Psilocybe Azurescens is widely known in the mycology world for being the most potent mushroom species in existence. The species was first discovered in 1979 by a group of Boy Scouts, camping close to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon, however it was not officially classified until 1995. Mycologists Paul Stamets and his colleague Jochen Gartz formally described and named Psilocybe azurescens after Stamets’ son Azureus, who had in turn been named after “Azure,” the bluish color that psilocybin-containing mushrooms bruise when damaged.

One of the most interesting facts about Azurescens (and other "wood-loving" Psilocybe species) is that consumption can often result in temporary paralysis. It's hypothesized that this effect is due to Aeruginascin, a compound produced by Azurescen mushrooms that is very similar to psilocybin, but has an extra methyl group. IF Aeruginascin is dephosphorylated by the body in a similar fashion to how psilocybin is dephosphorylated (this is not known), this would result in the compound bufotenidine, which is known to cause paralysis.

Spores Lab acquired our Psilocybe Azurescens genetic (in the format of a wild mushrooms spore print) at the beginning of 2021, and we have been hard at work for the last few months isolating and refining the genetic to prepare it for sale. It now possesses qualities such as dense, rhizomorphic mycelial growth, and above-average colonization speed, however it is still a slower colonizer than Psilocybe Cubensis (the most commonly grown magic mushroom species), and is notably more difficult to fruit indoors.

Spawning Psilocybe Azurescens mycelium can be done in a similar fashion to Cubensis (rye, wheat, oat, corn or other grains can be used) however Psilocybe Azurescens require the addition of ligneous material (wood) to the substrate in order to fruit. You must add hardwood chips or sawdust to your substrate, and fruiting must be done in cooler conditions (between 10-18C). Typically this species yields less than Cubensis and is quite difficult to cultivate indoors, however has much higher potency.

FORMAT INFORMATION

Liquid Culture Syringe Option Includes: 1x Psilocybe Azurescens Liquid Culture Syringe, 1x Sterile 18ga needle, 1x Alcohol Swab.

LIQUID CULTURES SHOULD BE REFRIGERATED, AND ARE VIABLE FOR 2-3 MONTHS.

Agar Culture Option Includes: 1x Psilocybe Azurescens Isolate Agar culture in a 100x15mm Parafilm-wrapped Petri Dish.

AGAR CULTURES ARE VIABLE FOR 1-2 MONTHS.

Master Culture Option Includes: 1x Fully Colonized Psilocybe Azurescens Mushroom Spawn Culture in a 1L polypropylene jar or 3L spawn bag.

MASTER CULTURES SHOULD BE USED UPON RECEIVING.

SPECIES INFORMATION

Habitat: Pacific Northwestern United States/Canada. Not found growing naturally anywhere else in the world.

Climate: Temperate/Oceanic

Strain Origin: Unknown, first classified in Oregon

Cap: 30–100 mm in diameter, conic to convex, expanding to broadly convex and eventually flattening with age with a pronounced, persistent broad umbo (bump), surface smooth, viscous when moist, covered by a separable gelatinous pellicle; chestnut to ochraceous brown to caramel in color, often becoming pitted with dark blue or bluish black zones, hygrophanous, fading to light straw color in drying, strongly bruising blue when damaged

Stem: 90–200 mm in length and 3–6 mm thick, silky white, dingy brown from the base or in age, hollow at maturity, and composed of twisted, cartilaginous tissue. The base of the stipe thickens downwards, is often curved, and is characterized by coarse white aerial tufts of mycelium

Gills: Ascending lamellae, sinuate to adnate, brown, often stained into black where injured, close, with two tiers of lamellulae, mottled, edges whitish.

Spores: Dark purplish brown, subellipsoid on 4-spored basidia