The Learning Centre

Magic Mushroom Spore Strains Compared: Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

15 magic mushroom spore strains compared for UK microscopy: Golden Teacher, B+, Penis Envy and more, plus what the spores can and can't tell you.

Golden Teacher Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Golden Teacher spores and spore syringes in the UK: the strain's debated origin, spore size, shape and germ pore, plus slide prep and storage.

Bluey Vuitton Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Bluey Vuitton spore syringe UK: the reported Panama x Melmac PE lineage, how the spores look under the microscope, slide prep and where to find it.

Cambodian Gold Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Cambodian Gold spores UK: how this Psilocybe cubensis strain relates to Cambodian, its disputed parentage and what its spores look like under the microscope.

Aztec God Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide

Aztec God spores UK: where the Psilocybe cubensis strain's name comes from, why it isn't Psilocybe aztecorum, and how its spores look under the microscope.

Yeti Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Yeti spores UK: the pale Psilocybe cubensis strain whose albino look shows in the mushroom, not the spore. Microscopy, slide prep and syringe storage.

Jedi Mind Fuck Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Jedi Mind Fuck (JMF) spores UK: what this Psilocybe cubensis cultivar's spores look like at 1000x, where the name comes from, slide prep and storage.

Tidal Wave Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Tidal Wave spore syringe UK: the reported B+ x Penis Envy background, what the spores look like under the microscope, plus slide prep and storage.

Albino A+ Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Albino A+ spore syringe UK: spore size, shape and colour under the microscope, how A+ compares with other UK strains, plus slide prep and storage.

Penis Envy Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Penis Envy spore syringe UK: germ pore and spore colour under the microscope, why PE spores look like Golden Teacher's, and how to store your syringe.

Blue Meanies Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

Blue Meanie spores UK: the Psilocybe cubensis strain, not Panaeolus cyanescens. How its spores look under the microscope, plus slide prep and syringe storage.

B+ Spores: Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026

B+ spores UK: the debated origin of this Psilocybe cubensis strain, how its spores look under the microscope, plus slide prep and syringe storage.

Golden Teacher vs Jedi Mind Fuck: Complete UK Strain Comparison Guide 2026

Golden Teacher vs Jedi Mind Fuck (JMF) spores compared for UK microscopy: size, colour and shape side by side, and why a slide alone can't tell them apart.

Best Magic Mushroom Strains: A Comprehensive Guide

Best magic mushroom strains in the UK: a top 10 of Psilocybe cubensis, profiled from Golden Teacher to PES Amazonian, and why a strain's origin matters.

Golden Teacher vs Penis Envy: The Ultimate Psilocybe Cubensis Strain Comparison (UK Guide)

Golden Teacher vs Penis Envy for UK microscopy: why the spores look alike, how the mushrooms differ, and Golden Teacher's history and Penis Envy's genetics.

Monotub vs Grow Bag: Which Mushroom Growing Method Is Better?

Grow bag vs monotub compared on setup effort, equipment, yield, flushes and temperature control, and why an all-in-one bag is the simpler first setup.

Growing with Monotubs: A Beginner’s Guide to Mushroom Cultivation

How to set up a mushroom monotub, step by step: grain-to-substrate ratio (1:2), hygiene, layering the tub, and holding temperature and humidity.

Mushroom Growing Troubleshooting: 8 Common Problems Solved (2026)

Mushroom growing troubleshooting: why growth stalls, what condensation and odd colours mean, where contamination comes from and why harvests are small.

Mushroom Growing Terms: The Easy Beginner's Guide (2026)

New to mushroom growing? This glossary explains 32 key terms — spores, mycelium, colonisation, pins and more — in plain English.

The Complete Mushroom Life Cycle: From Spore to Fruiting Body

The complete mushroom life cycle in six stages — spore dispersal, germination, mycelium colonisation, primordia and fruiting, explained.

Functional Mushroom Research Roundup: What the Latest Studies Show (2024–2026)

Functional mushroom research (2024–2026) on Lion's Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps and Turkey Tail: how strong the evidence is, and what it does not yet show.

Understanding Mycelium Growth Patterns: Complete Mycology Guide 2026

How to tell rhizomorphic from tomentose mycelium, what healthy and unhealthy growth looks like at each stage, and how temperature and moisture shape it.

Grow Bag Not Colonising? 7 Causes & Fixes (UK Guide 2026)

Mushroom grow bag not colonising? Seven common causes, from low UK room temperatures and contamination to poor inoculation and moisture, with a fix for each.

Best Temperature for Mushroom Grow Bags (Complete Guide)

The best temperature for our mushroom grow bags is 24–27°C, from inoculation to harvest. Signs it is too hot or too cold, and how to keep it steady.

Top 10 Mistakes Beginners Make When Growing Mushrooms

Mushroom growing mistakes beginners make most often, from lapses in sterility and unsteady temperatures to over-misting and impatience, and how to avoid each.

Best Mushroom Grow Bags for Beginners in the UK

What UK beginners should look for in a mushroom grow bag: sterilised substrate, all-in-one or grain format, typical timelines and common mistakes to avoid.

Mycelium vs Mold – How to Spot Contamination in Grow Bags

Mycelium vs mould in mushroom grow bags: how colour, smell, texture and growth pattern separate healthy mycelium from green Trichoderma and cobweb mould.

How Long Does Mycelium Take to Colonize a Grow Bag? (Complete 2026 Guide)

How long does mycelium take to colonise a grow bag? In our grow bags, first white growth shows at 7–10 days and full colonisation takes 21–35 days.

Grow Bag Guide – Find the Perfect Bag for Your Research

Mushroom grow bags compared: BRF all-in-one, manure-based all-in-one and grain spawn bags for monotubs, with how each works and the sizes available.

Introduction to Mycology

Learn the basics of mycology, the study of fungi. Discover fungi types, structure and importance — a clear starting point for curious beginners.

Mushroom Mania: Cultivating Trends in Home Gardening

Why growing oyster mushrooms, lion's mane and reishi at home appeals: recycled substrates, a hands-on route into mycology, and the pride of growing your own.

How to Use a Spore Syringe Under a Microscope — Step by Step

How to use a spore syringe for microscopy, step by step: preparing a slide, choosing a magnification, common mistakes, and cleaning and storage afterwards.

What Do Psilocybe Cubensis Spores Look Like Under a Microscope?

Psilocybe cubensis spores under a microscope: about 11.5–17 µm long and 6–11.5 µm wide, brown to purple-brown, with a germ pore. What 400x and 1000x show.

How Many Slides Can You Make From One Spore Syringe?

How many slides from one spore syringe? A 10ml syringe holds about 200 drops: well over 100 slides with one drop each, or around 10 if over-poured.

How to Read a Spore Print

How to read a spore print: making a clear print, what colour, pattern and density tell you, and how to use and store a print for microscopy.

How to Prepare Agar Plates: Recipe, Sterilising and Storage

How to prepare agar plates at home: a step-by-step recipe, the sterilising method, the common mistakes to avoid, and how to store finished plates.

Sterile Technique at Home — A Beginner's Guide

Sterile technique at home for spore microscopy — workspace setup, core habits, cleaning and sterilising tools, and how to spot contamination early.

Exploring the Fascinating World of Mushroom Species: Beyond Psilocybe Cubensis

Four well-known mushroom species beyond Psilocybe cubensis, from oyster and button mushrooms to cordyceps, with the basics of how beginners identify fungi.

UK Spore Law vs US Spore Law — Key Differences

Magic Mushroom Laws in Europe | Country-by-Country Guide 2026

Is It Legal to Own Magic Mushroom Spores in Every UK Region?

Is Psilocybin Legal in the UK? The 2026 Guide to Psilocybin Mushroom Laws

Understanding the Legality of Psilocybin

What Is a Spore Syringe? Complete Beginner Guide (2026)

What is a spore syringe? A sterile syringe holding mushroom spores suspended in water, used to prepare slides for microscopy. Plus how to store one.

What's the Difference Between Mushroom Spores and Mycelium?

What's the difference between mushroom spores and mycelium? One is dormant and reproductive, the other is active and feeding — full explanation.

Standard Density vs Double Density Spore Syringes — Is It Worth the Difference?

Standard vs double density spore syringes: the difference is how much spore material goes into the same volume of water, and when that matters for microscopy.

Why Do Mushroom Spores Clump Together in a Spore Syringe?

Why are my spores clumping together in the syringe? It's normal, especially with age — here's why it happens and when to actually worry.

Do Spore Syringes Need to Be Refrigerated Immediately?

Do spore syringes need to be refrigerated? Yes, for storage at 2–8°C, but not the minute they arrive. What actually causes damage, and what's safe to ignore.

How Long Do Mushroom Spores Stay Viable?

How long do mushroom spores last? Spore syringes last 12–18 months in the fridge; dry spore prints can last years. Storage tips and how to check yours.

Why Do Some Spore Syringes Turn Cloudy?

Why do spore syringes turn cloudy? Harmless spore density or contamination — here's how to tell the difference and what to do about it.

Liquid Culture vs Spore Syringe — Pros and Cons

Liquid culture vs spore syringe explained: spores suspended in sterile water versus live mycelium in nutrient liquid, and how shelf life and handling differ.

Can Spores Germinate on Their Own?

Do spores stay dormant in a sealed syringe? Normally, yes. Dormancy explained, and how a syringe stored at 2–8°C in the dark keeps for 12–18 months.

Common Myths About Magic Mushroom Spores, Debunked

Common myths about magic mushroom spores, debunked — legality, psychoactivity, shelf life, strain identity and more. The facts, myth by myth.

How Many Spores Are in a Spore Syringe? The Complete UK Guide 2026

How many spores are in a spore syringe? There is no fixed figure. What sets concentration is how many spore prints go into each batch of suspension.

Spore Syringe vs Spore Print vs Spore Swab — Which Should You Buy?

Spore syringe vs spore print vs spore swab — full comparison of consistency, storage, and ease of use, plus which format is right for your research.

Double Density Spore Syringes UK: The Complete Guide 2026

Double density spore syringes in the UK: what the term means, how a fixed number of spore prints per batch sets the density, and their use in microscopy.

Storage & Shelf Life

How to store spore syringes: in the fridge at 2–8°C, in the dark, never frozen, for a shelf life of 12–18 months. Plus storage tips for grow bags.

How to Use Magic Mushroom Spores for Research in the UK

Magic mushroom spores in the UK: how they are studied under a microscope, popular Psilocybe cubensis strains for research, and where UK law stands.

Unveiling the Artistry Behind TrippingStore's Spore Syringes: Crafting Excellence in Every Drop

How Tripping Store prepares its spore syringes: spore prints handled under a laminar flow hood, suspended in sterile water, then checked before dispatch.

What Is Psilocybin? The Complete UK Guide

What is psilocybin? How it relates to psilocin, which fungi produce it, its Class A status in the UK, and what clinical research has studied so far.

UK Trial Finds Promising Results for Psilocybin in Treatment-Resistant Depression

King's College London's PsiDeR trial of psilocybin in treatment-resistant depression (n=60): 50% vs 3% on placebo responded at 6 weeks. Larger trials needed.

One Dose of Psilocybin Can Physically Change Your Brain — New Study

In an exploratory 2026 study by UCSF and Imperial, one psilocybin dose in 28 healthy volunteers was linked to brain changes still apparent a month later.

Magic Mushrooms on the NHS: The Debate Dividing UK Doctors

Psilocybin therapy on the NHS: who is calling for access, what the trial evidence shows, the risks raised, where UK law stands, and what each side argues.

Can Magic Mushrooms Help You Quit Smoking? Early Results From a Small Trial

Psilocybin vs nicotine patch for quitting smoking: in a non-blinded pilot of 82 smokers (JAMA Network Open, 2026), 40.5% vs 10% were abstinent at 6 months.

Psilocybin Therapy UK 2026 Clinical Benefits Legal Status and Research

Psilocybin therapy in the UK: available only in clinical trials, such as those at King's College London and Imperial. Evidence, risks and UK law.

Rewiring Perception: A New Study Shines Light on Psilocybin’s Brain Magic

A 2025 Nature Communications study reports that psilocybin strengthened the Ebbinghaus illusion and reduced surround suppression in the visual cortex.

🧠 What Is a Magic Mushroom Retreat? (And Why the Psilocybin Industry Is Booming)

The Rise of Psilocybin Mushroom Research in the United States

Why psilocybin research has grown in the US, the mental health conditions under study such as depression, PTSD and anxiety, and what may come next.

Revolutionising Mental Health Treatment with Psilocybin: A Hopeful Future, Reported by the BBC

In 2023 MP Charlotte Nichols called for UK restrictions on psilocybin research into mental health conditions such as depression to be eased. What she argued.

Balancing life with psilocybin: UK’s growing trend of microdosing mums - Reported by Sky News

What a Sky News report said about UK parents microdosing psilocybin, the claims made, and that psilocybin remains a Class A drug with serious UK penalties.

Australia Pioneers Psilocybin Laws, Leaving the UK Behind - Reported by Chemistry World

In July 2023 Australia allowed tightly regulated prescribing of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. How the UK's Schedule 1 position compares.

Embracing the £8 Billion Psilocybin Wave: A New Era in Mental Health, as Reported by The Telegraph

In May 2023 The Telegraph reported an '£8bn boom' in magic mushrooms. What drove the coverage, and why personal accounts are not clinical evidence.

Psilocybin's Breakthrough: Pioneering the New Frontier of Mental Health" - Reported by The Standard

COMP360 Phase 3 results for treatment-resistant depression: in COMP006 (n=581), 25 mg improved MADRS by 3.8 points over 1 mg at week 6. Not approved anywhere.

MPs Advocate Urgent Reclassification of Psilocybin for Therapeutic Research

In 2023 the Home Affairs Committee urged moving psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 to ease research. What the MPs recommended.

The Growing Influence of Psilocybin: A Global Shift in Fungus-Derived Therapies

Psilocybin therapy around the world: how international interest has grown, the shifting policy picture, and what may come next for clinical research.

Psychedelic Microdosing: What Imperial College London's Placebo-Controlled Study Found

Imperial College London's 2021 self-blinding study of 191 people suggests the reported benefits of psychedelic microdosing may be explained by placebo.