique variation of Penis Envy with similarly intense effects and long-lasting trips.
Tidal Wave: A combination of B+ and Penis Envy known for inducing feelings of euphoria, intense visuals, and deep introspection.
Ghost: A variant known for its albino-like appearance and potent effects, offering a very powerful and surreal experience.
Experience Level: We recommend beginners start with milder strains like Golden Teachers, B+ or Psilocybe Mexicana for a more balanced, less overwhelming experience than other types of shrooms. Experienced psychonauts looking for an intense experience might opt for Penis Envy or Psilocybe Azurescens.
Desired Effects: Match the strain to your goals:
For healing and uplifting experiences, opt for Golden Teachers.
For deep emotional work, choose potent strains like Penis Envy or Psilocybe Azurescens.
For creativity and social connection, B+ mushrooms are a favorite.
Consumption Method:
Capsules: Ideal for microdosing and precise control over dosage.
Teas: A gentle, soothing way to consume mushrooms, reducing nausea while enhancing the onset.
Chocolates or Edibles: Great for masking the taste of mushrooms and easy to enjoy anywhere.
Purpose: Reflect on your intention for the experience:
For recreational fun, strains like Amazonian or Blue Meanies provide a vibrant, visual trip.
For spiritual growth or healing, strains like Golden Teacher or Penis Envy are better suited.
When identifying magic mushrooms, pay attention to:
Color: Ranges from golden and caramel to white and blue-tinted.
Bruising: A blue tint often indicates the presence of psilocybin.
Habitat: Most hallucinogenic mushrooms are found in damp environments like forests or grassy fields.
Always exercise caution and consult a reliable guide when foraging, as many poisonous species look just like non-toxic hallucinogenic species.
The most popular psilocybin mushrooms include Golden Teachers, B+, Penis Envy, Blue Meanies, Liberty Caps, and Psilocybe Azurescens.
Consider your experience level along with the type of trip you’re after. Beginners might start with milder strains like Golden Teacher or B+, while experienced users may prefer potent strains like Penis Envy or Psilocybe Azurescens. If in doubt, Golden Teachers are the goldilocks of mushrooms – a just right strain for most journeyers.
B+ and Golden Teacher are ideal for beginners thanks to their moderate potency and predictable effects – a gentle introduction to psilocybin.
Penis Envy and Psilocybe Azurescens are two of the most potent strains, known for their high psilocybin content and intense effects. These are recommended for experienced psychonauts seeking profound experiences.
Yes, microdosing psilocybin mushrooms is a simple yet impactful practice to improve mood, increase energy levels, enhance creativity, alleviate menstrual struggles, improve focus, reduce anxiety and stress, and deepen your connection to yourself and others. Golden Teachers are the most popular strain for microdosing due to their mild and manageable effects.
Strains like Golden Teachers, Mazatapec, and Psilocybe Mexicana are revered for their spiritual and introspective effects. They have been used in ceremonial settings to foster profound connections and insights.
Magic mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of psilocybin fungi, while magic truffles (Psilocybe Tampanensis) are the sclerotia, or underground structures. Truffles offer a smoother, less intense experience compared to many mushroom strains.
Common side effects include nausea, heightened emotions, and visual distortions. More potent strains like Penis Envy may amplify these effects, while milder strains like B+ tend to produce fewer side effects.
Start low and go slow, especially if you’re a beginner. Consume in a safe, comfortable setting with a trusted friend or sitter. Consider using prepared products like microdose capsules, magic mushroom chocolate, or magic mushroom tea to ensure accurate dosing.
Golden Teachers, Mazatapec, and Psilocybe Azurescens are often used for emotional healing due to their introspective and therapeutic effects.
Ready to start your magic mushroom journey? Browse our collection of sustainably harvested and consciously created Microdose Capsules, Magic Mushroom Chocolate, and Magic Mushroom Tea, all handcrafted right here in Canada.
