Laura Smith
Golden Teacher mushrooms, also known as Psilocybe cubensis, are a species of psilocybin mushroom that contains the natural hallucinogen psilocybin. They are commonly referred to as magic mushrooms and have been used for their mind-altering properties in various indigenous cultures since ancient times. Golden Teacher mushrooms are widely distributed and relatively easy to cultivate, making them one of the most well-known psilocybin mushrooms. They are often cultivated indoors, with growers following specific steps to ensure proper colonization and the development of fruiting bodies. The recreational dose typically ranges from 1 to 3.5 grams of dried mushrooms or 10 to 15 grams of fresh mushrooms. In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the potential antidepressant effects of psilocybin, leading to the emergence of psilocybin-assisted therapy and a growing industry in states like Oregon, where supervised trips are offered in licensed centres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Golden teacher, gold top, golden top, gold cap, sacred mushroom, blue mushroom, San Ysidro, Palenque mushroom, magic mushroom, shroom, golden halo, cube |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe cubensis |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin and psilocin |
| Family | Hymenogastraceae |
| Cap size | 1.6–8 cm |
| Cap shape | Conic to convex with a central papilla when young, becoming broadly convex to plane with age |
| Cap colour | Brown, becoming paler to almost white at the margin and fades to more golden-brown or yellowish with age |
| Cap surface | Smooth and sticky, sometimes with white universal veil remnants attached |
| Gills | Narrow and grey, darkening to purplish-black and somewhat mottled with age; edges remain whitish |
| Stipe | Hollow and white, becoming yellowish with age, 4–15 cm high by 0.4–1.4 cm thick |
| Veil | Well-developed, leaves a persistent white membranous ring whose surface usually becomes the same colour as the gills because of falling spores |
| Habitat | Widely distributed |
| Cultivation | Relatively easy to cultivate indoors |
| Lethal dose | 17 kg/70 kg for humans |
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What You'll Learn
- Golden teacher mushrooms are a species of Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms
- They are widely distributed and easy to cultivate, making them the best-known psilocybin mushroom
- Golden teachers have hallucinogenic properties and are used for their mind-healing abilities
- They are grown in sterile conditions, with controlled temperature and humidity
- In Oregon, people can buy and use golden teachers under the supervision of a state-licensed facilitator
Golden teacher mushrooms are a species of Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms
Psilocybe cubensis is known by various names around the world, including gold top, golden top, or gold cap in Australia, sacred mushroom or blue mushroom in Brazil, and San Ysidro or Palenque mushroom in the United States and Mexico. In South Africa, it is commonly referred to as the "Golden teacher". The term "magic mushroom" is often used to describe hallucinogenic mushrooms in general, and the use of these mushrooms for their mind-altering properties has a long history in various indigenous cultures.
The cultivation of Psilocybe cubensis can be achieved through methods such as the PF-Tek ("Psilocybe Fanaticus technique"), which involves the use of cakes that colonize within jars and fruit inside specially designed tubs called "shotgun fruiting chambers". The mushrooms are also relatively easy to cultivate indoors, where spores are inoculated within sterilized jars or bags containing a carbohydrate nutrient source. After colonisation, the mycelium is planted in a bulk substrate, and with proper humidity, temperature, and fresh air exchange, the mushrooms will fruit within a month.
In recent times, there has been a growing awareness of the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, particularly in the treatment of depression and the improvement of quality of life. This has led to the development of state-licensed centres, such as those found in Oregon, where individuals can undergo supervised trips with trained guides known as facilitators. However, the marketing and advertisement of these services face challenges due to strict regulations and concerns about reaching underage audiences.
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They are widely distributed and easy to cultivate, making them the best-known psilocybin mushroom
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, is a species of psilocybin mushroom whose principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin. It is widely known as "Golden Teacher" in South Africa and is also referred to as gold top, golden top, or gold cap in Australia. It belongs to the fungus family Hymenogastraceae and is the best-known psilocybin mushroom due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation.
Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms are relatively easy to cultivate indoors. The process involves inoculating spores within sterilized jars or bags containing a carbohydrate nutrient such as rye grains. After a month, the spores fully colonize the grain spawn, forming a dense mycelium that is then planted within a bulk substrate. With proper humidity, temperature, and fresh air exchange, the substrate will produce fruiting Psilocybe cubensis bodies within a month.
The small-scale cultivation of Psilocybe cubensis is often accomplished with "cakes" that colonize within jars and fruit inside specially designed tubs called "shotgun fruiting chambers". The PF-Tek method, named after the clandestine cultivator Psilocybe Fanaticus, is a popular technique for beginners.
Psilocybe cubensis was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba. It has since been identified in various parts of the world, including Vietnam, Florida, and South Africa. The species has also been studied for its potential therapeutic effects, with research suggesting significant antidepressant properties.
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Golden teachers have hallucinogenic properties and are used for their mind-healing abilities
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, is also referred to as the golden teacher. It is a species of psilocybin mushroom whose principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin. Golden teachers are hallucinogenic and have been used for their mind-healing abilities.
Golden teachers have been used since ancient times by different indigenous populations for their mind-healing properties. Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogen and the main compound in magic mushrooms, has been found to have significant antidepressant effects. As a result, awareness and use of magic mushrooms for depression and improved quality of life is growing. The recreational dose by most users ranges from 1 to 3.5 g of dried mushrooms or 10–15 g of fresh mushrooms.
The use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, such as golden teachers, for therapeutic purposes is gaining popularity. Oregon, for example, has a growing psilocybin industry, with state-licensed centres where customers can take supervised trips on psilocybin. These trips are often accompanied by trained guides, known as facilitators, who accompany customers on their journey.
The small-scale cultivation of Psilocybe cubensis is often accomplished with "cakes" that colonize within jars, but fruit inside specially designed tubs called "shotgun fruiting chambers". The most common cake method for beginners is PF-Tek ("Psilocybe Fanaticus technique"). To preserve potency after harvesting, growers often dehydrate the fruit and store them in air-tight containers in cool environments.
While magic mushrooms are generally not considered toxic, with a lethal dose of 280 mg/kg in rats and 17 kg/70 kg for humans, they are known to induce a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
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They are grown in sterile conditions, with controlled temperature and humidity
Golden Teacher mushrooms, or Psilocybe cubensis, are a species of psilocybin mushroom that is well-known for its wide distribution and ease of cultivation. They are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms" due to their hallucinogenic properties and have been used for their mind-altering effects in various indigenous cultures since ancient times.
To cultivate Golden Teacher mushrooms, specific conditions and techniques are required to ensure optimal growth and development. One crucial aspect is maintaining sterile conditions throughout the cultivation process. This involves using sterilized equipment and substrates, such as jars, bags, or monotubs, to prevent contamination and ensure the mushrooms grow in a pure and controlled environment.
Temperature control is another essential factor in cultivating Golden Teacher mushrooms. These mushrooms thrive within a specific temperature range, and deviations can impact their growth and potency. Cultivators must monitor and regulate the temperature in their growing environment to create favourable conditions for the mushrooms' development.
In addition to sterility and temperature, humidity plays a significant role in the cultivation of Golden Teacher mushrooms. Humidity levels influence the transpiration and growth rate of the mushrooms. Higher humidity accelerates transpiration and promotes faster growth. Cultivators adjust humidity through techniques like misting and using specialized equipment, such as a wind tunnel, to create the optimal environment for mushroom development.
By providing sterile conditions, controlled temperature, and optimal humidity, cultivators can successfully grow Golden Teacher mushrooms. These mushrooms have gained popularity due to their accessibility and the relative ease of cultivating them indoors under the right conditions. With proper care and attention to these critical factors, growers can yield abundant and potent Golden Teacher mushrooms.
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In Oregon, people can buy and use golden teachers under the supervision of a state-licensed facilitator
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, shroom, golden halo, golden teacher, cube, or gold cap, is a species of psilocybin mushroom of moderate potency. Its principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin. In Oregon, people can buy and use golden teachers under the supervision of a state-licensed facilitator. Oregon has 25 licensed centres, where customers can buy and use psilocybin mushrooms under the watchful eye of a state-licensed facilitator. The price for a trip and two therapeutic sessions with a facilitator ranges from $800 to $2,500, although advocates say discounts are often available.
The state of Oregon decriminalized the possession of psilocybin mushrooms for recreational use and granted licensed practitioners permission to administer psilocybin mushrooms to individuals aged 21 and older. This has resulted in the opening of Oregon's first licensed psilocybin service centres, such as Epic Healing Eugene, which offers the mind-bending drug to the public. Golden Teacher mushrooms are displayed at Epic Healing Eugene, which opened in June 2023 and now has a waitlist of more than 3,000 names, including people with depression, PTSD, or end-of-life dread.
Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms are relatively easy to cultivate indoors. First, spores are inoculated within sterilized jars or bags containing a form of carbohydrate nutrient such as rye grains. After approximately one month, the spores fully colonize the grain spawn, forming dense mycelium, which is then planted within a bulk substrate such as a coconut husk fibre and vermiculite mixture. Given proper humidity, temperature, and fresh air exchange, the substrate will produce fruiting Psilocybe cubensis bodies within a month of planting.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, have been used since ancient times for their mind-healing properties in different indigenous populations. Psilocybin is a natural hallucinogen and a main compound in magic mushrooms that has been found to have significant antidepressant effects. Awareness and use of magic mushrooms for depression and improved quality of life are growing as a result.
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Frequently asked questions
Golden Teacher mushrooms, also known as Psilocybe cubensis, are a species of psilocybin mushroom. They are commonly referred to as magic mushrooms.
In Oregon, the use of psilocybin mushrooms is legal under the supervision of a state-licensed facilitator in a service center. In South Africa, psilocybin-containing mushrooms are schedule 7 substances.
Golden Teacher mushrooms are relatively easy to cultivate indoors. First, spores are inoculated within sterilized jars or bags containing a carbohydrate nutrient. After a month, the spores fully colonize the grain spawn, forming dense mycelium, which is then planted in a bulk substrate. Given proper humidity, temperature, and fresh air exchange, the substrate will produce fruiting bodies within a month.
