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The world of hallucinogenic mushrooms is booming. There is a great diversity of different species that grow naturally and can also be cultivated. Each one has specific characteristics, but they all contain psilocybin, a psychedelic active principle. This substance was first isolated in 1958 by Dr. Albert Hofmann; in many countries, this substance is considered a drug and therefore illegal. Among some of these hallucinogenic mushrooms is the Psilocybe Azurescens, one of the most potent.
What is Psilocybe Azurescens?
In recent years, psilocybin has become increasingly common both recreationally and medicinally. Within the vast spectrum of magic mushrooms, the genus Psilocybe is the most popular; it contains psilocin and psilocybin, which offer hallucinogenic properties. This type is further divided into various subtypes:
- The Semilanceata
- Cyanescens
- The cubensis
- Baeocystis
- The Psilocybe Azurescens, with a much higher psilocybin content than others.
The properties of this species were discovered by mycologists Paul Stamets and Jochen Gartz in 1995. In fact, it is named Azurescens in honor of Stamets’ son, named Azureus. It grows naturally on the west coast of the United States, but due to its popularity, it has spread to Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
As for its habitat, the mushrooms grow among sand dunes in grassy clumps and on rotten wood. Additionally, Psilocybe azurescens is considered one of the most potent, containing up to 1.8% psilocybin, 0.5% psilocin, and 0.4% baeocystin of the total dry weight.
Appearance of Psilocybe Azurescens
The typical characteristics of Psilocybe azurescens are as follows:
- A cap with a diameter of 3 to 10 cm, conical in shape that extends convexly and flattens with age; hence resembling a flying saucer.
- The surface is smooth, sticky, as it is covered in a gelatinous film. It exhibits a brown to ochre-brown or caramel color, sometimes speckled with dark blue or bluish-black areas. Similarly, when damaged, it shows intense blue bruising, hence also known as ‘Blue Angel’.
- The edge is sometimes irregular and eroded when mature, initially slightly curved, then conversely flattens with maturation. The whitish stem becomes gray with moisture and measures from 9 to 20 cm long and from 3 to 6 mm wide.
How to grow Psilocybe Azurescens?
To successfully grow Psilocybe Azurescens, the cultivation method must be considered first and then drying to store them properly.
Cultivation
Psilocybe Azurescens cultivation is possible both indoors and outdoors, although indoors it is more challenging to ensure the necessary conditions for development, so most people choose to cultivate outdoors.
The best way to ensure proper development is to simulate its natural environment. To do this, use moist soil and preferably wood as well, protect them from the sun, and ensure an ideal temperature between 16 and 22°C for colonization. Then it should be maintained between 7 and 10°C until the end of cultivation and humidity of 90%.
If choosing to cultivate indoors, it is recommended to get a mycological studies kit designed for this purpose. First, place wood in a container and moisten it, then add the mushroom spores and a layer of soil on top. After the first appearance, they should be placed in the refrigerator and aerated every two days.
The steps are:
- 1. Sterilize
- 2. Inoculate
- 3. Let grow for approximately 15 days
- 4. Harvest
It is necessary to watch the mushrooms carefully and harvest them before the cap opens and the spores disperse everywhere and contaminate the mycelium. Growth is not always uniform, so the harvesting of all mushrooms will not necessarily be at the same time; the average is between 5 and 12 days.
To harvest, pinch the base of the stem and twist slightly while pulling upwards until it breaks.
Drying and storage
Once harvested, it’s time to dry the mushrooms. There are different options for this:
- The first involves placing them on a towel or cardboard in a well-ventilated place or using a fan to speed up the process. Drying can take several hours, and the room’s environmental conditions are a factor that directly determines the effectiveness of this technique.
- The second option is to use a food dehydrator, which represents a higher investment but a better quality result. This device has a heater that heats the hallucinogenic mushrooms, causing the release of moisture, and with internal fans, the hot air is dispersed to dehydrate the mushrooms. Another method is to dry them using vermiculite in a hermetic jar.
- The last involves using a desiccant like silica gel or Epsom salts, a substance aimed at absorbing moisture from the environment.
As for conservation, mushrooms are best preserved if protected from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat. In other words, magic mushrooms should be stored in a cool, dimly lit, and dry place.
