Sclerotia Psilocybe mexicana, Tampanensis and Atlantis

What is sclerotia ? 
A sclerotium (plural: sclerotia) is a hardened mass of mycelium which is more resistant to adverse environmental conditions than normal mycelium. Sclerotia form from the mycelium of certain mushroom species as a defense mechanism against dryness, cold, heat, or excessive moisture. Sclerotia contain approximately 30% dry matter. The potency of dry sclerotia is around 2/3 that of dry Psilocybe cubensis fruitbodies. 

Sclerotia Magic Mushroom Truffles

How are sclerotia grown? 
Sclerotia can be grown in vitro on rye grass seed or different grains, or harvested from spent casings of Psilocybe mexicana or Psilocybe tampanensis. Growing sclerotia in vitro is very simple and does not require any of the terrariums, air exchanges, or other complexities of fruiting mushrooms, but takes longer. Different grain substrates will work for sclerotia, but PF substrate is not suitable because of its vermiculite content. Any substrate containing materials not fit for human consumption should not be used for growing sclerotia, as it may be difficult during harvesting to separate the sclerotia from the substrate. 


What species form sclerotia? 
Psilocybe mexicana and Psilocybe tampanensis both form sclerotia, as well as Psilocybe atlantis. The 'A' strain of Psilocybe mexicana in particular is known for its exceptional sclerotia forming abilities.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin is a chemical found in the Psilocybe mexicana species of mushrooms. 
Psilocybe mexicana mushrooms are also called Magic Truffles 
The mushrooms (over 200 species of Basidiomycota) are typically found in tropical and subtropical areas of the United States, Mexico and South America. 
It is the ingredient that produces hallucinations and other experiences of an altered consciousness in people who consume the mushroom. Psilocybin is a crystalline tryptamine, a naturally occurring nitrogen compound, chemically similar to the human neurotransmitter DMT (dimethyltryptamine). Psilocybin is concentrated in specialized cells called sclerotia underneath the mushroom tops. Usually a person will simply eat the sclerotia or boil it in water to make a tea. The effects last about six hours, and may include hallucinations that gradually grow further apart until they disappear. Some people get silly under the influence of psilocybin, but others become more introspective. 
Each mushroom contains less than one half of one percent of psilocybin and trace amounts of psilocin, another hallucinogen. Both substances can be synthesized in a lab. 
Mushrooms containing psilocybin can be either fresh or dried and have long, thin stems topped by dark gilled caps. Like many hallucinogenic substances, mushrooms that contain psilocybin can be eaten, brewed in tea, coated with chocolate or added to other foods. Once inside the body, the digestive system will break down psilocybin to produce psilocyn.

Psilocybe mexicana mushroom

Psilocybin Mexicana is a psychedelic mushroom. It was first used by the early natives of Central America and North America over 2,000 years ago. This species was discovered by French botanist Roger Heim.

Magic mushroom Mexicana

 It was from this species that Dr. Albert Hofmann, working with specimens grown in his Sandoz laboratory, first isolated and named the active entheogenic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Uncertain of whether or not the artificially cultivated mushrooms would retain their natural psychoactive properties, Dr. Hofmann consumed thirty-two specimens. The following is his account of the experience, published in his classic text, The Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinogens:

 "As I was perfectly aware that my knowledge of the Mexican origin of the mushrooms would lead me to imagine only Mexican scenery, I tried deliberately to look on my environment as I knew it normally. But all voluntary efforts to look at things in their customary forms and colours proved ineffective. Whether my eyes were closed or open, I saw only Mexican motifs and colours. When the doctor supervising the experiment bent over me to check my blood pressure, he was transformed into an Aztec priest, and I would not have been astonished if he had drawn an obsidian knife. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, it amused me to see how the Germanic face of my colleague had acquired a purely Indian expression. At the peak of the intoxication, about 1½ hours after ingestion of the mushrooms, the rush of interior pictures, mostly changing in shape and colour, reached such an alarming degree that I feared I would be torn into this whirlpool of form and colour and would dissolve. After about six hours, the dream came to an end. Subjectively, I had no idea how long this condition had lasted. I felt my return to everyday reality to be a happy return from a strange, fantastic but quite really experienced world into an old and familiar home."

Sclerotia Grow Kit Ready to grow Psilocybe Mexicana

 Psilocybe mexicana Solitary or in small groups among moss along roadsides and trails, humid meadows or cornfields, in particular in the grassy areas bordering deciduous forests, and limestone regions. Common at elevations between 1000–1800 feet, rare in lower elevations, known only from Mexico and Guatemala. Fruiting takes place from May to October.

 Like some other grassland species such as Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe tampanensis, and Conocybe cyanopus, Psilocybe mexicana may form sclerotia, a dormant form of the organism, which affords it some protection from wildfires and other natural disasters.