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Our guides, organised by topic: strain guides and comparisons, practical grow bag and monotub help, spore microscopy, the law in the UK and abroad, spore syringes for microscopy, and psilocybin research news.
76 guides · 6 topics · updated September 2026
New here? Start with these
Spore Syringe GuidesWhat 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.
Mar 2026
Microscopy & Lab GuidesHow 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.
Jul 2026
Mushroom Strain GuidesMagic 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.
Jun 2026
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15 guides
Mushroom Strain Guides
Microscopy guides to individual Psilocybe cubensis strains, plus side-by-side comparisons, from Golden Teacher and B+ to Tidal Wave and Bluey Vuitton.
Start with: Magic Mushroom Spore Strains Compared: Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026 · Golden Teacher Spores: The Complete UK Microscopy Guide 2026
Start hereMagic 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.
Jun 2026
Start hereGolden 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.
Jul 2026
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.
Sep 2026
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.
Sep 2026
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.
Sep 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Apr 2026
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.
Mar 2026
16 guides
Mushroom Growing Guides
Practical help for growing mushrooms at home with grow bags and monotubs: colonisation times, temperatures, spotting contamination and fixing common problems.
Start with: Monotub vs Grow Bag: Which Mushroom Growing Method Is Better? · Growing with Monotubs: A Beginner’s Guide to Mushroom Cultivation
Start hereMonotub 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.
Jul 2026
Start hereGrowing 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.
Oct 2024
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
May 2026
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.
Apr 2026
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.
Mar 2026
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.
Mar 2026
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.
Mar 2026
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.
Feb 2025
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.
Jul 2024
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.
Dec 2023
7 guides
Microscopy & Lab Guides
Hands-on spore microscopy, from your first slide to working cleanly at home: using a spore syringe under the microscope, reading a spore print and sterile technique.
Start with: How to Use a Spore Syringe Under a Microscope — Step by Step · What Do Psilocybe Cubensis Spores Look Like Under a Microscope?
Start hereHow 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.
Jul 2026
Start hereWhat 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.
Jul 2026
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.
Sep 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Dec 2023
5 guides
Mushroom Laws & Legal Guides
How the law treats magic mushrooms and their spores in the UK, the US and across Europe, explained in general terms. These guides are not legal advice.
Start with: UK Spore Law vs US Spore Law — Key Differences · Magic Mushroom Laws in Europe | Country-by-Country Guide 2026
Start hereUK Spore Law vs US Spore Law — Key Differences
Aug 2026
Start hereMagic Mushroom Laws in Europe | Country-by-Country Guide 2026
Sep 2026
Is It Legal to Own Magic Mushroom Spores in Every UK Region?
Jul 2026
Is Psilocybin Legal in the UK? The 2026 Guide to Psilocybin Mushroom Laws
Mar 2026
Understanding the Legality of Psilocybin
Dec 2024
16 guides
Spore Syringe Guides
Spore syringes for microscopy, explained: what is inside one, spore density, storage and shelf life, and what a cloudy or clumped syringe means.
Start with: What Is a Spore Syringe? Complete Beginner Guide (2026)
Start hereWhat 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.
Mar 2026
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.
Sep 2026
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.
Sep 2026
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.
Sep 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Aug 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Jul 2026
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.
Dec 2024
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.
Oct 2024
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.
Dec 2023
17 guides
Psilocybin News & Research
Research news and explainers on psilocybin: clinical trial results, the UK policy debate, and background on what psilocybin is.
Start with: What Is Psilocybin? The Complete UK Guide · UK Trial Finds Promising Results for Psilocybin in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Start hereWhat 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.
May 2026
Start hereUK 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.
Aug 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Jun 2026
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.
Apr 2026
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.
Nov 2025
🧠 What Is a Magic Mushroom Retreat? (And Why the Psilocybin Industry Is Booming)
Jul 2025
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.
Oct 2024
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.
Feb 2024
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.
Feb 2024
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.
Feb 2024
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.
Feb 2024
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.
Feb 2024
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.
Feb 2024
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.
Feb 2024
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.
Dec 2023











































































