Psilocybe Azurescens: The “Flying Saucer” Shrooms

Psilocybe Azurescens often known as the Blue Angel or the Flying Saucer shrooms, is a tiny yet potently hallucinogenic fungus.

Psilocybe cubensis is, of course, the most well-known hallucinogenic mushroom. There are several strains, most of which are reasonably easy to produce. Because proper indoor conditions are difficult to maintain and yields are low, Psilocybe azurescens is less popular among mushroom producers.

Although far more difficult to cultivate, Psilocybe azurescens is clearly more powerful than your standard P.cubensis strain.

This page will go into the history and origins of this powerful shroom, as well as where it grows, what it looks like, and how effective it is.

What Are Psilocybe Azurescens Mushrooms?

Psilocybe azurescens is native to a small area of North America and thrives in coastal surroundings; the mushrooms can be found growing amid sand dunes, within clumps of grass, and on rotting wood.

This species appears to be a hybrid of Psilocybe cyanescens and Psilocybe allenii. The mushrooms have a caramel-colored cap with a broad saucer-like form on top and a noticeable nipple, so the name “Flying Saucer.”

This is an extremely powerful mushroom species capable of producing strong psychedelic effects such as tremendous surges of energy and pleasure as well as vivid closed and open-eye visuals. This is not for the faint of heart and should be approached with caution.

Psilocybe azurescens growing indoors might be difficult. These shrooms have a distinct habitat in the wild and require a highly optimized growth environment to thrive.

Because of the issues connected with indoor growing, most individuals choose to grow Psilocybe azurescens mushrooms outside.

This species has a brief history, but we do know when and where it was first discovered. Let’s look at the history and genesis of this strong psilocybin species.

The History & Origins of Psilocybe Azurescens

Psilocybe azurescens has a relatively short history. Unlike other species, such as Psilocybe mexicana, which has been used for thousands of years, P. azurescens was discovered in 1979.

In 1979, a party of Boy Scouts camping along the Columbia River Delta in Oregon discovered this shroom. Some of the Boy Scouts are said to have taken the mushrooms and experienced their powerful psychedelic effects. However, there is very little material, if any, to back up this story.

Local foragers certainly discovered them sooner than this, but they were probably toxic and inedible until much later.P. azurescens may have slipped under the radar since it was known as Psilocybe cyanescens var. “Astoria Ossip” and/or Psilocybe astoriensis.

What we do know is that the strong effects of this species were discovered in 1995 when mycologists Paul Stamets and Jochen Gartz studied its properties. Among other things, scientists observed that this species’ psilocybin levels were exceptionally high. They were also given the honor of naming the species.

Psilocybe azurescens was named by Stamets and Gartz after Paul Stamets’ son Azureus. This dedicated mycologist’s son was appropriately called “Azure” – the hue that psilocybin-containing mushrooms take on when bruised.

Where Does Psilocybe Azurescens Grow?

Psilocybe azurescens is found natively in just a few regions in North America, including California, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.

The tiny natural range of this Psilocybe species is certainly fascinating, and it has sparked some questions as to whether it is indigenous to these countries. P.azurescens may have “migrated” downstream on the Columbia River from old-growth woods further upriver, according to Paul Stamets.

Its relatively restricted natural distribution may contribute to its difficulty in cultivating in artificial growth settings. However, it appears that the species is gradually expanding across the United States and Canada.

According to claims on internet forums, Psilocybe azurescens is expanding to states such as Idaho and Colorado. This might be due to the species’ artificial introduction via outdoor cultivation.

Psilocybe Azurescens Habitat

Naturally, Psilocybe azurescens prefers coastal habitats. They can be found on coastal dunes, along the boundaries of coastal woods, and within clumps of dune grass (Ammophila maritima).

They are also fond of wood and may be seen on washed-up driftwood on the dunes or inland on deciduous deadwood, as well as deciduous wood chips and trash.

This species, like other wood-loving fungus, has a large mycelium network that moves fast over sandy soils and decomposes woody waste. During fruiting, this mycelium expanse can generate multiple dense clusters of mushrooms scattered across a vast region.

Psilocybe azurescens mushrooms can resist temperatures as low as 25°F (-4°C) and grow later in the season than other psilocybin mushroom species.

Depending on the location of the colony, fruiting can begin as early as September and finish as late as January. Realated post : Click here to read more on psilocybin mushroom cultivation

How to Identify Psilocybe Azurescens

Psilocybe azurescens is a reasonably simple organism to identify. This species is also known as Blue Angel because when injured, the stem becomes a vibrant blue. This is useful for individuals who desire to identify it; nonetheless, you cannot rely just on this component.

The crown of Psilocybe azurescens is caramel-colored and darkens when moist. The cap is 3-10 cm in diameter and is conical when young, becoming more convex and saucer-shaped as it matures. When the mushroom begins to sporulate, it will frequently flatten out entirely.

Regardless of how young or developed the fruiting body is, a distinct nipple may be observed at the top of the cap. The cap is shiny, smooth, and nearly sticky to the touch, especially when wet. When carefully divided, you’ll see a thick gelatinous pellicle (basically a layer of transparent slime).

The flesh on the margins of the caps is thinner — there is a line through the flesh at the base of the cap where the gills connect. This line is usually blue and darker than the rest of the cap.

The gills are partially obscured by a veil while the mushrooms are young. This white veil is composed of tiny, stringy strands that resemble a spider’s web. This veil melts away as the cap grows, leaving little indication of its existence behind. Its stem frequently bears a bluish-purple line where the veil was originally attached.

Stem of Psilocybe azurescens is nine to twenty cm long and 3-6 mm broad. The stem is white to creamy-yellow when dried. When moist or mature, it takes on a gray or brown hue. Splitting the stem reveals it to be fibrous and stringy.

The base of the stem is thicker where it links to the mycelium, but the bulk of its length is of equal thickness. Within five to ten minutes, if you lightly press the stem up its length, it should become blue in places.

P.azurescens, like other Psilocybe species, has a purple-black spore print. However, in other situations, this might appear more brown. If the physical identifying criteria match and the spore print is black or brown with blue-purple colors, the mushroom is most likely Psilocybe azurescens.

Remember, never eat a wild mushroom if you are doubtful of its identification. If you want to identify edible and hallucinogenic fungi precisely and confidently, you should get a decent mushroom ID book and/or go foraging with an experienced acquaintance.

The Potency of Psilocybe Azurescens

Psilocybe azurescens is a well-known psilocybin mushroom. According to the 1995 article by Paul Stamets and Johan Garts, this Psilocybe species may generate a psilocybin content of up to 1.80% with an average dry-weight psilocybin percentage of 1.10%.

If you’re wondering how potent 1.80% psilocybin makes this species, let me tell you: it’s quite potent. To put this in context, the typical strain has about 0.42% psilocybin.

One gram of dried Psilocybe azurescens may be equivalent to 3.5 grams of Psilocybe cubens in terms of efficacy.This is a dangerous species that should not be underestimated. It’s definitely one for the more experienced psychonauts out there, and it’s not for the inexperienced.

The effects are supposed to be very visual and spiritual, with an extremely strong come-up. People who have tried this shroom claim that it is on another level and can blow your head.

Due to how potent Psilocybe azurescens is, the dosages are different from your average magic mushroom.

As little as one gram of dried shrooms can be enough to notice some considerably potent psychedelic effects. This species is around four times as strong as your average P.cubensis strain, so great care must be taken when you consume a dose. You definitely don’t want to be chowing down on 3.5 grams or more for your first trip.

If you’ve used Psilocybe cubensis strains like Golden Teacher mushroom before, you should be able to estimate how much dry weight is required to create the desired effects. With this in mind, divide your typical cube dose by four while taking P.azurescens.

Psilocybe azurescens dosages are approximate:

• Mild Dose: 0.5 grams or less
• Medium Dose: 0.5 – 1.0 grams
• Potent Dose: 1.0 – 2.0 grams
• Heroic Dose: 2.0 grams or more

The precise amount required to generate the desired benefits may vary based on your tolerance, experience, body weight, and metabolism.

It’s crucial to gradually increase your intake of any magic mushroom. It’s especially critical for Psilocybe azurescens. Remember, you can always take more, but not less. Click here for a complete guide on how to dose psychedelic mushrooms.

Can You Microdose Psilocybe Azurescens Mushrooms?

I wouldn’t suggest these for microdosing mushrooms due to their incredible potency. Because a single mushroom might cause a trip, it’s incredibly difficult to split the shrooms into sub-perceptual dosages.

A microdose is one-tenth of a standard psychedelic dose.

Most individuals ingest 50-100 mg of dried mushrooms every 3 to 5 days for microdosing. Using a powerful shroom like P.azurescens is a dangerous business; instead, choose a mild to moderate strain of Psilocybe cubensis.

People frequently microdose psilocybin to boost mood, attention, stress relief, and creative thought processes.

If you prefer to microdose psilocybin-containing mushrooms, do it in a controlled setting. Psilocybin is a psychoactive chemical, and if you overestimate your microdose, you may become impaired.

How Can Psilocybe Azurescens be Consumed?

Psilocybe azurescens can be ingested similarly to other psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Of course, regardless of the approach, you must be cautious with your doses.

Shrooms can be consumed in a variety of ways. You may consume them fresh or dried, or you can make beverages, meals, or capsules out of them.

Simply add chopped dry mushrooms to freshly boiled water to create tea. Allow the brew to steep for about 20 minutes before straining. When compared to ingesting raw mushrooms, magic mushroom tea delivers a faster onset of effects and a stronger come-up.

For more tips, read our detailed guide on making shroom tea or read more on the best way to eat shrooms

Dried magic mushrooms may also be powdered and utilized in a variety of ways. For people who dislike the flavor of magic mushrooms, putting the powder into capsules is an excellent option. Because of the power of Psilocybe azurescens, it’s also a terrific way to consume it. A single hallucinogenic dosage may easily fit within an average-sized pill.

Cooking with mushroom powder is another option. You can prepare a broad variety of edibles, but it’s crucial to know how to use shrooms in cooking since psilocybin can decay when heated.

Psilocybe azurescens has hazards, just like any other drug.

The most obvious danger is taking on too much. You cannot overdose on psilocybin mushrooms, but you can have a negative experience. Because of its otherworldly power, Psilocybe azurescens makes this significantly simpler.

Excessive psilocybin usage can cause unpleasant delirium, intense nausea, vomiting, and an overall miserable experience. When dosing this mushroom, use caution. I stated it before, but don’t underestimate the power of this shroom – it’s on a different level than your usual magical mushroom.

Another concern related to Psilocybe azurescens is something a bit weird, a rare but well-documented occurrence known as “Wood Lovers Paralysis” (WLP).

WLP can develop one to three hours after consuming Psilocybe mushrooms that grow on wood. There is presently no explanation for why this occurs, however, it is commonly discussed on psychedelic-related communities like Shroomery.

Muscle weakness and lack of motor control are symptoms of Wood Lovers paralysis. This might extend from a few hours to far into the next day. WLP’s effects should not be confused with those of a strong psilocybin trip. Even at modest dosages, WLP can occur.

There is no solid explanation for why this may happen, but the most plausible and credible notion is that a molecule called aeruginascin is to blame. This chemical is highly close to psilocybin and may undergo a similar transformation to psilocybin.

If this is correct, the aeruginascin molecule will lose a methyl group and transform into bufotenine, a chemical present in toad venom that causes paralysis.

Wood Lovers Paralysis does not affect everyone, and it does not appear to be lethal, but it can create fear and anxiety, as well as send you sliding into a horrible trip.

Can Psilocybe azurescens be Cultivated?

Simply build a tiny framed bed and fill it with substrate – beech chips, Alder chips, or any deciduous wood-based substrate is good. For this procedure, you may even use a cardboard box full of substrate.

The substrate must be spore-inoculated and kept wet and dark. A dark yet breathable membrane covering the box or bed will assist in managing moisture and keep the developing mycelium out of the light. To maintain moisture levels, you may need to spray the substrate from time to time.

The possibility of contamination is always present when using this approach, but Psilocybe azurescens is quite hard, and many individuals have had tremendous success with outdoor growing.

If your substrate has successfully colonized, you may open the container and expose it to sunshine. The fruiting bodies will develop during the next few months. Harvest them as they develop, leaving a few to die naturally at the end of the season.

If properly cared for, the colony can live for several years and produce two to three flushes every year. Allowing a couple of mushrooms to sporulate at the end of each year will result in the colony growing and generating larger amounts of organically grown shrooms.

Is Psilocybe azurescens Legal?

Psilocybin is the active hallucinogenic chemical found in Psilocybe azurescens.

Psilocybin’s beneficial properties are becoming more apparent as research demonstrates its potential for application in therapy and medicine. However, in most nations, this chemical is still banned.

Psilocybin is a restricted drug in all nations except Jamaica, the Netherlands, and Brazil.

In Australia and the bulk of Europe, psilocybin is a restricted substance, and the penalties for possession may be as harsh as those for cocaine, heroin, and amphetamine.The only exception is Holland (the Netherlands). Magic mushrooms are prohibited in our country, but psilocybin truffles are not.

Psilocybin is still prohibited in Canada. However, the country is at the forefront of scientific study into psilocybin and the sanctions are significantly more lenient.

Magic mushrooms are frequently available for purchase at low-key dispensaries around the country. The sale of these illegal mushrooms is seldom stopped by the police, and it is believed that the sale, possession, and use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms will be legalized in Canada shortly.

Psilocybin is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States of America. This classifies magic mushrooms among LSD, heroin, and MDMA. It’s also banned in most states, however, a few have changed their laws to accommodate the chemical.

Psilocybin has been decriminalized in the states of Colorado, Oregon, and Washington DC. There are other regions in California where individuals can lawfully utilize magic mushrooms under local legislation. More states in the United States are gradually loosening their restrictions. Read more info on where you can legally buy magic mushrooms.

Summary: A Highly Potent Psilocybe Species

Overall, this is an unusual species. Little is known about its history, although it is one of the world’s most powerful psilocybin-containing mushroom species. It might be difficult to identify and cultivate, yet a single shroom can transport you to another realm.

This species has a very limited natural distribution and is only found in a few states in North America. It is like wood and lives near a body of water. Unfortunately, cultivating shrooms indoors is tough due to the difficulties connected with producing an optimal growth environment, but it is feasible to acquire shrooms for years if you do it outside.