Psilocybe Cubensis.It’s the magic behind ‘magic’ mushrooms, but unless you’re in the medical or therapeutic industry, chances are you haven’t heard of these mind-shifting caps before!
Psilocybe Cubensis, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are mushrooms that contain psilocybin and/or psilocin. These compounds are hallucinogenic and are highly sought after for their medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational uses.
While Psilocybe Cubensis is still viewed as a “hard drug” by many Canadians, public opinion is changing thanks to new research.
Acting as an effective anti-depressant, motivator, and enlightenment-obtaining substance, more and more Canadians are beginning to use Psilocybe Cubensis not just for medicinal purposes, but recreational ones too.
Want to understand what the hype is all about? Here’s everything you need to know about Psilocybe Cubensis.
What is Psilocybe Cubensis?
There are over 180 different species of mushrooms growing around the globe naturally.
In today’s article, we’re going to focus on one specific species, Psilocybe Cubensis.
All of the varieties under this species contain psilocybin and psilocin, although they vary in regard to the exact shape, size, and flavour.
Psilocybe Cubensis has a well-known and signature appearance and taste. Furthermore, it is also known for the fantastic journey that this species takes you on. It is the most common strain used recreationally.
If you’ve consumed magic mushrooms before, they most likely belonged to this species!
There are numerous common strains found throughout the shroom world, each falling under psilocybe cubensis.
Like with different strains of cannabis, the various strains of psilocybe cubensis mushrooms share similarities but are not identical. Lover of the psilocybin mushroom may notice these unique differences while most will find them all similarly enjoyable.
The reason why this species is enjoyed for its psychoactive effects throughout the world is the presence of two major active compounds.
The first is psilocybin, which is also produced by over 200 fungi.
The second is psilocin, which is found in almost every psychedelic mushroom. We’ll discover the precise effects of the cubensis mushrooms species below and talk more about psilocin and psilocybin.
But first, let us learn about where p cubensis came from and where these hallucinogenic mushrooms grow!
Where do Psilocybe Cubensis Come From? Where do They Grow?
The psilocybe cubensis species grows throughout the world, including the United States, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and Australia. This naturally occurring species was first discovered in 1906 by Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba, of all places. Fun fact, the term cubensis actually means coming from Cuba.
The usual growing environment includes soil with plenty of dung, though you’ll likely see them found on well-groomed lawns all over the world! The close association of shrooms with cow dung explains why the global cattle industry helped spread these fungi.
While there are no hard facts around when humans were starting ingesting the magical mushroom, but our relationship with this fungus goes back thousands of years. It could certainly go back 10’s of thousands of years based on rock paintings in the Sahara Desert and elsewhere.
While the psilocybin mushrooms continued to grow naturally throughout the world, it has also become a favourite for home-growers.
One of the reasons the psilocybin mushroom species has become so popular is because it is one of the best strains for growing indoors. The popularity of psilocybin mushrooms can be traced but to a few primary sources.
Terence and Dennis McKenna taught numerous individuals how to cultivate mushrooms with their book,Psilocybin: The Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide. This guide helped numerous growers around the world to discover the magic of growing and harvesting this naturally occurring species. The hallucinogenic effects of these dried mushrooms have been enjoyed by countless people since.
Home-growers of magic mushrooms have used selective breeding to improve the strength and yield of the shrooms they cultivate.
As a result of the work of breeders, there are now over 60 strains of Psilocybin cubensis. Beyond the examples listed earlier, other known types of p cubensis include Amazonian Cubensis, Blue Meanie, and Albino Avery Mushrooms.
Now that we understand where p cubensis came from and why it has become so popular let us turn to the topic of effects.
The primary reason why psilocybe cubensis is loved throughout the world is the high experience it produces. The trip can occur after eating the psychedelic caps of psilocybe cubensis is where we turn to next.
Psilocybe Cubensis Effects
Magic mushrooms, no matter the variety, affect everybody differently. Their effects can be mild to intense for those who have not tried a magic mushroom before.
The dose is a significant factor here, so always start low and go from there. The effects can be wondrously positive, but they can also change to a bad trip!
Ensure you are in a comfortable place and in a psychologically good space before you consume shrooms or any other drugs, for that matter.
So what are the effects? Psilocybe cubensis is known to produce:
- Changes in sensation and perception
- Alteration to mood and thoughts
- Euphoria
- Peacefulness, spiritual awakening
- Derealization (the feeling that your surroundings are not real)
- Dilated pupils, dizziness, and drowsiness
- Impaired concentration and muscle weakness
- Nausea, paranoia, and confusion
- Yawning
Psilocybin and Psilocin
As mentioned earlier, these effects are produced by the compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These psychedelic compounds are what make this drug so potent and enjoyable.
We owe our understanding of the effects of psilocybe cubensis to the work of one Swiss chemist. In 1958, Albert Hofmann and co-workers were the first to isolate and identify psilocybin.
Using psilocybin mushrooms is not addictive, but it can trigger psychotic episodes if used incorrectly.
On the flipside, activating a minor psychotic episode is the point of consuming magic mushrooms! The effects of psilocybe cubensis have been shown to have a potential anti-depressant effect. A psychdelic trip can also lead to improved mental health, wellbeing and positive personality change!
Psilocybin Cubensis & Mushroom Trips – Concluding Thoughts
Since the ingestion of magic mushrooms will mess with our regular neural activity, these changes can lead to either positive or negative results. It is essential to consider the dose, past experiences, and expectations before consuming any psilocybe mushrooms.
Each of these factors should be carefully considered before consumption to ensure you’re in the right head-space and taking the correct dose for you.
Nobody enjoys a bad mushroom trip, so always play it safe with a lower dose versus a higher one!
The effects of these mushrooms can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more. Avoid a double dose while waiting for these effects to take hold, or you may find yourself in a bad space.
The best physical space tends to be nature on a nice day, but any comfortable and safe place can do. Always surround yourself with people you trust, and preferably someone with more experience than yourself if you are new to mushrooms.
Some people enjoy listening to music or watching an animated movie, but what you do is up to you. There is nothing quite like enjoying a magical trip while in nature, so be sure to give that suggestion a try. This journey can take around 5 hours, so ensure you eat a substantial meal before you start. You may find yourself not feeling hungry throughout, and so eating beforehand helps to avoid being underfed. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
If you mix in other drugs like alcohol or cannabis, exercise extra caution and consume smaller doses than you usually would while enjoying them alone.
Well, there you have it, you now know all about psilocybin cubensis and what it is capable of doing. We hope to have inspired some respect for this species and the potent compounds found inside. The effects can be wonderfully powerful, especially with a little preparation. This includes mentally, so get yourself in the right headspace before your trip.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Psilocybe Cubensis: The Magic Behind 'Magic' Mushrooms
Psilocybe Cubensis, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, is a species of mushrooms that contains the compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds are known for their hallucinogenic properties and are sought after for their medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational uses. While Psilocybe Cubensis is still considered a "hard drug" by many, public opinion is changing due to new research [[1]].
Psilocybe Cubensis is the most common strain of magic mushrooms used recreationally. It has a distinct appearance, taste, and is known for the unique journey it takes users on. If you have consumed magic mushrooms before, they most likely belonged to the Psilocybe Cubensis species [[1]].
Psilocybe Cubensis grows naturally throughout the world, including the United States, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It was first discovered in Cuba in 1906 by Franklin Sumner Earle, hence the name "cubensis" which means "coming from Cuba" [[2]].
These mushrooms typically grow in soil with plenty of dung, although they can also be found on well-groomed lawns. The association of Psilocybe Cubensis with cow dung explains why they have spread globally through the cattle industry. While the exact timeline of human consumption of these mushrooms is uncertain, evidence suggests that our relationship with them goes back thousands of years [[2]].
Psilocybe Cubensis has become popular among home-growers due to its suitability for indoor cultivation. The book "Psilocybin: The Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide" by Terence and Dennis McKenna has played a significant role in teaching individuals how to cultivate these mushrooms. Through selective breeding, home-growers have developed over 60 strains of Psilocybe Cubensis, each with its own unique characteristics [[2]].
The effects of Psilocybe Cubensis can vary from mild to intense, depending on the dose and individual. Some of the common effects include changes in sensation and perception, alterations to mood and thoughts, euphoria, peacefulness, spiritual awakening, dilated pupils, dizziness, impaired concentration, muscle weakness, nausea, paranoia, and confusion. These effects are primarily due to the presence of psilocybin and psilocin in the mushrooms [[3]].
Psilocybin and psilocin are psychedelic compounds that give Psilocybe Cubensis its potent and enjoyable properties. Psilocybin was first isolated and identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1958. While the use of psilocybin mushrooms is not addictive, it is important to use them responsibly to avoid triggering psychotic episodes. When used correctly, psilocybin mushrooms can have potential anti-depressant effects and lead to improved mental health and positive personality changes [[4]].
If you are considering consuming Psilocybe Cubensis or any other magic mushrooms, it is crucial to be in a comfortable and psychologically good space. Start with a low dose and be aware that the effects can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more to kick in. It is recommended to be in a safe and comfortable environment, preferably with people you trust. Nature can be an ideal setting for a magical trip, but any comfortable place will do. Remember to eat a substantial meal before starting, stay hydrated, and avoid mixing with other drugs like alcohol or cannabis [[5]].
In conclusion, Psilocybe Cubensis is a species of mushrooms known for its hallucinogenic properties. It has gained popularity for its recreational and therapeutic uses. The effects of Psilocybe Cubensis can vary from person to person, and it is important to consume them responsibly and in the right setting. With proper preparation and dosage, a trip with Psilocybe Cubensis can be a powerful and transformative experience [[5]].
