Psilocybe azurescens
A plain-language profile of Psilocybe azurescens: how it was named, what genome and laboratory work show, one animal study with worrying findings, and why little is known about effects in people.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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Documented analytical data
Each group below is one study's measurement of the stated specimen or preparation. It is not a typical value for the species or product, varies between specimens, and says nothing about effects or safety. 6 values from 1 source.
Windsor C, Kreynes AE, Chilton JS, Chioffi WA, Niebergall C, Dodds K. Development of Psilocybe Mushroom Species Refer... (6 values)
Source: Windsor C, Kreynes AE, Chilton JS, Chioffi WA, Niebergall C, Dodds K. Development of Psilocybe Mushroom Species Reference Material - Cultivation Parameters and Chemical Profiles. J AOAC Int 2025;109(1):37-50. doi:10.1093/jaoacint/qsaf007. Read 2026-10-22. Laboratory: North American Reishi Ltd (Nammex), Gibsons, BC, Canada. Method: HPTLC-densitometry at 273 nm, external calibration. Date: not reported in source.
| Specimen or preparation | Analyte | Value | What it is | Sample size and scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. azurescens, indoor-cultivated fruiting bodies from mycelium cultures started from wild-collected material (cap/stem/flush not separated) | psilocin | 0.08 % (w/w) (dry weight) | lowest value of range (reported) | 12. range across N=12 samples |
| P. azurescens, indoor-cultivated fruiting bodies from mycelium cultures started from wild-collected material (cap/stem/flush not separated) | psilocin | 0.2 % (w/w) (dry weight) | mean (reported) | 12. dataset (N=12); arithmetic mean, SD = 0.08 |
| P. azurescens, indoor-cultivated fruiting bodies from mycelium cultures started from wild-collected material (cap/stem/flush not separated) | psilocin | 0.29 % (w/w) (dry weight) | highest value of range (reported) | 12. range across N=12 samples |
| P. azurescens, indoor-cultivated fruiting bodies from mycelium cultures started from wild-collected material (cap/stem/flush not separated) | psilocybin | 0.81 % (w/w) (dry weight) | lowest value of range (reported) | 12. range across N=12 samples |
| P. azurescens, indoor-cultivated fruiting bodies from mycelium cultures started from wild-collected material (cap/stem/flush not separated) | psilocybin | 1.33 % (w/w) (dry weight) | mean (reported) | 12. dataset (N=12); arithmetic mean, SD = 0.325 |
| P. azurescens, indoor-cultivated fruiting bodies from mycelium cultures started from wild-collected material (cap/stem/flush not separated) | psilocybin | 1.77 % (w/w) (dry weight) | highest value of range (reported) | 12. range across N=12 samples |
What it is
Psilocybe azurescens is a fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. The accepted name is Psilocybe azurescens Stamets & Gartz, published in 1995 in the journal Integration. [1] The database lists no synonyms. [2] Less is documented about it than about Psilocybe cubensis, based on what we could read. "Flying saucer mushroom" is an informal name and not a reliable identifier.The compound it contains is covered in the psilocybin guide.
Distribution
A 2015 paper in Drug Testing and Analysis says the species has also been found in Germany. [3] We did not find a source in this session that surveys its range, so we make no further claim.What science has examined
- Genome. A 2025 report presented a draft genome for the species, and a 2022 survey browsed its genome among five Psilocybe species to look at the fungus's range of natural products. [4][5]
- Laboratory analysis. A 2026 study that cultivated six Psilocybe species, including this one, measured psilocybin and psilocin by one chromatography method and identified norbaeocystin, baeocystin and aeruginascin. It reported species-level differences, but the numbers come from one lab's cultivars. [6] We do not reproduce them, because no species has a typical value.
- Museum-specimen caution. A 2022 study found that specimen names in collections are often unreliable and that psilocybin decays over time, so older figures for any species deserve caution. [7]
What research shows in people
Label: insufficient evidence. Proper evidence not found for any clinical trial of this mushroom. We searched PubMed under the species name; the only human-relevant results were chemistry and genome papers. Clinical research uses isolated psilocybin (see psychedelic clinical trials and their limits).Animal findings (preclinical)
A 2026 study gave rats this mushroom by mouth for 14 days at three study amounts. The rats showed more anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior and less social interaction, along with signs of more inflammation and oxidative stress in brain regions. [8] This is preclinical (animals only). The study does not show what happens in people, and it should not be taken as evidence of benefit or harm in them.Related guides
Browse the Psilocybe species directory or read why names and photos are not safety assurances.Frequently asked questions
Who named Psilocybe azurescens?
The accepted name credits Stamets and Gartz, with a 1995 publication. [1]
Is there clinical evidence for it?
Proper evidence not found. The sources we read are chemistry, genome and one rat study. [8]
Does the rat study show it harms people?
No. It is an animal study and cannot be transferred to people. [8]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety first
If someone has eaten a wild or unknown mushroom, or a child has eaten any mushroom, call US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 in an emergency. See poisoning: what to do first. This page is education only. It does not help anyone find, identify, grow or use this fungus.
Legal status
Not verified here. Laws differ and change; see psychedelic legal status by country. This is not legal advice.
References
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record: Psilocybe azurescens Stamets & Gartz, accepted. Read 2026-10-22.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF synonyms of Psilocybe azurescens. Read 2026-10-22.
- Gartz J, Wiedemann G. Discovery of a new caerulescent Psilocybe mushroom in Germany: Psilocybe germanica sp.nov. Drug Test Anal 2015. Read 2026-10-22.
- Bollinger IM et al. High-quality draft genomes of ecologically and geographically diverse Psilocybe species. Microbiol Resour Announc 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- Dörner S et al. Genetic Survey of Psilocybe Natural Products. Chembiochem 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Windsor C et al. Development of Psilocybe Mushroom Species Reference Material. J AOAC Int 2026 (erratum 2026). Read 2026-10-22.
- Bradshaw AJ et al. DNA Authentication and Chemical Analysis of Psilocybe Mushrooms Reveal Widespread Misdeterminations in Fungaria and Inconsistencies in Metabolites. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Moghadam H et al. The Effect of Magic Mushroom (Psilocybe azurescens) on Social Interaction, Anxiety- and Depressive-Like Behaviors in Male Rats. J Neurosci Res 2026. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.