Exploring Popular Mushroom Strains: A Comprehensive Guide

At Newphoria, we’re excited to explore the fascinating world of mushroom strains. This guide focuses on three popular varieties: Golden Teacher, Penis Envy, and B+.

We’ll dive into their origins, characteristics, effects, and cultivation methods. Whether you’re a curious beginner or an experienced enthusiast, this comprehensive overview will help you understand the unique qualities of each strain.

What Are Golden Teacher Mushrooms?

Origin and History

Golden Teacher mushrooms, a popular strain of Psilocybe cubensis, first appeared in the 1980s. These mushrooms quickly rose to prominence among psychedelic enthusiasts due to their balanced effects and relatively simple cultivation process.

Appearance and Identification

Golden Teachers stand out with their large, golden-capped fruiting bodies. The caps typically measure 20-80mm in diameter and feature a distinct nipple-like protrusion at the center. Their stems are long and thick, often displaying a bluish tint when bruised (a clear indicator of psilocybin content).

Effects and Potential Benefits

Users of Golden Teachers often report:

• A sense of euphoria

• Enhanced introspection

• Visual distortions

The effects usually last 4-6 hours, with peak experiences occurring 2-3 hours after ingestion. Many users describe the experience as gentler and more manageable compared to other strains, which makes Golden Teachers a popular choice for beginners.

Research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that psilocybin (the primary psychoactive compound in Golden Teachers) may have therapeutic potential for treating depression and anxiety. However, more studies are needed to fully understand these benefits.

Cultivation Tips

Golden Teachers thrive in a temperature range of 21-24°C (70-75°F) and require high humidity levels (typically around 90-95% during the fruiting stage). For optimal growth, use a substrate mix of brown rice flour and vermiculite. This combination provides the necessary nutrients and moisture retention.

Sterilization is essential to prevent contamination. Use a pressure cooker to sterilize your substrate at 15 PSI for 90 minutes. Colonization typically takes 10-14 days, while fruiting can occur within 5-12 days after introducing fruiting conditions. You can expect multiple flushes, with the first often being the most abundant.

Dosage Considerations

When consuming Golden Teachers, start with a low dose, especially if you’re new to psychedelics. A typical beginner’s dose ranges from 1-2 grams of dried mushrooms. More experienced users might consume 2-3.5 grams for a more intense experience. Always use a precise scale for accurate dosing.

The potency can vary based on growing conditions and individual mushrooms. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and gradually increase your dose over multiple sessions if desired.

As we move on to explore the Penis Envy strain, you’ll notice some stark differences in appearance and potency compared to the Golden Teacher. Let’s take a closer look at this unique and powerful mushroom variety.

What Makes Penis Envy Mushrooms Unique?

A Distinctive Strain

Penis Envy mushrooms stand out as a potent strain of Psilocybe cubensis. Ethnobotanist Terence McKenna developed this strain in the 1970s, and it has since gained notoriety for its unique appearance and powerful effects.

Unmistakable Appearance

Penis Envy mushrooms are easy to identify due to their phallic shape. They feature thick, dense stems and bulbous caps that often remain closed even at maturity. The caps typically have a smaller diameter compared to other P. cubensis strains, resulting in a more elongated, cylindrical shape.

These mushrooms are usually shorter and denser than other varieties (rarely exceeding 4-5 inches in height). Their color ranges from light tan to golden, with bluish hues appearing when the flesh sustains damage or bruising.

Potency and Effects

Penis Envy mushrooms are known for their high potency. They contain higher concentrations of psilocybin and psilocin than most other P. cubensis strains (some estimates suggest up to 50% more potent than standard cubensis varieties).

Penis envy mushrooms are a type of magic mushroom. While they may have some potential benefits, there are also safety and legality concerns.

The effects typically begin faster and last longer than those of other strains, with experiences averaging 6-8 hours.

Due to their strength, Penis Envy mushrooms require careful dosing. Experienced users often consume around 2-3 grams of dried mushrooms, while beginners should start with no more than 1-1.5 grams (always use a precise scale for accurate measurements).

Cultivation Challenges

Growing Penis Envy mushrooms presents challenges, even for experienced cultivators. They have a longer colonization period and slower growth rate compared to other P. cubensis strains. The fruiting bodies also produce fewer spores, which complicates spore collection for further cultivation.

To grow Penis Envy mushrooms successfully:

• Maintain a stable environment (temperatures between 70-75°F or 21-24°C)

• Keep humidity levels around 90-95% during fruiting

• Use a nutrient-rich substrate (such as a mixture of rye grain and coco coir)

• Prepare for a longer cultivation process (up to 25% longer than faster-growing strains like Golden Teacher)

Contamination risk increases with Penis Envy due to their slower growth, so maintaining sterile conditions is essential. Use a laminar flow hood or still air box when working with cultures to minimize contamination risks.

Despite these challenges, many cultivators find growing Penis Envy rewarding due to their unique characteristics and potency. However, their strength demands caution and respect for their powerful effects.

As we move on to explore the B+ strain, you’ll notice significant differences in growth patterns and effects compared to Penis Envy. Let’s examine this popular and beginner-friendly mushroom variety.

What Are B+ Mushrooms?

Introduction to B+ Strain

B+ mushrooms are a popular strain of Psilocybe cubensis. Cultivators developed this strain01460-4.pdf) from its niche in livestock dung for production of psilocybin. It has become a favorite among novice and experienced growers due to its resilience and adaptability.

Visual Identification

B+ mushrooms have distinct physical characteristics:

• Large, caramel-colored caps (up to 50mm in diameter)

• Thick and sturdy stems

• Bluish tint on stems when bruised (an indicator of psilocybin content)

These mushrooms often produce larger-than-average fruits, especially in later flushes. This trait appeals to cultivators who want to maximize their yield.

Effects and User Feedback

Users of B+ mushrooms report a balanced experience with both visual and physical effects. The onset typically occurs within 30-60 minutes after ingestion, with peak experiences lasting 2-4 hours.

Common effects include:

• Enhanced mood and sense of well-being

• Mild to moderate visual distortions

• Increased introspection and creativity

• A feeling of connection with nature and surroundings

Many users describe the B+ experience as gentle and manageable (making it suitable for those new to psychedelics). However, individual experiences can vary greatly depending on dosage, set, and setting.

Cultivation for Beginners

B+ mushrooms are known for their ease of cultivation. They resist contamination and thrive in a wide range of conditions, which reduces the likelihood of failed grows.

To cultivate B+ mushrooms successfully:

1. Use a substrate mix of brown rice flour and vermiculite (this provides essential nutrients and moisture retention).

2. Maintain temperatures between 23-26°C (73-79°F) during colonization and 21-24°C (70-75°F) during fruiting.

3. Keep humidity levels high (90-95%) during the fruiting stage. A simple humidity tent or monotub setup can help maintain these conditions.

4. Expect colonization to take about 10-14 days, with fruiting occurring 5-12 days after introducing fruiting conditions.

5. Be patient – B+ mushrooms often produce multiple flushes (with later flushes sometimes yielding larger fruits).

Dosage Considerations

When consuming B+ mushrooms, start with a low dose, especially if you’re new to psychedelics. A typical beginner’s dose ranges from 1-2 grams of dried mushrooms. More experienced users might consume 2-3.5 grams for a more intense experience. Always use a precise scale for accurate dosing.

The potency can vary based on growing conditions and individual mushrooms. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and gradually increase your dose over multiple sessions if desired.

Final Thoughts

Golden Teacher, Penis Envy, and B+ mushroom strains offer unique experiences and cultivation challenges. Golden Teacher provides balanced effects and easy cultivation, while Penis Envy delivers intense experiences with its distinctive appearance and potency. B+ mushrooms present a middle ground, combining resilience in cultivation with a gentle yet profound journey.

Responsible use of these powerful substances requires understanding dosage, creating a safe environment, and awareness of potential risks and legal considerations. Ongoing research explores the therapeutic potential of psilocybin mushrooms, with promising results in treating conditions like depression and anxiety. Newphoria offers a wide selection of high-quality mushroom strain products for those interested in safe and legal exploration (including renowned varieties like Penis Envy and Golden Teacher).

As interest in mushroom strains grows, we must approach their use with respect, caution, and commitment to ongoing education. This approach allows us to appreciate the potential benefits of these fascinating fungi while minimizing risks. Newphoria provides these products in various sizes and convenient edible forms, ensuring quality and variety for our customers.