⚖️ 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 Psilocybe cubensis from spores is illegal under UK law (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 an inherited, genetic trait 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 about 11.5–17 µm long and 6–11.5 µm wide (a micrometre is a tiny unit — one millionth of a metre). That's the same size range as Golden Teacher spores, and they look the same under the microscope; there are just a lot fewer of them. 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.11.5–17 µmSpore length — same range as Golden Teacher
LowHow many spores the mushroom drops
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 an inherited, genetic trait. 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 Penis Envy is called a rare strain: there's simply less spore 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) come from small genetic differences between varieties, not from being different species. Their spores look alike.
2. What Penis Envy Spores Look Like Under the Microscope
Penis Envy spores share the same basic features as any cubensis spore: a brown to purple-brown colour, a visible "germ pore" (a small thin spot on the spore where it would sprout from if it grew), and an oval shape. Under the microscope they look the same as other P. cubensis spores.Size
11.5–17 × 6–11.5 µm
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 oval shape you'll see across all cubensis spores, with a little natural variation within a healthy sample.
Colour
Dark Purple-Brown
Standard colour for this species, which shows up clearly against a bright background under the microscope.
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.
Spore Drop
Low — Genuinely Rare
The mushroom drops far fewer spores than high-yield strains — a direct result of the part-closed cap. Syringes still have the same concentration as any strain.
The Spore Wall
At 1000x with oil you can see the spore wall clearly. No published study shows Penis Envy spores have thicker walls than other cubensis spores; under the microscope they look the same as Golden Teacher's.
✅ What to Look for First — At 400x zoom, look for usable spore clusters. Once you find some, switch to 1000x with oil — that's where the spore wall and germ pore become easy to see.
3. Why Is Penis Envy Actually Rare?
Cap Stays Part-Closed
The main genetic 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.Worth the Extra Effort
Its unusual genetics and low spore drop 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 Drop | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penis Envy | Low — rare | Advanced | Studying the gene mutation |
| Golden Teacher | Very High | Beginner | Your first ever slide |
| B+ | Very High | Beginner | Comparing with Golden Teacher |
| Blue Meanies | Moderate | Intermediate | Comparing strains |
Penis Envy vs Golden Teacher — The Size Overlap
Here's a good reminder: spore size alone doesn't tell you the strain. Penis Envy and Golden Teacher spores both fall in the normal P. cubensis range of about 11.5–17 µm long and 6–11.5 µm wide (Singer & Smith, 1958; Batista et al., 2025), and no published study shows a difference in wall thickness. Under the microscope, their spores look alike.Penis Envy vs B+ — Total Opposites
B+ mushrooms drop loads of spores. Penis Envy is the opposite — its part-closed cap means far fewer spores drop, though the syringes have the same concentration either way. 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. If you'd like to compare Penis Envy with other strains in our range, Bluey Vuitton is also available as a spore syringe for microscopy, as is APE (Albino Penis Envy).5. How to Prepare a Penis Envy Slide
Penis Envy syringes have the same concentration as any strain, so the usual technique applies. Take 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 give the syringe a good shake. Penis Envy syringes have the same concentration as any other strain, so the usual mixing is all it needs.
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 — Move the slide around a bit to find a good spot before settling in.
6
Switch to 1000x with oil — This is where fine detail like the spore wall and germ pore becomes clear.
⚠️ One Thing to Remember — Always put the needle cap back on right after use. This applies to every strain, and helps stop contamination (germs getting in).
6. How to Store Your Penis Envy Spore Syringe
Standard storage rules apply, the same as for any strain.| 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 |
| Where | Store in a clean place in the fridge | Keeps the syringe cold and clean |
| How long it lasts | 12–18 months if stored well | After that, the spores start to break down |
✅ Before Each Use — Take the syringe out of the fridge 24 hours before use to reach room temperature, then give it a good shake before use.
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 one of the most interesting strains to study 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?
An inherited, genetic trait 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?
About 11.5–17 µm long and 6–11.5 µm wide, the same range as Golden Teacher and every other cubensis strain; no published study shows a difference in wall thickness.
QIs Penis Envy good for beginners?
Not usually the best first strain to try. It's rated advanced, so 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 spore wall?
1000x with oil. At 400x you can see the basic shape and colour; at 1000x you can make out the wall and germ pore on any cubensis spore. No published study shows Penis Envy spores have thicker walls than other strains.
QCan I tell Penis Envy apart from Golden Teacher under a microscope?
No. Both fall in the same size range, and their spores look alike under the microscope. Only documented provenance tells you the strain.
QDo you ship Penis Envy spore syringes worldwide?
Yes, we ship across the UK and internationally, with discreet, tracked packaging.
