The Psilocybe Pelliculosa

1. The Psilocybe Pelliculosa

2. Psilocybe Pelliculosa • Psilocybe pelliculosa is a species of magic mushrooms first discovered by mycologist Alexander H. Smith in 1937. Mistakenly classified under the genus Psathyrella, it was reclassified as one of the nearly 200 mushrooms under the genus Psilocybe because of the hallucinogenic compounds it contains: psilocybin and psilocin. • The “pelliculosa” epithet on its scientific name is derived from the Latin word “pellicula” which means “film.” It refers to the gelatinous pellicle or outer covering of the cap. This magic mushroom is also known as the “conifer Psilocybe” or the “striate Psilocybe.”

3. Psilocybe Pelliculosa Strain Guide • At first look, the fruit bodies, or mushrooms, feature a conical brownish cap which measures up to 2cm across on top of a slender stem which can be 8cm long. P. pelliculosa also has a white, partial veil that doesn’t leave a ring on the stem. • Closer inspection would reveal more details about the P. pelliculosa. The cap is cone-shaped, and expands slightly over time to become broader and more bell-shaped. However, it never completely flattens. The cap margin is pressed against the stem, and for a short time has fragments of a partial veil hanging from the margin.

4. The Strain Guide • Younger specimens are smooth, sticky, and have translucent striations which are around 2cm in diameter. The color ranges from umber to dark, dingy, yellow-brown when the mushroom is moist, and changes to pinkish-buff when dry. The cap margin has a greenish-gray hue and a thin cuticle which can be peeled off. • The gills are attached to the cap. They are narrow, closely-spaced, but eventually separate from the stem. When young, the gills have a cinnamon–brown color, with lighter edges, but attain a darker color in maturity when they become covered with dark spores.

5. The Strain Guide • Pelliculosa’s stem, or stipe, can reach 6cm to 8cm tall and 2mm thick. Its width is roughly consistent except the base which is slightly enlarged. The upper region is grayish while the lower region of the stem is brownish with silky hairs distributed throughout the stem. P. pelliculosa also produces purplish brown spore prints. • When injured, this psilocybin mushroom’s flesh turns bluish or greenish where it has been injured. Another way to identify them is by applying a drop of diluted potassium hydroxide solution on the cap which will cause a color change from dark yellowish to reddish brown. A drop on the stem would produce a less intense change.

6. The Similar Species • The overall structure of P. pelliculosa bears a close resemblance to other mushrooms belonging to the genus Mycena, Galerina, or Hypholoma. • However, the discoverer, Smith, noted a superficial resemblance to Psathyrella fagicola based on the resemblances in cap cuticle, coloring, and stem base covered in silky fibers. However, P. pelliculosa is still identifiable because of the presence of a partial veil, firm gills, and smaller fruit bodies. • Psilocybe semilanceata is also a dead-ringer for P. pelliculosa but the former can be distinguished by its larger spores, and a conical cap. • Another similar species is Psilocybe sylvatica but a microscope is needed to distinguish between the two species. Under magnification, P. sylvatica’s spores appear longer.

7. The Similar Species

8. The Pelliculosa Habitat • When hunting for P. pelliculosa, it’s better to start in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States (in the states of California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) and Canada (in British Columbia), where it grows on the ground in groups or clusters along trails or forest roads in coniferous woods. It was also reported in a small area in Finland. • The fruit bodies of P. pelliculosa grow in clusters on moss, forest debris, and humus. You’re chances of finding this mushroom increases by sticking to trails and abandoned forest roads as they favor disturbed areas. You can’t expect to find this magic mushroom species in grasslands. Fruiting typically occurs in early winter after cool, wet weather.

9. Tripping on Psilocybe Pelliculosa • Pelliculosa contains the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. It also contains smaller percentages of baeocystin. Among the known magic mushrooms, it’s considered to be of the weaker variety. Psilocybin and psilocin levels are documented to be between 1.2 to 7.1 milligrams per dried gram. • Scientists tried to grow Psilocybe pelliculosa in laboratory conditions. Unfortunately, specimens of this species grown in laboratory or controlled environments do not produce detectable levels of the psychoactive compounds.

10. Guide to Microdosing • Because of the relatively low psychoactive content, Psilocybe pelliculosa is an ideal mushroom strain for microdosing. Microdosing is the practice of ingesting small dose of magic mushrooms which won’t produce any psychedelic effectsbut will boost productivity, creativity, and possibly intelligence. Many people who micro-dose say it has helped improve their outlook in life. • Proper microdosing involves ingesting a sub-perceptual dose that will not bring large changes in mood, perception, and mindset. The effects on your sensation should be subtle, enabling the person ingesting the dose to go about their daily work as if sober.

11. To microdose with Psilocybe pelliculosa, you will need the following supplies: • Empty 500mg gel capsules • Dried P. pelliculosa • Coffee grinder Procedure: • Grind the dried magic mushrooms inside the coffee grinder. • Place the grounds inside the empty 500mg gel capsules. Make sure they are packed tightly. • Once you have your magic mushroom capsules, you can start microdosing. It’s best to take one capsule I the morning every three days over a period of ten weeks. You should watch out for interesting changes such as modifications in behavior, outlook, emotions, and energy levels. • After a ten-week cycle, you can modify the amount of magic mushrooms to find the dose that works with your mind and body. For this reason, it’s better to start at the lower end of the spectrum and slowly increase your dosage in order to enjoy the benefits of the experience. • Microdosing can be done with other magic mushrooms and not just Psilocybe pelliculosa. You can order different magic truffles online from Truffle Magic to experience the positive effects of microdosing on psilocybin.

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