2024 Guide to Magic Mushroom Varieties: Effects and Identification

Welcome to the comprehensive resource for exploring the intriguing world of psilocybin mushrooms. In this guide, we delve into the various types of magic mushrooms, each distinguished by its unique effects and physical characteristics. Whether you are a seasoned mycologist or a curious newcomer, our detailed descriptions will assist you in recognizing these potent fungi, emphasizing the importance of safe, supervised, and legal use within Canada. Join us as we navigate through the fascinating features of these psychedelic species, from the widely esteemed Blue Meanie to the mystical qualities of the African Transkei, ensuring a knowledgeable and responsible approach to their therapeutic potentials.

Avoid searching through forests or old basements for these mushrooms. Misidentification can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. It’s safer to rely on the expertise of professionals.

Types of Magic Mushrooms

Each of these strains offers its own unique set of effects, and their use should be approached with respect and responsibility, especially given their powerful nature and legal status for prescribed purposes in Canada. Always ensure that their use is safe, supervised, and legally sanctioned. This will be your magic mushroom guide and will help how to identify psilocybin mushrooms, the following are psychedelic mushroom species.

Blue Meanie

Despite the name, there’s nothing mean about these. “Blue Meanie” actually refers to a couple of different species, but the Panaeolus cyanescens variety is known for its higher psilocybin content and stronger effects. Users often report feelings of euphoria and interconnectedness with the world around them.

This variety is recognized by its ability to bruise a distinct blue colour when handled or damaged. The caps are usually dark brown to grey, becoming lighter as they mature.

Golden Teacher

Golden Teachers are a favourite among the psychonaut community for their reliable trip and mild potency which makes them perfect for beginners. They are named for their golden caps and their ability to ‘teach’ by providing profound psychedelic experiences, often accompanied by philosophical insights and a sense of harmony.

Characterized by its golden-colored cap with specks of yellow, typically larger and more elegant in appearance. The stems are long and slender, and the caps open widely as they mature.

Penis Envy

This variety is known for its distinctive phallic shape and is often considered one of the most potent of the Psilocybe cubensis strains. It’s reputed for producing a very strong and introspective experience, often characterized by deep philosophical insights and intense visual hallucinations.

Notable for its thick, dense, and bulbous stem with a somewhat underdeveloped cap, often resembling a phallus. It is usually larger and has a more robust appearance compared to other Psilocybe cubensis varieties.

Psilocybe Cyanescens

Commonly known as “Wavy Caps,” due to the distinctive wavy appearance of their caps, Psilocybe cyanescens is known for its high potency. It’s typically found in the wild, growing in small but dense patches. Users often report intense visual enhancements and a powerful transformational experience.

Known for their wavy cap margins, these mushrooms are typically caramel to chestnut-brown when moist, fading to a much lighter colour as they dry. They also have a more pronounced wavy appearance as they mature.

Cambodian Magic Mushrooms

Cambodian Magic Mushrooms are known for their fast colonization and fruiting speed, making them a favorite among cultivators. Originating from the Cambodian region, they’re often used by beginners due to their moderate potency.

These mushrooms typically display caps that are medium in size and caramel brown in color. The caps are initially conical, flattening with age, and often exhibit a pronounced central umbo. The stems are slender and can vary from whitish to golden brown, with a sturdy constitution that resists bruising.

Daddy Long Legs

Daddy Long Legs Magic Mushrooms are a variety of Psilocybe cubensis, named for their long, thin stems. They’re known for providing a balanced psychedelic experience with both visual and introspective qualities.

True to their name, these mushrooms feature very long, thin stems that are characteristic of this strain. The caps are generally smaller in proportion to the stems, smooth, and range from light brown to a darker rusty color. The gills are closely spaced and darken as the spores mature.

Amazonian Cubensis

Amazonian Cubensis is a potent strain of Psilocybe cubensis, originating from the Amazon rainforest. This strain is favored by more experienced users due to its intense effects.

These mushrooms have thick, dense stems and broad, deep brown caps that can appear almost reddish when fresh. The surface of the cap can sometimes display white speckles, remnants of the veil that once connected the cap to the stem.

Arenal Volcano Magic Mushrooms

Originating from near the base of the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica, these mushrooms are noted for their robust growth and potent effects, making them popular among seasoned users.

They often have a unique appearance with conical to bell-shaped caps that are caramel to golden-brown. The caps are smooth and glossy, with the potential to develop more flattened tops as they mature. The stems are sturdy, often thicker at the base, and may show a bluish hue when handled.

African Transkei

African Transkei are among the first Psilocybe cubensis to originate from Africa, specifically South Africa. They are known for their potent visual effects and are often called “trance mushrooms” due to the deep, meditative states they can induce.

These mushrooms are characterized by medium-sized caps that are often a vibrant rusty orange or golden color. Unique to their appearance are the distinctly translucent spots on the caps that appear when they absorb moisture. The stems are thin and can bruise blue when handled, a common trait among psilocybin-containing mushrooms.

Psilocybe Azurescens

Holding the title for one of the highest concentrations of psilocybin among the Psilocybe species, Psilocybe azurescens is a powerful mushroom. Known for producing vivid visuals and a strong spiritual experience, it is often sought after by experienced users.

Features a conical to convex cap that flattens with age with a pronounced nipple-like protrusion at the centre. The cap is dark caramel when moist and fades to a light straw colour dry, with the edges becoming distinctly wavy.

B+ Mushroom

The B+ is known for its versatility and resilience, making it popular among cultivators. Its effects are considered moderate and can provide a warm, positive and friendly experience, which makes it another good option for those new to magic mushrooms.

This strain has large, broad caps that can become quite dark with a caramel or golden-brown colour when mature. The stem is thick and sturdy, and the mushroom has a very classic ‘mushroom’ shape.

Albino Penis Envy

A variation of the Penis Envy mushroom, this strain is notable for its pale, almost white colouration and is considered even more potent than the original. Its effects are similar to Penis Envy, with a long-lasting, intense psychedelic experience.

Similar in shape to Penis Envy but distinguished by its pale, almost white colouration. It’s also noted for the absence of a veil between the cap and stem, giving it a more ‘naked’ appearance.

Jedi Mind F-ck

True to its name, this strain is known for its ability to provide a deep, introspective experience, often with a strong visual component. It’s popular among those looking for a more intense psychedelic experience.

Typically displays medium to large caps that are caramel-coloured when young, lightening as they age. Stems are solid and dense, providing a robust structure to the mushroom.

Trinity

An exotic strain, reputed for delivering an enlightening psychedelic experience. It combines the genetic qualities of three different Psilocybe cubensis strains, hence the name ‘Trinity.’

Displays characteristics of its genetic heritage with a slightly larger, often more symmetrically round cap, and a colour that can vary from golden brown to a darker rust depending on maturity.

Malabar

Originating from the Malabar Coast of India, this strain is known for its robust growth and strong effects. It’s often described as providing a more energetic and euphoric experience, which can be great for those looking for both physical and mental stimulation.

Known for its robust, meaty caps that are typically dark brown and get lighter towards the edges. The stems are thick and can grow quite tall, supporting the heavy caps well.

Purple Mystic

Known for its unique purple hue when fresh, this strain offers moderate to high psychedelic effects that are beloved by those looking for both spiritual and visual experiences.

When young, this strain often shows a unique purplish hue to the caps, which fades as the mushrooms mature. They typically have a more slender and elongated stem compared to other varieties.

Genera of Mushrooms

Each of these genera contains species with unique characteristics and appearances, making them interesting both from a mycological and a psychoactive perspective. As with any foraging or use of psychoactive mushrooms, proper identification and adherence to local regulations are crucial.

Psilocybe

Psilocybe species are perhaps the most famous for containing psilocybin. They are small to medium-sized mushrooms, typically with a conical or bell-shaped cap that becomes more rounded as they mature. The cap surface can be smooth or silky and often feels slightly sticky when wet.

Colour varies among the species but often starts as a light brown or tan, turning more golden or losing colour as they age. They usually feature a bluish bruising reaction when damaged. The gills are closely spaced and attached to the stem, turning from light to dark purple-brown as the spores mature.

Gymnopilus

This genus includes several species known colloquially as “laughing mushrooms,” due to their psychoactive properties, although not all species in this genus contain psychoactive substances. They are generally larger and more robust than Psilocybe.

Gymnopilus species typically have a rusty orange or brown cap and can be quite large, with some species developing caps up to 20 cm across. The stem is thick and fibrous, and the surface of the cap is often dry, with scales or warts. The gills are orange to rusty brown, and the spore print is similar in colour, which is a distinguishing feature.

Pluteus

The Pluteus genus includes species such as Pluteus salicinus, known for containing psilocybin. These mushrooms grow on wood, distinguishing them from other psychoactive genera that often grow from the ground.

Pluteus mushrooms have a cap that typically ranges from 3 to 8 cm in diameter and can vary in colour from white to various shades of brown or grey. The cap is thin and has a broad, bell-like shape, often becoming flat with age. The gills are free from the stem, meaning they don’t attach directly to the stem but rather to a collar around it, and they are pink, a key identifier for the genus.

Panaeolus

Some species within the Panaeolus genus, like Panaeolus cyanescens, are known for their psychoactive properties due to the presence of psilocybin. These mushrooms are typically slender with a more delicate structure compared to some of the robust Gymnopilus species.

They often have a smooth, bell-shaped to convex cap, which can be black, grey, or dark brown, often lightening in colour as they dry. The cap is usually small, about 2-4 cm across. The gills are closely spaced and black or dark grey, which helps differentiate them from similar-looking non-psychoactive mushrooms. The stem is thin and fragile, typically with no ring.

Three Amigos – Magic Mushrooms Canada

Don’t go foraging in the woods or digging through a musty basement for these. Getting the wrong mushroom and misidentifying a mushroom could lead to death. Instead, trust the experts. The Three Amigos—Soul, The Professor, and The Dreamer. These lifelong friends, who grew up amidst the verdant wilderness of British Columbia’s West Coast, have combined their profound connection with nature to launch an online dispensary focused on medicinal mushrooms. Their early exposure to the rich ecosystems of their youth sparked a deep fascination with the therapeutic properties of psilocybin mushrooms. This connection to nature not only fostered personal reflection but also fueled their desire to share the healing benefits of these fungi with the world.

Motivated by a mission to revive humanity’s use of plant medicine, The Three Amigos are staunch believers in its capacity to improve well-being, reduce suffering, and deepen our connection to nature and ourselves. They champion a more integrated approach to health, promoting a move away from the heavy dependence on synthetic health solutions.

At Three Amigos, you’re invited to discover the restorative powers of psilocybin in its many forms. Whether you gravitate towards traditional whole mushrooms, soothing teas, easy-to-use capsules, rich chocolates, or fun gummies, each option provides a distinctive avenue to explore the remarkable and transformative effects of these magical mushrooms.

P.A.T.H. Therapy: Guiding Your Psychedelic Journey

In Canada, those exploring psychedelic therapy can find expert guidance with P.A.T.H. Therapy, offering a well-structured and supportive approach to psilocybin treatments. P.A.T.H., standing for Psychedelic-Assisted Transformative Healing, uniquely integrates the powerful effects of psilocybin with established therapeutic practices to facilitate profound personal growth.

Our P.A.T.H. Therapy Process:

• Initial Consultation: Begin your journey by filling out an intake form to help us understand your specific needs and goals.
• Your First Encounter: Book your first session with one of our experienced therapists, who are trained to provide personalized support tailored to your psychedelic experience.
• Preparation Sessions: Participate in in-depth therapeutic conversations and set clear intentions to ready yourself for the transformative experience ahead.
• Integration Sessions: Post-experience, work with your therapist to weave the insights gained into your everyday life, enriching your personal development.

Our Commitment to Safety, Structure, and Support:

• Safety First: Ensuring your safety is our foremost concern. We maintain a secure and comforting setting for all your therapeutic sessions.
• Structured Guidance: Our sessions are carefully designed to outline a definitive path towards healing and personal evolution, helping you approach your journey with clarity and determination.
• Compassionate Support: Our team of compassionate therapists is dedicated to supporting you, offering advice and encouragement as you embark on this transformative path to self-discovery and recovery.

For more information on how P.A.T.H. Therapy can guide you through your psychedelic therapy journey, please visit www.paththerapy.ca. We are a pivotal resource for anyone interested in exploring the therapeutic possibilities of psilocybin in a regulated, professional environment.