Discover the Many Types of Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms

Thinking about magic mushrooms takes me back to my teenage years when we would pick liberty caps from farmers’ fields. Liberty caps offered a great free buzz at the time in my life when I started to understand these substances to be a mind-expanding one as well. What started out as fun and giggles eventually turned into more spiritual events.

Fast forward two decades, and suddenly, the world of magic mushrooms becomes almost as complicated as that of learning about cannabis. Shrooms or “magic” mushrooms have gained traction as a therapeutic application for several different medical circumstances such as depression and migraines. It’s not just liberty caps anymore, folks. There are many different varieties and types of magic mushrooms.

One of the most popular varieties of magic mushrooms you will find today is the Golden Teachers, a variety of psilocybin considered to be potent yet mild at the same time. Those looking for a more intense psilocybin experience often look for a variety of magic mushrooms called Penis Envy (PE) for their suggestive shape. These are considered to be highly potent and much stronger than Golden Teachers. 

The Many Different Types of Magic Mushrooms

As you dabble into the culture, you will find there are many other varieties such as Cambodian, Blue Magnolia Rust, Malabar Coast, and Panama, just to name a few. Here are some of the most common varieties.

• Psilocybe semilanceata: Commonly known as Liberty Caps
• Psilocybe cubensis: Commonly known as Golden Teachers
• Psilocybe mexicana: Commonly known as Conical Caps
• Psilocybe cyanescens: Commonly known as Wavy Caps
• Psilocybe azurescens: Commonly known as Flying Saucer Mushrooms
• Psilocybe baeocystis: Commonly known as Bottle Caps, Knobby Tops, Blue Bells, and Olive Caps

Let’s take a closer look at each of these varieties of magic mushrooms.

Psilocybe semilanceata

Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms are considered to be highly potent and are characterized by large brown leather-like caps that often are attached to curved stems. Under the cap of these mushrooms, you will find 15-27 narrow gills that quickly turn blue when the shroom stem or cap is damaged or removed. This form of mushroom grows commonly in Europe and North America.

Psilocybe cubensis

Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms are the most common type of magic mushroom consumed globally. Being found in the US, Central America, Southeast Asia, and Northern parts of South America, this variety of magic mushrooms have large caps ranging as large as 80mm in diameter. The caps of these mushrooms tend to flatten out with maturity. Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms have tightly spaced gills that turn black with maturity. When the stem or cap is damaged or removed, this type of magic mushroom tends to have a bluish-purplish color.

Psilocybe mexicana

Psilocybe mexicana grows commonly in Central and South America and has been used for centuries by indigenous people. Similar in appearance to semilanceata varieties of magic mushrooms, Psilocybe mexicana mushrooms are characterized by a conical or bell-shaped cap typically ranging in diameter between 10-20mm. This variety of magic mushrooms is typically beige with blue or green tones and quickly turns blue when damaged or broken.

Psilocybe cyanescens

Psilocybe cyanescens mushrooms are characterized by wavy caps ranging between 15-50mm in diameter and are commonly grown in North America, New Zealand, Central & Western Europe, and even parts of the Middle East. These mushrooms tend to have a brown caramel-like color that begins to fade as the mushroom dries out. When touched or damaged, the stems, caps, and gills of these mushrooms tend to turn blue due to rapid oxidation. This form of mushroom is known for growing in mulch plant beds which has led to an increase in its growing areas in recent years.

Psilocybe azurescens

Psilocybe azurescens is considered to be an extremely potent variety of magic mushrooms that grows naturally in a small remote area of the west coast of the United States. This form of magic mushroom is characterized by a large cap that looks almost like a saucer hence the common name. The caps of these mushrooms tend to flatten with maturity and offer a caramel brown color when mature, which can also show hues of black and blue. This form of mushroom also has dark gills and white stems that tend to turn blue when damaged.

Psilocybe baeocystis

Psilocybe baeocystis is commonly grown in the Pacific Northwest and offers a conical-shaped cap that is thin and rippled. The caps of these mushrooms tend to range between 15mm and 55mm in diameter and offer a dark greenish-brown hue with electric blue gills. The stems of this variety of magic mushrooms are often chalk white in color and are known to be both curved and straight.

The Legality of Magic Mushrooms in the US

In most places in the United States, magic mushrooms are still illegal. That is starting to change, however. Magic mushrooms are legal in Oregon and have been decriminalized in several other places such as Washington DC. In general, Magic mushrooms have a very strange legality status in the United States. You are allowed to basically legally purchase everything needed to cultivate these mushrooms at home. It becomes against the law when you add these ingredients together to make your own magic mushrooms in most places. For example, where I live in Oklahoma, I can order syringes with spores of many different varieties of psilocybin. I just can’t do anything with them legally.

Despite its status as a DEA Schedule I controlled substance, many cities and states have passed laws regarding its use in certain areas. These laws vary from allowing state-wide legalization to making it a low law enforcement priority. As of December 2021, the states that have passed laws concerning psilocybin and psilocybin are listed below:

• California – In Santa Cruz and Oakland law enforcement has been defunded concerning psilocybin and it has been made the lowest law enforcement priority.
• Colorado –  Denver has defunded law enforcement concerning psilocybin and made it the lowest law enforcement priority.
• New Jersey – Reduced the statute of penality for psilocybin.
• New Hampshire & New Mexico – Passed limited judicial exceptions regarding psychedelics.
• Oregon – Passed a full legalization and regulation statute along with decriminalizing it.
• Texas & Connecticut – Have legal working groups studying medical use.
• Washington – Seatle and Port Townsend have made it the lowest law enforcement priority.
• Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont are all actively working on legislation regarding psychedelics.

While cannabis may be taking the limelight, there are many other natural substances that offer great potential in many different realms of health and wellness that are longing to be embraced.

Note: Veriheal does not support illegally consuming therapeutic substances like psilocybin magic mushrooms but acknowledges that it transpires because of the current illicit status, which we strive to change by advocating for research, legal access, and responsible consumption. Always consult a physician before attempting alternative therapies.