Panaeolus cyanescens VS Psiloybe cubensis

About P. Cubensis

Psilocybe cubensis, known as golden caps, cubes, and many other slangs, are also a coprophilous mushroom, thriving in many of the same environments as Pan Cyans. Cubensis mushrooms are some of the most commonly researched psychedelic mushrooms due to their ease of domestication. Cubensis mushrooms are currently in the spotlight, being researched across the world for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Cubensis mushrooms have been grown indoors for over the last one hundred years, which has allowed for more knowledge to be gathered around the species, as compared to Pan Cyans. 

Active Chemicals

Pan Cyans and Cubensis fruits contain the psychoactive chemicals psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, these mushrooms will induce a psychedelic experience that lasts for quite a long time. There is much debate as to whether pans or cubes are more potent. If you ask our opinion, we will tell you Panaolus cyanescens are significantly stronger than Psilocybe cubensis. The strength of these mushrooms could be lent to the high levels of psilocybin and psilocin, or it could be due to active compounds present that we have yet to quantify.

The potency of both mushrooms can vary greatly depending on many factors including the origin of the collection, whether it was wild caught or from a domesticated grow, the substrate, and the specific strain being tested. These are just a few of the many factors that play into the potency of magic mushrooms.

Habitat

Both Panaeolus cyanescens and Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms are found in subtropical climates on various types of dung. The dung can come various animals including cattle, elephants, zebra, and rhinos. In fact, Pan Cyans and Cubensis can be found growing together on the same piece of bovine dung. During many of InoculateTheWorlds hunts in Florida we have seen Pan Cyans growing inches from Cubensis mushrooms.

Panaeolus cyanescens have a slightly larger geographic reach than cubensis. Pan Cyans can be found in places such as Europe, Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, and tropical islands across the globe. In the United States, Panaeolus cyanescens can be found all over the Southeast, with particularly large populations in northern and central Florida.

While common in their distribution, it is not always guaranteed you will find both species in the same areas. In Hawaii for example, Pan Cyans are plentiful while Psilocybe cubensis have yet to be reported on any of the Islands. 

Fruiting Body Characteristics

Pan Cyan mycelium looks, smells, and tastes different than psilocybe cubensis. Cubensis fruits are typically larger than Pan Cyans with a thicker stipe and wider cap. Both mushrooms have a convex cap and have gills on the hymenium, however, cubensis caps can also be flat. Pan Cyans have a bare stipe (stem) while Cubensis typically have a ring left over from the veil.

Pan Cyan Cultivation

While commonly thought of as an advanced mushroom to grow, Panaelous cyanescens can be easily cultivated at home with little difference in the required equipment. To learn more about the cultivation of these mushrooms, please refer to Jake Oncid’s “Jok Tek” on the Shroomery.

Panaelous cyanescens spores germinate rapidly, sometimes showing inches of growth on an agar dish in as little as three days. When grown next to psilocybe cubensis spores on agar, the Pan Cyans tend to reach the plates edge days before the cubensis strains.  Healthy Pan Cyan mycelium will appear wispy, sometimes being mistaken for gray cottony molds.

While both Pan Cyans and Cubensis are dung loving mushrooms, the substrates used to grow them tend to be different in their preparation, fluffiness, and ingredients. Fortunately, InoculateTheWorld carries specialty Pan Cyan bulk substrate made by Jake Oncid, the pan man, himself.  

Legality

Since both Panaeolus Cyanescens and P. Cubensis mushrooms contain the psychoactive chemicals psilocin and psilocybin, they are considered federally illegal in the United States. However, laws are continuing to change as cities such as Oakland, DC, and Seattle have decriminalized psilocybin containing mushrooms. 

Any Spores listed or sold on our site are for MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND NOVELTY PURPOSES ONLY. Always follow all laws set forth by each Country, State, or Province. We take no responsibility if anything from this site is used in any fashion that can be considered illicit or illegal.