Analysis of Three Mushroom Species

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by Cynase, Version 1, October 1996.

A) Psilocybe cubensis (three different strains)
B) Paneleous cyanescens (at different drying temparatures)
C) Psilocybe cyanescens (USA and Europe species)

Section A. Psilocybe cubensis.

Psilocybe cubensis was the first halluginic mushroom introduced into Holland on a large scale. These three strains are now only some of the strains in circulation now.

Strain "SC". Orgin unknown.

		Psilocybin	Psilocin (%)
Packet 1
	Mushroom 1	0.20	0.31
	Mushroom 2	0.18	0.35
	Mushroom 3	0.22	0.31
Packet 2
	Mushroom 1	0.19	0.30
	Mushroom 2	0.25	0.18
	Mushroom 3	0.31	0.39

Notes:
The "SC" has a "woody" texture when dried. Fruit bodies are quite large. It requires a lower temperature for the spawn run (around 24 C) than the two other strains tested. It does not produce as many mushrooms as the two other strains. It also does not come in flushes as the two other strains, rather once fruiting starts, it keeps on fruiting and sometimes in big clusters. The psilocybin/psilocin content is quite consistent. Effects can include good colours for a cubensis.

Strain "EK". From Pacific Exotia Spora, Honolulu. Called "Potent Amazonian Strain."

		Psilocybin	Psilocin (%)
Packet 1
	Mushroom 1	0.31	0.28
	Mushroom 2	0.10	0.39
	Mushroom 3	0.05	0.16
Packet 2
	Mushroom 1	0.19	0.27
	Mushroom 2	0.39	0.05
	Mushroom 3	0.15	0.39

The "EK" has a round cap (before the cap is opened) with a small point on it. When it fruits, it fruits quite well. The strain stays quite stable, requiring little work to keep it consistent and strong. The mushroom is sometimes little and fat, however, the very first to fruit can be very large. A very good and reliable strain to work it. Effects are pleasant and mellow.

Strain "MS". Orgin unknown.

		Psilocybin	Psilocin (%)
Packet 1
	Mushroom 1	0.52	0.02
	Mushroom 2	0.15	0.30
	Mushroom 3	0.21	0.28
Packet 2
	Mushroom 1	0.28	0.39
	Mushroom 2	0.05	0.42
	Mushroom 3	0.09	0.29

The "MS" was the first strain of the cubensis introduced into Holland on a large scale. It is also a consitent fruiter as the "ek", fruiting in flsuhes like the "ek." However, the "ms" can be long and slim. The "ms" requires much work to keep the strain running well. Tissue transfers from the first fruitings are done for this. Of the three, the "ms" had the highest psilocybin content (0.52) seen as well as the highest psilocin content (0.39) which was seen in all of the strains here. The "ms" had the highest variations of content of all three. Effects are good, with balance problems in the first stages of the experience.

Section B. Panaleous cyanescens.

There was only one strain to test, however, the point was to see how the contents were affected by different drying methods.

		Psilocybin	Psilocin (%)
Packet 1 (dried at 36 C)
	Mushrooms 1 and 2	0.34	0.52
	Mushrooms 3 and 4	0.22	0.67
	Mushrooms 5 and 6	0.45	0.43
Packet 2 (dried at 36 C)
	Mushroom 1	0.23	0.34
	Mushroom 2	0.15	0.46
	Mushroom 3	0.21	0.22
Packet 1 (dried at 26 C, no ventilation)
	Mushroom 1	0.54	0.23
	Mushroom 2	0.63	0.13
	Mushroom 3	0.48	0.37
Packet 2 (dried at 26 C, no ventilation)
	Mushroom 1	0.62	0.18
	Mushroom 2	0.49	0.34
	Mushroom 3	0.72	0.09
Packet 1 (dried at 27 C, with ventilation)
	Mushroom 1	0.25	0.56
	Mushroom 2	0.52	0.14
	Mushroom 3	0.45	0.45
Packet 2 (dried at 27 C, with ventilation)
	Mushroom 1	0.34	0.33
	Mushroom 2	0.14	0.45
	Mushroom 3	0.51	0.27

The Panaleous cyanescens (old name Copelandia cyanescens) is somewhat more potent than Psilocybe cubensis. It also contains other alkaloids, such as serotonin. The mushrooms are about 4 to 5 cm long with grey caps. It fruits very well. The spawn run is much quicker than the cubensis, sometimes just a little longer than one week. As seen here, one must be quite careful how one dries this mushroom. The mushroom contains more water per mass than the cubensis and decomposes much quicker than the cubensis. By the results here, it appears that a good dry temperature of 26 C with no fan provides the best results. The effects of the Panaleous cyanescens are somewhat different from the cubensis. i.e., bright and more "tropical" colours are seen. However, as also seen here, content of active material can vary. Why this can occur to extremes is still unknown. Thus, one trip can be quite an experience while another one can be quite mellow.

Section C. Psilocbye cyanescens.

		Psilocybin	Psilocin (%)
USA strain, from Autumn 1994
	Mushroom 1	0.84	0.23
	Mushroom 2	0.98	0.34
	Mushroom 3	0.71	0.40
Europe strain, from Autumn 1995
	Mushroom 1	0.45	0.03
	Mushroom 2	0.33	0.04
	Mushroom 3	0.62	0.05

The USA strain was grown in Holland on a substrate of wood chips outdoors. The Europe strain was found on a wood substrate as well in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. As it can be quite clearly seen, the USA strain is more active. Effects are like the Panaleous cyanescens but with less "tropical" colours.

The Psilocybe cyanescens is one of the "big" three which decomposes wood chips, the others being Psilocybe azurenscens and Psolicybe bohemica. All three are cultivated in the same way. P. bohemica will fruit later than the other two since it requires almost freezing temperatures to start fruiting.

Created 9/26/2000 21:34:43
Modified 9/26/2000 21:39:54

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