Although we briefly discussed the powerful medicinal mushrooms that grow on decaying wood, Psilocybe cyanescens, known as 'Wavy Caps,' deserves its spotlight. These mushrooms have a distinct appearance, with a wide, flared cap resembling an umbrella and rippled ridges, usually ranging from 1.5-5 cm.

Another defining characteristic of Psilocybe cyanescens is its copper-brown color, which typically fades to a lighter yellow when dried. When their gills are disturbed, they produce a blueish tint and can contain up to 1.96% psilocybin, making these medicinal mushrooms one of the most potent on our list.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psilocybe_cyanescens

When we think of medicinal psychedelic mushrooms, Psilocybe cubensis is likely the first image that comes to mind. These revered fungi belong to the Hymenogastraceae family and are commonly known as "golden halos" due to their distinct convex or flat, yellow-brown caps and smooth, sticky surfaces.

Psilocybe cubensis is a species commonly found in the Gulf Coast states of the tropics, and it is one of the most widely distributed species due to its easy-to-cultivate properties. These medicinal mushrooms naturally germinate in cattle dung and can be grown indoors using substrates like coffee or brown rice flour.

The mushrooms often exhibit blue bruising due to oxidation and have narrow gray gills with an off-white edge. When dried, they typically contain 10-12 mg of psilocybin per gram. They are mostly odorless and have a ringed stipe. P. cubensis has been the focus of selective breeding, resulting in over 60 different strains, such as Wavy Caps and Penis Envy.

Despite its eyebrow-raising name, the "Penis Envy" strain of mushrooms does not disappoint when it comes to its introspective complexity. These mushrooms are characterized by their bulbous, underdeveloped caps and chunky stems, which contain a remarkably high concentration of psilocybin and psilocin.

These medicinal mushrooms have a dark-toned appearance and bruised blue, but they require longer maturation periods and meticulous cultivation care, making them notoriously hard to find. However, if you get your hands on this coveted "Penis Envy" strain, your therapeutic psychedelic experience will undoubtedly be intensified by the mushroom's 50% increase in psychoactive concentrations.

Typical sensations such as synesthesia, euphoria, and distorted time will be present in your journey. Still, some reports even compare the heightened effects of this strain to the experiences of LSD and DMT, although this is a topic of debate. Therefore, we recommend starting with a small dosage and gradually increasing it to avoid overwhelming effects.

The therapeutic psilocybin strain semilanceata is known as "Liberty Cap" or "Blue Legs." This cone-capped fungus has a slimy appearance and is considered the fourth most potent source of psilocybin and biocytin, an alkaloid analog of psilocybin (14 mg potency/ 1 dried gram).

The Liberty Cap is in high demand in the therapeutic psychedelic mushroom market. It is characterized by thin strips that run vertically across its cap and cream-colored gills that turn purplish-black after maturation. These mushrooms are found in moist, grassy habitats and prominent in the UK and North America.

The Liberty Cap is renowned for its long history in human transcendence.

The Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, who famously synthesized LSD, was the first to identify the psychoactive properties of the Psilocybe semilanceata mushroom in the early 60s. However, the use of these mushrooms for psychedelic healing dates back much further. The first known psychedelic mushroom trip involving these mushrooms was recorded in 1799.

These mushrooms, which contain 1.7% psilocybin and 0.36% biocytin in their gelatinous caps, have been used for their hallucinogenic properties by our primitive ancestors. Their potency surpasses that of the popular P. cubensis mushroom by a landslide, with the psilocybin content in P. cubensis only ranging from 0.37% to 1.30% and psilocin content from 0.14% to 0.42%. For those seeking a potent psychedelic experience, Liberty Caps are the way to go.

Psilocybe Baeocystis, also known as Knobby Tops, is the second most potent strain of medicinal psilocybin mushrooms. These mushrooms contain 15 mg of potency per gram of dried mushrooms, making them highly sought after in the psychedelic therapy market. They tend to grow in mulch and have a strong affinity for the bark of Douglas firs. Initially discovered in Oregon, these gelatinous mushrooms have a distinctive purple-brown spore print and a relatively thin, white-colored stem.

This particular strain of mushrooms goes by several names, such as "bottle caps," "blue bells," or "olive caps," among others, and is known for its potent psychoactive properties. Knobby Tops, or Psilocybe Baeocystis, have been reported to intensify colors to a higher degree than other strains, making it a popular choice for more adventurous and daring psychonauts.

Mushroom enthusiasts highly seek the Golden Teacher strain of therapeutic psychedelic mushrooms. Their plump and smooth caps have a burnt-orange color that gradually fades into a slightly paler, thick stem. A journey with Golden Teachers will lead you to a deeply reflective experience.

While this cultivar is medium-strength in potency, with 0.63% psilocybin, 0.60% psilocin, and 0.25% biocytin, it is a trip duration of 2-4 hours is shorter than the average, making it an excellent choice for those new to psychedelic experiences. However, one should not underestimate the healing powers of these little mushrooms.

The Golden Teachers are known for their ability to imbue a sense of ancient intelligence and bring comforting feelings of heart-centered warmth and love. People often report a sense of educational clarity during their experiences, offering a perfect balance of consciousness expansion and euphoric enjoyment.

Psilocybe azurescens, also known as 'Flying Saucers,' is a rare therapeutic strain of P. cubensis believed to have been discovered by a group of Boy Scouts in the forested grounds of Oregon state in 1979. It was later identified and named by American mycologist Paul Stamets in 1996.

This strain's rusty-orange flesh is highly potent, producing 25 mg of psilocybin for every dried gram, making it four times more powerful than p.cubensis. However, the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board cautions against consuming these mushrooms from unknown sources due to reports of induced wood lover's paralysis, a condition that causes prolonged muscle weakness and is associated with other mushrooms that grow in decaying wood, such as P. stunts, P. alennii, and P. Cyans.

Despite this risk, many anecdotal reports suggest that Psilocybe azurescens can provide a pleasant and potent therapeutic psychedelic experience without any adverse side effects. To ensure a safe experience with this potent strain, obtaining it from an indoor cultivator using wood chips or sandy soil substrates is best.

These strains of Psilocybe cubensis are named after the regions where they originate. Other similar strains include the Australian, Chilean, Cuban, and Palenque mushrooms. What unites these strains is their similar genetic makeup. Although they differ slightly in appearance, size, and potency, this group of mushrooms is generally reliable in producing a transformative psychedelic experience.

For instance, the Cambodian Cubensis yields dense flushes and can adapt to suboptimal growing conditions, making it a popular choice among mushroom consumers. On the other hand, the Australian or 'Aussie' Cubensis is known for its exceptional resistance to mold and bacteria, which cultivators highly value.

Bohemian or Psilocybe Bohemica yields a whopping 15 mg potency per 1 gram of dried mushrooms, making these the third most potent strain of magic mushrooms. This severe strain of psilocybin is native to central Europe and can be found making its annual debut during the autumn season. They have a particular affinity for wood debris, more specifically, Betula, Carpinus, Piceae, and Alnus trees, and produce a farinaceous odor. 

Their identification dates back to 1969 when Meinhard Moser and Egon Horak brought them to public attention. Their caps mature into a sandy orange-brown color and grow paler when dried. Just like any derivative of P. cubensis, these fungi bruise blue when exposed to oxygen or physical disruption.

Panaeolus Copelandia Cyanescens, known as 'Blue Meanies,' should not be underestimated. The high potency of this therapeutic mushroom strain induces intense visual and auditory sensations that reverberate throughout your journey.

These slender, stripy mushrooms provide their human counterparts with a burst of energetic awareness and are well-versed in the psychedelic scene of modern society.

Originating from neotropical regions such as Africa and the Caribbean, these blue-staining fungi contain an average of 2.5% psilocybin and 1.2% psilocin, making them over three times more potent than psilocybe cubensis.

B+ Cubensis is a strain of P. cubensis easily accessible to a broader audience. Some believe its genetic makeup results from crossbreeding with P. azurescens over two decades ago by a seasoned cultivator named Mr. G from Florida. The fruiting body of the B+ strain is typically large and elongated, with a yellow-white appearance. It induces hallucinogenic effects that can create a sense of warmth and comfort.

B+ has earned a reputation as an excellent strain for beginners due to its moderate and milder effects, as suggested by its name. Another advantage of the B+ strain is that it is less likely to cause nausea than other mushroom strains. Most of the mushrooms you come across will probably be from a larger batch of the B+ strain, as they are relatively easy to cultivate in bulk with minimal effort.

Albino Goodies is a strain that results from crossing Golden Teacher and Albino A+ (AA+). It is considered one of the most potent strains of cubensis, with AA+ believed to have a biochemical similarity to Panaeolus, which could explain its sought-after potency ranging from 0.75% to 2%.

This combination of strains harnesses the wisdom inherent in Golden Teacher strains while producing revelatory experiences that feature the quicker-acting, physically-intense effects of AA+. Despite its name, AA+ is not truly albino but features cream-colored fruiting bodies with reduced pigmentation, known as leucistic. When crossed with Golden Teachers, these ghostly mushrooms exhibit slightly sunnier caps and are sensitive to light, producing a focus on physical sensations often referred to as a "body high."