Sarah Brown
Gold tops, also known as golden tops, gold caps, golden teachers, or magic mushrooms, are a type of psychedelic mushroom. They are one of the most widely distributed hallucinogenic edible fungus types in the world and one of the most potent. They are commonly found in tropical or subtropical environments, like South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southern and southwestern US. Gold tops are known for their light golden colour with a dark brown area in the middle of their umbrella caps. They are often consumed fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea, and can cause hallucinations, perceptual changes, and other psychological effects. While some people use gold tops for their therapeutic benefits, such as treating depression and alcohol addiction, there are also risks associated with their use, including the potential for misidentification, negative side effects, and the development of tolerance and addiction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Golden tops, gold caps, gold top, golden top, gold cap, golden teacher, goldies, cubes, cubies, boomers, caps, magic mushroom, shroom, golden halo, cube, sacred mushroom, blue mushroom, San Ysidro, Palenque mushroom, Hed keequai, subs, wavy caps |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe cubensis |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin and psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, perceptual changes, change in consciousness, change in perception, chills, euphoria, facial flushes, fast heart rate, feelings of wellbeing, headache, higher body temperature, increased sweating, irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, intense and sometimes frightening hallucinations, increased danger of flashbacks, stomach ache, upset stomach, increased tolerance |
| Treatment | Studies have shown that gold cap mushrooms are effective in the treatment of depression and alcohol addiction |
| Legality | Illegal in some places, but several cities including Oakland, California, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Denver, Seattle and San Francisco have voted to decriminalize them |
| Occurrence | Pan-tropical species, occurring in the Gulf Coast states and southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, Australia, Fiji, and possibly Nepal and Hawaii |
| Habitat | Cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch or rich pasture soil |
| Seasonality | February to December in the northern hemisphere, and November to April in the southern hemisphere |
| Identification | Spore prints can help identify mushrooms with open gills (like gold tops). Cut the stem off flush with the cap of the mushroom and put the cap gills-down on white paper, with another piece of paper on top. Put a medium-sized weight on top and leave for about six hours. Look for a chocolate-brown or purple-ish spore print. |
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What You'll Learn
- Gold caps are a potent source of the hallucinogenic agent psilocybin
- They are also known as Psilocybe cubensis, magic mushrooms, shrooms, golden teachers, cubes, cubies, boomers, caps
- They are one of the most widely distributed hallucinogenic edible fungi types in the world
- They are often found on cow dung and grow in tropical or subtropical environments
- The effects of ingesting gold caps include hallucinations, stomachaches, nausea, and vomiting
Gold caps are a potent source of the hallucinogenic agent psilocybin
Gold cap mushrooms, clinically known as Psilocybe cubensis, are a potent source of the hallucinogenic agent psilocybin. They are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms" and have various other names, including gold tops, golden tops, golden halo, golden teacher, cubes, cubies, boomers, caps, and shrooms. These mushrooms are distinguished by their light golden colour with a dark brown area in the middle of their umbrella-shaped caps. They are one of the most widely distributed hallucinogenic edible fungus types in the world and are particularly prevalent in tropical or subtropical environments, such as South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southern and southwestern United States. They are often found growing directly on the manure of ruminants like cows and goats.
Psilocybe cubensis was first recorded in the scientific literature in 1906 in Cuba by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle, who incorrectly identified it as Stropharia cubensis. The species was later correctly identified in northern Vietnam by French pharmacist and mycologist Narcisse Théophile Patouillard in 1907. Psilocybe cubensis is known for its hallucinogenic effects due to the presence of psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, the chemical responsible for its psychoactive properties.
The use of gold cap mushrooms can lead to a range of effects, both positive and negative. On the positive side, studies have shown that these mushrooms can be effective in the treatment of depression and alcohol addiction. However, there are also risks associated with their use. Ingesting gold cap mushrooms can result in various negative side effects, including stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and intense hallucinations that may lead to significant trauma or lasting psychological damage. Additionally, users may experience an increased danger of flashbacks, particularly if they have a history of heavy use or a higher proportion of "bad trips." The potency of gold cap mushrooms can vary significantly depending on factors such as the specific variety, growing conditions, maturity at harvest, and storage methods.
The misuse and abuse of gold cap mushrooms are also concerning. They are considered very strong drugs and have become a significant problem among teenagers due to peer pressure and the lack of consideration for their potency and potential effects. The body can develop a swift tolerance to gold cap mushrooms, leading some users to combine their consumption with other drugs, such as LSD or alcohol, to achieve the desired "high." This can result in poly-addiction and the need to continuously increase the dosage, increasing the risk of overdose. While withdrawal from gold cap mushrooms may not typically cause serious symptoms, there can be various after-effects that individuals may experience, such as those mentioned above.
It is important to note that misidentification of gold cap mushrooms can be dangerous or even deadly. Therefore, it is crucial to have a good understanding of mushroom identification or to seek expert help when foraging or consuming wild mushrooms.
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They are also known as Psilocybe cubensis, magic mushrooms, shrooms, golden teachers, cubes, cubies, boomers, caps
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or cubes, is a species of psilocybin mushroom of moderate to high potency. Its principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin, which give it its hallucinogenic properties. The mushroom has no odour and has been described as tasting farinaceous, with an alkaline or metallic aftertaste.
Psilocybe cubensis is also known as gold cap, golden top, or golden teacher, owing to its distinctive golden-yellow caps. The caps typically range from chestnut brown to golden, often featuring a striking white ring around the outer edge. The mushroom is commonly found on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil. It is a pan-tropical species, occurring in the Gulf Coast states and southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Southeast Asia, Australia, Fiji, and possibly Nepal and Hawaii.
The species was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba. However, it was later identified as Naematoloma caerulescens in Tonkin (now Vietnam) by French pharmacist and mycologist Narcisse Théophile Patouillard in 1907. In 1949, German-born mycologist Rolf Singer moved the species into the genus Psilocybe, giving it the binomial name Psilocybe cubensis.
Psilocybe cubensis is widely known for its psychoactive properties and ease of cultivation, making it a popular choice among psychonauts and cultivators. It is often the introductory experience for many individuals experimenting with psychedelics. However, it is important to note that the misuse of these mushrooms can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, the body's swift tolerance to gold cap mushrooms may lead individuals to combine their consumption with other drugs, increasing the risk of overdose.
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They are one of the most widely distributed hallucinogenic edible fungi types in the world
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, shroom, golden halo, golden teacher, cube, or gold cap, is a species of psilocybin mushroom that is one of the most widely distributed hallucinogenic edible fungi types in the world. It is also one of the most potent. The species was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba. However, he had wrongly identified the species, and it was later corrected by French pharmacist Narcisse Théophile Patouillard in northern Vietnam. In 1949, German-born mycologist Rolf Singer moved the species into the genus Psilocybe, giving it the binomial name Psilocybe cubensis.
Psilocybe cubensis is a pan-tropical species found in many regions worldwide, including the Gulf Coast states and southeastern United States, Mexico, Central American countries such as Belize, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, Caribbean countries like Cuba and the Dominican Republic, South American nations such as Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, Australia, Fiji, and possibly Nepal and Hawaii. They often grow in tropical or subtropical environments on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil.
Psilocybe cubensis is commonly known as 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 known as the "Golden teacher". The name Psilocybe is derived from the Ancient Greek roots psilos (ψιλος) and kubê (κυβη), translating as "bare head". Cubensis means "coming from Cuba", referring to the type locality published by Earle.
Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms are light golden with a dark brown area in the middle of their umbrella-shaped caps. They are potent sources of the hallucinogenic agent psilocybin, which, when ingested, is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. The effects of these mushrooms can include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, euphoria, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, and a higher body temperature. The potency of the mushrooms can vary significantly depending on factors such as the specific variety, growing conditions, maturity at harvest, and storage methods.
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They are often found on cow dung and grow in tropical or subtropical environments
Gold cap mushrooms, or Psilocybe cubensis, are known for their psychoactive effects. They are commonly known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, golden halo, golden teacher, cubes, cubies, boomers, caps, gold caps, golden tops, or goldies. They are one of the most powerful drugs in the world and have become a huge problem among teenagers due to their potency, effects, and withdrawal symptoms. They are often found on cow dung and grow in tropical or subtropical environments.
Psilocybe cubensis is a pan-tropical species, occurring in the Gulf Coast states and southeastern United States, Mexico, Central American countries such as Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, the Caribbean countries Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad, and South American countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. They are also found in Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia, as well as India, Australia, Fiji, and possibly Nepal and Hawaii.
The gold cap mushroom has very specific requirements for its growth. It prefers extremely rich soil and blooms on the dung of water buffaloes, cows, and even horses. Pastureland provides the best conditions for growth, as the gold cap mushroom is saprophytic, meaning it feeds on rotting organic matter. They typically grow in warm and humid environments, often in fields, pastures, and along roadsides, particularly after heavy rainfall. They are commonly found growing in association with dung, especially cow or horse manure, and can also be found in rich soil and grassy areas.
The gold cap mushroom has a distinctive appearance, with a bell-shaped to convex cap that ranges in color from brown to golden brown, and a stem that is typically white or pale yellow. The caps have a dark brown area in the middle and a white ring around the edge, ranging in size from less than 2 cm to over 8 cm. They are smooth and their bruises turn a dark blue navy color. They are often singled out in nature due to their caps, which can be identified by their color and distinctive features.
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The effects of ingesting gold caps include hallucinations, stomachaches, nausea, and vomiting
Gold caps, also known as Psilocybe cubensis, are a species of psilocybin mushroom that contains hallucinogenic properties. They are commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, shrooms, golden halo, golden teacher, cube, or gold cap. These mushrooms are found in subtropical environments such as South America and Central America and have distinct physical attributes, often sharing a brown or light golden colour. The effects of ingesting gold caps include hallucinations, disengagement with surroundings, and stomachaches, nausea, and vomiting when consumed in extremely high doses.
Gold caps have a strong effect on the body, and even a single use can be risky. The mushrooms are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea, and the effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten and 5-10 minutes when taken as tea. The human body swiftly develops a tolerance to gold cap mushrooms, leading some users to increase their dosage or combine their consumption with other drugs such as LSD or alcohol. This can result in a higher risk of overdose and the development of co-occurring disorders.
The potency of gold caps is influenced by factors such as growing conditions, maturity upon harvest, and storage method. A minimum of one gram of dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms is typically ingested orally to achieve a modest psychedelic effect, while 3.5 dried grams is considered a high dose and may produce an intense experience. However, doses above three grams may be overwhelming, and even small doses of 0.25 grams can produce full-blown effects for some individuals.
While the use of gold caps may have certain benefits, such as the potential treatment of depression and alcohol addiction, it is important to carefully consider the risks associated with their use. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and some individuals may experience negative consequences or a 'bad trip'. Additionally, the wrong type of mushroom can be deadly or highly toxic, leading to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and convulsions.
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Frequently asked questions
Gold tops, also known as golden tops, gold caps, or golden cap mushrooms, are a type of magic mushroom. They are one of the most widely distributed hallucinogenic edible fungus types in the world and one of the most potent. They are also known as goldies, cubes, cubies, boomers, caps, and shrooms.
Gold tops get their name from their appearance, which includes a light golden colour with a dark brown area in the middle of their umbrella caps.
Gold tops are psychedelic drugs, which can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, both visual and auditory, and changes in perception. They can also cause negative effects such as stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, and increased danger of flashbacks.
Gold tops are very strong drugs that can be risky to consume even once. There is also a risk of misidentification, as they look similar to poisonous mushrooms. Additionally, the body quickly develops a tolerance to gold tops, leading some people to combine their consumption with other drugs.
