Psilocybe serbica

Description

The fruiting bodies if Psilocybe serbica grow on decaying wood & on wood chips used in horticulture. It is closely related to Psilocybe cyanescens, although the latter has a strong floury odor and taste and does not have translucent streaks when wet.

Psilocybe serbica is a species of mushroom known for its psychoactive properties and is a member of the Psilocybe genus. It is commonly referred to as the Serbian mushroom due to its discovery and prevalence in Serbia and neighboring regions.

Psilocybe serbica and other psilocybin-containing mushrooms have a long history of traditional use and cultural significance in certain regions, but the consumption of psychoactive mushrooms can have potential risks. It’s advisable to educate oneself about the risks, legality, and responsible use of such substances. Identifying it is only possible with certainty under the microscope.

P. serbica, clearly hallucinogenic, is also one of the problematic species in terms of its botanical classification.

© jonasgruska

Properties

Psilocybe serbica contains various psychoactive compounds, including psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin. These compounds are responsible for the hallucinogenic effects commonly associated with consuming mushrooms of this species.

Psilocybe serbica has a hallucinogenic effect! The psilocybin content range from 0.11% to 1.34% dry weight. Baeocystin and psilocybin concentrations were highest in mushroom caps.

This mystical mushroom has been used for centuries by indigenous communities, shamans, and spiritual seekers as a tool for healing, divination, and expanding consciousness. Its profound influence on art, music, and philosophy testifies to its enduring legacy throughout history.

This awe-inspiring fungus boasts a rich cultural history intertwined with mystical experiences, making it a beloved and respected entity in the realm of entheogens.

Hallucinations

Psilocybe serbica can induce visual (especially withing high doses), auditory, and sensory hallucinations.

Euphoria and Introspection

Many report feelings of euphoria, introspection, and enhanced creativity.

Altered Perception

Users experience shifts in perception of time, space, and reality.

Mindset and Setting

The effects are influenced by mindset and environment.

Growing

How to Grow Psilocybe serbica?

Psilocybe serbica, a little known mushroom native to Europe, can be cultivated using the following steps:

Step 1: Preparing the Substrate

  • Mix 2 parts vermiculite, 2 parts brown rice flour, and 1 part water in a large bowl.
  • Fill wide-mouth glass jars with the substrate mixture, leaving about 3 cm (1 inch) of space at the top.
  • Cover the jars with tin foil to prevent water from getting in.
  • Sterilize the jars in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot for 30 minutes to kill any competing organisms.
  • Allow the jars to cool down before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Inoculation

  • Clean the area where you’ll be working with isopropyl alcohol to maintain sterility.
  • Using a sterilized spore syringe, inject approximately 2 CCs of spore solution into each jar.
  • Seal the jars and cover the top with tin foil.
  • Repeat this process for each jar, ensuring cleanliness between each inoculation.

Step 3: Incubation

Set up an incubator to create ideal conditions for the spawn run.

Place the inoculated jars in the incubator, or if you have a suitable dark and warm spot in your house, use that instead.

Check the jars every few days for signs of contamination and monitor the growth of white mycelium.

Step 4: Fruiting

Once the jars are fully colonized with white mycelium, it’s time to initiate fruiting.

Create a fruiting chamber by using a clear container that allows some airflow and maintains high humidity (>80%).

Place the colonized jars inside the fruiting chamber and provide low levels of indirect light.

Maintain fruiting parameter

Spray the substrate with filtered or distilled water to keep it moist.

Over time, mushrooms will start to grow from the colonized substrate.

Harvest the mushrooms when they reach the desired size and maturity.

It’s important to prioritize safety and legality when engaging in any cultivation activities. Ensure you comply with local laws and regulations regarding the cultivation and use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms.

PH Levels

Agar Culture Media

5.0 – 6.0

Spawn Run

5.5 – 6.5

Fruiting Phase

5.5 – 6.5

Harvest

none

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Temp °C
21°C-24°C (70°F-75°F) 18°C-23°C (64°F-73°F) 15°C-20°C (59°F-68°F)
Relative Humidity %
90-95 85-90 80-85
Duration d
7-21 7-14 7-21
CO2 ppm
>5000 1000-2000 <1000
FAE per h
0-1 4-6 4-8
Light lux
100-800 500-1000

Cropping Cycle

Inoculation Phase

1-2 weeks

This phase involves introducing Psilocybe serbica spores or mycelium to a sterile substrate. Common substrates include hardwood sawdust, wood chips, and sometimes straw.

The inoculation can be done using spore syringes or agar cultures.

It is crucial to maintain sterile conditions to prevent contamination during this phase.

Spawn Run

4-6 weeks

During this phase, the mycelium colonizes the substrate. The container with the inoculated substrate should be kept in a dark, warm environment with temperatures around 20-25°C (68-77°F).

The substrate needs to remain moist but not overly wet, and it should be aerated periodically to provide the mycelium with oxygen.

Full colonization is indicated when the substrate is completely covered with white mycelium.

Fruiting Phase

2-4 weeks

Once the substrate is fully colonized, it is time to initiate fruiting. This involves exposing the colonized substrate to conditions that mimic autumn, such as lower temperatures (10-15°C or 50-59°F) and increased humidity (90-95%).

Light is also introduced, typically a 12-hour light/dark cycle, to stimulate mushroom formation.

During this phase, primordia (pinheads) form and develop into mature fruiting bodies. Maintaining high humidity and proper ventilation is crucial to prevent drying out and to support healthy mushroom growth.

Harvest

Typically occurs over 1-2 weeks

Harvesting occurs when the mushrooms have fully matured but before the caps start to flatten out and release spores. This timing ensures the best potency and quality.

Mushrooms are carefully twisted or cut from the substrate to avoid damaging the mycelium, which can lead to additional flushes.

Multiple flushes can be harvested from a well-maintained substrate, with the first flush usually being the most prolific.

How to make Agar Culture Media for P. serbica?

  1. Dissolve the malt extract and agar in distilled water.
  2.  Sterilize the solution by autoclaving at 121°C for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Pour the sterilized media into petri dishes or other containers under sterile conditions.
  4. The Yeast is optional, but you can add it to any recipe for nutritions, same for Peptone.

Malt Yeast Peptone Agar

MYPA

Malt Extract: 10g
Yeast Extract: 4g
Peptone: 5g
Agar: 15g
Distilled Water: 1L

Malt Extract Agar

MEA

Malt Extract: 20g
Agar: 15g
Distilled Water: 1L

Malt Yeast Agar

MYA

Malt Extract: 10g
Yeast Extract: 5g
Agar: 15g
Distilled Water: 1L

Potato Dextrose Yeast Agar

PDYA

Potato Infusion: 200g (from boiling 200g of diced potatoes in 1L of water, then straining)

Dextrose: 20g
Yeast Extract: 5g
Agar: 15g
Distilled Water: 1L

Fruiting Containers

Trays

Open trays placed in a high-humidity chamber or tent are a popular choice.

Size: Typically shallow and wide to allow ample surface area for mycelium colonization and fruiting.

Material: Plastic or metal trays that can withstand humidity and are easy to sterilize.

Setup: Trays are filled with a substrate mix (such as hardwood chips and sawdust) and placed inside a controlled environment with high humidity and indirect light.

Monotubs

Plastic storage bins modified with holes for ventilation.

Setup: Drill holes in the sides and lid of the tub, and cover with micropore tape or stuff with polyfill to balance humidity and fresh air exchange.

Substrate: Use a mixture of pasteurized wood chips and straw or a similar bulk substrate.

Maintenance: Maintain high humidity (90-95%) and provide indirect light for 12 hours a day. Ensure good air exchange to prevent CO2 buildup and promote pinning.

Martha Tents

Small greenhouse-style grow tents with shelves, often equipped with humidifiers and fans for optimal conditions.

Size: Varies, typically small to medium, accommodating several trays or bags.

Material: Plastic or fabric tents with a clear covering to allow light.

Setup: Martha tents are set up with trays or bags on the shelves, with a humidifier to maintain high humidity (90-95%) and fans for air circulation. They provide a controlled environment ideal for fruiting.

Shotgun Fruiting Chamber

Transparent plastic containers with numerous holes drilled into the sides for ventilation, with a dry agent at the bottom to maintain humidity.

Size: Medium to large plastic storage bins.

Material: Clear plastic for light penetration and durability.

Setup: The bottom of the container is filled with a layer of perlite soaked in water to maintain humidity. The substrate (wood chips and sawdust) is placed on a rack above the perlite. The container is misted regularly to ensure high humidity and proper fruiting conditions.

Substrate for fruiting Psilocybe serbica

Psilocybe serbica thrives on substrates that provide a rich source of nutrients, particularly those high in lignin and cellulose.

Preferred Wood Types

Alder (Alnus)
Maple (Acer)
Oak (Quercus)
Beech (Fagus)
Birch (Betula)

Hydration: Ensure the substrate is adequately hydrated but not waterlogged. A moisture content of around 60-65% is ideal.

Pasteurization: Proper pasteurization is essential to eliminate competing organisms while preserving beneficial microbes that support mushroom growth.

Inoculation: After pasteurization, allow the substrate to cool before inoculating with Psilocybe serbica mycelium.

Incubation: Place the inoculated substrate in a dark, warm environment (20-24°C or 68-75°F) until fully colonized by the mycelium.

Example Substrate Mix

Ingredients: 50% hardwood sawdust, 30% wood chips, 10% straw, and 10% leaf litter.

Preparation: Mix all ingredients, soak in water for 24 hours, drain excess water, and pasteurize the mixture. After cooling, inoculate with Psilocybe serbica mycelium.

Straw

Straw can be used as a supplementary material in the substrate mix, providing structure and additional nutrients.

Preparation: Cut the straw into small pieces, soak it in water, and pasteurize by heating to 70-80°C (158-176°F) for 1-2 hours.

Mixtures: Often mixed with hardwood sawdust to balance the substrate.

Leaf Litter

Leaf litter from deciduous trees can mimic the natural forest floor environment where Psilocybe serbica typically grows.

Preparation: Collect, chop finely, soak, and pasteurize leaf litter similarly to other organic materials.

Mixtures: Can be combined with wood chips and sawdust for a more natural substrate blend.

Hardwood Sawdust

Hardwood sawdust and wood chips provide the essential lignin and cellulose that Psilocybe serbica mycelium prefers.

Preparation: Mix hardwood sawdust and wood chips, soak them in water for 24 hours, and then pasteurize by heating to 70-80°C (158-176°F) for 1-2 hours.

Suitable Wood Types: Oak, beech, maple, and other hardwoods are ideal.

Coco Coir and Vermiculite

While less common for wood-loving species, coco coir and vermiculite can be used to improve water retention and aeration when mixed with wood-based substrates.

Preparation: Hydrate the coco coir and vermiculite, then pasteurize by heating or using boiling water.

Proportion: Typically, a small amount (10-20%) mixed with the primary wood substrate.

Biological efficiencie for Fruiting Bodies

Typical Range: The BE for Psilocybe serbica when producing fruiting bodies typically ranges between 50% to 150%.

Factors Influencing BE:

Substrate Quality

Composition: High-quality substrates such as hardwood sawdust, wood chips, and supplemental materials like straw and leaf litter can significantly impact BE.

Preparation: Proper hydration, pasteurization, and nutrient balance are crucial for maximizing mycelial growth and fruiting potential.

Environmental Conditions

Temperature: Maintaining the right temperature range (20-24°C or 68-75°F) during colonization and slightly cooler temperatures (10-15°C or 50-59°F) during fruiting.

Humidity: High humidity levels (90-95%) are essential for both mycelial growth and mushroom development.

Sometimes we miss a piece

Identification

Psilocybe serbica can be identified by its distinct physical characteristics. It typically has a small to medium-sized cap, 1.5 to 4 cm in diameter, that starts convex and becomes broadly convex or nearly plane as it matures, often with a slight umbo. The cap is hygrophanous, changing color from dark brown when moist to a lighter tan or yellow-brown as it dries. The gills are adnate to slightly decurrent, starting light brown and becoming darker with age, featuring whitish edges. The stem is slender, 4 to 10 cm long, and up to 4 mm thick, with a white to yellowish color that bruises blue when handled. This species is also known for its strong bluing reaction, a hallmark of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, especially evident where the stem and cap are damaged.

How to identify P. serbica

Summer to fall

Deciduous forests, spruce forests, forest meadows, rare in Western and Central Europe, from September to December.

Psilocybe serbica grows mainly in clumps, on well-decomposed conifers and deciduous trees, and together with Urtica spp. or rubus spp. on twigs, compost, plant debris, in woods, especially in moist places along streams, forest paths, and roadsides. It has not been reported to be synanthropic.

Preferred substrates are hardwood mulch made from oak, eucalyptus, Douglas fir, and alder. Fruiting occurs in cool weather, generally late September through January. The species can be easily grown on agar, grain seed, and cellulosic material, including wood chips and sawdust.

Natural Habitat

Cap

1-2 (3) cm
grayish brown, light brown
hygrophanous
sometimes slightly ridged often darker brown
hemispherical
possibly slightly humped
never upturned
bluish when injured

Hymenium

gray, gray-brown, dark brown
with intermediate lamellae

Stipe

light brownish
white-fibrous-floccose
darker brownish to base
very long
base with mycelium white-felted

Veil

dark brow
drooping
grooved

Spores

3-4 x 9-11 µm
blackish brown

Danger of confusion

PSILOCYBE CYANESCENS, PANAEOLUS CYANESCENS, PSILOCYBE SEMILANCEATA, PROTOSTROPHARIA SEMIGLOBATA, PANAEOLUS PAPILIONACEUS, PANAEOLUS GUTTULATUS, PANAEOLUS FIMICOLA

Hyphae

sepatate Hyphae
clamp Connections
hyaline Appearance
diameter 2-8 µm
bluing reaction

© Luca Pasquali (luca)

Consuming

Dosis

There is an urgent warning against food experiments with Psilocybe serbica. Collecting, possessing and selling drug mushrooms is illegal in many countries around the world.

Depending on the particular strain, growth method, and age at harvest, psilocybe mushrooms can come in rather different potencies. It is recommended to weigh the actual mushrooms, better then counting them. 10% of the mushrooms mass is left, when dried. Take a look at Properties, to find out how potent they are.

Typical:

Low Dose: 1g+
Medium: 4g+
High: 7g+

People taking MAOIs should be very careful, as the enzyme monoamine oxidase metabolizes psilocybin and psilocin. An MAOI decreases the body's ability to handle mushrooms (approximately doubling their potency) and can result in an uncomfortable, prolonged, or dangerously strong experience.

There is an urgent warning against food experiments with Psilocybe subaeruginosa. Collecting, possessing and selling drug mushrooms is illegal in many countries around the world.

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Effect

Due to the presumed main ingredient, psilocybin, the same effect can be expected as with other types of well-known hallucinogenic mushrooms. At this point, it is convenient to refer to the description of the effects of Psilocybe cubensis.

Duration:
5-6 hours

Sensory Perception

The sensory perception of Psilocybe serbica includes a farinaceous smell and taste, which may be somewhat bitter. The flesh is thin, fragile, and exhibits a strong bluing reaction when damaged, indicating the presence of psychoactive compounds. These characteristics are important for identifying and distinguishing Psilocybe serbica from other species.

Smell

Psilocybe serbica has a distinctive odor that is often described as farinaceous, resembling freshly ground flour or a cucumber-like smell. This unique scent is typical of many psilocybin-containing mushrooms.

Taste

The taste is generally described as farinaceous as well. It is not particularly pleasant and can be somewhat bitter or earthy, which is typical for many mushrooms in the Psilocybe genus.

Flesh

The flesh of Psilocybe serbica is thin and fragile, easily bruising and turning blue upon handling. This bluing reaction is a key indicator of the presence of psilocybin and psilocin. The color of the flesh varies from whitish to light brown, depending on the age and hydration level of the mushroom.

Composition

Psilocybe serbica contains several compounds that are common in many psilocybin mushrooms, but also features unique compounds and characteristics that can help distinguish it.

Psilocybin Content

Psilocybe serbica, like other psychedelic mushrooms, contains unique compounds that contribute to its psychoactive effects.

Psilocybin & Psilocin

The main psychoactive compound found in Psilocybe serbica, converting into psilocin in the human body.

The active metabolite of psilocybin, directly responsible for the psychoactive effects.

Baeocystin

A derivative of psilocybin, contributing to the psychoactive profile.

Norbaeocystin

Another derivative of psilocybin, structurally similar to baeocystin.

Uniquie Compounds

Serbicin

Unique to Psilocybe serbica, serbicin is a psilocin derivative that contributes to the specific psychoactive profile of this species.

Serbinol

Another unique compound found in Psilocybe serbica, adding to the distinct chemical makeup of the mushroom.

Serbicybin

A compound named to reflect its presence in Psilocybe serbica. Though structurally related to psilocybin, it may have slight variations in effects.

Nutritional and Structural Components

Polysaccharides

Essential for the structure of the fungal cell walls, contributing to the physical integrity of the mushroom.

Proteins and Amino Acids

Provide nutritional value and are essential for various cellular processes.

Lipids

Involved in maintaining cell membrane integrity and energy storage.

Tryptophan Derivatives

Mushrooms in the Psilocybe genus often contain tryptophan derivatives and other indole compounds.

Function: These compounds are precursors to psilocybin and psilocin synthesis within the mushroom.

other names

  • German: Serbischer Kahlkopf
  • French: Psilocybe serbica
  • Spanish: Psilocybe serbica
  • Italian: Psilocybe serbica
  • Dutch: Psilocybe serbica
  • Russian: Псилоцибе сербика (Psilocybe serbica)
  • Serbian: Псилоцибе сербика (Psilocybe serbica)
  • Czech: Psilocybe serbica
  • Polish: Psilocybe serbica

Psilocybe bohemica, Böhmischer Kahlkopf,Psilocybe serbica f. sternberkiana (Borov.) Borov., Oborník & Noordel, Psilocybe bohemica Sebek 1983, Serbischer Kahlkopf

Taxonomical Hierarchy

Kingdom Fungi
Division Basidiomycota
Class Agaricomycetes
Order Agaricales
Family Hymenogastraceae
Genus Psilocybe
Species P. serbica
Ecology saprotrophic

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