Do you have penis envy…mushrooms? If so, you could be in for a treat, as it’s more than just a novelty name.
This phallic psilocybin is one of the most popular magic mushrooms. Prized for its strength and balanced effects, this amusingly shaped strain has been popular among the psychedelic community for around half a century.
But what is the penis envy mushroom, where does its name come from, what are the effects, and what’s the best way to take it?
Let’s find out. And don’t worry, we promise to keep the penis jokes to a minimum.
What are Penis Envy Mushrooms?
Penis Envy mushrooms, also known as PE mushrooms, are a strain of Psilocybe cubensis. They have a long, thick, and wrinkly stem and a bulbous cap.
We probably don’t need to tell you where the name comes from.
There are several different species of Penis Envy mushrooms:
- Penis Envy Uncut Mushroom: The Penis Envy Uncut is a potent variety named for the way the caps connect to the stems.
- Trans Envy Mushrooms: This strain is not as potent as other Penis Envy varieties and it has a slightly thinner stem. It was produced by breeding Penis Envy with South African Transkei mushrooms.
- Albino Penis Envy Mushrooms: A fairly small hybrid of the Penis Envy mushroom with bluish caps. They can experience blue bruising after light handling, which is why they are also known as Blue Penis Envy Mushrooms.
- Albino Penis Envy Reverted: A sub strain of Albino Penis Envy.
What is the History of the Penis Envy Mushroom?
The history of the Penis Envy mushroom is often debated in the psychedelic community, and like all good legends, there’s a little fiction, a little fact, and a lot of confusion.
Most of the stories revolve around two men: Terrence Mckenna and Steven Pollock.
One of the most interesting legends states that the mushrooms were discovered by Mckenna in the Amazon rainforest. He took some spores back to his home in Colorado, after which they found their way into the hands of Steven Pollock.
When Pollock was murdered in 1981, he was found to be clutching PE spore prints and the word “Penis” on a piece of paper. Famous mycologist, Rich Gee, discovered the prints and became the caretaker of the strain.
This story is almost certainly not true, but there is reason to believe that Rich Gee stumbled upon spores originally discovered by Terrence Mckenna, even though the two never met.
Gee himself has called this story nonsense, stating that the strain was found in the Amazon and was originally known as “Amazons”. After showing the bag to a group of strippers in the late ’70s, one of them remarked that they looked like “donkey dongs”, to which Gee quipped “do you have Penis Envy?”
What are the Effects and Benefits of PE Magic Mushrooms?
The effects of Penis Envy mushrooms are essentially the same as those of other psilocybin mushrooms. The effects have more to do with the set and setting, which refers to your mindset and location.
Penis Envy mushrooms are very strong and so less may be needed to produce the desired effects. In fact, it has been said that the Penis Envy variant is between 50 and 100% stronger than your average run-of-the-mill magic mushroom.
The effects usually take hold after 30 to 60 minutes, but the onset is largely dependent on your stomach contents, setting, and method of ingestion. The peak effects begin after between 2 and 4 hours you should begin to sober up after 5 to 6 hours.
Some of the effects that you may experience when taking these psychedelic mushrooms include:
- Changes in perception
- Auditory distortions
- Feelings of euphoria
- Deep and introspective thoughts
- A sharp increase in creativity
- Objects may appear like they are morphing
In larger doses, users report experiencing a drastic shift in their consciousness. Synesthesia is also common. This refers to a confusion of the senses where you feel like you can hear colors or see sounds.
What is the Dose Range of the Penis Envy Magic Mushroom?
As Penis Envy mushrooms are much stronger than other Psilocybe cubensis strains, you will need to adjust your dose accordingly.
The recommended dose for Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms is usually between 1 and 1.5 grams. This is enough to produce a balance of effects that last for several hours. With Penis Envy mushrooms, you should be aiming for between 0.7g and 1.1g.
A general rule of thumb is to consider the usual dose range, see where you want to be, and then reduce the dose by about 50% to accommodate for the incredible potency of Penis Envy mushrooms.
What are the Side Effects of Penis Envy Mushroom Strains?
As with any strain of psychedelic mushroom, Penis Envy can produce some unwelcome side effects. There is no known lethal dose and magic mushrooms are some of the safest recreational drugs that you can take, but they can produce feelings of paranoia and anxiety, as well as tremors, nausea, and excessive sweating.
Can You Legally Grow Penis Envy Mushrooms?
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are illegal in most countries around the world. Those laws seem to be changing, but there are still lots of restrictions and grey areas.
In the United States, psilocybin mushrooms are Schedule I, so you can’t buy, grow, or sell them. PE spores are legal to possess in most states, though, and the laws are much more relaxed in Canada.
Technically, mushrooms are illegal, but they are also sold openly throughout the country. You can also buy mushroom spore kits online and in storefronts.
Before you buy any spores and start growing your own, check your local laws and make sure mushroom cultivation is actually legal where you are.
Summary: The Penis Envy Mushroom
Penis Envy mushrooms are an incredibly potent strain of Psilocybe cubensis noted for their phallic shape. They have been around for nearly 50 years and are a favorite among many psychonauts.
They’re not the best option for inexperienced trippers, but if you know what you’re doing and want a strain that hits hard, look no further than PE!