The Bright Wisdom of the Golden Teacher Mushroom

Ready for some deep personal knowledge? It’s Golden Teacher time!

In this post, we’re going to cover all the details about Golden Teacher mushrooms, including:

• What Golden Teacher shrooms are
• What the effects of Golden Teachers are
• What do Golden Teachers feel like?
• Where to find Golden Teachers and how growers cultivate them

And a lot more…so let’s get started!

What Are Golden Teachers?

Golden Teacher mushrooms are a kind of psychedelic fungi. This hallucinogen is known for its golden caps and the unique, spiritual experiences it can induce in humans. 

Scientifically known as Psilocybe cubensis, Golden Teachers are one of the most popular and widely cultivated strains of magic mushrooms. The name “Golden Teacher” is said to be thanks to the mushrooms’ ability to teach users about themselves and the world around them.

The psychoactive compounds in Golden Teacher mushrooms are psilocybin and psilocin, which are known to produce intense, mystical experiences filled with altered perceptions, heightened emotions, and profound insights. Many people like to use Golden Teacher mushrooms because of their moderate, middle of the road potency and for spiritual purposes.

How do Golden Teachers Compare to Other Hallucinogens Like LSD?

Psilocybin, the hallucinogen in Golden Teachers, and LSD are both powerful, but they differ in terms of their potency and effects.

Psilocybin is considered to be a moderately potent psychedelic. The effects of psilocybin can vary depending on the dose, but users usually report a profound alteration in their sensory perception, mood, and thought processes. Typical doses of psilocybin-containing mushrooms range from 1-5 grams, with effects lasting between 4-6 hours.

LSD, in contrast, is synthetic and about 100 times more potent than psilocybin on a per-weight basis. A typical dose ranges from 50-150 micrograms. The effects of LSD are similar to psilocybin, but they can be more intense and last longer, typically between 8-12 hours.

Additionally, there are many other types of hallucinogens, such as mescaline, DMT, and ketamine, which also vary in terms of potency and effects. Remember, the effects of any hallucinogenic substance can vary depending on a number of factors, such as individual sensitivity, the dose, psilocybin/psilocin concentration, the setting, and other factors.

What Are the Effects of Golden Teachers?

Golden Teachers, which contain psilocybin and psilocin, can produce a complex and wide-ranging range of pharmacological and physiological effects, varying widely depending on amount taken and other factors.

Neurotransmitter activity. Psilocybin and psilocin are believed to work by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain, causing increased activity in certain regions. This results in changes in perception, mood, and cognition.

Psychological effects. Psilocybin and psilocin are hallucinogens known to alter perceptions, heighten emotions, and offer profound insights. This can include visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as changes in mood, thought patterns, and sense of self. The experience is often described as a “trip” or a journey into the depths of one’s own psyche.

Physiological effects. In addition to psychological effects, psilocybin and psilocin can also produce physiological effects such as increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and blood pressure, and changes in body temperature. They can also affect the digestive system, causing side effects like nausea and vomiting in some users.

Therapeutic effects. Recent trials have suggested that psilocybin and psilocin may have therapeutic potential for treating a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. These effects are thought to be related to the drugs’ ability to increase neural plasticity and promote neurogenesis in the brain. [For more on this concept, see this study in psychotherapy patients or this research on use of psilocybin-assisted therapy in medicine, for example.]

What does it feel like to take Golden Teacher mushrooms, from a subjective standpoint? There are differences for everyone, but here is some information about common themes users talk about:

Alterations in perception. Among the most notable effects of psilocybin and psilocin is the alteration of sensory perception and awareness levels. Users may experience changes in auditory and visual perception, such as seeing colors, patterns, and shapes or hearing sounds that are distorted, not normally present, or amplified in the mind.

Heightened emotions. Golden Teacher mushrooms can also produce a range of emotional experiences, from euphoria and joy to anxiety and fear. Some people stay fairly relaxed and content, while others have the ability to turn on a dime throughout the trip.

Spiritual and mystical experiences. Many users report having profound spiritual or mystical experiences while under the influence of Golden Teacher mushrooms. These experiences can be difficult to put into words, but may involve feelings of interconnectedness with others and the universe, close to nature, a sense of transcendence, and access to insights into the reasons for their existence.

Physical effects. In addition to the psychological effects, Golden Teacher mushrooms can also produce physical effects such as changes in body temperature and altered heart rate. Some users may also experience nausea and vomiting or feel their hand or foot movements are out of their control.

The effects of psilocybin, psilocin, and Golden Teacher mushrooms can vary widely depending on factors such as dosage, age, physical makeup, individual sensitivity, history of usage, and setting.

What is Ego Loss and How Do Mushrooms Cause It?

Ego loss, at times called ego death, describes a profound psychological experience in which an individual loses their sense of self or identity. It is often associated with the use of psychedelic substances such as DMT, LSD, or psilocybin, but can also occur spontaneously via meditative or spiritual practices.

During an experience of ego loss, a person may feel as if they are actually part of their surroundings, becoming one with the universe. They may lose their sense of time and space, and feel as if they are experiencing the present moment in an intensely vivid and meaningful way.

Some individuals may experience a sense of infinite consciousness or unity with all things, while others may feel as if they are floating in a void or experiencing a sense of nothingness. This can be a transformative, deeply spiritual experience, but it can also be frightening or overwhelming.

Ego loss is not necessarily permanent, and most people return to a sense of normalcy after the effects of the psychedelic substance wear off. However, the experience itself can have effects and benefits for worldview, values, and sense of self that last for life.

[For studies on ego loss see PubMed here.]

Where Are Golden Teachers Found—And How Hard Is It to Grow Them?

The Golden Teacher species is found naturally in many parts of the world, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. They typically grow in warm and humid environments, such as cow pastures, fields, and forests. In their natural habitat, they usually grow from late spring to early fall, but can also grow year-round in subtropical and tropical regions.

In the wild, Golden Teacher mushrooms grow as fruiting bodies from a network of underground mycelium. The mycelium absorbs nutrients from the soil and breaks down organic matter, such as decaying plant material and animal waste. When cultivation requirements are met, the mycelium will produce mushrooms, which release spores into the air to reproduce.

Golden Teacher mushrooms along with other varieties can also be cultivated indoors using several methods. One common process is to grow them on a substrate, such as a mix of straw, vermiculite, and water, which is inoculated with mushroom spores or mycelium. The substrate is then placed in a container, such as a plastic bag or a growing chamber, where it can be kept at a temperature and humidity that is ideal for mushroom growth rate.

What Do Golden Teachers Look Like?

Golden Teacher mushrooms are named for their distinctive appearance and pharmacological properties. However, they’re not as unique looking as varieties like Penis Envy, for example, and it’s not hard to confuse them with other species.

Here are some key characteristics to look for:

Cap. Golden Teacher mushrooms typically have a convex or bell-shaped cap or top that is about 1-5 cm in diameter when fully grown. This large size is why the caps are often used to make gill prints. The cap can vary in color from light tan to golden brown, and may have a slightly wrinkled appearance. In some samples, you may see blue spots from bruising that are caused by psilocybin content.

Stem. The stem of Golden Teacher mushrooms is usually about 5-15 cm long and 0.2-1.5 cm thick. It is typically white or pale yellow in color and may be covered in fine fibers or scales.

Gills. The underside of the cap is lined with gills that radiate out from the stem. The gills are usually dark purple-brown in color and may be separated by lighter colored veins.

Spores. When the mushrooms mature, they release spores that are dark purple-brown in color.

Although Golden Teacher mushrooms are distinctive looking in some ways, it’s easy to confuse them with other species of mushroom—some of which may be poisonous. If you still have an interest, buying mushrooms from a reputable vendor who specializes in cultivating and selling Golden Teachers is definitely a safer and more reliable choice.

Are Golden Teachers Legal?

The legality of Golden Teacher mushrooms, or any type of psilocybin-containing mushroom, varies by country, state, and province. In many places around the world, including the United States, Canada, and many European countries, psilocybin mushrooms are classified as illegal drugs and their possession, cultivation, sale, or distribution is prohibited.

However, psilocybin-containing mushrooms, including Golden Teachers, have been decriminalized or legalized in some states and cities in the United States, including Santa Cruz in California and the entire state of Oregon. In these areas, possession and use of shrooms is either no longer punished criminally or allowed for medical purposes for qualifying patients.

Even in these areas where psychedelics have been decriminalized or legalized, the sale and distribution of magic mushrooms is generally still illegal. It’s always a good idea to check the specific laws and regulations in your area to ensure that you are complying with local regulations.

Final Thoughts on Golden Teachers

Are you done feeling curious and ready to give this magic mushroom strain a try? Golden Teachers are the perfect place to start your trip.