⚖️ UK Legal Notice: This guide is for learning and research only. Psilocybe cubensis spores do not have psilocybin or psilocin in them, so they are legal to buy in the UK for research under a microscope. Growing spores into full mushrooms is against the law under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Always follow UK law. See our 2026 UK Legal Guide for more.
⚡ Quick Answer
Penis Envy is a type of Psilocybe cubensis. It has a gene change that stops its cap from fully opening when it grows. Because the cap stays part-closed, it makes far fewer spores than other types. The spores are 11–17 x 7–12 micrometres (a micrometre is a tiny unit — one millionth of a metre). That's about the same size as Golden Teacher spores, but Penis Envy spores have thicker outer walls and there are a lot fewer of them. This is exactly why Penis Envy syringes cost more and are harder to find. This guide covers the science behind it, what the spores look like, how it compares to other types, and how to store your syringe the right way.11–17µmSpore length — same range as Golden Teacher
LowHow many spores you get — genuinely rare
400xSmallest zoom level to see spores clearly
AdvancedHow hard it is to study
Jump to a section
1. The Science Behind Penis Envy
2. What the Spores Look Like
3. Why It's Actually Rare
4. Comparing It to Other Strains
5. How to Prepare a Slide
6. How to Store It
FAQ1. The Science Behind Penis Envy
Penis Envy is a cultivar — a specific variety bred or selected for certain traits — of Psilocybe cubensis. That's the same species as Golden Teacher, B+, and every other named cubensis type. The names are just different varieties, the same way apples come in different varieties like Gala or Braeburn, even though they're all still apples.What makes Penis Envy different is one specific gene change. It stops the cap from fully opening and going flat when the mushroom is fully grown. Most cubensis mushrooms open their caps wide and flat on purpose — that's how they release the most spores. Because Penis Envy's cap stays part-closed, it releases far fewer spores. That's the real, biological reason why Penis Envy spore syringes are rarer and cost more — there's simply less material to collect from each mushroom.
ℹ️ Key Science Fact — Penis Envy, Golden Teacher, B+, and every other named cubensis strain are all the exact same species: Psilocybe cubensis. The differences you see — cap shape, how many spores it makes, wall thickness — come from small genetic differences between varieties, not from being different species.
2. What Penis Envy Spores Look Like Under the Microscope
Penis Envy spores share the same basic features as any cubensis spore: a dark colour, a visible "germ pore" (a small thin spot on the spore where it would sprout from if it grew), and an oval shape. But there are a few real differences worth knowing before you look at one under a microscope.Size
11–17 × 7–12µm
Same size range as Golden Teacher — medium-to-large for this species. Best seen clearly at 1000x zoom with oil (explained below).
Shape
Oval, slightly flat on one side
The same basic shape you'll see across most cubensis spores, and it stays consistent within a healthy sample.
Colour
Dark Purple-Brown
Standard colour for this species, which shows up clearly against a bright background under the microscope.
Outer Wall
Noticeably Thicker
This is the easiest way to spot Penis Envy at high zoom — the outer wall is visibly thicker than most other cubensis strains.
Germ Pore
Clear and Easy to See
Similar in size to other cubensis strains. You'll spot it clearly once you zoom in to 1000x with oil.
How Many Spores
Low — Genuinely Rare
A lot less spore material per syringe than high-yield strains — a direct result of the part-closed cap.
Why the Thicker Wall Matters
The thicker outer wall is the best clue for spotting Penis Envy at high zoom. At 1000x with oil, the walls look clearly heavier than the thin, smooth walls you'd see on Golden Teacher. It's a genuinely useful thing to compare if you have both strains to look at.
✅ What to Look for First — At 400x zoom, expect to spend a bit more time hunting for usable spore clusters, since there's less material overall. Once you find some, switch to 1000x with oil — that's where the thick outer wall becomes easy to see, and it's the main reason people study this strain.
3. Why Is Penis Envy Actually Rare?
Cap Stays Part-Closed
The main gene difference — the cap never fully opens or flattens, which physically limits how much spore-releasing surface is exposed.Less Spore Material Per Mushroom
Less exposed surface means a lot less spore material collected from each mushroom, compared to wide-capped strains.A Real Reason for the Higher Price
Higher prices for Penis Envy syringes reflect a real shortage caused by biology — not just clever marketing.Worth the Extra Effort
The thick wall and unusual genetics make Penis Envy a genuinely interesting strain to study once you're past beginner level.4. How Penis Envy Compares to Other UK Strains
| Strain | Spore Size (µm) | Shape | How Many Spores | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penis Envy | 11–17 × 7–12 | Oval, thicker walls | Low — rare | Advanced | Studying the gene mutation |
| Golden Teacher | 11–17 × 7–12 | Oval, very consistent | Very High | Beginner | Your first ever slide |
| B+ | 11–16 × 7–11 | Oval, very even | Very High | Beginner | Making lots of slides quickly |
| Blue Meanies | 10–14 × 6–10 | Oval, compact | Moderate | Intermediate | Comparing colours |
Penis Envy vs Golden Teacher — The Size Overlap
Here's a good reminder: spore size alone doesn't tell you the strain. Both Penis Envy and Golden Teacher measure 11–17µm — basically identical on size. The thicker wall and much lower spore count are the real giveaways once you're comparing the two side by side.Penis Envy vs B+ — Total Opposites
B+ is all about having loads of spores that are easy to work with. Penis Envy is the opposite — its part-closed cap means far less material. If you're just starting out, B+ (or Golden Teacher) is the better place to begin. Save Penis Envy for once your technique is solid, since you'll have less spore material to work with.5. How to Prepare a Penis Envy Slide
Because Penis Envy syringes carry less spore material, your technique matters more here than with strains that have loads of spores. Take extra care with mixing and drop size.What You'll Need
- A microscope — 400x zoom at least, 1000x with oil is even better
- Glass slides (25×75mm)
- Coverslips (small glass squares that go on top, #1.5, 0.17mm thick)
- Type B immersion oil, for the 1000x zoom
- Alcohol wipes and lens tissue, for cleaning
- Your Penis Envy spore syringe
- A notebook to write down what you see
1
Clean your slide — Wipe it with alcohol and lens tissue, then let it dry fully before you use it.
2
Mix the syringe well — Roll it in your hands and shake it for at least 20–30 seconds. This takes longer than usual, since Penis Envy spores settle unevenly because there are fewer of them.
3
Add one small drop — About 0.05ml, right in the middle of the slide.
4
Put the coverslip on at an angle — Tilt it to about 45 degrees and lower it slowly. This pushes air out so you don't get bubbles.
5
Look around carefully at 400x — Since there's less spore material, you might need to move the slide around a bit to find a good spot before settling in.
6
Switch to 1000x with oil — This is where the thick outer wall becomes clear to see, which is the main reason to study this strain.
⚠️ One Thing to Remember — Always put the needle cap back on right after use. Since Penis Envy spores are harder to get, losing a syringe to contamination (germs getting in) is a bigger loss than with a strain that has loads of spores.
6. How to Store Your Penis Envy Spore Syringe
Since Penis Envy spores are harder to find, storing your syringe properly really matters.| What | What to Do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Keep it at 2–8°C (a normal fridge) | Slows down germs without harming the spores |
| Freezing | Never freeze it | Ice damages the spores for good |
| Light | Keep it in the dark | Light slowly wears the spores down over time |
| Position | Store it upright, with the needle cap on | Stops the spores from settling in the wrong place |
| How long it lasts | 12–18 months if stored well | After that, the spores start to break down |
✅ Before Each Use — Let it warm to room temperature first, then shake it for 20–30 seconds before opening. Because there's less spore material, good mixing matters more here than with a high-yield strain.
Ready to Get Started?
Tripping Store's Penis Envy spore syringes are made under clean, sterile conditions in the UK, from verified genetics — giving you access to one of the rarer, more interesting strains once you're ready to move past the basics.Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Penis Envy legal to buy in the UK?
Yes. Penis Envy spore syringes are legal to buy and own in the UK for research under a microscope, since spores don't contain psilocybin.
QWhy does Penis Envy make fewer spores?
A gene change stops its cap from fully opening when it grows. This means it releases far fewer spores than strains like Golden Teacher, whose caps open wide.
QHow big are Penis Envy spores?
11–17 x 7–12 micrometres — about the same size as Golden Teacher, but Penis Envy spores have noticeably thicker outer walls.
QIs Penis Envy good for beginners?
Not usually the best first strain to try. Because there's less spore material, slide preparation is trickier — it suits people who already have some practice.
QHow long does a Penis Envy spore syringe last?
If you store it right, in the fridge at 2–8°C, it should stay usable for 12–18 months.
QWhat zoom level do I need to see the thick wall?
1000x with oil. At 400x you can see the basic shape and colour, but the thicker wall only becomes clear at that higher zoom.
QCan I tell Penis Envy apart from Golden Teacher under a microscope?
Not by size alone — both are the same size range, 11–17µm. The thicker wall and much lower spore count are the better clues for spotting Penis Envy specifically.
QDo you ship Penis Envy spore syringes worldwide?
Yes, we ship across the UK and internationally, with discreet, tracked packaging.
