Psychedelic mushrooms – magic mushrooms – have come a long way with use in religious rituals over 6,000 years to present-day legalization for use in treating medical conditions.

Magic mushrooms became more popular around the world in the 1950s when the Wasson’s published their experience at an indigenous mushroom ceremony in Mexico. It was the first time the term “magic mushroom” would appear in print. By the early ‘60s, psychedelic mushrooms had gained more popularity following activities by psychedelic advocates like Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert. However, the hype would take a downward trend in the early ’70s, which halted research into mushrooms’ possible benefits. Research would pick up about 30 years later in the 2000s, and the trend follows to date.

Currently, there are hundreds of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, and while they all mainly contain psilocybin and psilocin, they differ in how they occur and their potency. The potency of psilocybe species also varies based on their age and season. When most people eat mushrooms, they may perceive the world differently. Colors, objects, sounds, and sometimes even the passage of time might all appear to be magically different.

Mild to serious hallucinations, commonly known as ‘trips,’ also occur in some persons. In addition to how much you ingest and your environment, your mood significantly impacts your psychedelic trip. For instance, if you’re sad or anxious, taking psilocybin mushrooms can make things worse, and vice versa. Although psilocybin mushrooms are not addictive, it’s possible to develop a tolerance such that you’ll need higher doses to experience an effect.

The Psilocybe genus remains the most common psilocybin-containing mushroom genus with over 100 different strains. Other common psychedelic mushroom genera include Panaeolus, Gymnopilus, Copelandia, Pluteus, Inocybe, Galerina, and Pholiotina. Among all, the Psilocybe cubensis strain from the Psilocybe genus is the most commonly cultivated and consumed. This is because the psilocybe cubensis is easier to cultivate than other psilocybe species and has a wide distribution.

Most psilocybe cubensis mushroom strains are found in Mexico; more than 50 of the psilocybe species. Over 20 different psychoactive mushroom strains and psilocybe cubensis species are found across Canada and the United States.

Let’s look at the mushroom strains list here:

1. Amazonian Mushrooms

Amazonian mushrooms are one of the popular strains of psychedelic mushrooms. They are commonly found in horse dung and fertile soils in dense forest canopies. Because the Amazon is so humid, this mushroom strain requires a high level of humidity to grow.

The Amazonian mushroom is known for its huge yields owing to its thick mycelium layer that swiftly spreads throughout the soil. They are very potent because of their high psilocybin and psilocin content.

A medium dose of Amazonian mushrooms is enough to cause a psychedelic experience. Ingesting a large dose, usually over 2.5 grams, will cause intense hallucinations.

2. Albino Penis Envy Mushrooms

Albino Penis Envy mushrooms are shaped like a large penis, hence the name. The mushroom has a broad, thick white stem, a huge bulbous crown and is one of the densest magic mushrooms.

This penis envy strain is said to be the most potent of all psilocybe cubensis strains. However, due to present legality difficulties, there is not enough research to confirm this.

Most users describe the penis envy mushroom effects as vivid, euphoric, and deep. It has a bitter taste and the hallucinogenic effects kick in within 20 to 40 minutes after ingesting. The trip can last up to six hours.

3. Aztec God Mushrooms

This is a relatively rare psychedelic mushroom strain traditionally found in Central America. From the name, it’s clear the Aztec God mushrooms are related to the Aztec civilization, an ancient civilization that existed for thousands of years.

It’s believed that the Aztecs used these mushrooms for spiritual purposes. This is why the Aztec God mushrooms are also known as Teonanácatl, literally meaning “Flesh of the Gods”.

The Aztec God mushrooms are different from the most popular mushroom strains as they come from the psilocybe aztecroum family. They have thin stems and bell-shaped crowns; psilocybin and psilocin are the two main psychedelic compounds they contain.

4. B+ Mushrooms

The B+ mushroom strain is another popular psilocybe cubensis strain. It’s popular because it’s a gentle strain with mild psychedelic effects compared to other psilocybe cubensis strains. As a result, it’s also a favorite for beginners.

Furthermore, most users who combine magic mushrooms with other psychoactive plants like Cannabis often use B+ mushrooms. Aside from the effects, the B+ mushrooms have distinct qualities in appearance. It’s light brown to dark brown with a smooth crown curled to flat on top, and the inside flesh is white with blue flecks.

5. Big Mex Mushrooms

Big Mex mushrooms, also known as Mexican Magic Mushrooms, are one of the oldest psychedelic mushroom strains. Believed to have been discovered circa 2000 years ago, this miraculous fungus served the ancient Aztecs in what is now Mexico.

Just like the Aztec God Mushrooms, the Aztecs used Bix Mex mushrooms to connect with their Gods and gain insights into life, nature, and the universe. Presently, it’s found in areas around Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

The strain grows in wet meadows, fields, and forested areas. Big Mex mushrooms are a favorite for users seeking a mild and usual magic mushroom experience. Hence, it’s popular among magic mushroom microdosers.

6. Blue Meanies Mushrooms

Blue meanie mushrooms may refer to two types of magic mushrooms, one from the psilocybe cubensis family and the other from the panaeolus cyanescens family. However, the former is more popular and hence what many users consider the real blue meanie.

The blue meanie mushrooms (panaeolus cyanescens) is the second most potent magic mushroom, only topped by the psilocybe azurescens strain. It’s a common strain found in different parts of the world.

The strain is said to be named after the Blue Meanies from The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine psychedelic movie. However, the name is because the mushrooms turn dark blue when picked.

7. Blue Goba Mushrooms

You can refer to blue goba mushrooms as a derivative of Penis Envy mushrooms. The strain was created by mushrooms growers in Canada by isolating penis envy strains with high potency.

As a result, blue goba mushrooms are more or less an amplified version of the Penis Envy strain, given a new name. Due to this extra potency, there’s always a need to be careful when dosing.

Blue goba shrooms look the same as penis envy with a broad, thick white stem, a huge bulbous crown. However, they do appear blue and the bulbous crown is more cylindrical

8. Cambodian Mushrooms

From the name, you could guess this strain originates from Cambodia. More specifically, it originated from the Siem Reap region of Cambodia. Cambodian mushrooms are very potent, making them one of the most popular mushroom strains in North America.

Also known as Cambodia Cubensis, the strain is popular for its quick onset. It takes less time for the psychedelic effects to kick in than other psilocybe cubensis mushroom strains.

Cambodian mushrooms were first harvested in Cambodia by “Mushroom John” – John W. Allen, an entheomycologist. He came across the strain while filming some psilocybe mushrooms.

9. Ecuadorian Mushrooms

Known as the edible mushroom from Ecuador, this strain is popular for its large mushrooms with thick stems. It is one of the largest cubensis mushrooms, measuring 10-13 cm in length.

The mushrooms belong to the psilocybe cubensis family, and the large size also makes them a very potent strain. Ecuadorian mushrooms originated from the Andean mountains in South America.

The mountain range passes through Ecuador and other South American countries with an altitude of over 1000 meters. To date, Ecuadorian mushrooms mainly grow in mountains and highland areas. This strain is popular among psychedelic mushroom growers as it’s easy to cultivate.

10. Golden Mammoth Mushrooms

The Golden Mammoth Mushroom, popularly known simply as the “Psilocybin Mushroom,” is one of the most resistant and reliable mushroom strains. The mushrooms are quite common and highly acknowledged for their potent effects.

In appearance, Golden Mammoth Mushrooms have a golden crown, which matches its name, and a white-veiled stem that is 8 to 10 inches tall. The mushroom strain was created by a Canadian mycologist with over 30 years of experience in the late 90s.

The intention was to create a strong and virus-free psilocybe cubensis strain. As a result, Golden Mammoth mushrooms are considered a professionally-perfected mushroom strain, unlike others that occur naturally.

11. Golden Teacher Mushrooms

This is one of the most commonly cultivated psilocybe cubensis strains. It’s called the Golden Teacher mushroom due to its yellowish, light brown and gold top cap. There are also speculations that the name is because it’s more educational than other shroom strains.

Nevertheless, Golden Teacher mushrooms have a relatively moderate potency compared to other psilocybe cubensis strains. Trips often last for two to four hours on average.

This comes with an advantage as Golden Teacher is one of the go-to strains for beginners. Furthermore, the strain is one of the easiest to grow, making it a go-to strain for first-time growers.

12. Huaulta Mushrooms

The Huautla magic mushroom is a psilocybe cubensis strain native to Huautla de Jiménez in Oaxaca, Mexico. It got its name from its place of origin.

Huaulta mushroom is popular for making psychedelic mushrooms popular in the West. Notably, María Sabina, the famous Mexican curandera used it for her healing ceremonies. It was the mushroom strain that the Wasson’s ingested upon their trip to Mexico in 1955.

The strain has a long and skinny stalk with a hemispheric cap which gives it a very unique look. Mexican mushrooms are known generally for their high potency and the Haulta mushrooms are no different.

13. Koh Samui Mushrooms

Koh Samui mushrooms, also known as Psilocybe samuiensis, are a rare strain highly sought by experienced users. The species is native to Ranong’s Thai province, notably the Koh Samui island.

Its identity has been debated for years, and it was the first Mexicanae species discovered outside the New World. John Allen discovered the Koh Samui Mushrooms.

The Koh Samui mushroom is known as a super strain since it is one of the most potent strains available. Nevertheless, it’s more popular among growers as a fast colonizing and contamination-resistant strain.

14. Malabar Mushroom Strain

According to folklore, the Malabar Magic Mushroom strain was first discovered in India around 1500 BC. Because of its capacity to thrive in warmer climates and its reputation as a prolific fruiter, this mushroom strain is very valuable. 

In addition, the size of the Malabar mushroom strain sets them apart from other psychedelic mushroom strains. Malabar shrooms feature thick, fleshy stalks and little tops.

This strain has a web-like veil covering the underside of the cap which normally disappears after the mushrooms dry. This strain bruises and becomes blue faster than others. However, the bluing does not alter the mushroom’s efficacy.

15. Mazatepec Mushrooms

Mazatepec has a long history in Mexico and Central America. Originating from the Mazapetec mountain regions, It’s one of the two main types of Mexican mushroom strains. The Mazatepec Indians have used this Psilocybe Cubensis mushroom strain in religious ceremonies for thousands of years.

In his famous LIFE Magazine article “seeking the miraculous mushroom”, R Gordon Wasson introduced it to the West along with Hualta. Along with Huaulta and Golden Teacher, Mazatepec is one of the best therapeutic or medicinal strains.

Hence, Mazatepec magic mushrooms have effects comparable to Hualta and other Mexican strains. The caps of this strain stay partially closed, which is a distinctive feature.

16. Penis Envy Mushrooms

Penis envy mushrooms (PE) is the common name for a very euphoric Psilocybe cubensis mushroom strain. The Albino penis envy mushroom, mentioned earlier, is one of the penis mushroom varieties.

While other Psilocybe cubensis strains are similar in effect and easy to grow indoors, PE mushrooms are one of the strongest and most difficult to grow. Penis mushrooms are relatively more potent than other Psilocybe cubensis strains.

They are therefore typically regarded as the most potent magic mushrooms, with up to 50% greater amounts of psilocybin and psilocin. In truth, you only need a small dose to experience the penis envies effects, unlike most Psilocybe cubensis strains.

17. PES Hawaiian Mushrooms

The PES Hawaiian strain, despite its name, didn’t come from Hawaii because there are no naturally occurring psilocybe cubensis mushrooms there. Pacific Exotica Spora (PES), the company that developed it is situated in Hawaii, which is where the name derives from.

Since it’s a developed strain – phenotype – it’s not surprising that the PES Hawaiian mushroom is very potent. The size of Hawaiian magic mushrooms varies from little to huge.

They also come in a variety of shapes, from domes to flat caps, with light to golden flesh colors. The stems also range in size from thin to thick and are typically white.

18. Puerto Rican Mushrooms

From the name, you already know where this mushroom strain originated from – Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican Mushrooms are a wild psilocybe strain that thrives in warm, humid climates.

Only the dark stripes on the stems that appear as they grow upward distinguish these mushrooms from other cubensis mushroom species in Central America.

The Puerto Rican mushroom is notable for its potency which has also led to mycologists using it to produce new strains. Compared to other cubensis, they are easy and fast to cultivate, making them excellent for commercial production.

19. African Transkei Mushrooms

The African Transkei Mushrooms was Africa’s first widely available Psilocybe cubensis strain. These mushrooms are said to have been discovered during a 2002 expedition to the Wild Coast region of South Africa.

This is a medium-sized mushroom strain. At first, the cap is bright orange-yellow, then it matures to pale yellow, then white. Their spores are deep purple, generating a stunning white, gold, and purple cap design.

African Transkei mushrooms are more potent than most other Psilocybe Cubensis strains, mainly because they are a more modern strain.

20. Tri-color Ecuadorian Mushrooms

Tri-color Ecuadorian mushrooms are an extremely rare and solitary strain of the Ecuadorian Cubensis family. The magic mushroom strain was first discovered at an elevation of over 1100 meters in Ecuador’s Highlands Region.

Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican societies have used the Tri-color Ecuadorian mushrooms among other Ecuador Cubensis strains for thousands of years.

Its name, Tri-color, is because it develops dark, light, and golden crowns all at once when growing. Hence, if you’re a grower, this is one strain you’ll find fascinating to watch.

21. Melmac Penis Envy Mushrooms

Melmac Penis Envy mushroom is one of the Penis Envy variants. American-based company Homestead created this variant from the original penis envy strain. Although it shares some physical similarities to the original Penis Envy, it is still noticeably different in appearance.

The stems are distorted and the caps are curved. The mushrooms are also larger even though the potency stays the same. As a result, the Melmac penis envy mushroom is a very strong strain. It causes intense trips and isn’t readily recommended for newbies.

22. Dancing Tiger Mushrooms

Dancing Tiger Mushrooms or China Magic Mushrooms are a relatively new strain on the market. It came from a mycologist named Agar on the Shroomery forum who received the spores from a Chinese mycologist.

The shrooms were described as “laughing dancing mushrooms” by the Chinese mycologist which is where it got its name. Nevertheless, it’s also formally known as Psilocybe Cubensis China, as it is the only known strain from the East Asian country.

In China, Dancing Tiger mushrooms have been around for almost 800 years although it’s unclear if they are native to the country.

23. Nepal Chitwan Mushrooms

Although Nepal Chitwan Mushrooms grow all around the world, they are well-known for their bald structure, which is particularly popular in Nepal’s Chitwan region.

Also, the mushroom strain was first discovered in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park, at the foot of the Himalayas. Nepal Chitwan Mushrooms thrive in a shady, tall grassy environment, and they come in a medium size with a strong strain.

They start as golden brown, but they turn light brown as they age. Uncommon for a Psilocybe Cubensis strain, the Nepal Chitwan is mild. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic way to start exploring psychedelic mushrooms.

24. Treasure Coast Mushrooms

Treasure Coast mushrooms are native to Florida’s Treasure Coast where it got its name. This magic mushroom strain was first found in cow and horse dung on the Southern part of Florida’s Treasure Coast. Amateur mycologists love these mushrooms because they are easy to identify.

Their sports are dark blue – sometimes black – in color and the caps are pale white or brown. Treasure Coast mushrooms are among the fastest growing and contamination-resistant wild cubensis strains.

25. Mckennaii Mushrooms

Not long after the death of popular ethnobotanist and psychonaut Terrence McKenna, a new strain of magic mushrooms became popular in Dutch shops.

This strain is known today as the McKennaii Magic Mushrooms in honour of the man who contributed a lot to the world of psychedelics. These mushrooms have unusually stout stems, which are darker in color than the cap. It changes shape from time to time.

26. Wavy Cap Mushrooms

Although we have briefly referred to these mighty mushrooms under the category of fungi residing on the surface of decayed timber, Psilocyber cyanescences or ‘WavyCaps‘ nevertheless deserves an individual spotlight. The mushroom has a long flared cap with rippled ridges typical of 1.5-6 cm in size. Another important characteristic is the copper-brown hue which fades when it is wet and becomes paler. Their gills produce a similar blue-ish hue when disturbed and contain 1.94% psilocybin which definitely puts this mushroom tops our list for its potencies.

27. Liberty Cap Mushrooms

‘Liberty cap’ and blue legs are becoming popular names for the semilatentate psylocybin strain. Known for being the fourth strongest alkaloid in the world, this slimy fungus has a cone-capped structure. Being highly desired within the psychedelic mushroom market, the Freedom Cap features an signature array of thin strips that run horizontally through its cap, and cream-colored gills which turn purplish black after maturation. In England and in parts of North America these glossy capsules of human transcending are known to have a rich history.

28. Enigma Mushrooms

Enigma mushrooms are some of the strongest mushrooms out there. They’re a rare mutation of two potent strains of Cubensis, Penis Envy and Tidal Wave, and they don’t sporulate. That means they’re stuck living across a single generation through clones. Enigma mushrooms are also distinctive in their visuals, with a blob-like formation that looks similar to a cauliflower or brain. They also have thick dense kernels of mycelium and long, thick shafts of mushrooms. All of these factors make Enigma mushrooms extremely potent and considered the most potent of all psilocybin Cubensis strains. In fact, this strain recently won 1st and 2nd place in the Psilocybin Mushrooms Growing Cup 2022 in Oakland, CA. With a potency of close to 4 wt. % psilocybin and psilocin, this genetically modified strain has a potency of 6 to 7 times higher than normal cubensis strains, like Golden Teachers, Blue Meanies, etc (their psilocybin initial content is about 0.6 to 0.7 wt. %).

There are other less-known strains! SHAFAA offers all the above psilocybin mushroom stains in its online shop! Check them out here!

Strongest Mushroom Strains

The strongest magic mushroom strains are those that have a larger content of psilocybin and psilocin. Indeed, there are other hallucinogenic compounds in these mushrooms that can make the “tripping” effect deeper and more significant. 

As of September 2022, amongst the current psychedelic mushroom strains, the strongest and most potent psilocybin mushrooms are

1. Penis Envy Mushrooms (~1 wt%)
2. Tidal Wave (~1.5 wt%)
3. Enigma (~3.5 to 3.8 wt. %)