Understanding the Different Species of Magic Mushrooms

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Psilocybe cubensis is one of the most sought-after varieties of magic mushrooms. It features large golden yellow caps with blueish hues when injured; similarly to other psilocybin-containing varieties.

Pajarito or Wavy Caps mushrooms (Psilocybe semilanceata) are another popular variety of magic mushroom, also referred to as Teonanacatl - meaning flesh of gods in Nahuatl.

Psilocybe cubensis
Psilocybe cubensis is one of the best-known and widely used magic mushrooms worldwide. It thrives naturally throughout much of North America's Pacific Northwest as well as Central Europe, New Zealand and Australia; even parts of Australia benefit from these magical mushrooms.

Mushroom Shrooms Direct caps typically begin with a reddish hue before transitioning to golden when mature, often sporting deep blue bruises which indicate they contain psilocin.

Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms are robust and easy to cultivate at home, making them suitable for home growing. Their natural substrate is dung, although grain, straw, cardboard or coco coir can also be used. Psilocybe cubensis has been around for millennia; Mesoamerican cultures used them spiritually as part of spiritual ceremonies or even as food sources. A lot of shamans consume these mushrooms.

Psilocybe azurescens
This mushroom belongs to the Psilocybe genus and is revered for its powerful psychedelic effects. Psilocybin levels can lead to interdimensional experiences; additionally, this mushroom produces hallucinogenic effects as well as producing psilocin - an anxiolytic substance which reduces anxiety levels.

This mushroom prefers coastal environments, typically sandy soils and ammophila maritima grass clumps. Additionally, it can often be found growing inland along the river in woody debris floating downstream.

This species is highly hygrophanous, meaning its color changes with moisture levels. The cap measures three to ten centimeters wide and features conic or convex surface patterns which become flattened over time. Densely gilled with separable gelatinous veil (pellicle). Originally from Europe but widely cultivated across California.

Psilocybe cyanescens
Psilocybe cyanescens is one of the most potent species of magic mushrooms, native to North America and popular among recreational drug users. This fungus produces psychoactive substances including psilocybin and its dephosphorylated congener psilocin. Furthermore, other secondary metabolites include aeruginascin-like compounds and verpacamide A - all linked with cardiac benefits in humans.

A phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Psilocybe sensu stricto is a monophyletic group (98% bootstrap support; BS), with sequences from Agrocybe, Deconica, Galerina Earle, and Stropharia sharing an ancestor; in contrast, other members of Strophariaceae fell outside this classification.

Mycelia and carpophores samples analyzed with LC-MS showed that Psilocybe cyanescens produced numerous natural products, such as tryptamines and other phenolics, as well as norbaeocystin and baeocystin in addition to minor amounts of psilocybin.

Psilocybe pelliculosa
This mushroom can be found throughout the Pacific Northwest of both North America and Canada. Studies have demonstrated it contains low concentrations of the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and baeocystin.

This tiny mushroom is relatively unknown to science, with its sharply cone-shaped cap and narrow stem. Additionally, its narrow and close together gills boast darker colors than those on its cap.

This mushroom can be found growing on conifer debris, along trails and logging roads, in landscaped areas or even landscaped beds, where it may be mistaken for another mushroom species. Although not commonly eaten, its flesh bruises bluish when touched - an easily identifiable feature. Unfortunately it does not thrive under cultivation conditions with variable weather patterns as its adaption to cold climates makes cultivation challenging.

Psilocybe weilli
Psilocybe weilli is a psychoactive mushroom that contains the chemical psilocin. Commonly referred to as liberty cap or ayahuasca fungus, this mushroom has long been utilized by various cultures for ceremonial and medicinal use for thousands of years - producing euphoric feelings as well as helping treat some mental health conditions; however there may also be risks involved with taking these mushrooms.

Psilocybin is a psychedelic substance that produces hallucinations when taken in high doses, lasting up to six hours after ingestion. The type and intensity of these hallucinations depend on how much psilocybin was present in the mushroom; and these effects may even produce flashbacks of past experiences.

This research evaluated the safety of water extracts of Psilocybe cubensis and Panaeolus cyanescens magic mushrooms against ET-1-induced hypertrophy in H9C2 cardiomyoblast cell line from rats embryonic ventricular. Results demonstrated that mushroom extracts could reverse tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a)-induced cardiomyocyte injury and death which contribute to pathological hypertrophy and heart failure9.