Psilocybe cubensis
This relatively common mushroom comes in a range of shapes, sizes, and potencies, and it grows on all four corners of the globe (the only exception is Antarctica). It can be found almost everywhere but definitely prefers more tropical regions.
This species is a favorite among cultivators because it’s extremely resilient and can cope with an unoptimized growing environment. Its compliance in artificial growing environments and ease of cultivation has led to the development of several genetic variants (strains) — all with differences in growth characteristics and psychedelic tryptamine levels.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the Psilocybe cubensis species in-depth by looking at the following: • What Psilocybe cubensis is • About the history of the species • Its potency and effects • The dose of P.cubensis • Whether it’s a good option for microdosing • Where the species can be found • How to identify Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms • Some of its common look-alikes • How P.cubensis can be cultivated • The preparation and storage of the mushrooms • Four ways the mushrooms can be used and consumed • The legalities surrounding Psilocybe cubensis
I’ll also be answering five frequently asked questions about Psilocybe cubensis, from what the most potent strain is to whether there are any medical benefits associated with magic mushroom consumption. What Is Psilocybe cubensis?
Psilocybe cubensis is a species of fungi that produces the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. The species contains hundreds of genetic variants (strains) that have been discovered and isolated or created through cross-cultivation in an artificial growing environment.
When ingested, this species is capable of producing profound changes in consciousness, including altered perception, euphoria, and mystical or spiritual experiences that allow users to “look inside themselves.” These qualities are being studied for their effectiveness in therapy for a variety of mental illnesses, addictions, and traumas.
Psilocybe cubensis Mushrooms Psilocybe cubensis has been found growing in a variety of different climates and environments in over 30 different countries. It can be found growing in the depths of the Amazon Rainforest, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Mexico, Asia, and even Australia and New Zealand. This is a pan-tropical fungi species that prefers warm, humid environments. However, it’s extremely tolerant in terms of environmental conditions — growing at both low and high altitudes, in wet and dry climates, and on a variety of different substrates. The use of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms for spiritual, cultural, and medicinal use has been documented for thousands of years. The use of this mushroom continues today for its psychoactive effects as well as its potential therapeutic benefits. Research into Psilocybe cubensis and other psilocybin-containing mushrooms is growing. However, it’s important to note that psilocybin — and thus Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms — are still illegal in many countries. However, the spores of this species aren’t banned (in most places), and several different genetic samples are widely available for purchase online.
The History of Psilocybe cubensis Psilocybe cubensis was first discovered in Cuba in 1906. Its psychedelic properties were later identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann and American mycologist Robert Gordan Wasson in the 1950s. The popularity of magic mushrooms grew rapidly in the 1960s, but a change in drug policy in 1971 halted research into their medical benefits. In recent years, the potential benefits of psychedelics have been rediscovered, leading to a renewed interest in their therapeutic use. Let’s get a bit more into the weeds here.
- The First Written Accounts of Psilocybe cubensis
Psilocybe cubensis was first described by an American mycologist by the name of Franklin Sumner Earle in 1906 [1]. Earle discovered the species in Cuba and listed it as “Stropharia cubensis” — a name that the species would (more or less) hold onto until 1949.
In 1907, Psilocybe cubensis was identified as “Naematoloma caerulescens” in Tonkin (now northern Vietnam) by the French pharmacist and mycologist Narcisse Théophile Patouillard [2]. This caused more confusion with the taxonomic classification of the species. However, in most other accounts, it was labeled as Stropharia cubensis. The species was first discovered growing in the United States by William Alphonso Murril, who discovered the sample close to Gainesville, Florida, in 1941 [3]. Once again, the species was mislabeled — in this account, it was named “Stopharia cyanescens.”
It wasn’t until 1949, when the German mycologist Rolf Singer officially moved the species into the Psilocybe genus, that it adopted its “true” binomial name, Psilocybe cubensis [4].
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The West is Introduced to Psilocybe cubensis Although Psilocybe cubensis was found growing in Florida back in 1941, its psychedelic properties weren’t discovered or explored until much later, during the 1950s.
The psychoactive properties of Psilocybe cubensis were discovered when the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann and American mycologist Robert Gordan Wasson identified the species as a source of psilocybin.
In 1955 Robert Gordan Wasson and his wife Valentina Pavlovna Wasson traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico, to visit Maria Sabina to partake in one of her “magic mushroom ceremonies.” They would later publish an article in LIFE Magazine detailing their experience — this inspired many to seek out psychedelic mushrooms.
During the Wasson’s expedition, they collected samples of the magic mushrooms Maria Sabina used in her ceremonies. In 1956, Roger Heim identified these psychedelic mushrooms as species of the genus Psilocybe — among the samples was P.cubensis [5].
In 1958, Albert Hofmann was the first person to isolate and synthesize psilocybin — the primary psychoactive compound found in Psilocybe mushrooms [6]. He did this using the mushrooms that Wasson had collected from Mexico. He then tested the substance on himself to confirm that it was indeed psychedelic.
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The Rise in Popularity of Psilocybe cubensis
With Robert Gordan Wasson’s “Seeking the Magic Mushroom” article in LIFE Magazine and Albert Hofmann’s research on psilocybin released, Psilocybe mushrooms quickly gained popularity.
American psychologist Timothy Leary was inspired by the work of Wasson and Hofmann and decided to travel to Mexico to experience the psilocybin mushrooms himself. Upon return to Harvard University in 1960, Leary and colleague Richard Alpert started the Harvard Psilocybin Project.
The two conducted research looking at the effects of psilocybin on recidivism (the tendency for criminals to re-offend) in prisoners [7]. After reviewing the test subjects 6 months later, they found that the rate of recidivism decreased below 40% — this caused controversy, and Leary and Alpert were subsequently dismissed from their roles at Harvard in 1963.
After being dismissed, Timothy Leary and Richard Alpart (Ram Dass) focussed their attention on “the psychedelic experience” produced by both psilocybin and LSD.
The discoveries and research performed by Wasson, Hoffman, Leary, and Alpert caused an explosion in the use of psilocybin mushrooms (Psilocybe mexicana, Psilocybe cubensis, and Psilocybe semilanceata).
By the end of the 1960s, the popularity of “magic mushrooms” grew so much that several samples of P.cubensis and other Psilocybe species were being discovered across the globe. Research into psilocybin and its potential medical uses grew dramatically until a sudden change put a halt on the substance.
Sadly, on June 18, 1971, Richard Nixon’s “War on Drugs” came into effect. This deemed psilocybin and other psychedelics illegal, and all scientific research into their potential medical benefits came to a halt. Many research papers went missing, and the use of psychedelics became “taboo.”
Fortunately, in recent years the potential benefits of psilocybin, LSD, and other psychedelic substances have been rediscovered. We’re now entering a new age in psychedelics that some call the “Psychedelic Renaissance.” The Potency & Effects of Psilocybe cubensis
According to Jeffrey K. Aronson’s chapter on “Plant Poisons and Traditional Medicines” in the book titled Manson’s Tropical Infectious Diseases, the average Psilocybe cubensis mushroom contains 10 to 12 milligrams of psilocybin per gram of dried mushrooms [8]. However, the potency of Psilocybe cubensis is variable.
There are hundreds of different strains of P. cubensis, all with different appearance and tryptamine levels. The psilocybin and psilocin levels in P. cubensis can vary from strain to strain, but the average psilocybin level is around 0.50–0.90%. Some strains, such as Golden Teacher, can produce anywhere from 0.4% to 0.8% psilocybin, whereas other highly-potent strains, such as Penis Envy, can produce upwards of 1.7%.