Blue Meanies Mushroom: An Icon

TL;DR: Blue Meanies are a type of magic mushroom that grows in grasslands and dung in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is highly potent, with psilocin contents up to 3%, about three times higher than that of the well-known species Psilocybe cubensis. Blue meanies have similar effects to other types of magic mushrooms but are said to be stronger. Potential effects may include changes in perception, emotion, thinking, and sense of self. When consuming psychedelics like blue meanies, it is important to approach the experience with the right mindset and to create a controlled environment to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable during the experience.

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Exploring the Iconic Blue Meanie Mushroom

There are hundreds of species of psilocybin mushrooms. These mushrooms have played important roles in the religious and medicinal rituals of indigenous cultures for centuries.

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In the world of mind-altering mushrooms, some have gained particular notoriety. The “penis envy” strain of Psilocybe cubensis, known for its potent effects and unique phallic appearance, is one such mushroom species. Another well-known variety is Psilocybe mexicana, also known as Teonanácatl, or “Flesh of the Gods,” used in religious ceremonies in Mexico for centuries.

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This article will focus on exploring the characteristics of another iconic mushroom — the blue meanie.

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What are Blue Meanies?

Blue meanies are a type of magic mushroom that grow in grasslands and thrive in dung. These mushrooms can be found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

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Unlike most psilocybin-containing mushrooms, they belong to the Panaeolus genus. The full scientific name for blue meanies is Panaeolus cyanescens, however, they are sometimes referred to as Copelandia cyanescens.

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Blue meanies have comparable concentrations of psilocybin to many potent Psilocybe strains. In fact, a forensic analysis of blue meanies seized by German customs revealed them to be highly potent, with psilocin contents of up to 3% — about three times higher than that of the well-known species Psilocybe cubensis. ‍

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It's worth noting that Panaeolus cyanescens shares the same abbreviation (P. cyanescens) as another psilocybin-containing mushroom called Psilocybe cyanescens or “wavy caps.” However, blue meanies and wavy caps have significant differences despite their shared abbreviation and psychoactive effects. 

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Physical Characteristics of Blue Meanies 

Blue meanies mushrooms are usually a brownish color before fading to off-white or light gray in maturity. Their smooth-surfaced, convex caps (pileus) are rather small, ranging from 0.5 to 4 cm in diameter. As the cap loses water and dries out, it may change in color, develop cracks, and become opaque. When wet, the cap’s uppermost layer becomes more transparent. 

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The gills of blue meanies are tightly packed and adnate to adnexed, meaning they can be fully or partly attached to the stem, to which they are closely situated. Young gills are typically gray in color, turning black as spores develop, and have a speckled appearance. The stem (stipe) is narrow at about 2-4 mm thick but quite long, typically growing to about 7-12 cm in length. The same color as the cap, blue meanies stems are slightly enlarged at their base and, like other psilocybin-containing fungi, stain greenish-blue where bruised. 

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To determine the presence of psilocybin and psilocin, the primary psychoactive compounds in mushrooms, scientists often rely on the characteristic intense blue staining that occurs upon injury to the mushroom. This reaction is also observed in blue meanies, a species that may have been named after the blue-colored Blue Meanies characters in the Beatles' film Yellow Submarine.

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To rely solely on blue bruising as an indicator of psychoactivity in mushrooms is not entirely reliable, and does not mean that they are safe to consume. Some mushroom species, like Inocybe calamistrata, have physical similarities with psychedelic mushrooms of the same genus and also bruise blue, but are highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested. Therefore, it is not advisable to forage for psychedelic Inocybes based solely on the presence of blue bruising.

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To ensure safety, it is crucial to exercise caution and thoroughness when identifying psilocybin-containing mushrooms during foraging.

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The Subjective Effects of Blue Meanies 

Psilocybin is a compound found in certain types of mushrooms that can have profound effects on the human brain. When we consume psilocybin, our body converts it into a new compound called psilocin.

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Once psilocin enters our brain, it has a strong affinity for a specific type of receptor called the serotonin 5HT_2a receptor. By binding to this receptor, psilocin can produce a range of effects, including altered thinking, changes in perception, and a sense of heightened awareness. This is why psilocybin-containing mushrooms are often referred to as "psychedelic" or "mind-altering" substances.

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While the precise mechanism of action of psilocybin is not fully understood, research suggests that its effects are mediated by changes in brain connectivity and communication between different regions of the brain.

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Blue meanies have similar effects to other types of magic mushrooms but are said to be stronger. Some of the potential effects may include:

• Dilated pupils
• Increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
• Nausea 
• Bodily euphoria
• Enhanced appreciation of music
• Visual distortions (e.g. “breathing” or inanimate objects)
• Closed-eye geometric visuals
• Alterations in thinking
• Emotional amplification 
• A softening or loss of the sense of self 
• A sense of unity/interconnectedness 

These effects typically last for 4 to 6 hours.

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When consuming psychedelics like blue meanies, it is important to approach the experience with the right mindset and to create a controlled environment to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable during the experience. This is known as “set and setting.” This can include things like having a trusted friend present, setting up a comfortable space to relax, and eliminating any potential sources of distraction or stress.  

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Blue Meanies Mushrooms in Indonesia

Ethnobotanist Paul Alan Cox reported in the 1980s that blue meanies were cultivated on Bali Island, Indonesia where they were used for rituals and sold to foreigners. German anthropologist and ethnopharmacologist Christian Rätsch writes that in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Javanese textile artists received inspiration from the blue meanies, and the mushrooms can sometimes be spotted in their artistic creations. 

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When blue meanies were first identified in France, it was widely speculated that they came along with racing horses that had been imported from Indonesia, germinating in European soil by way of the the excrement of mammals. 

The Medical Use of Psilocybin Mushrooms: Current Research and Future Directions

Although research shows that psilocybin, the primary psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, may be a promising adjunct therapy for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric illnesses, the medical use of actual psilocybin-containing mushrooms remains uncertain. Scientists often prefer to isolate a single compound, such as psilocybin, and measure its therapeutic effects against placebos or other treatments.

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However, some proponents of plant medicine argue that there may be more to the experiential element of these medicines than a single extracted or synthetically produced compound.

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For instance, blue meanies contain baeocystin, a compound that has reported psychoactivity, as well as tryptophan, tryptamine, and serotonin. The combination of these compounds, along with other unexplored chemical components, may produce a distinct subjective experience. This phenomenon is commonly reported by those who have experimented with both 5-MeO-DMT derived from the Colorado River toad and the synthetic version of 5-MeO-DMT. 

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As psychedelic research continues to expand, there may be a possibility of exploring the unique effects of different psilocybin mushroom species on the brain. However, at the moment, research efforts are predominantly focused on the well-known psychoactive compound psilocybin and its effects.

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While this research has been very fruitful, it may be important to consider the possibility that there may be additional compounds in these mushrooms that contribute to their overall effects. As research into the therapeutic uses of psilocybin continues to advance, we may learn more about the different chemical components and their potential therapeutic applications.