Exploring the world of psychedelics has been a profound experience for me as I am sure has been the same for you as well. Today we take another look into the Psilocybe family tree to see Psilocybe Cubensis’ big brother: Psilocybe Azurescens - the number one most potent psychedelic mushroom species. Hold onto your hats because this ride is going to feel like you’re in an alien spaceship.
What is the Psilocybe Azurescens Mushroom?
Psilocybe Azurescens is a species of psychoactive fungi containing Psilocybin and Psilocin. It is the most sought after magic mushroom species and you can obviously guess why as I previously mentioned. This cousin of Psilocybe Cubensis also goes by multiple pseudonyms such as Blue Meanies, Flying saucers (hint above), Azzies and Indigo Psilocybe. If you are considering trying it, you must be reminded that it is not what you’re typically used to with the Cubensis family. If there are other names you know it by, do leave a comment.
There are many factors which make this particular species garner quite the attention from not only psychonauts but the law. Needless to say, a species as potent as this will carry severe implications and you are reminded that its cultivation is deemed illegal and carries legal implications. As a result, ensure that you are aware of your actions and laws in your area/locale. With that being said, let’s move on to my favorite part: story time.
History
I wonder if you have heard this story before or perhaps you have heard a spin off version of the story. A group of boy scouts camping along the Columbia River in Oregon happened upon this magic mushroom in 1979. These boy scouts cultivated the fungus after discovering its special effect. Although this might have been the first recorded mention, Paul Stamets gets the credit for officially adding it to the Psilocybe family in 1996.
Interesting fact about how this particular species was named is from its characteristic blue bruising which is quite significant in contrast to a species like Psilocybe semilanceata which majorly bruises at the base of the stem. This, combined with the fact that Stamets’ son Azureus - who was named after the color ‘Azure’ ( often described as the color of the sky on a clear day) - gave rise to the name Azurescens. Like I said, this is definitely my favorite part.
Appearance
Due to one of the unique appearances of the Azurescens species, it goes by a rather spectacular pseudonym: Flying saucers. In case you thought the reason is because it allows you to have experiences where you encounter aliens and whatnot, you would have been misled. This particular name is due to its UFO-like cap. Nonetheless, they still share similar appearance with their cousins: cyanescens and subaeruginosa.
As I initially stated, P. Azurescens bruises quite easily giving it a dark bluish color. Here is a breakdown of the different parts of the mushroom.
Pileas: The Psilocybe azurescens cap (pileus) is 3-10 cm (1.2-3.9 in) in diameter, conic to convex, expanding to broadly convex and eventually flattening with age with a pronounced, persistent broad umbo; surface smooth, viscous when moist, covered by a separable gelatinous pellicle; chestnut to ochraceous brown to caramel in color.
Gills: The lamellae climb, sinuate to adnate, brown, frequently stained into black where wounded, close, with two layers of lamellulae, mottled, and white margins.
Spore Print: The spore print is a dark purple brown to purplish black.
The stipe is 9-20 cm (3.5-7.9 in) long and 3-6 mm (0.1-0.2 in) thick, silky white, dingy brown from the base or with age, hollow at maturity, and made out of twisted, cartilaginous tissue. The mycelium that surrounds the stipe base is densely rhizomorphic (root-like), silky white, and tenaciously holds the wood chips together.
Taste: Extremely bitter flavor
Odor: ranges from odorless to farinaceous.
Potency
The potency of this particular species is something that should not be trifled with. In 1 gram of a dry sample of P. Azurescens it can contain an average of 1.78% Psilocybin compound. Psilocin and baeocystin sit at an average of o.38% and 0.35% respectively. Because of this concentration, it is important to note that the normal dosing scale has to be somewhat reconsidered as you would only need about 2-3 grams for a moderate dose experience.
Tread lightly when getting the dosage for P. Azurescens
Essentially, you could simply half your normal dosage of P. Cubensis to be able to feel the same effects. This comparison is shown below:
Psilocybe Cubensis Mushroom
Threshold: 0.25 g
Light: 0.25-1 g
Common: 1-2.5 g
Strong: 2.5-5 g
Heavy: 5+ g
Psilocybe Azurescens Mushroom
Threshold: 0.15 g
Light: 0.15-0.5 g
Common: 0.5-1.75 g
Strong: 1.75-2.5 g
Heavy: 2.5+ g
Of course, the amount consumed if it were fresh would be higher than the dry form. If you have a habit of eating your mushrooms fresh, you would still have to reduce the amount of freshly consumed mushrooms as stated above. Finally, it is thanks to Azzies’ potency that they are highly sought after for microdosing.
Experience
For psychonauts out there, you definitely already understand that the experience that these Blue Meanies provide is nothing short of “fierce and extraordinary”. This could once again be subjective depending on a variety of factors such as set and setting, dosage and the user’s experience.
However, the majority of users have reported the usual psilocybin effects in terms of perception, emotion and physical effects but with the dial significantly turned up. In the Potency section, a dosage has been recommended to follow the guide carefully especially if it's your first time.
Cultivation
Similar to their location of origin, the ideal environment for the Indigo Psilocybe would be sandy soils near dunes and sea grasses, as well as loose, decomposing timber. In comparison to other psilocybin-containing mushrooms, they can endure temperatures ranging from 16 to 24° C (60 - 75° F). In contrast to P. semilanceata, Flying saucers are easy to cultivate outside without much stress. However, there is not yet a form of cultivation that can do anything about its terrible and off putting taste.
Blue Meanies grow well in mulched garden beds since they prefer open shady places with adequate rainfall and deciduous trees. They have been discovered growing among rhododendrons, rose bushes, and azaleas, as well as blackberry and Scotch Broom thickets. This love for wood is perhaps what gives rise to quite an unexplained behavior in this species. If you want to grow your own magic mushrooms in a psilocybin magic mushroom grow kit check out the ZoomBag Magic Mushroom Grow Kit which we sell here!
Did you know
Out of all the psychoactive mushrooms, the psilocybe family - specifically the ones that eat wood - exhibit an unexplained behavior, Wood Lover’s paralysis. Wood-lovers' paralysis can range from complete immobility to clumsiness and weakness, and anything in between. Muscles might be rigid, lax, or difficult to control. It is just momentary, yet it is exceedingly dangerous, because victims are unable to defend or aid themselves.
This effect is quite rare but all wood eating Psilocybes carry a risk of this occurring. Furthermore, its occurrence is not directly linked to the dosage consumed as the effects have been reported by some users who consumed lower doses. As there is no proper explanation to the cause, possible theories abound on the internet as well as experiences that do not allow a single fine thread that connects them.
Summary
Psilocybe Azurescens has quite a reputation in the shroom-verse thanks to its potency and ease of cultivation. As a result, it has proffered numerous medicinal and alternative uses such as treatment of depression, smoking addiction, cluster headaches and more. If you’re after an intense trip, this could be your next try but it is important to remember the possible legal risks that come by being in possession of this psychoactive mushroom. Interested in alternative forms of medicine and the healing properties of psilocybin? Examine other people's stories to discover how much of a difference it has made.
Comments