Types of Psychedelic Mushrooms

These are not your everyday cooking mushrooms! Psilocybin mushrooms aka “magic mushrooms” are mushrooms that belong to the polyphyletic group of the plant. This subset of mushrooms cause psychoactive effects when consumed, due to the presence of naturally occurring hallucinogenic compounds psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, and/or norbaeocystin.

Psilocybin is found in wild and cultivated mushrooms, where it is a naturally occurring compound. Much like the naturally occurring psychoactive terpenes and compounds found in cannabis plants, psilocybin (aka 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a natural psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound.

Categorized as a psychedelic drug (drugs which trigger shifts in thought, perception, and mood), psilocybin mushrooms are deemed a Schedule I drug in the United States by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). Schedule I drugs (a category which also includes heroin and LSD) are deemed to have a high risk of misuse or harm, and are not cleared for recreational, therapeutic, or medical treatment.

Over two hundred different types of magic mushrooms grow wildly across the globe, with each species having dozens of offshoot strains. Mexico clocks the most types of psychedelic mushrooms, though they are also found in Canada and the U.S., as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Each shroom has their own signature shape, flavor and trip, though the main differentiating factor between types of shrooms is the amount of the psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound psilocybin present. As with growing cannabis at home, the onset of growing psilocybin mushrooms at home has led to new strains being developed through selective breeding of desirable traits.

Check out the most common types of magic mushrooms pictures to help you identify them, and their traits and potency.

aka Golden Teacher, Golden Cap, Cubes.

Effects: Euphoria, sensation of love and unity, reflection, philosophical thought, synesthesia, visual augmentation.

Potency: Moderate to High

The everyman of the mushroom kingdom, psilocybin cubensis is the type of magic mushroom you are most likely to encounter. If you’ve tried shrooms, chances are you’ve had some of these special fungi. Known for their namesake golden/cinnamon brown top, this type of psychedelicmushroom grows wildly in nature but is also easily grown indoors, a practice that has been taken up by hobby mushroom enthusiasts and which has resulted in over 60+ strains being invented through selective breeding. Home-grown varieties are generally bred for strength, so indoor-bred shrooms tend to be more potent than those cultivated from the wild.

Photo courtesy of Caleb Brown via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Flying Saucer, Blue Runners, Blue Angels, Azzies

Effects: Vivid hallucinations, intense amplification of emotions, sometimes temporary paralysis.

Potency: Intense

This rare gem was only recently discovered (by a group of Boy Scouts no less!), and is the most potent strain ever found growing wildly. Found only in the Pacific Northwest of North America, this strain wears the crown of the highest potency of its genus. This is no rookie shroom; its effects have been known to range from intense and vivid hallucinations to temporary paralysis. Easily grown indoors and with a bitter taste, this unique shroom and its relatively recent discovery is a great example of how exciting the field of mycology is.

Photo courtesy of Nynyny via Polish Wikipedia. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Liberty Caps, Witch’s Hats

Effects: Very visual trips/hallucinations, often lasting a longer duration than other trips.

Potency: High to Intense

Like our good pal psilocybin cubensis, the strain of shroom known colloquially as Liberty Caps are among the most commonly used strains out there. With a relatively high concentration of psilocybin and an uncharacteristically small stature, these little fungi pack a real punch: the trips are often reported to be very visual, and to last longer than trips from other types of magic mushrooms. As with the very potent psilocybe azurescens strain, Liberty Caps are considered to be among the top 3 most potent varieties available on the market, so proceed with caution!

Photo courtesy of Caleb Brown via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Wavy Caps

Effects: Euphoria, sensations of love and unity, reflection, philosophical thought, synesthesia, heightened visual augmentation.

Potency: High

This wavy shroom is easy to spot due to its unique curves, and is similar in vibe and trip to the ever-popular Golden Cap strain. However, this special strain contains 30 to 60% more psilocybin than its more popular counterpart, meaning the visual aspect of its psychoactive effect is much more heightened. Happiest in woody debris, this strain is thought to have spread through urban development, as it often takes up residence in the wood chips and mulch that line gardens, trails, and parks. Most potent if consumed while fresh, these psychedelic mushrooms still pack a punch when dried.

Photo courtesy of Alan Rockefeller via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Teonanacatl, Pajaritos

Effects: Short trip, perfect for recreational, spiritual, and ceremonial uses.

Potency: Moderate

This unique strain grows in Mexico, primarily in the states of Oaxaca, Michoacán, and Puebla. Long used by Nahuatl and Aztec people for ceremonial and spiritual purposes (they deemed it Teonanacatl, meaning “flesh of the Gods”) before Spanish colonization, this species is still found in those same regions to this day. This shroom has a short but powerful trip, making it an ideal option for religious, spiritual, and ceremonial uses. Don’t be deceived by the small stature of this species, it’s been called Pajaritos meaning “little birds” due to all the potency packed into the little frame.

Photo courtesy of Chris Curry via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Blue Foot Mushroom

Effects: Euphoria, sensation of love and unity, reflection, philosophical thought, synesthesia, visual augmentation.

Potency: Moderate

This blue dude is relatively rare and has been found mainly in the east of the U.S. and Canada. Similar to the everyman psilocybin cubensis in effect and potency, this strain is an excellent option for those looking for a psychedelic but not overwhelming trip. Recognized for the blue tint by the base of their stem (hence the name), these rare guys are often confused with their cousins Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata. Though hard to find in the wild, this strain is still well represented in the psychedelic mushroom market, perhaps due to Blue Foot’s tendency to grow in the same spot for years.

Photo courtesy of Caleb Brown via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Blue Ringer Mushroom, Stuntz’s Blue Legs

Effects: Moderate but long-lasting trip.

Potency: Moderate

Another rare species, this blue tinged shroom is found only along the West coast of North America and loves to grow in mulchy and grassy areas. This unique fungi produces a moderate but long-lasting trip, making it an appropriate choice for those looking to get acquainted with psychedelics for the first time. Be warned though, this species looks almost identical to the galerina marginata species, which is poisonous and should NEVER be consumed. When secured from a safe and informed source, this species is a true delight for shroom rookies and connoisseurs alike!

Photo courtesy of Alan Rockefeller via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Landslide Mushrooms, Derrumbes

Effects: Moderate trip, short duration, perfect for recreational, spiritual, and ceremonial uses.

Potency: Low to moderate

These small, silvery shrooms grow in Mexico, where they have been used ceremoniously by the Mazatec people of Oaxaca for centuries. They produce a low to moderate trip that lasts shorter than most psychedelic mushrooms, about three to six hours. Their gentle potency and short trip time make them the ideal intro shroom for those looking to dip their toes into the world of psychedelics. Fun fact: the mushrooms given to a Life Magazine journalist on assignment in Mexico were psilocybe caerulescens; the assignment led to an article in which the term magic mushrooms was first coined!

Photo courtesy of Alan Rockefeller via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Blue Meanies

Effects: Vivid hallucinations, intense amplification of emotions, perceptive shift, reflectiveness.

Potency: Intense

These Blue Meanies are anything but! Unlike the other types of shrooms listed here, these beauties are not part of the Psilocybe genus, but are instead part of the Panaeolus genus. Don’t be put off by that clerical difference, these shrooms are definitely still very magic. In fact, they rank among the strongest psychedelic mushrooms in the world, clocking in with two to three times the amount of hallucinogenic compounds psilocybin and psilocin found in old faithful psilocybe cubensis. Happiest in dung pastures and fields of the warmer, subtropical kind, these unique Panaeolus shrooms are often found in the U.S. in Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas, as well as in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and even Australia.

Photo courtesy of Workman via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Magic Truffles, Philosopher’s Stone

Effects: Hallucinations, amplification of emotions, physical/body effects.

Potency: Low

These ritzy shrooms are actually quite hard to find in the wild, and are popular with home cultivators due to the relative ease of growing them. They produce “truffles” which contain psilocybin; this is the part of the shroom that is consumed. They are said to induce a trip similar to more commonly found shrooms like Psilocybe Cubensis, though at a much gentler and lower level and with a greater effect on the bodily sensations. For this reason, they are a great introductory shroom. Due to their density, they can sometimes cause nausea or vomiting.

Photo courtesy of Alan Rockefeller via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Drunken Mushroom

Effects: Moderate trip, used for recreational, spiritual, and ceremonial uses.

Potency: Moderate to high

Named for the Zapotec indigenous community located in southern Oaxaca, Mexico, this shroom thrives in swampy and muddy conditions. Long used in ceremonial and spiritual practices, this shroom can grow to impressively large sizes, and is also found throughout Central and South America. Easily grown and quite robust in nature, these shrooms have remained popular throughout the ages for good reason. Another nickname for these large fungi is “crown of thorns.”

Photo courtesy of Scottdarbey via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Conifer Psilocybe, Elf Stool

Effects: Microdose effects, very imperceptible perspective/mood shifts.

Potency: Low

These little fungi are often observed growing in clusters in forest debris in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and Canada. These shrooms have an exceptionally light potency compared to strains such as the common Psilocybe Cubensis or Psilocybe semilanceata. When consumed, these shrooms create an effect similar to that of microdosing more potent strains. When found in nature, these shrooms have low levels of psilocybin and trace baeocystin, but interestingly when grown indoors or in controlled environments have been found to have no psychoactive effects. Another of nature’s little mysteries!

Photo courtesy of Caleb Brown via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Bottle Caps, Knobby Tops, Blue Bells, Olive Caps

Effects: Vivid hallucinations, intense amplification of emotions, perceptive shift, reflectiveness.

Potency: Moderate to Intense

An unusual species, this psychedelic mushroom goes against convention in that it is much more potent when consumed fresh than it is when consumed dried. That’s due to a high level of its namesake baeocystin, which is a psychoactive analog of psilocybin. Since baeocystin can degrade with age and in lower levels of humidity, it loses potency if not picked and consumed fresh. Due to this quirk, it would be a great contender for the home mycologist who wants an intense trip grown in the comfort of their own home.

Photo courtesy of Ganymede via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka Rhododendron Psilocybe, Blue-haired Psilocybe

Effects: Hallucinations, amplification of emotions, perceptive shift, reflectiveness.

Potency: Moderate

This rare shroom is often found  growing in the tangled roots of trees and shrubs, alongside flood zones of mountain rivers, as well as in more landscaped areas such as wood chip mulches. It is said to have a farinaceous taste and smell, which means floury or starch in taste and texture, like raw flour. It is a moderate shroom, making it appropriate for both rookie and seasoned users.

Photo courtesy of Alan Rockefeller via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to the photo.

aka P. cyanofriscosa

This shroom is a classic! Happy to grow in urban areas such as woody debris and commercial wood chips, it is often seen in public areas throughout the Coastal Pacific Northwest of North America. A potent mushroom that grows to be quite large, you only need a small dose of Psilocybe allenii to feel its intense effects and go on a powerful trip. Also happy growing at home under the correct conditions, this strain is a major contender for a commercial market due to its ease of growth, potency, large size, and the quality of the trip.

Effects: Hallucinations, amplification of emotions, perceptive shift, reflectiveness.

Potency: Intense

Though there are many types of psychedelic mushrooms, they all share the similar hallucinogenic and mind altering effects aka “trip” that they are famous for. When consumed orally, psilocybin mushrooms the body converts psilocybin into psilocin, a chemical that then induces the desired psychedelic effects through activating your serotonin receptors as well as other parts of the brain that regulate arousal and panic.

Common “trips” include auditory and visual hallucinations, feelings of peace, serenity, togetherness, and positivity, as well as an increased sense of connection to those around you and the natural world. Users generally describe a positive shift or change in perception and in how they perceive themselves and their environments while tripping. Psilocybin mushrooms have even been used for therapeutic purposes for those with treatment-resistant anxiety and depression, and for terminally ill patients.

As with any drug, the psychoactive and physical effects of psilocybin mushrooms vary from individual to individual. The most common negative side effect of consuming psychedelics of any kind is what is known as a “bad trip,” which is when the hallucinogenic effects are upsetting or frightening for the user. Other reported psychological side effects are agitation, confusion, paranoia and panic, delirium, or psychosis. Physical side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness,  lack of coordination, and seizures.

Poisonous mushrooms aren’t just a fairytale thing, they are a real danger! Psychedelic mushrooms are usually dark-spored and gilled, and tend to grow in humid tropic/subtropic conditions. Since some varieties of poisonous mushrooms look very similar to ​​psilocybin mushrooms it is VERY important to only consume mushrooms from a reputable source. Mushroom foraging is a refined science and art, and though it’s a fun hobby, you should be extremely cautious about consuming unidentified mushrooms, whether for culinary or psychedelic pursuits!

Before consuming any type of shrooms, remember that all substance use comes with some degree of risk and that harm reduction is key. If you’re a first time user, familiarize yourself with the possible effects (both positive and negative) of consuming ​​psilocybin mushrooms (listed above), and consider your tolerance to potentially experiencing them during your trip. Whenever possible, use with a friend in a safe, comfortable environment. It’s also important to research the legality of consuming ​​psilocybin mushrooms in your state.

Hopefully our list of psilocybin mushroom species above helped you identify what kind you may want to try. As with any recreational drug, shrooms affect everyone differently, and it’s best to approach trying them from a well-informed and safe footing! Now that you’ve consulted our guide that lists different mushroom strains and effects, we hope you feel prepared for the magic world of magic mushrooms.