Which psychedelic mushrooms are most potent?

There are hundreds of types of magic mushrooms, each with their own potency levels. 

The potency level will have a big impact on the experience. The stronger, the more intense. 

So before taking magic mushrooms, always consider the potency of your stash. Start low and go slow—take a little and wait an hour or more to observe how they effect you.

NOTE: there are other things that can affect trip intensity - consumption method, preparation (Are you lemon tekking with lemon juice?), are they dried mushrooms or fresh mushrooms?

See our magic mushroom dose guide for more on how to dose correctly to get the experience you want. 

Why do shrooms have different potencies?

Psilocybin and psilocin levels, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, determine the potency and trip intensity.

The more psilocybin and psilocin, the more Intense psychedelic effects, which can include altered perception of time and space, visual hallucinations, and profound changes in mood and thought.

Psilocybin and psilocin content vary by species, and depending on growing conditions, mushrooms of the same species can also differ in potency. 

There is also debate around the entourage effect of other alkaloids in magic mushrooms - besides psilocybin and psilocin, norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin can also be present, which are thought to modify the effects of magic mushrooms. These also vary wildly between species and within the same species. 

Dosage vs. potency: Which affects magic mushroom trips more?

Magic mushroom trips are difficult to quantify.

Mushroom potency and dosage affect your psychedelic experience.

Instead of "doubling" your high, two grammes of mushrooms may exponentially increase it.

The same goes for potency—taking a mushroom with double the quantity of psilocybin or psilocin can make the trip considerably more powerful.

When consuming magic mushrooms, set (mood) and setting—your mentality and surroundings—are also crucial. Regardless of strength or dosage, shrooms with close friends in nature are a different experience than magic mushrooms with strangers at a party.

It is important to note that consuming magic mushrooms can have both positive and negative effects, and should only be done in a safe and controlled environment with proper preparation and precautions.

Strongest Magic Mushroom Species

Psilocybin and psilocin levels vary in hundreds of shroom varieties. 

Eleven of the most potent magic mushrooms are listed below.

Flying Saucers (psilocybe azurescens)

This potent psychedelic mushroom is found in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.  They are thought to be named after Azureus, the son of famous mycologist Paul Stamets.

It is one of the most potent species of magic mushrooms, with levels of psilocybin and psilocin that can be up to three times higher than other common species like Psilocybe cubensis.

Psilocybe azurescens, otherwise known as Azzies, are little with pointed tips and hat-like caps. They grow naturally in the coastal dune grasses and forests. They have a distinct appearance, with a caramel-brown colored cap that can grow up to 10cm (4 inches) in diameter, and a stem that is typically 10-15cm (4-6 inches) tall.

When injured or old, they become blue, like many psilocybe species.

Blue meanies (Panaeolus cyanescens)

There are few psychedelic mushrooms as strong as Blue Meanies - they are Famous for being one of the most potent shrooms in the world.

Reports have suggested that blue meanie mushrooms are about two to three times stronger than regular Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms.

However, there’s little scientific evidence to support this claim. 

Blue meanies have really high concentrations of psilocin but a surprisingly small concentration of psilocybin.  The high levels of psilocin in blue meanie mushrooms might cause their effects to come surprisingly quickly.

They’re unique in that they belong to a different genus of magic mushrooms compared to Psilocybe cubensis or Psilocybe semilanceata.

Panaeolus cyanescens is native to tropical climates, including Hawaii, Australia, and South America, and it is often found growing in grassy areas or on decomposing organic matter. The caps of the mushrooms are usually small, ranging from 1-3 cm (0.4-1.2 inches) in diameter, and are a brownish-grey color when mature. The gills of the mushroom are typically dark in color and can appear almost black when the mushroom is mature.

Read more here.

Liberty Caps (psilocybe semilanceata)

Liberty Caps (Psilocybe semilanceata) are small, powerful, and pointed. They thrive in moist, grassy areas in cold to temperate countries like the Pacific Northwest and the British Isles.

It's one of Europe's oldest and most well known magic mushrooms.

They are one of the most widely distributed and abundant species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms in the world.

They typically grow in grassy areas, such as meadows, pastures, and lawns, and are especially common in areas where cattle or other livestock graze. The caps of these mushrooms are typically small, measuring less than 2 centimeters in diameter, and are a yellowish-brown or light brown color. The stems are slender and can grow up to 10 centimeters in length.

Read more here.

P. Subs (psilocybe subaeruginosa)

Found natively in Australia and New Zealand, P. Subs are thought to be one of the most potent of the psilocybes.

Psilocybe subaeruginosa typically grows in wood chips, soil, and other organic matter, often in urban areas. It has a distinctive appearance, with a brown or yellowish-brown cap that can grow up to 10 centimeters in diameter and a slender stem that can reach up to 12 centimeters in height.

Recognizable with their wide pointy caps, the mushroom is thought to have become popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s with Australian surfers, and spread around the world through hippie counterculture thereafter.

Read more here.

Psilocybe cyanescens - Wavy Caps

A potent type of magic mushroom with a distinctive looking “wavy” cap.

In the UK, they also go by the name “blueleg brownie mushrooms” because of their blue bruising on the stem and the brown color of their cap. 

Wavy cap mushrooms grow in a lot of countries including America, Canada, many parts of Europe and Australia. They can be found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and the San Francisco Bay Area. They’re also found in Western Europe, Central Europe, parts of Western Asia, and New Zealand. 

 Read more here.

Psilocybe Weraroa

Psilocybe weraroa (formerly Weraroa novae-zelandiae) is a secotioid fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. Secotioid means that the cap doesn’t open. 

They're also known as "Blue Leg" or "Weraroa Blue Leg." This rare mushroom can only be found in New Zealand. They're found growing in the grasslands and pastures of the country's North Island.

Anecdotally, it is as potent as P. subaeruginosa and P. azurescens, which makes sense considering their close relationship, especially the former.

Psilocybe weraroa magic mushrooms typically have a blue-gray or bluish-green coloration on their stems, which gives them their distinctive common name. The caps of these mushrooms are small, typically measuring less than 2 centimeters in diameter, and are a pale brown or tan color.

Penis Envy (psilocybe cubensis)

Penis envy are highly sought after by many users due to its potency and unique appearance. It is a member of the Psilocybe cubensis species, which is one of the most common and widely cultivated species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms.

The Penis Envy strain is believed to have been developed through selective breeding and is known for its distinctive appearance, which includes a thick, bulbous stem and a small, rounded cap. The name "Penis Envy" comes from the mushroom's phallic shape.

Penis Envy mushrooms are highly potent and are reported to produce more intense and longer-lasting psychedelic experiences compared to other strains of Psilocybe cubensis.

PE crosses, including Albino Penis Envy (APE), are widespread since PE is so popular.

Read more here.

Tidal Wave 2

The Tidal Wave variety has gained significant notoriety after a grower named "Magic Myco" submitted his isolation of Tidal Wave (Tidal Wave 2) to the "Psilocybin Cup" In the 2021 (Oakland Hyphae Psilocybin Cup). 

These are cultivated mushrooms - you won't find tidal wave growing in the wild.

The “Tidal Wave” strain was created by Doma, founder of Magic Myco, who crossed B+ and Penis Envy strains. “Tidal Wave” is reported to be a fast and easy fruiting cubensis that resists contamination. 

Tidal Wave 2 took home first place after the sample was tested for an astounding 3.82% total alkaloid, with 2.26% Psilocybin and 1.56% Psilocin.

For context, previous testing had placed the average cubensis mushroom at between 0.6 to 0.8% tryptamine content.

Enigma (Psilocybe Cubensis)

The Enigma Psilocybe Cubensis is an especially interesting variety, as it does not produce mushroom fruiting bodies, but instead produces a blob-like mycelial formation that somewhat resembles a brain. 

It’s a mutant form of Psilocybe cubensis. The Enigma mutation was first observed in a Pe/B+ hybrid, however there are now Enigma-like mutations that have been observed in many varieties, including Tidal Wave and Mazatepec. 

Enigma can be exceptionally potent - one of if not the most potent hallucinogenic mushrooms - with tests showing over 3.8% total alkaloid content. 

Fuzzy Balls (Psilocybe Cubensis)

In the 2021 Oakland Hyphae Psilocybin Cup, this strain was reported as having 3.00% total alkaloid, with 1.67% Psilocybin and 1.32% Psilocin. 

Psilocybe bohemica

Psilocybe bohemica is found in the Czech Republic and Central Europe (the region historically called Bohemia).

When dried, the concentration of psilocybin reached ~1.3%.

Typically found growing in grassy areas and pastures, often in association with cattle or other livestock. The caps of these mushrooms are typically small, measuring less than 2 centimeters in diameter, and are a reddish-brown or orange-brown color. The stems are slender and can grow up to 8 centimeters in length.

Warning - it's advisable not to forage these magic mushrooms because they are easily confused with the Galerina, which is a highly poisonous fungi.

Final Thoughts

Dosing psilocybin mushrooms, especially foraged ones, can be a challenge.

Some populations may exhibit lower potency while others may have much higher than expected. This is especially true with the wood-loving species (like P Subs)

To add to that, psilocybin affects people differently, some more sensitive than others.

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

Consider taking a tester dose of magic mushrooms before doing a full trip to gauge the potency and how you react. 

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 mushroom trip and want some guidance on what the ideal dose is, check out our shroom dosage calculator and this handy guide.