Erowid Note: This FAQ was not authored by Erowid. It may include out-of-date and/or incorrect information. Please check the version date to see when it was most recently revised. It appears on Erowid as part of our historical archives. For current information, see Erowid's summary pages in the substance's main vault.

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Version 2.17 Oct 2011

Erowid Editing

Corrected "Australian" to "Austrian" for Robert Weitlaner.



Version 2.16 Feb 2010

Erowid Editing

Fixed error regarding LD50/ED50, ratio was reversed.



Version 2.15 June 2009

Erowid Editing

Fixed United Kingdom law section.



Version 2.14 July 2007

Erowid Editing

Clarifying point about psilocin being more potent than psilocybin based on reader question.



Version 2.13

Erowid Editing

M questioned the Aztec's use of S. divinorum. Added note.



Version 2.12

Erowid Editing

KH found an error in the taxonomy given for psilocybes. Although complicated because the world of taxonomy is in a state of active transition, KH's proposed taxonomy was better than the original.



Version 2.11

Erowid Editing

Cody suggested addition of peanut butter sandwiches to consumption techniques.



Version 2.1

Erowid Editing

zhah: Changed Ps. to P. throughout document. Regularized dosage approximations in Dosage section. Edited dosage section "rule of thumb", added Stamets psilocybin dose estimates.

Erowid: Consolidated dosage information into the Dosage subsection, removed dosage discussion from the Mushroom Guide.

Anno: Chemistry section revised: Table of chemicals and reference to Leung 1965 removed.

Anno: Removed erroneous mention of atropine and other problems in the muscaria-type mushroom section.

Jul 2004 Version 2.03

Erowid : Added clarifying colons to species list and noted no source given for "only psilocin" note on C. kuehneriana.

Aug 2003 Version 2.02

Erowid (updated nipo & gnosis email addresses)

Nov 8, 2001 Version 2.02

Erowid (altered slightly the law section for britain

Sep 8, 2001 Version 2.01

Erowid (edits to resources section)

June 5, 2001 Version 2.0

Erowid (html, layout, and 2.0 additions, major history update)

John W. Allen (technical corrections from 1.2 to 2.0)

lorelain (Traducción al español)

April 23, 1999

Version 1.2

Nipo (1.2 writing) - updated email address Nov 8, 2001

Gnosis (1.2 layout, additions) - updated email address Nov 8, 2001

Thanks to

baabo@brahman.nullnet.fi (shroom descriptions)

Tatu (shroom descriptions

ppennane@cc.helsinki.fi (tryptamine faq)

dr303@cleveland.freenet.edu (alkaloid content figures)

Lamont Granquist (neuropharmacology)

& all the other net-people who added or corrected info & especially our fellow innerspace astronauts







"The first thing to be eaten at the feast were small black mushrooms that they called nanacatl and bring on drunkenness, hallucinations and even lechery; they ate these before the dawn...with honey; and when they began to feel the effects, they began to dance, some sang and others wept... When the drunkenness of the mushrooms had passed, they spoke with one another of the visions they had seen."

/ et'e-mol'e-je / 1. the origin and history of words

molecular weight of psilocybin 284.3 ------------------------------ = ----- = 1.391 molecular weight of psilocin 204.3

(psilocybin) + (1.4 * psilocin) = total potency in 'psilocybin units'.

PSILOCYBIN



C 12 H 17 N 2 O 4 P



4-OPO 4 -DMT



4-Phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine



1H-Indol-4-ol, 3-[2-(dimethylamino)-ethyl] dihydrogen phosphate ester



CAS #: 520-52-5



DEA #: 7437





PSILOCIN



C 12 H 16 N 2 O



4-OH-DMT



4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine



1H-Indol-4-ol, 3-[2-(dimethylamino) ethyl]



CAS #: 520-53-6



DEA #: 7438





8

7

BAEOCYSTIN



C 11 H 15 N 2 O 4 P



4-OPO 4 -MT



4-Phosphoryloxy-N-methyltryptamine



1H-Indol-4-ol, 3-[2-(methylamino)-ethyl] dihydrogen phosphate ester



CAS #: 21420-58-6



DEA #: None



The monomethyl analogue of psilocybin





NORBAEOCYSTIN



C 10 H 13 N 2 O 4 P



4-OPO 4 -T



4-Phosphoryloxytryptamine



1H-Indol-4-ol, 3-[2-aminoethyl] dihydrogen phosphate ester



CAS #: 21420-59-7



DEA #: None



The demethyl analogue of psilocybin





INTENSE!

ACID IS NOT FOR EVERY BRAIN .... ONLY THE HEALTHY, HAPPY, WHOLESOME, HANDSOME, HOPEFUL, HUMOROUS, HIGH-VELOCITY SHOULD SEEK THESE EXPERIENCES. THIS ELITISM IS TOTALLY SELF-DETERMINED. UNLESS YOU ARE SELF-CONFIDENT, SELF-DIRECTED, SELF-SELECTED, PLEASE ABSTAIN.

-- Timothy Leary, Ph.D.

A: Possession of fresh mushrooms

B: Possession of dried mushrooms

C: Possession of mushroom spores

D: Cultures at mycelium stage

E: Cultures at mushroom stage

Location A B C D E Noted Austria Y ? Y Y Y Mushrooms are considered decorative plants and unless attempts to extract psilocybin are made, they should remain legal. Canada Y N Y Y Y If Bill C-7 passes, possession of fresh mushrooms and cultures will become illegal. Great Britain N N Y Y N In 2005, the United Kingdom controlled even unprocessed psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The Netherlands Y N Y Y Y Even the sale of fresh mushrooms is legal. See "Growing Mushrooms" for addresses. United States

(California) N N N N N Spores and cultures are explicitly forbidden by CA Health & Safety Code Section 11391. United States

(Florida) Y N Y Y N Possession of fresh mushroom if picked "accidentally" (low quantities) is allowed. United States

(Oregon) Y N Y Y N Even allowing mushrooms to grow on your property is (theoretically) illegal. United States

(Federal) N N Y Y N Most prosecutions in the US are under state law, federal prosecution normally saved for very large busts. International Y N Y Y N This is the United Nations standard and most nations follow it.

Fresh shrooms: The basic idea is that since shrooms grow in nature, it'd be silly to arrest grannies who happen to have a few growing in their backyard, or who pick them by accident. This hasn't stopped most of the US (except Florida) from banning them entirely. Of course, if you are caught with 3000 Str. cubensis, you'll have a hard time claiming you picked them by "accident".

Dry shrooms: Usually taken as proof of intent to consume, and thus illegal. In Britain, "naturally dried" shrooms are legal, ie. if you leave them on a windowsill by 'accident' it's OK.

Shroom spores: Spores contain no psilocybin or psilocin and thus are not covered by regulations - except in California.

Cultures before shrooms appear: Same as above, usually. Advanced mycelia do contain psilocybin and psilocin. With the rice cake method you can grow until the mycelia are complete and then eat the cakes; this way you can trip without ever being in possession of shrooms.

Cultures after shrooms appear: Clear intent to consume, and you'll probably get charged with possession with intent to sell as well. However, in some of the more liberal countries such as Finland, you might be able to argue that the mushrooms were grown for decorative (ha!) or research purposes...but don't count on it.

.-'~~~-. .'o oOOOo`. "I am ... a mushroom :~~~-.oOo o`. On whom the dew of heaven drops now and then." `. \ ~-. oOOo. - John Ford `.; / ~. OO: .' ;-- `.o.' ,' ; ~~--'~ ; ; [ASCII stolen from Mescalito Ted] _\\;_\\//_

Kingdom Phyllum Class Order Family Fungi Basidiomycota Basidiomycetes Stropharia Bolbitiaceae

Coprinaceae

Cortinariaceae

Pluteaceae

Strophariaceae

basidiomycotina or -mycetes - Fungi that produce spores on stalks outside the terminal cells.

agaricales - mushrooms with cap & gills;

Panaeolus: subbalteatus, tropicalis 12

Psilocybe: baeocystis, caerulescens, cubensis, cyanescens, mexicana, pelliculosa, semilanceata, stuntzii

Copelandia: cyanescens, cambodgeniensis

Agrocybe farinacea

Boletus: manicus, migroviolaceus, niggerimus, kumaeus, reayi [all (@)]

Conocybe: cyanopus, kuehneriana (*), siligineoides (?), smithii

Copelandia: anomala, bispora, cambodginiensis, cyanescens, tropicalis

Galerina: steglichii 14

Gymnopilus: aeruginosus, liquiritiae, luteus, purpuratus, spectabilis, validipes, viridans

Inocybe: aeruginascens, coelestium, corydalna, haemacta, tricolor

Panaeolina: foenisecii (%)

Panaeolus: acuminatus, antillarum, ater, cambodginiensis, campanulatus, chlorocystis, foenisecii, firmicola, olivaceus, papilionaceus, retirugis, separatus, tropicalis

Pluteus: atricapillus (%), nigroviridis, salicinus

Warning

"Expert shroomers really know their shit." -cowboy@jax.jaxnet.com

Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World

Important Notes

Quick Vocabulary adnate Gills that are fully attached to the stem adnexed Gills that are partially attached to the stem apex Top part of stem (i.e. where it's attached to the cap) concave Cap that curves "inward" (like the inside of a sphere) convex Cap that curves "outward" (like the outside of a sphere) evanescent Describes a quickly-disappearing veil fibrillose Stem that seems to be made of fibers packed together fissure Crack or cleft in cap or gills HD "High dose" hygrophilous Absorbs water easily hygrophanous Becomes translucent when wet LD "Low dose" MD "Medium dose" mg/g Milligrams of substance per gram of dried mushroom N/A Not applicable or not available seceding Gills that are detaching/detached from the stem umbonate Cap that is shaped like a knob viscid Cap covered with a sticky coating And remember, if you think learning these is too hard, try reading Singer & Smith. "Stipe tubular, more rarely subequal, discolors to reddish cinerous, strongly sulcate at apex, glabrous to fibrillose..."

Conocybe cyanopus

a.k.a. Pholiotina cyanopoda

A small and uncommon but relatively strong mushroom, often found on lawns. Found in the northern parts of the U.S., Canada and northern Europe. CAP diameter 0.7 - 2.5 centimeters color rusty/dark brown to black appearance convex, nearly hemispherical, slightly expanding, slightly wrinkled at edges STEM diameter 1 - 1.5 millimeters length 2 - 4 centimeters color white or slightly grayish appearance silky, striated GILLS form not crowded color dull rust brown, white edges SPORES color dull rust brown size 6.5 - 7.5 x 4.5 - 5.0 x 4.5 - 5.0 micrometers shape ellipsoid, distinct germ-pore DOSAGE fresh grams 7 (LD), 9 (MD), 11 (HD) (approx. 75-100 fresh small mushrooms or 1-2 grams dried) mg/g psilocybin 9.30 - 4.50 mg/g psilocin 0.70 - 0.00 mg/g baeocystin 0.30 - 1.00

Conocybe smithii

This tiny mushroom is scattered among mosses in swamps, boggy areas and ditches. Found in the northern parts of the U.S. and Canada. CAP diameter 0.3 - 1.3 centimeters color ochre/cinnamon brown, darker at edges appearance sharply conical but expands with age, glistens when wet, hygrophanous STEM diameter 0.75 - 1.00 millimeters length 1 - 7 centimeters color pure white appearance fragile, slightly swollen at base GILLS form crowded, broad color ochre/cinnamon brown SPORES color rust cinnamon brown size 7.0 - 9.0 x 4.0 - 4.5 x 4.0 - 4.5 micrometers shape ellipsoid, small but distinct germ-pore DOSAGE fresh grams 7 (LD), 9 (MD), 11 (HD) (approx. 75-100 fresh small mushrooms or 1-2 grams dried) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin 0.40 - 0.80

Galera cyanopes

see: Conocybe smithii

Panaeolina foenisecii

a.k.a. Psilocybe foenisecii, Psathyrella foenisecii, "Mower's mushroom", previously Panaeolus foenisecii

A very popular mushroom on lawns, grasses and cattle fields of all kind. Unlike other Panaeolus species it does not grow on dung! Grows from midsummer to first signs of winter. This one's everywhere!!! CAP diameter 1 - 3 centimeters color light brown to dark brown; dries to yellow-brown appearance broad, bluntly conical to bell-shaped, expanding to convex, broadly umbonate, or nearly plant; surface smooth or cracking into scales in dry weather; hygrophanous but not viscid; chestnut-brown to dark brown or cinnamon brown when moist fades as it dries to dingy buff or tan, often with darker marginal band when partially dru; flesh thin and fragile STEM diameter 2 - 3 millimeters length 4 - 10 centimeters color paler than cap appearance constant diameter, sometimes with enlarged base, fragile, more or less smooth, white to dingy brownish, often becoming brown from the base upward GILLS form adnate to adnexed or seceding, fairly close color brown to deep/grayish/chocolate brown, faces often mottled and edges paler or whitish SPORES color violet brown size 12 - 17 x 7 - 9 x 7 - 9 micrometers shape lemon shaped, large sprouter DOSAGE fresh grams N/A (LD), N/A (MD), N/A (HD) mg/g psilocybin 0.30 mg/g psilocin 0.00 mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER Often found with other Panaeolus species.

"Mini-model" of Pa. subbalteatus.

This species is not psychoactive, no matter who reported it as so. It was mistakenly identified as psychoactive in a 1990 High Times article by Brolyn. See Allen and Merlin, 1992 for complete research on the effect of this species and its alleged poisoning in three young children and some adults.

Panaeolus acuminatus

a.k.a. Panaeolus rickenii

Grows in horse pastures and rarely on horse manure. From midsummer to the borders of winter. This fragile shroom is quite popular in Scandinavia and northern Europe. CAP diameter 1 - 2 centimeters color dark brown/black when wet, dark grey when dry, light brown from the center appearance cone-shaped, hygrophilous STEM diameter 1 - 3 millimeters length 5 - 12 centimeters color greyish appearance N/A GILLS form crowded together color grey to black, white tips SPORES color violet brown size 12 - 16 x 8 - 11 x 8 - 11 micrometers shape lemon shaped DOSAGE mushrooms 40 (LD), 100 (MD), 150 (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER Makes a good strawberry milkshake!

Panaeolus ater

Fruits in forest clearings and cow pastures from spring to fall. CAP diameter 1 - 2 centimeters color dark brown when wet, pale yellow-brown when dry appearance bell-shaped, spreads until hemispherical, smooth, hygrophilous. STEM diameter 1 - 3 millimeters length 3 - 7 centimeters color paler from tip, darker from bottom appearance N/A GILLS form narrowly attached color first dark grey then black SPORES color N/A size 9 - 14 x 6 - 7.5 x 6 - 7.5 micrometers shape lemon shaped DOSAGE fresh grams N/A (LD), N/A (MD), N/A (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A

Panaeolus campanulatus

Grows in cattle pastures and especially on horse manure, from midsummer to fall. CAP diameter 2 - 4 centimeters color brown/gray/olive gray when fresh, reddish-brown and paler olive/tan/buff when drier appearance bluntly conical or bell-shaped, expands very little with age; surface not viscid, often shiny when dry, smooth or finely wrinkled or often cracking to form scales (especially in sunlight); margin hung with small, white, toothlike veil remnants, at least when young; flesh thin and fragile STEM diameter 1 - 3 millimeters length 5 - 15 centimeters color grey or greyish brown appearance equal or thicker at apex, brittle or fragile, slightly powdered GILLS form adnate or adnexed but often seceding, fairly close color first grey, blacken with age; edges whitish SPORES color black size 13 - 18 x 7 - 12 x 7 - 12 micrometers shape elliptical and smooth DOSAGE mushrooms N/A (LD), N/A (MD), N/A (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER Psilocybin content evidently varies, some people have eaten over 100 of these with no effects.

Panaeolus foenisecii

see: Panaeolina foenisecii

Panaeolus rickenii

see: Panaeolus acuminatus

Panaeolus sphinctrinus

Grows on manure of all kind, from summer to fall. CAP diameter 1 - 4 centimeters color grey to greyish brown, paler when dry appearance bell-shaped, usually smooth but sometimes bumpy, not hygrophilous, white scales on the edge STEM diameter 1 - 3 millimeters length 5 - 12 centimeters color grey, paler from tip appearance erect, powdery GILLS form adnate color grey brown/black, white tips, veil remnants SPORES color N/A size 14 - 18 x 8 - 12 x 8 - 12 micrometers shape lemon shaped, with germ-pore DOSAGE mushrooms N/A (LD), 200 (MD), N/A (HD) mg/g psilocybin 1.90 mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A

Panaeolus subbalteatus

Widespread, found in temperate zones including Canada, the northern parts of the U.S. and northern Europe. Grows on grasses, lawns, pastures, roadsides; prefers fertilized or manured soil. Grows in the spring and fall. CAP diameter 2 - 6 centimeters color variable; brown to reddish/cinnamon brown when moist, fading as it dries to tan/buff/whitish, margin often stays darker when dry appearance broad, convex or bluntly conical, becoming broadly convex to broadly unbonate to plane or with an uplifted margin; surface smooth or wrinkled, in age sometimes breaking into scales (fissured), not viscid; flesh thin, brownish STEM diameter 3 - 5 millimeters length 5 - 10 centimeters color brown to reddish-brown, often dusted by spores appearance equal or tapered at either end, hollow but not fragile; usually longitudinally striated throughout GILLS form adnate to adnexed or seceding, close, broad color pale watery brown or reddish brown, darkens gradually to black; edges whitish, faces mottled SPORES color dark brown size 11 - 14 x 7 - 9 x 6 - 8 micrometers shape lens-shaped, with germ pore DOSAGE fresh grams 30 (LD), 60 (MD), 100 (HD) mushrooms 5-10 (LD), 20-40 (MD), 60-90 (HD) mg/g psilocybin 1.50 - 6.00 mg/g psilocin 0.00 mg/g baeocystin 0.01-0.05 OTHER Often forms tufts of 2-4 fruitbodies.

There are several distinct subtypes of Pa. subbalteatus, this is the most common one.

Pa. subbalteatus bears some resemblence to Panaeolina foenisecii.

Psathyra pelliculosa

see: Psilocybe semilanceata

Psilocybe aerugineomaculans

see: Psilocybe subaeruginascens

Psilocybe atrorufa

see: Psilocybe montana

Psilocybe aztecorum

Found only around Paso de Cortés and Puebla, Mexico, between 3300 and 3700 m elevation. Found in small clusters in open pine woods, fruits in September only. CAP diameter 1.5 - 2.5 centimeters color milk white to yellowish appearance starts obtuse to subumbonate, expands to broadly conical; edge of cap may become cracked STEM diameter 0.2 - 0.4 centimeters length 3.0 - 6.0 centimeters color whitish, possibly with gray discolored portions appearance fibrous, veil remnants may be visible GILLS form closely spaced, broad color deep purple brown, pallid/whitish edges SPORES color dark dull ochre brown size 11 - 14 x 5 - 8 x 5 - 8 micrometers shape elongated ellipsoid, with germ-pore DOSAGE mushrooms 2-3 (LD), 4-10 (MD), 20-40 (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER P. aztecorum resembles P. mexicana to some degree and was originally thought to be a variant (var. Longispora). Dosage has been estimated on the assumption that they are equally potent; it is known to be a hallucinogen.

P. aztecorum was among the seven varieties of "magic mushroom" found by Wasson in Mexico in 1955.

Psilocybe baeocystis

Can be found growing on ground bark, wood chips, peat moss and sometimes on lawns. Common on campuses. This popular mushroom appears from fall through midsummer in large clumps. Prevalent throughout the Pacific Northwest. Fruits prolifically from fall through winter. CAP diameter 1.4 - 5.4 centimeters color olive brown to buffy brown, greenish if touched appearance edge of cap undulates like a bottle cap or umbrella, a brown spot appears in the center of the cap after drying STEM diameter 2.0 - 3.0 millimeters length 5.0 - 7.0 centimeters color white except for yellowish apex appearance often characterized by twisting bends GILLS form relatively closed spaced color dark cinnamon or gray SPORES color gray size 10 - 13 x 6 - 7 x 6 - 7 micrometers shape cylindrical with tapered corners DOSAGE fresh grams N/A (LD), N/A (MD), N/A (HD) mg/g psilocybin 1.50-8.50 mg/g psilocin 0.50-5.90 mg/g baeocystin 0.10-1.00 OTHER As the name indicates, it has a higher percentage of baeocystin than other psilocybe mushrooms, however the effects of baeocystin are not thought to be significantly different than those of psilocybin and/or psilocin.

This is the only common Psilocybe for which a fatality, a 7-year-old boy, is known.

Psilocybe caerulescens

a.k.a. Psilocybe mazatecorum, "Durrumbe", "Landslide" mushroom

Found throughout the southern United States, from California to Louisiana and South Carolina to Florida; a Mexican variety called P. caerulescens mazatecorum exists. Evidently unknown elsewhere. Grows on the banks of rivers and streams in the summer during rainy season. CAP diameter 2.0 - 8.8 centimeters color deep green to black, fades with age appearance cone-shaped when young, expands to convex/flat (never bowl-shaped), smooth and sticky, no nipple, margin of cap lighter/darker than center STEM diameter 0.2 - 1.0 centimeters length 4.0 - 12.2 centimeters color glassy-white to grayish appearance even, hollow, smooth, tough, covered w/hairs, possibly remnants of evanescent veil GILLS form closely spaced color light gray to dark brown/black as it ages SPORES color deep purple brown size 6 - 8 x 5 - 6 x 4 - 5 micrometers shape elliptic to inequilateral, broad germ pore DOSAGE mushrooms 2-3 (LD), 4-10 (MD), 20-40 (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER The dosage is an estimate; the mushroom is said to be roughly equivalent to P. cubensis.

P. caerulescens was first collected by Schultes and Reko in 1938 for herbarium deposit. It was also among the seven varieties of "magic mushroom" collected by Wasson in Mexico in 1955.

Two varieties of P. caerulescens were among the seven types of "magic mushroom" found by Wasson in Mexico in 1955.

Psilocybe cubensis

a.k.a. Naematoloma caerulescens, "San Isidro", previously Stropharia cubensis, Stropharia cyanescens, Stropharia caerulescens

Found throughout the southern United States, from California to Louisiana and South Carolina to Florida, as well as most of Central and South America, and parts of southeast Asia. Arrived to the Americas with Spanish Brahma cattle from the Philippine Islands. Grows on cow manure or manure-fertilized soil. There are many varieties of P. cubensis and they can grow to very different sizes and their potencies vary widely. CAP diameter 1.6-8.0 centimeters color pure white to light brown, translucent when wet appearance starts conical, gradually inverts to convex, then to flat and finally bowl-shaped; has a gold center spot; covered by sticky protective film; flesh firm and white; margin sometimes hung with veil remnants STEM diameter 0.4-1.4 centimeters length 4.0 - 15.0 centimeters color white or bluish-stained appearance membranous, usually forms a thin fragile ring on stalk which is blackened by falling spores GILLS form closely spaced, initially attached to stem but may separate with age color light brown/gray to deep purple/black, edges whitish SPORES color dark brown to blackish size 12 - 17 x 8 - 12 x 7 - 9 micrometers shape smooth, nearly elliptic, with germ-pore DOSAGE mushrooms .25-2 (LD), 1-4 (MD), 1-10 (HD) dried grams 0.5-1 (LD), 1-3 (MD), 3-6 (HD) mg/g psilocybin 4.00 - 12.0 mg/g psilocin 0.00 - 1.00 mg/g baeocystin 0.00 - 0.20 OTHER P. cubensis is common in the Americas and is the most widely cultivated Psilocybian mushrooms.

It was the first variety of Mexican "magic mushroom" collected by western mycologists. Schultes and Reko gathered specimens in 1938 for herbarium deposit. It was also among the seven varieties of "magic mushroom" collected by Wasson in Mexico in 1955.

P. cubensis variety cyanescens, found in Florida, is a sort of albino Str. cub. with very little pigment in the cap.

P. cubensis variety caerulescens, found in Indochina, has cap colored clear yellow in some places.

Psilocybe cyanescens

a.k.a. "Wavy Caps", "Carmel Caps", "Blue Halos", "Potent Psilocybes"

Doesn't grow on dung, but on hardwoods, woodchips, and grass. Inhabits landscaped yards containing ground bark and dwells under Douglas fir, cedar, eucalyptus, and in mulched flower and rhododendron beds. Fruits prolifically from fall through winter along Northern California Coast, the Pacific Northwest, also found in England. CAP diameter 1.5 - 4.0 centimeters color chestnut brown, lightens to yellowish with age appearance broad and conves, expands with age to plane or margin uplifted, viscid when moist, margin of cap often stained blue (hence the nickname) STEM diameter 2.5 - 6.0 millimeters length 3.0 - 8.0 centimeters color dry whitish appearance silky, fibrous, base enlarged and often curved GILLS form typically adneted, sometimes seceding; fairly closely spaced; veil remnants may form tiny ring color cinnamon color becomes dark brown, edges paler SPORES color purple-brown/ purple-gray/ purple-black size 9 - 12 x 6 - 8 x 5 - 8 micrometers shape nearly elliptic, smooth, broad germ pore DOSAGE dried grams 0.25-1.5 (LD), 1-2.5 (MD), 2-5 (HD) mushrooms 1-2 (LD), 3-10 (MD), 5-20 (HD) mg/g psilocybin 3.20-16.8 mg/g psilocin 2.00-5.10 mg/g baeocystin 0.10-0.50 OTHER Generally grows in clusters.

The most potent Psilocybe mushroom known.

Psilocybe mexicana

Found only in Southern Mexico and Guatemala. Grows from May to October in the zone between tropical and temperate climates (1500-1800 meters), in open fields or meadows but never dung. CAP diameter 0.5 - 3.3 centimeters color deep ochre to ochre brown appearance starts conical, gradually inverts to convex, then flat and finally bowl-shaped; has a central "nipple" STEM diameter 0.1 - 0.3 centimeters length 2.0 - 8.0 centimeters color ochre, usually paler than cap appearance hollow GILLS form closely to medium spaced color pale gray, whitish edges SPORES color deep sepia to dark purple brown size 9 - 11 x 7 - 8 x 5 - 7 micrometers shape compressed, elliptic/rhombic, with germ-pore DOSAGE mushrooms 2-3 (LD), 4-10 (MD), 20-40 (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER P. mexicana always grows solitary, but there are usually many others near each fruitbody.

P. mexicana was among the seven varieties of "magic mushroom" found by Wasson in Mexico in 1955.

Psilocybe montana

a.k.a. Psilocybe atrorufa

Grows in low moss on sandy land, roadsides etc. From summer to fall, sometimes in spring, quite popular. CAP diameter 0.5 - 2 centimeters color red-brown, paler when dry appearance hemispherical, sticky when wet STEM diameter 1 - 2 millimeters length 1 - 4 centimeters color light brown appearance crumbles easily GILLS form widely spaced color first light brown, become purple-brown with age SPORES color N/A size 6 - 9 x 5 - 6 x 4 - 5 micrometers shape oval shaped DOSAGE mushrooms 40 (LD), 100 (MD), 200 (HD) fresh grams 5 (LD), 15 (MD), 30 (HD) mg/g psilocybin 0.0 (?) mg/g psilocin 0.0 (?) mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER Despite reports of the psychoactivity of P. montana, chemical studies have found no psychoactive compounds. Both John W. Allen and Paul Stamets report that it is inactive.

Psilocybe pelliculosa

Psilocybe semilanceata

a.k.a. "Liberty Cap"

Found in northern temperate zone throughout the world. Grows inland up to a thousand miles (1500 km) from the ocean. Northwestern U.S, Scandinavia, the British Isles and western Europe. Very popular in Norway and other parts of Scandinavia. Fruits in grasses and cow pastures, parks and roadsides in the fall. CAP diameter 5 - 10 millimeters color brown, drying to yellowish brown appearance sharply conical, small "nipple" on top, never expands, incurved, striated margin, sticky when wet STEM diameter 2 - 3 millimeters length 6 - 10 centimeters color pallid to yellowish or brown, darkens with age, does not bruise blue appearance wavy and tough, fibrilliose, veil absent or rudimentary, small dark ring may be present GILLS form adnate or adnexed, slant upwards to almost vertical color first pale, soon becomes purplish brown SPORES color brown size 12 - 16 x 7 - 9 x 7 - 9 micrometers shape ellipsoid, with germ-pore DOSAGE mushrooms 5-10 (LD), 20-40 (MD), 60-90 (HD) mg/g psilocybin 10.0 - 11.0 mg/g psilocin 0.00 mg/g baeocystin 0.90-3.40 OTHER P. pelliculosa is actually a separate species, but the two are indistinguishable to the naked eye. It grows in sawdust or wood chip piles in forests where lumberjacks have been working. The two can be distinguished by spore size, with P. pelliculosa spores being smaller at 9-13 x 5-7 x 5-7 micrometers. P. pelli. is also weaker in potency, having only 1.2-7.1 mg/g and 0.0-0.5 mg/g psilocybin and baeocystin respectively.

P. semil. contains more baeocystin than most other Psilocybes, which may account for the subjective difference in quality.

Psilocybe stuntzii

a.k.a. Psilocybe pugetensis

Range extends from Bandon Oregon to British Columbia. Found on lawns, in fields and on woodchips (alder) or bark mulch; originally identified growing on the U of Washington campus! Fruits from August to December. CAP diameter 0.5 - 3.5 centimeters color variable; deep olive-brown to chestnut brown if young, fading to dingy yellow-brown or yelloish buff; margin often tinged greenish appearance bluntly conical becoming convex to broadly umbonate, plane, or with upliften margin; viscid when moist; margin striate when moist STEM diameter 1.5 - 4.0 millimeters length 2.0 - 7.0 centimeters color white to ochraceous brown appearance becomes hollow with age, equal or thicker at either end, often curved, not viscid, veil may form fragile ring or fibrillose zone GILLS form adnate or adnexed, narrow, close to well spaced color chocolate brown to violet/black, whitish edges SPORES color deep violet to dark purple size 8 - 12 x 6 - 7 x 6 - 7 micrometers shape not quite elliptic, with germ-pore DOSAGE fresh grams N/A (LD), N/A (MD), N/A (HD) mg/g psilocybin 3.6 - 0.4 mg/g psilocin 0.1 - 0.6 mg/g baeocystin 0.0 - 0.2 OTHER This mushroom is quite similar to P. cyanescens, P. venenata and P. subaeruginascens; however, the latter two do not grow in Northern America. There are also some poisonous Galerina species that resemble P. stuntzii, so be careful. The Galerinas grow in forested areas, not lawns and fields.

P. stuntzii can grow either in clusters or solitary.

P. stuntzii was named in honor of mycologist Daniel Stuntz of the University of Washington. The name P. pugetensis was used by Bob Harris in "Growing Wild Mushrooms", but is invalid.

Psilocybe subaeruginosa

Found throughout Australia and regions nearby. Grows solitary or in groups on soil in forests. CAP diameter up to 5 centimeters color "biscuit brown", darker when wet appearance conical with inturned edge when young, becomes convex when older STEM diameter relatively thin length up to 10 centimeters color white with occasional grey/blue/green blotches appearance conical with inturned edge when young, becomes convex with older GILLS form closely spaced, may be attached to stem color smoky brown/black SPORES color purplish brown size 10 - 15 x 5 - 9 x 5 - 9 micrometers shape ellipsoid, with germ-pore DOSAGE mushrooms 2-5 (LD), 5-13 (MD), 20+ (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER Australian users report that dosage is equal to P. cubensis by weight.

Psilocybe subaeruginascens

a.k.a. Psilocybe aerugineomaculans

Found in some parts of Asia, at least northern Japan and Java, Indonesia. Usually found on horse manure but evidently grows on rotten wood as well. CAP diameter 1.5-2.5 centimeters color whitish with smoke-brown center appearance flat to convex, glabrous and smooth STEM diameter 1.5-3.0 millimeters length 3.0-4.0 centimeters color white appearance traces of veil may remain as a small ring GILLS form widely spaced color grayish brown, edges paler SPORES color violet brown size 8 - 10 x 7 - 7 x 6 - 7 micrometers shape ellipsoid, with germ-pore DOSAGE fresh grams N/A (LD), N/A (MD), N/A (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER Moderately potent. There was an attempt to erroneously combine this species with P. venenata.

Psilocybe venenata

a.k.a. Stropharia venenata, "false deadly Psilocybe", "bamboo Psilocybe"

Psilocybe zapotecorum

a.k.a. "Mbey San", "Piule de Barda"

Found only in Oaxaca, Mexico. Grows primarily on soil in swamps. CAP diameter 6.0-11.0 centimeters color ochre yellow to brown/purple/black appearance bell-shaped, becomes breast-shaped; always twisted and asymmetric in shape STEM diameter 1.0-2.0 centimeters length 10.0 - 20.0 centimeters color brownish (inside of stem lighter or white) appearance very fibrous, elastic, often twisted, hollow GILLS form rather closely spaced, not very broad color violet-purple SPORES color brown purple size 6 - 9 x 4 - 5 x 3 - 4 micrometers shape compressed ellipsoid, with germ-pore DOSAGE mushrooms N/A (LD), N/A (MD), N/A (HD) mg/g psilocybin N/A mg/g psilocin N/A mg/g baeocystin N/A OTHER P. zapotecorum is used as a hallucinogen by Chatino and Zapotec Indians.

P. zapotecorum was among the seven varieties of "magic mushroom" found by Wasson in Mexico in 1955.

Stropharia cubensis

see: Psilocybe cubensis

Other psychoactive species

Genus species Shrooms fresh Grams fresh Psilocybin mg/g dry Psilocin mg/g dry Baeocystis mg/g dry Notes GYMNOPILUS

purpuratus

---

---

1.0-3.4

1.0-3.1

0.1-0.5

--- INOCYBE

aeruginascens

---

---

4.0

0.0

2.1

--- PANAEOLUS

olivaceus

---

---

0.05

0.0

---

--- PLUTEUS

atricapillus

salicinus

---

---

---

---

0.05

2.1-3.0

0.0

0.0-0.5

---

---

---

--- PSILOCYBE

bohemica

coprophila

---

50-200

---

15-100

8.5-9.3

0.0

---

0.0

---

---

---

3

Has poisonous lookalikes. Very similar to P. semilanceata. No psilocybin or psilocin detected chemically despite reports of successful use as a hallucinogen.

General Archives

Forums and Web Boards

Growing Information

Companies in the Real World

Warning: These addresses have not been checked or verified in more than 5 years. Many have probably disappeared. All addresses should be verified independently. All addresses are in the USA unless otherwise noted.

BJ Str. cubensis or Lepiota peele sporeprints #118 10548 SW 8th St. for $2; Amanita pantherina coming up in Miami, FL 33174 the future. Conscious Dreams Sells fresh mushrooms (F25/oz), growing Kerkstraat 117 kits, spore prints (Str. cub, P. cyan.), 1017 GE Amstergam and live cultures. The Netherlands (Phone: +31-20-626-6907) The DoorWay Sells lots of books and a shroom kit. P.O. Box 12553 Send $1 for catalog. Ogden, UT 84412-2553 (E-Mail: MELBARBARI@cc.weber.edu) Fane of the Psilocybe Mushroom Send $1 for membership form. The Fane $5 for "the Sporeprint", their publication. Box 8179 On the web at thefane.org Victoria, B.C. V8W-3R8 CANADA FMRC Florida Mycology Research Center P.O. Box 18105, Pensacola, FL 32523 FS Book Company Does not sell spores, but sells a "Mushroom P.O. Box 417457 Resource Catalog" for $15. Sacramento, CA 95841-7457 (Phone: +1-916-771-4203) Fungi Perfecti Does not sell Psilocybe spores, but P.O. Box 7634 everything else is available. Olympia, WA 98507 (Phone : +1-800-780-9126 orders only +1-206-426-9292 other/int'l Fax : +1-206-426-9377 E-Mail: MYCOMEDIA@aol.com) J.L.F. Supposedly sells some rare species ready P.O. Box 184-SC to eat and lotsa weird stuff. Free catalog. Elizabethtown, IN 47232 (Phone: +1-812-379-2508) ** Homestead Books Str. cubensis spores and a book for $25, 2* P.O. Box 31608 kits ($70), and books/videos about growing. ** Seattle, WA 98103 (Phone: +1-206-782-4532) Lux Natura No spores, but McKenna stuff and a new, P.O. Box 2196 extended version of "Psilocybin: Magic Berkeley, CA 94704 Mushroom Grower's Guide." Free catalog. ** Mushroompeople Sells books related to mushrooms (including 3* P.O. Box 220 but not limited to psychoactive ones). ** Summertown, TN 38483-0220 (E-Mail : NATLAW@igc.apc.org Voice/Fax : +1-615-964-2200 US Fax : +1-800-MYCO-FAX) Mycophile Books Just what the name says, and nothing more. P.O. Box 93 Also sell used and rare books. Catalog $3. Naples, FL 33939 (Phone: 1-813-262-3363) Pacific Exotic Spora Panaeolus cyanescens and Coplandia cyanescens P.O. box 11611 spores. Very expensive, $40-$75. Honolulu, HI 96828 PRL Biosciences Str. cubensis culture for $40, other equipment and supplies available. Free catalog. (Fax: +1-215-483-4917) ** Psylocybe Fanaticus OUT OF BUSINESS - Send $2 & SASE for ad (electronic version 4* 1202 E. Pike St. #783 on hyperreal.org). Spores come in syringes ** Seattle, WA 98122 making them considerably easier to use. Teonanácatl $5 for small P. cyanescens Astoria Ossip (postlagernd) or small P. cyanascens USA sporeprint, Postamt 1092 $10-20 for large P. cy. AO sporeprint. A-1092 Vienna Add $2 for shipping and handling. Austria (E-Mail: an148626@anon.penet.fi) (probably invalid, june 2001)A

Vendor Links:

Canadian Vendors:

*1* FMRC: While they do not sell Psilocybe spores anymore, they are still active supporters of the issue and they also put an excellent publication named "The Mushroom Culture". Homestead Books: Around for a long time, cheap, knowledgeable, and reliable. Mushroompeople: The best, although not necessarily the cheapest, source for all types of mushroom literature. Psylocybe Fanaticus: The best known of the 'underground' sellers, with cheap prices, very fast turnaround times, and high reliability. Outside the US, add an extra $10 to your order for shipping & handling.

Take clothing that keeps you warm and dry. If your clothing is inadequate, a day out picking mushrooms can be a real pain.

Mushrooms are best collected and stored in paper bags, which allow air movement. Multiple bags allow different species to be kept separated. A basket works well as a holder for the various bags. Some people like a variety of paper cups in a basket so the mushrooms can be easily put into the correct container. Be sure to bring a set of bags and/or baskets for each person.

Energy. Mushroom hunting can be really tiresome at times. Take your happiness and food rations with you - you'll probably need both.

Once you have located the site keep it clean. If it is a cowfield, don't leave any gates open or either the owner of the field or the bull of the herd will get you. Try to just do your thing and then get out of there. Don't scream and shout. I wouldn't recommend telling about a site to anyone - it instantaneously creates an "anonymous mmp-site" - and suddenly everyone is there, sooner or later including the cops too.



OK, run around the field... do you find any mushrooms? If none found, you are not looking hard enough. No matter where you go in the fall, there's some sort of mushroom there. You'd be surprised at how well the things can hide themselves. Found - what is it? Whether you identify it or not, put each species into different container - if in doubt - different container or throw it away. There are always two phases in identifying - when picking and when cleaning (or should be). Always check carefully - saves you lot of trouble.

"Collect mushrooms in a flat-bottomed basket. Take along a roll of wax paper and wrap each species you find; do not use plastic wrap since it hastens decay. This will keep species separate and fresh until you return home. A pocket knife or trowel is useful in extracting mushrooms from the ground; be very careful not to disturb the underground root system more than necessary. Bring note cards with you and jot down pertinent field data. In particular, note the habitat of the mushroom, including what type of tree it is growing on or near; whether it is growing singly, scattered, in groups, or in clusters; any distinctive odor or taste; the color of the cap, stalk, gills, pores, or teeth, and latex, which may change after the mushroom has been picked. Note any color changes when it is bruised. You can also use the note cards to set up spore prints in the field; they will often be ready by the time you return home. If you are absolutely certain of the identification of an edible species, you can clean it in the field. Until you are experienced, however, it is best to take the mushroom home intact; the stalk base is often a crucial identification feature, and cleaning can remove diagnostic characteristics. The more characteristics you can observe, the better chance you have of identifying the mushroom. It helps to have fresh mushrooms rather than old ones, and to collect many specimens of one kind at various stages of growth."

Fresh

Drying

Air Drying : There are many ways to dry mushrooms. The simplest is to lay down clean sheets of newspaper or typing paper on a table or high shelf; preferably somewhere with good air movment. Separate and spread the mushrooms evenly across the paper making sure they do not touch. After 2-3 days, the mushrooms will be mostly dry, having shrunk to a fraction of their original size (fresh mushrooms are approximately 95% water). The color of the mushrooms will also change as they dry.



Once the mushrooms appear completely dry, with the stems no longer breaking apart as they do when they're fresh, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. After 20 minutes, turn the oven off and open the oven door a crack. Let the oven cool for about 5 minutes then place the dried mushrooms in the oven on several layers of newspaper, leaving the door cracked open. After 20 minutes, remove the mushrooms from the oven and let cool in open air for 10 minutes. 15





There are many ways to dry mushrooms. The simplest is to lay down clean sheets of newspaper or typing paper on a table or high shelf; preferably somewhere with good air movment. Separate and spread the mushrooms evenly across the paper making sure they do not touch. After 2-3 days, the mushrooms will be mostly dry, having shrunk to a fraction of their original size (fresh mushrooms are approximately 95% water). The color of the mushrooms will also change as they dry. Once the mushrooms appear completely dry, with the stems no longer breaking apart as they do when they're fresh, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. After 20 minutes, turn the oven off and open the oven door a crack. Let the oven cool for about 5 minutes then place the dried mushrooms in the oven on several layers of newspaper, leaving the door cracked open. After 20 minutes, remove the mushrooms from the oven and let cool in open air for 10 minutes. Silica Gel : Some people use silica gel to help get their mushrooms completely dry. After air drying for several days, putting the mostly dried mushrooms in an air tight container with an open container of silica gel will draw the last moisture out of the mushrooms. Be sure to keep the mushrooms and silica gel from touching.





Some people use silica gel to help get their mushrooms completely dry. After air drying for several days, putting the mostly dried mushrooms in an air tight container with an open container of silica gel will draw the last moisture out of the mushrooms. Be sure to keep the mushrooms and silica gel from touching. Dehydrators : Dehydrators are a simple way to help dry mushrooms. They can be purchased at any home store, and are relatively cheap. The primary benefit of using a dehydrator is if you live in a very damp area where mushrooms don't ever get dry with simple air drying...the dehydrator should work. Otherwise the main difference is that it speeds up the air drying process.





Dehydrators are a simple way to help dry mushrooms. They can be purchased at any home store, and are relatively cheap. The primary benefit of using a dehydrator is if you live in a very damp area where mushrooms don't ever get dry with simple air drying...the dehydrator should work. Otherwise the main difference is that it speeds up the air drying process. Warm Oven : For the quickest drying, mushrooms can be put into a cool oven (approx. 90° F) with a fan on if possible. Allow to slowly heat for 2 - 6 hours. Careful not to heat too hot as temperatures higher than 160° F can destroy psilocin. Some believe that this method will reduce the potency of the mushrooms.





For the quickest drying, mushrooms can be put into a cool oven (approx. 90° F) with a fan on if possible. Allow to slowly heat for 2 - 6 hours. Careful not to heat too hot as temperatures higher than 160° F can destroy psilocin. Some believe that this method will reduce the potency of the mushrooms. Freeze Drying : This method uses dry ice and a generator to suck out all of the air from the mushrooms. The mushrooms keep their large shape, not shrinking to 10% their fresh size as they will with the rest of the drying methods. Freeze drying does NOT involve putting your mushrooms in the freezer.





Species dried wet approx # P. cubensis 0.5-5 grams 5-50 grams 0.25-3 big mushrooms or 2-20 small mushrooms P. cyanescens 0.5-3 grams 5-30 grams 1-6 large mushrooms or 2-14 small mushrooms P. semilanceatas 0.5-3 grams 5-30 grams 20-120 mushrooms (40 per dry gram)

Psilocybin / Psilocin Dosages #

Honey & spices & water & mushrooms

This one is a bit sweet but does a good job of covering the taste. Take a half glass of warm or cold water, three or more spoonfuls of honey, and according to taste, spices such as nutmeg, ginger and others. Grind the mushrooms with spices into fine powder, mix everything carefully and gulp down.



Mushroom cacao

Get some cacao beans/powder for this one. Warm some water to 40-60 C. Let the mushrooms steep in this water for about five minutes, fish 'em out and add cacao powder and mix well. Or you can grind mushrooms into fine powder. Sweeten with honey, and drink. Another variation is hot chocolate - melt some chocolate in water instead of cacao.



Mushroom tea

Drown some dried mushrooms in warm/hot water, wait five minutes, and drink. If you seriously dislike the taste of shrooms, just drink the water (although you'll lose part of the effect). I find that this is a good way of getting the shrooms down as well though, just dump in a baggy of strong tea and you won't taste a thing. Word of warning: if you leave the shrooms in for too long, they'll expand and mutate into disgusting blobs of slime. Also a nice way of getting some clue of their original appearance, provided the mushrooms are intact.



Mushrooms & orange juice

Blend an appropriate amount of fresh mushrooms and orange juice in a blender. The orange juice masks the taste quite well, the blender chops up the shrooms into tiny chunks so all the psilocybin is digested, and the vitamin C in the juice won't hurt either.



Pizzas

Just add fresh or dried mushrooms on top. Note that eating a lot adds to physical interference.



Shroom powder and liquids of choice

The finer you grind the shrooms, the better this works. Take a piece of paper and fold twice so you have a V-shape, and make a little pile of shroom powder on one end of it. Open your mouth and let the stuff flow in, then drink water/juice/tea/whatever to wash it down. Figure out an optimal pile size, and you can down the shrooms in record time with no taste and maximum psilocybin ingestion efficiency. Just be careful not to laugh or sneeze when holding the paper, otherwise you'll have to lick the carpet to get the powder... =)



Peanut Butter Sandwich

A common technique is to crumble the mushrooms onto a chunky peanut butter sandwich. The peanut butter flavor is said to mask or accompany the earthy taste of the mushrooms well.



Chew & grind

For this one, toss mushrooms into your mouth, chew well and swallow. The most efficient and simple method of mushroom ingestion. Dried mushrooms taste quite a bit more unpleasant than fresh ones.



Other recipes

I have heard about people making mushroom wine or mushroom chili. There are lots of foods you can put mushrooms into, but I'd recommend indulging in culinary pleasures after the trip. Also note that excessive heat breaks down psilocybin and psilocin, so always add the shrooms in after the food is cooked.



As you may have noted, except for the cheese on the pizza, none the recipes contain any milk or milk products. This is because several files and/or books have stated that calcium and/or fermented milk products interfere with psilocybin. Mind you, this is far from sure, if anybody can dig up a reference for (or against) this we'd appreciate it. But scientific proofs aside, the Aztec tradition of not eating before tripping is probably grounded in knowledge of possible adverse consequences, so don't eat too much, just enough to get the shrooms down.







Packing

Get into packing a couple of days before the voyage. Load your gear (brain) with everything you think will be useful. Personally I like documents about nature as they are easy to pack (video or TV). Books are fine but bit slower to load. Walking in nature, quiet and peaceful, and meditating ensures I get enough mental energy and happiness along. Try to break the normal circles of work, and if you are stressed, take few more days away from everything before leaving on the expedition. Go easy on your diet. Some fast for the previous week, others don't pay any attention to what and how much they eat. I eat normally until the day before, after which I eat mostly vegetables and fruits.



Place

Clean it up. Get some fresh air into it. Tell all your friends/relatives not to visit, and disconnect the doorbell and take the phone off the wall. Make everything as comfortable as possible. Fresh flowers will blow your mind with their beautiful looks and odors. A stroboscope is also worth a try, especially at 20 to 30 Hz. Lights are probably best low or off (and of white color). Music is so important we've given it its own section, coming up next.



Flight

Loose clothing and something to put on/take off; you'll be lying down most of the time, so pick something you could sleep in. Something to drink - see if your drinks include caffeine or other chemicals. Water is always the best. Some light snacks to eat during the trip, and possibly something to fill your stomach after the trip. Drawing during take-off can be fun, also psychedelic videos. Anyway, for a real "trip" I say: after the takeoff, turn the lights off, turn the volume to the edge of subliminal, and relax & tune into the vibe of the Earth.







Ambient

Lots of music goes under this name today, and it may very hard to find something truly ambient among all those new ambient- techno/dub releases... All time favorites of mine and many others include Ashra Temple, John Cage, Cluster, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Steve Hillage, Daniel Lanois, Pink Floyd, David Toop & Max Eastley, Tangerine Dream and Tuu. Many music stores lump these under the heading "New Age" next to stuff like Yanni, bleah... All of these move on the more serious tangents - worth checking out. On the lighter, more techno side of the ambient - try Aphex Twin, James Bernard, FFWD, FSOL, Pete Namlook, The Orb (especially the newer releases), William Orbit, Seafeel, Sun Electric or Terre Thaemlitz for instance.



Ethno

Music from the different cultures around the world and especially music by shamen or music aiming to a religious or spiritual experience - shamanistic drumming, australian dijeridoo sounds or chantings by gregorian or buddhist monks, for instance. "Meditative music" compilations can be excellent. There are huge volumes of this sort of music published around the world.



Minimalism

Especially Terry Riley. Steve Reich, Philip Glass and Lamonte Young have all made "psychoacoustic music", to use a term developed by Brian Eno for his own music. Riley is especially- er.. "beyond words" - something unbelievalable. For connoisseurs.



Silence

Either complete or 'The music of the Mother Nature' - best tripping music for as long there has been humans around to trip. The patter of raindrops falling surpasses just about any music humans can come up with. A must try. Perfect.







_____ _ _ . . ___ __ . . . . _ ___ _____ / \ | \ / \ |\ | / | | | /| |\ | | / \ \ / / \ | | | | | )( )| \| | |--' /-| | \| | ( V | | | | | \___/ | | / \_/ | | | | / | | | | \_/ o | \___/ | \_____/ ******************* ******************** *** \_____/

20 Acceleration

40 Leaving the atmosphere

70 Flight

130 Peak

300 Deceleration

360 Touchdown

12h Reality

7d Jet lag

Notes on physical interference

Lloydia

Lloydia

J Ethnopharmacology

J Ethnopharmacology

Lloydia

J Basic Microbiology

Zeitschrift fuer Mykologie

Persoonia

Mycologia

Mycologia

Norwegian J Botany

Planta Medica

J Pharm Sci

J Pharm Sci

J Pharm Sci

J Natural Products

Mushrooms Demystified

Lloydia

Mycologia

The Wondrous Mushroom: Mycolatry in Mesoamerica

Pharmacotheon

Pharmacotheon

Teonanacatl: Ancient and Contemporary Shamanic Mushroom Names of Mesoamerica and other Regions of the World

Teonanacatl: Ancient and Contemporary Shamanic Mushroom Names of Mesoamerica and other Regions of the World

Magic Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest