What Shrooms Are the Strongest? The potency of a magic mushroom is primarily determined by its tryptamine composition, particularly the amounts of psilocybin and psilocin it contains — the two key compounds responsible for the psychedelic effects of mushrooms.
The strength of these mushrooms can vary widely. For example, one species or strain may cause a powerful psychedelic experience with just one gram, while another may only enhance colors and make things seem more captivating with the same amount.
Mushrooms considered “highly potent” typically have a psilocybin content of 1.00% or more (on a dry weight basis). While it’s not possible to know the exact amount of psilocybin in a given mushroom without testing it, we do have general potency ranges for different species, which allows us to estimate an average value. What Shrooms Are the Strongest?
There are more than 180 species of psilocybin mushrooms, but the most potent ones include:
- Psilocybe azurescens (Average 2.51% Total Tryptamine)
- Psilocybe semilanceata (Average 2.06% Total Tryptamine)
- Psilocybe cyanescens (Average 1.24% Total Tryptamine)
- Psilocybe cubensis (Tidal Wave strain) (Average 1.17% Total Tryptamine)
- Psilocybe cubensis (Penis Envy strain) (Average 1.15% Total Tryptamine)
Strongest Magic Mushroom Species
The potency of magic mushrooms can differ significantly between species. For instance, Psilocybe mexicana has an average psilocybin content of only 0.25%, while other species, like Psilocybe azurescens, can produce more than seven times that amount.
- Psilocybe azurescens (Flying Saucers)
- Average Total Tryptamine: 2.51%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 1.78%
- Size: Medium
- Country of Origin: California, Washington, Oregon, British Columbia
- Cultivation Difficulty: Difficult
- Spores Available: See Spore Vendors
Psilocybe azurescens, commonly known as the “Flying Saucer” or “Blue Angel” mushroom, is considered the most potent magic mushroom species globally. While other species, such as Psilocybe semilanceata (liberty caps), have produced higher psilocybin levels in some samples, P. azurescens is known for its more consistent potency across a variety of samples. What Shrooms Are the Strongest?
According to a 1995 study by Paul Stamets and Johan Garts, Psilocybe azurescens can reach a psilocybin content of up to 1.80%, with an average level of 1.10%.
- Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps)
- Average Total Tryptamine: 2.06%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 0.98%
- Size: Small
- Country of Origin: Europe, United Kingdom, United States, Canada
- Cultivation Difficulty: Extremely Difficult
- Spores Available: See Spore Vendors
Psilocybe semilanceata, also known as the “Liberty Cap” mushroom, is a small species that thrives in grassland pastures in cooler climates. It is the most common and favored wild magic mushroom in Europe.
Despite its small size—characterized by its conical “witch’s hat” caps and tall, slender stems—P. semilanceata is known for its potent effects. Extensive laboratory research in Europe has shown psilocybin levels ranging from as low as 0.20% to as high as 2.37%.
One study, which compiled data from Psilocybe semilanceata samples collected in countries such as Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom, found an average psilocybin content of 1.00% (dry weight). What Shrooms Are the Strongest?
- Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy Caps)
- Average Total Tryptamine: 1.24%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 0.85%
- Size: Medium
- Country of Origin: Europe, United Kingdom, United States, Canada
- Cultivation Difficulty: Moderate
- Spores Available: See Spore Vendors
Psilocybe cyanescens, commonly referred to as “Wavy Caps,” is a potent wood-loving species that grows on decaying wood and mulch, often in dense clusters. A single patch can yield a large number of mushrooms.
This species is unexpectedly strong, with some samples containing up to 1.68% psilocybin and 0.96% psilocin. However, the content of these compounds can vary widely—while some mushrooms may have little to no psychoactive compounds, others may have close to 2.00% total psychedelic tryptamines.
This variability makes it challenging for users to estimate dosages accurately—one handful of mushrooms might have no noticeable effect, while a single mushroom could be enough to induce an intense psychedelic experience.
- Psilocybe cubensis (Cubes)
- Average Psilocybin Level: 0.95%
- Average Psilocybin Content: 0.63%
- Size: Medium to Large
- Country of Origin: Worldwide
- Cultivation Difficulty: Easy
- Spores Available: See Spore Vendors
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as “Cubes,” is the most widespread species of magic mushroom and can be found growing naturally around the world, as well as in cultivation setups by mushroom enthusiasts.
Although P. cubensis is relatively easy to grow, it is not the most potent species in the grand scheme of psychedelic mushrooms. However, with over 100 genetic variants of P. cubensis, each with different psilocybin content, it is difficult to classify the species as having a standard potency.
Some strains may contain as little as 0.30% psilocybin, while others can exceed 1.50%, leading to a wide range of potency within the species.
- Psilocybe mexicana (Flesh of the Gods)
- Average Total Tryptamine: 0.40%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 0.25%
- Size: Small
- Country of Origin: Mexico
- Cultivation Difficulty: Easy
- Spores Available: See Spore Vendors
Psilocybe mexicana was one of the first psilocybin mushrooms to be introduced to the West before the discovery of other Psilocybe species growing locally. This species is often called “Flesh of the Gods,” as it is believed to be the variety the Aztecs referred to as teonanácatl, meaning “Flesh of the Gods.”
This small species has a conical cap with a distinct nipple and a long, slender stem. P. mexicana is also a prolific producer of sclerotia—dense mycelium masses that grow underground, often referred to as “magic truffles.” These truffles are also psychedelic.
While P. mexicana has a relatively low psilocybin content, averaging just 0.25%, many users report powerful and intense psychedelic experiences with this species, suggesting that potency may not always align directly with lab-tested values.
Strongest Psilocybe cubensis Strains | What Shrooms Are the Strongest?
Psilocybe cubensis is the most commonly cultivated and widely distributed magic mushroom species. It’s favored for its resilience to contamination and its ability to thrive in less-than-optimal growing conditions. If you’ve ever bought magic mushrooms, chances are they were P. cubensis.
This species includes hundreds of different strains, each with varying levels of potency. Some strains may contain as little as 0.20% psilocybin, while others can have over 1.80%, leading to a wide range of experiences depending on the strain.
Tidal Wave
- Average Total Tryptamine: 1.17%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 0.83%
- Peak Tryptamine Levels: 3.82%
- Country of Origin: Unknown
- Cultivation Difficulty: Intermediate
- Spores Available: Sporeslab, Spores 101, High Desert Spores, Mushroom Prints, Planet Spores
Tidal Wave is a hybrid strain created by crossing the B+ strain with Penis Envy. The average total psychedelic tryptamine content of this strain is around 1.17%, but under ideal growing conditions, it can produce much higher levels.
In fact, Tidal Wave made headlines when it won the Spring 2021 Psilocybin Cup, with a sample submitted by “Magic Myco Fam” that reached an extraordinary combined psilocybin and psilocin level of 3.82% (2.26% psilocybin and 1.56% psilocin).
Fuzzy Balls
- Average Total Tryptamine: 3.00%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 1.67%
- Country of Origin: Unknown
- Cultivation Difficulty: Unknown
- Spores Available: None
Fuzzy Balls is a mysterious strain with little known about its origins or cultivation requirements. However, it gained attention when a sample entered into the 2021 Oakland Hyphae Psilocybin Cup produced an impressive combined psilocybin and psilocin content of 3.00%.
The sample, submitted by “Chip Forsythe,” remains somewhat of an enigma. No further samples have been submitted since, and the strain’s genetic background is still unknown.
Penis Envy
- Average Total Tryptamine: 1.15%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 0.96%
- Peak Tryptamine Levels: 2.90%
- Country of Origin: United States
- Cultivation Difficulty: Intermediate
- Spores Available: MYCO, Sporeslab, Spores 101, The Magic Mushrooms Shop
Penis Envy is one of the most renowned and sought-after strains of Psilocybe cubensis. Often referred to as a “super strain,” it is the genetic backbone of about 95% of the highly potent P. cubensis strains on the market today.
Over the years, numerous samples of Penis Envy have been tested, with some producing combined psilocybin and psilocin levels as high as 2.90%. On average, Penis Envy strains consistently yield more than 1.00% psilocybin, even when grown by intermediate cultivators, making it a popular choice for those seeking a potent psychedelic experience.
Albino Penis Envy
- Average Total Tryptamine: 1.16%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 0.97%
- Peak Tryptamine Levels: 2.34%
- Country of Origin: Holland (Sporeworks)
- Cultivation Difficulty: Intermediate
- Spores Available: MYCO, Sporeslab, Spores 101, The Magic Mushrooms Shop
Albino Penis Envy is a non-pigmented variant of the original Penis Envy strain, characterized by its distinctive all-white fruiting bodies. Despite its unique appearance, its potency is similar to that of the original strain.
This strain is favored by experienced cultivators due to its high potency and striking visual appeal. However, it can be more challenging to grow, particularly for beginners, as it is prone to aborting. Over the years, Albino Penis Envy has been entered into several Psilocybin Cups, with psilocybin levels ranging from 0.70% to 1.73%.
Trans Envy | What Shrooms Are the Strongest?
- Average Total Tryptamine: 1.65%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 0.86%
- Peak Tryptamine Levels: 2.01%
- Country of Origin: Canada (Sporeslab)
- Cultivation Difficulty: Easy
- Spores Available: Spores 101, Sporeslab, Planet Spores, The Magic Mushrooms Shop
Trans Envy was an accidental hybrid that emerged when two different strains — South African Transkei and Penis Envy — were unintentionally crossbred in the same fruiting tray. The resulting mushrooms displayed unique characteristics, which were then isolated and cultivated to create the new strain, Trans Envy.
Although no Trans Envy sample has been submitted to the Oakland Hyphae Psilocybin Cup, its genetics suggest that the strain can produce up to 1.65% psilocybin, with peak tryptamine levels potentially reaching 2.01%. Known for its high potency and easy cultivation, Trans Envy is quickly gaining popularity.
6. White Rabbit
- Average Total Tryptamine: 1.40%
- Average Psilocybin Level: 1.01%
- Peak Tryptamine Levels: 1.60%
- Country of Origin: Holland
- Cultivation Difficulty: Easy
- Spores Available: Sporeslab, Spores 101, Planet Spores
White Rabbit is a fully white strain created by hybridizing two potent albino varieties—Penis Envy and Moby Dick. This strain was developed by a group of cultivators in Holland in the mid-2000s and has quickly gained popularity for its ease of cultivation and impressive potency.
Known for its strong visual and introspective effects, White Rabbit is favored by both beginners and experienced growers. While reliable data on tryptamine levels is still lacking, based on the genetics of its parent strains, it is believed to produce psilocybin levels that exceed 1.60%.
7. Other Strong Mushroom Strains | What Shrooms Are the Strongest?
Strains producing over 1.5% psilocybin are considered “very potent.” Some of these highly potent strains include:
- Brain Coral
- Casper
- Jack O’Lantern Squats
- Leucistic Tosohatchee Cubensis
- Orissa India
- Super Ape
- Tosohatchee
Other strains with above-average potency (greater than 0.90% but less than 1.50%) include:
- Albino Chodewave
- Albino Golden Halo
- Amazon
- DeathStar
- Galactic Gorilla
- Ghost Spore
- Green Cap Tosohatchee
- Homestead Penis Envy
- Kaleidoscope
- Mystery Fatass
- Old Dirty Penis Envy
- Omni C
- Pearly Gates
- Penis Envy #41
- Penis Envy Blonde
- Sombrero
- Stee Mag
- Stingray
- Transkei (South African)
- Trinity
- Vietnamese Teachers
- Yeti
These strains fall within the “above-average” potency range and can offer powerful psychedelic experiences.