cubensis

Psilocybe cubensis is a species of mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. It is one of the best-known members of the genus Psilocybe and is widely recognized for its psychoactive properties, primarily due to the presence of psilocybin and psilocin.

The cap typically ranges from about 0.8 to 3 cm in diameter, is convex to plano-convex, and varies in color from tan to reddish-brown. The gills are attached or adnate, and the stem is slender, white to yellowish, often showing a blue bruising reaction when handled. Spores are purplish-brown. The species forms fruiting bodies that are usually found in clusters or small groups.

Habitat and distribution: Native to subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, P. cubensis commonly grows on nutrient-rich soils, especially on manure-enriched substrates such as cattle dung, in pastures and meadows. It has become widely naturalized and is one of the most commonly encountered psilocybin mushrooms in suitable climates and in cultivation contexts, though cultivation and possession are regulated or illegal in many jurisdictions.

Chemistry and effects: The primary psychoactive compounds are psilocybin and psilocin, with minor quantities of other tryptamines reported. Ingestion typically produces perceptual alterations, mood changes, and altered sense of time, with visual phenomena and introspective experiences possible. Onset is usually within 20 to 60 minutes, and effects may last 4 to 6 hours, depending on dose, set, and environment.

Legal status: Laws vary widely by country and region. In many places, possession, cultivation, or distribution of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is illegal, while some jurisdictions have moved toward decriminalization or exemptions for research or medicinal programs.