Why Are Golden Teachers So Popular?
In the realm of psychedelic mushrooms, one strain stands out for its immense popularity and widespread acclaim: Golden Teachers. These enigmatic fungi have captured the curiosity and fascination of both experienced psychonauts and novice explorers alike.
What Are Golden Teachers?
Golden Teachers are one of the most distinctive strains of Psilocybe cubensis, a species of edible and psychedelic mushrooms. They are most easily identified by their large caps which slowly spread out from the center, resembling the upturned and open head of a teacher.
The Golden Teacher variety grows in various color variations, such as yellow or light brown, with some caps being golden in color and hence giving this strain its name. This variety is highly sought after for its strength and durability.
It generally grows larger than other varieties and produces many flushes over long periods of time, making it a great choice for both experienced growers and first-time growers who want to get repeated harvests.
The History of Golden Teacher’s
For hundreds of years, psilocybin has been a naturally occurring psychedelic substance used in spiritual ceremonies and rituals by a variety of cultures. Yet, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the Golden Teacher strain first ’emerged’ on the scene–with no one knowing exactly where it came from. Many believe they originated on a farm in Georgia or were spotted in Florida, while some think they have been around even longer than that.
It is difficult to trace the origins of Golden Teacher’s due to its secretive past, but what is known is that they are amongst the most popular psilocybin strains of wild-growing mushrooms around today.
With their striking golden caps, this strain features uplifting energy and powerful visuals when consumed, giving users an otherworldly experience unparalleled by other psychedelics and making them perfect for those curious about journeying within themselves and exploring emotions.
What Golden Teachers Look Like
The Golden Teacher mushroom is one of the most popular and recognizable strains of Psilocybe cubensis. It is well known for its moderate potency and its unique appearance. The cap of the Golden Teacher mushroom has an ashy red color, with a yellow or golden center that accurately reflects the strain’s name.
It sports a slightly curved cap usually between 5-8 cm in diameter. Uniquely, the Golden Teacher’s stem is hollow and thicker towards the base, adding another distinguishing visual element to set it apart from other varieties.
The thin veil found on young mushrooms will later break as the mushroom matures, leaving an ounce ring about halfway down the stem. No matter the age of the Golden Teacher mushroom, this particular variety will always have an easily identifiable white spore print.
This combination of features makes it easy to identify even from a distance and impossible to misidentify with another variety of Mushroom in terms of general aesthetics.
Beside being easy to identify by sight, another great thing about finding Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms is they are available almost year-round depending on location and climate conditions.
Golden Teacher Lookalikes
Golden Teacher mushrooms have become increasingly popular in recent years and their unique stable characteristics are what makes them so desirable. As the name implies, these mushrooms have a distinct golden cap and it’s this feature that sets them apart from other varieties of Psilocybe cubensis. However, there are other varieties of this strain as well, such as Albino Golden Teacher mushrooms.
The primary difference between Albino Golden Teachers and ‘regular’ Golden Teachers is in their coloration. Albino Golden Teacher mushrooms are white in color, which results from the cross-breeding of Golden Teachers with Albino A+, another Psilocybe cubensis strain.
It is important to note that there can often be confusion when it comes to distinguishing between Golden Teachers and lookalikes, making it incredibly easy to mistake one for the other. This highlights the need to be aware of potential lookalikes so they can be identified correctly if found.
The Potency Of Golden Teacher Mushrooms
The potency of different psilocybin mushrooms is a crucial aspect for users. However, it’s important to note that the potency of a mushroom is not necessarily reflected in its appearance. The genetic factors that determine potency are separate from those that influence physical characteristics such as color and size.
There have been several scientific studies that have explored the differences in potency between different species of psilocybin mushrooms. For instance, Psilocybe azurescens is considered to be one of the most potent, containing 1.78% psilocybin, 0.38% psilocin, and 0.35% baeocystin.
Baeocystin is another compound present in psilocybin mushrooms that could play a role in the entourage effect. This refers to the synergistic effect of different compounds in modulating the overall psychoactive effects of a substance. A similar phenomenon is observed in cannabis where compounds other than THC interact with it to influence the overall effects.
Psilocybe cubensis is a moderate potency magic mushroom, with an average potency of 0.63% psilocybin, 0.60% psilocin, and 0.25% baeocystin. However, it’s worth noting that there can be considerable variations in terms of potency between different potent strains of Psilocybe cubensis.
How To Dose Golden Teacher?
The first thing to consider when dosing Golden Teacher mushrooms is the natural variation in their psilocybin content. It is impossible to know exactly how much of the active ingredient any given mushroom contains, as it can be variable depending on the age and species of the particular fungi.
The second factor to consider when dosing Golden Teacher mushrooms is individual tolerance, which determines how much of a dose each person needs to experience the hallucinogenic effects. While one might assume that an individual who weighs 90 kg and is 190 cm tall would require more psilocybin than someone who weighs 50 kg, this may not necessarily be true.
Everyone has different amounts of tolerance, so a heavier individual may require smaller doses or vice versa.
Growing Golden Teachers
Growing Golden Teacher mushrooms at home is a process that requires a certain amount of knowledge and psychedelic experience, as well as the proper equipment and materials. Here are the basic steps for growing Golden Teachers:
- Obtain spores of Golden Teacher mycelium: The first step in growing Golden Teacher mushrooms is to obtain a source of mycelium, which can be purchased from a reputable vendor.
- Prepare the grow medium: The next step is to prepare the grow medium, which can be a mixture of brown rice flour, vermiculite, and water.
- Sterilize the grow medium: The grow medium must be sterilized to prevent contamination by unwanted bacteria or fungi. This can be done using a pressure cooker or by baking it in the oven.
- Inoculate the grow medium with the mycelium: Once the grow medium has cooled, it can be inoculated with the mycelium, either by mixing it directly into the medium or by using a spore syringe.
- Incubate the grow medium: The inoculated grow medium must then be incubated in a warm, dark place for several weeks until the mycelium has colonized the entire grow medium.
- Initiate fruiting: Once the mycelium has colonized the grow medium, it can be exposed to light and given fresh air to initiate fruiting. The mushrooms will begin to grow and mature over the course of several days.
- Harvest the mushrooms: Once the mushrooms have matured, they can be harvested and dried for later use.
It’s important to note that growing Golden Teacher mushrooms at home can be a complex and challenging process, and it’s essential to follow the steps carefully and to be knowledgeable about the various techniques and procedures involved.
The Effects Of Golden Teacher Mushrooms
Golden Teacher mushrooms contain the active ingredient psilocybin, which when consumed, is converted into psilocin and produces a range of physical and psychological effects. These effects can vary depending on the dose, the individual’s tolerance, and the environment in which the mushrooms are consumed.
Common effects of Golden Teacher mushrooms include:
- Visual and auditory hallucinations: Psilocybin can cause visual and auditory hallucinations, which can be intense and vivid.
- Altered perception of time and space: Psilocybin can cause a distortion of time and space, leading to a sense of timelessness or a feeling of being “outside of one’s body.”
- Increased empathy and interconnectedness: Psilocybin is often associated with feelings of empathy and interconnectedness with others, as well as with nature.
- Enhanced introspection and self-reflection: Psilocybin can also lead to increased introspection and self-reflection, helping individuals gain insight into their thoughts and emotions.
- Mood elevation: Psilocybin can also produce a range of positive mood states, including feelings of euphoria, happiness, and well-being.
The Benefits Of Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin, a substance found in magic mushroom strains, has been the subject of increasing research regarding its potential to treat various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety related to end-of-life, PTSD, and even smoking addiction.
A study conducted by Imperial College London’s Psychedelic Research Centre is exploring the use of psilocybin as a treatment for anorexia.
These positive psychedelic effects are associated with experiences such as mystical encounters, emotional connections, and emotional breakthroughs. Additionally, many individuals have reported that using psilocybin mushrooms has had a positive impact on their relationships, worldview, lifestyle, spirituality, and overall life satisfaction.
It is important to note that using magic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes is not the same as using them in a controlled, clinical environment. While the use of Golden Teacher mushrooms may offer similar benefits, it is crucial to be cautious and seek professional guidance before attempting to use them for therapeutic purposes.
Golden Teacher Mushroom Effects Of The Brain
When consumed, Golden Teacher mushrooms often result in an abrupt change in emotions or moods. Many users experience an overwhelming feeling of intense happiness or joy but some may feel fear or paranoia during the experience.
Another effect commonly linked to Golden Teacher mushroom consumption is confusion. Users might struggle to form coherent thoughts as their minds drift between sobriety and psychedelia. It is also common for users to become fixated on certain topics during mushroom trips, spending longer than usual thinking about them and having difficulty completing tasks that would normally be deemed simple or straightforward.
Additionally, a strong sense of empathy can be created while under the influence, resulting in unique and profound interpersonal connections with friends, family members, and even strangers alike.
Golden Teacher Mushroom Effects Of The Ego
The effects of the Golden Teacher mushroom have been attributed to its active ingredient, psilocybin, which, when ingested, converts into psilocin. Psilocin binds with serotonin receptors in the brain, which affect various areas like cognition, anxiety levels, imagination, and mood. By altering levels of serotonin activity in the brain, it has been evidenced that this change can lead to a reduction of ego or ‘ego death’.
In particular, research suggests that ingesting the golden teacher mushroom could decrease network activity in the “default mode network”; traditionally associated with self-referential thought processes and memory recall.
This reduction could be seen as part of the reason why taking such substances results in a lessening of materialist thoughts concerning personal identity and attachment to worldly possessions.
As well as enacting physical changes on our brains, it could also lead to psychological expansion or alteration beyond what some may consider one’s natural mental state.
