Hey friend,

Top of the mushroom to you.

Not all shrooms are created equal.

Some will launch you into the cosmos.

Others? Barely a lift-off.

I’ve made the mistake of underestimating a batch—only to be catapulted into the universe's abyss.

I’ve also had the opposite happen: expecting a wild ride and getting nothing but disappointment.

So, today, let’s cut through the guesswork.

Strain vs. Species: Know the Difference

Think of species like dog breeds.

A species is a broad category—like “dogs” (Canis lupus familiaris).

You have different breeds within that species: Labradors, Huskies, and Chihuahuas.

In the world of mushrooms:

• Psilocybe cubensis = "dogs" (the species)

I dove into different shroom species (and genera) in this newsletter.

• Golden Teacher, Penis Envy, and Tidal Wave = different strains (like dog breeds)

Each strain has unique traits—some grow taller, some mature faster, and some produce bigger mushrooms.

But at their core, they’re all still Psilocybe cubensis.

And just like a Chihuahua and a Great Dane can still interbreed, all P. cubensis strains are genetically compatible.

Strength Matters, Strains Don't

The strain you choose doesn’t dictate the trip—potency does.

Think of it like alcohol.

A glass of wine, a shot of whiskey, and a can of beer all contain the same active ingredient: ethanol.

The difference? Strength.

A shot of whiskey is more potent than a beer, so you need less to feel the effects.

Same with Psilocybe cubensis strains.

They all contain the same active compounds (psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, etc.).

The only difference is how much of those compounds are in the strain.

So when choosing a strain, don’t ask, “What effects will it have?”

Ask, “How strong is it, and how much should I take?”

Now, let’s dive into some of the most common Psilocybe cubensis strains—their potency, what makes them unique, and how to dose them wisely.

9 Shroom Strains

Starting from average to highest potency:

Average

9) B+

One of the most classic cubensis strains for beginner growers. If you're diving into the magic mushroom world, you’ll run into this one often.

Allegedly developed in the ’90s by a cultivator known as “Mr. G,” B+ is known for producing some of the biggest mushrooms out there.

As for the name? Some say it’s a friendly reassurance to new psychedelic explorers—like a B+ grade, meaning “good but not too intense.”

Others believe it refers to its beautiful, bodacious fruiting bodies.

Either way, it’s a staple in the psychedelic scene.

Potency: Average (0.59% psilocybin, 0.11% psilocin, and 0.73% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.15 – 0.5g
• Moderate: 2.0 – 3.5g
• Strong: 3.5 – 5g+

8) Golden Teacher

There’s something special about the Golden Teacher.

This strain is an ode to simplicity. It’s one of the most common and sought-after strains out there, and for good reason.

It's easy to grow, quick to fruit, and abundant—it produces a lot of mushrooms in one flush.

The Golden Teacher is the perfect balance of reliability and potency, making it a go-to for many.

Potency: Average (0.66% psilocybin, 0.05% psilocin, and 0.73% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.1 – 0.5g
• Moderate: 2.0 – 3.5g
• Strong: 3.5 – 5g+

7) Jedi Mind Fuck

Despite its name, Jedi Mind Fuck (JMF) sits around average potency.

I had to include it because, let’s face it, the name is funny and makes you wonder where the hell it came from.

I had the pleasure of becoming a Jedi apprentice a few months back. Quite the initiation.

Potency: Average (0.50% psilocybin, 0.04% psilocin, and 0.64% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.1 – 0.5g
• Moderate: 2 – 3.5g
• Strong: 3.5 – 5g+

Above Average

6) True Albino Teacher

This strain is essentially the albino version of the legendary Golden Teacher.

Unlike typical mushrooms, true albinos lack all pigment—both in their flesh and spores.

The only color they develop? That deep blue bruising, a telltale sign of psilocybin and psilocin at work.

Potency: Above average (0.81% psilocybin, 0.06% psilocin, and 0.87% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.15 – 0.4g
• Moderate: 1 – 2g
• Strong: 3 – 5g+

5) Yeti

Discovered by mycologist Jik Fibs, the Yeti is a direct descendant of the True Albino Teacher (TAT).

But here’s the kicker—it hits even harder than TAT.

And despite being a true albino, its caps develop a faint goldish-yellow tinge, almost like a nod to its legendary Golden Teacher lineage.

Potency: Above average (0.88% psilocybin, 0.13% psilocin, and 1.56% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.1 – 0.3g
• Moderate: 1 – 2g
• Strong: 2.5 – 4g+

4) Enigma

The Enigma strain is, well… an enigma.

It doesn’t produce traditional mushrooms at all. Instead, it forms dense, truffle-like growths that are packed with psilocybin.

Now, when I say "truffle-like," don't mistake it for the true psilocybin truffles you find in Europe (legal in places like the Netherlands).

It takes up to four months to mature, and here's the kicker: the longer it grows, the stronger it gets.

Potency: Above average (0.76% psilocybin, 0.07% psilocin, and 0.88% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.1 – 0.3g
• Moderate: 1.0 – 2.5g
• Strong: 2.5 – 3.5g+

Very Potent

3) Casper

The Casper strain is rumored to be a cross between Makshack and Albino Penis Envy (APE).

Its name comes from its thick, whitish-grey stalks and chubby caps, giving it a ghostly, otherworldly look.

But don’t let the name fool you… Casper isn’t always a friendly ghost.

It’s potent—so tread carefully.

Potency: High (1.51% psilocybin, 0.08% psilocin, and 1.79% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.02 – 0.1g
• Moderate: 0.5 – 1.0g
• Strong: 1.5 – 3.5g

2) Penis Envy

Named for its—let’s say—distinct shape. The cap stays close to the stem, giving it a, well... circumcised look.

One of the most potent Psilocybe cubensis strains.

Even at tiny doses, it hits hard.

Legend has it that Terence and Dennis McKenna discovered this strain in Colombia in the early 1970s, deep in the Amazon, on their quest for psychoactive fungi.

Since then, Penis Envy has built a reputation as one of the strongest and most sought-after strains out there.

Potency: High (0.94% psilocybin, 0.16% psilocin, and 1.13% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.025 – 0.1g
• Moderate: 0.5 – 1.0g
• Strong: 1.5 – 3.5g

1) Tidal Wave

Tidal Wave is a powerhouse, born from cross breeding the popular B+ strain and the heavy-hitting Penis Envy.

As the name suggests, it doesn’t just make a splash—it hits HARD.

This strain isn’t just known for its potency; it's also earned accolades, winning awards at the Oakland Psilocybin Cup.

During testing, its total tryptamine content—that’s the group of alkaloids like psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin—was measured, and the results were mind-blowing: 3.82% total tryptamines.

That's more than three times the average!

If you’re considering taking it, proceed with caution. Walk before you run, and learn to swim before you try to surf this wave.

Potency: High (0.87% psilocybin, 0.27% psilocin, and 1.17% total tryptamines)

Dosage

• Microdose: 0.03 – 0.15g
• Moderate: 0.5 – 1.2g
• Strong: 2.0 – 3.0g+

Final Thoughts

When choosing a strain, the real question isn’t “What effects will it have?”

It’s “How potent is it, and how much should I take?”

At the end of the day, set, setting, and dosage shape the experience far more than the name on the bag.

This applies to both full trips and microdosing.

With stronger strains, even tiny adjustments in dose can make a big difference—one that you might not have been prepared for—so precision matters.

Now, I’m curious… Have you tried any of these strains? Which one stood out to you the most?

Hit reply and let me know—I read every message.

Your fun-guy,

Onjae

P.S. If you're looking for mushrooms for your microdose and/or macrodose needs, you can find all of my personally vetted online vendors inside my Psychedelic Sourcing Bundle!