Melmac Mushroom

These alien like Melmac mushrooms are a strain of magic mushroom that was developed by mycologists after years of careful breeding in a lab. They offer all the usual effects you would expect from any Psilocybe mushroom.

Melmac mushrooms are subspecies of the well-known Penis Envy mushrooms, which are highly sought after very potent. Penis Envy shrooms are known for their distinctively curved form and peculiar development patterns...and they kinda they look like dicks...

Some claim that Melmac mushrooms are even more similar to the original traditional Penis Envy mushrooms, which was made available to mycologists worldwide in the 1970s.

The names Melmac Penis Envy, Melmac Penis Envy mushrooms, and Homestead Penis Envy mushrooms have been given to these  strange lab made fungus.

Why Homestead? Because thats the group of myco-aficionados that bred the melmac mushroom strain.

Melmac Mushroom History

Terrence McKenna is to be credited with popularising the fungus that would later be known as Penis Envy. In case you don't know, Terrence McKenna was an American philosopher, psychonaut, ethnobotanist, lecturer, writer and psychoactive mushrooms enthusiast.

He is best known for his ideas on the nature of reality, the human condition, and the use of psychedelics as a means of exploring consciousness. He was a popular public speaker and writer, and his work continues to inspire new generations of thinkers and explorers.

He's the guy that came up with the Stoned Ape Theory, which proposes that the consumption of psychedelic substances by early human ancestors played a significant role in the development of human consciousness and culture.

According to legend, McKenna took spore samples from a unique psilocybe in the Amazon Rainforest. After sending a few samples home, the genetics from the wild original penis envy spores were able to be stabilized in a lab. Other mycologists later cultured and multiplied these spores.

Rich Gee (Richard Guitierrez) is credited with creating the modern Penis Envy strain. Hamilton Morris does a fantastic job breaking done the story in this segment...

A business by the name of Homestead started tinkering with the Penis Envy mushroom's initial genetics in the 1980s.

They ultimately produced a variety that was so distinctive that they chose to name it Melmac (a nod to the alien Alf, in the 80s TV show).

Melmac mushroom Potency

Some strains and species regularly generate more substantial levels of psilocybin than others. Penis Envy mushrooms routinely rank among the strongest Psilocybe cubensis.

The same goes for their close cousin Melmac mushrooms - they are typically a very potent mushroom.

They are not recommended for first time users and can easily surprise even the most experienced psychonaut.

Melmac Mushroom Effects

Similar to other Psilocybe mushrooms, Melmac mushrooms contain psilocybin, the main hallucinogenic ingredient in magic mushrooms. The human body converts psilocybin into psilocin, which is responsible for the a psychedelic trip which other magic mushrooms produce.

With Melmac mushrooms, users report intense visuals and incredible euphoria. The high is reported to be very uplifting and energetic. They are regarded as one of the most pleasant magic mushrooms.

Anecdotally, the mushroom delivers a more unified experience to the user, providing some kind of rationality to the trip.

As with all magic mushroom varieties, the experience may be accompanied by nausea, anxiety and discomfort—things that are exacerbated by unpleasant surroundings / poor set and setting.

Melmac Mushroom Experiences

You can read about peoples personal experiences online. Here are a couple of extracts from around the web: 

"At first I saw the wall melting like usual and then I saw the Ceiling starts dancing at first the outline looked like small animals but after they look dinosaurs and then started moving super fast like in a circle. Now my walls have started to form pattern like shapes but they were moving super fast than everything slowed down. (I have really high windows and the sun was out) and it created this beautiful rainbow light my I never seen before it and I started to hear noises it sounds it like when the zombies invade you in plants vs zombies.That was just the come up and for next couple hours I saw translucent rainbow shapes flying everywhere especially where there was a light source it kinda looked metallic"

https://www.reddit.com/r/shrooms/comments/yanolm/trip_report_on_the_17_grams_of_melmac_revert/

"At this point I could have been hallucinating, but I didn't notice because my head was basically looking at the floor while on the floor. And I was so enveloped in the emotion. So overpowered by the emotion, crying and stuff.  1 hour and 44 minutes in, this is the biggest peak I've had. The ego will claw until it can't. It will fight, fight, fight. That's what it is."

https://www.actualized.org/forum/topic/53962-2nd-psychedelic-trip-report-on-15g-of-psilocybin-magic-mushrooms/

Melmac Mushrooms look and Variations

Melmacs resemble the classic Penis Envy magic mushrooms in terms of overall form and curvature, but they differ from the original Penis Envy mushrooms in that they have bent stems and waved crowns.

The curved head and bent stems of Melmac mushrooms make them easily identifiable.

Melmacs bruise easily and become blue, a characteristic shared by many hallucinogenic mushrooms. Psilocybin, which becomes blue with oxidation, is indicated by the blue hue.

Many mushroom strains have the same general appearance and have about the same strength as any other Psilocybe cubensis specimens. But there are exceptions. Melmac and other Penis Envy mushrooms reliably produce fruiting bodies with characteristic shapes, and are reliably more potent.

Penis Envy Uncut and Albino Penis Envy (APE) are two additional well-liked variations. Penis Envy and PF Albino were crossed to produce albino Penis Envy mushrooms. APEs are supposed to be highly powerful, much like Melmacs.

This is what Albino Penis Envy look like: 

Melmac mushroom Dosage

The most crucial thing to realize when considering Melmac dosage is that these mushrooms are potent.

As always, the general rule is to "start low, go slow," especially for individuals with no prior psychedelic exposure.

Each person will have a different experience with magic mushrooms. In addition to the set and environment, your own body chemistry will have an influence on the experience.

For a full breakdown of dosage, check out this article here.

Microdose: .1g - .35g

Microdosing can be for exploring improved focus, creativity, or relief from depression and anxiety. Microdoses are so small that psychedelic effects won’t be felt. Instead, the sub-hallucinogenic dose works over time, sometimes taking several weeks to realize benefits.

Low Or Mini-Dose: .35g - .5g

Helpful to experience the threshold of a shroom trip, although this is a microdose for some. If you are new to psychedelics, trying out new strains, or are sensitive, this is a helpful "getting to know psychedelics" zone.

Museum Dose: .5g - 1g

Around 1 gram of mushrooms is termed Museum Dose,  coined by prolific chemist Alexander Shulgin. This range is ideal for feeling the effects of mushrooms while functioning in the world. A popular choice for concerts, walks in nature, socializing, biking, or art galleries.

Moderate Dose: 1.25g - 2.5g

For a first-timer, this is our recommended dose. This can be light and fun or get pretty deep. Proper set and setting are essential from this range and upwards. An ability to interact with people and your surroundings will likely be maintained here.

Macrodose: 3g - 5g

Above three grams will be a powerful psychedelic experience for most people. Without an experienced sitter, this should be left to experienced trippers and should be in a safe space with people you trust. Be prepared to disconnect from “normal” reality in this territory.

High Dose / Heroic Dose: 5+G

The legendary psychonaut Terence McKenna coined the heroic dose. This is a high dose.  This shouldn't be attempted without significant psychedelic experience and a willingness to work with whatever the mushrooms show you.

Melmac mushroom cultivation

Melmac mushrooms thrive in settings that resemble subtropical environments as Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms originate from subtropical regions of the planet.

Melmac's mushrooms thrive on grains, bovine and horse manure, and enriched soils, same as many other Psilocybe cubensis species.

Because they are reasonably simple to cultivate, Psilocybe cubensis strains are a favourite among growers. This is also true with melmac mushrooms, which have a reputation for aggressive colonisation and high yields under the right growth circumstances.

This breed often yields medium-sized mushrooms with thick, robust stems that are aesthetically pleasing. Melmac caps frequently crack at the edges and It sporulates moderately.

Check out this Reddit thread for a discussion about cultivation of Melmac mushrooms.

Melmac Mushroom Spores

Even when fully grown, penis envy mushrooms are known for generating very few spores. Mycologists gather spores from the mushrooms using a swab and start the cultivation procedure on agar plates rather than making spore prints.

Spores from the Melmac mushroom are dark purple.

Where to buy Melmac Mushrooms Spores

Melmac mushroom spores are available for purchase online in a variety of formats. You may get liquid cultures (spore syringes), spore swabs, cultures on agar plates, and even colonised grain in bags.

Spores are frequently legal to buy for "microscope purposes," but if they start to germinate or are used in any other way to grow mushrooms, they are no longer lawful.

Our favourite store to buy from is sporeslab.io

Are Melmac Mushrooms legal?

Most nations forbid the possession of enigma mushrooms. There are several exceptions.

Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms are permitted in Jamaica.

In the Bahamas psilocybin mushrooms are also legal to grow and sell—though psilocybin itself is a controlled substance.

While the possession of magic mushrooms is still illegal in the United States, a number of states have decriminalized their use for medicinal purposes. As public attitudes towards psychedelics continue to evolve, it is likely that more countries will follow suit and begin to legalize the use of magic mushrooms.

Denver was the first city in 2019 to decriminalize mushrooms. Oakland was the second city in less than a month that decriminalized the use of mushrooms. This doesn’t mean that shrooms are now legal. However, the city cannot spend its resources to impose criminal charges on people who possess them.

For a full breakdown of legal status, check this resource. 

Where to buy Melmac Mushrooms?

Tons of place online sell Melmac mushrooms. If you live in Canada, check out Blue Goba. If you live in the US, you'll have to do a bit more digging.

Remember, they are illegal and these sites are operating in the grey market. Use caution.

Final Thoughts

Melmac mushrooms are popular among mycologists and consumers alike due to their potency and distinctive morphological qualities.

Be aware of the potency of Melmac mushrooms and respect these shrooms if you ever decide to use them for an experience.

As with other magic mushrooms, be cautious and respectful - do your research and prepare accordingly. 

As always, the recommendation is to start with a low dose and make sure you have a proper set and setting.

If you're interested in reading more about other types of magic mushroom, we built this strain library in partnership with some of the top grey market suppliers and mycologists in the country. It’s the result of hundreds of hours of labor, years of experience and the generosity of many many experts in the field. Continuously evolving and 100% free to use.

If you're planning a trip and want some guidance on what the ideal dose is, check out our shroom dosage calculator and this handy guide.