Let’s Clear up Some Confusion: The Blue Meanies Mushroom Strain

One of two things will come up when you search for information on “Blue Meanies”: either a strain of Psilocybe cubensis, which is what we’ll be discussing today, or a completely different species named Panaeolus cyanescens.

Blue Meanies (the Psilocybe version) is characterized by a deep blue “stain” that appears just about anywhere you happen to touch them. They bruise super easily, causing the high concentrations of psilocybin inside to oxidize and alter the color of the mushrooms. 

This is common among all psilocybin mushroom strains and species, but the coloration is more noticeable on Blue Meanies due to a combination of high psilocybin and lighter pigmentation.

The P. cubensis strain was (allegedly) originally harvested in Australia, after which the spores were isolated to create the standalone strain we know today. This strain is very potent.

Blue Meanies (Psilocybe) Specs

Potency	Average 🍄
Cultivation	Beginner
Species	Psilocybe cubensis
Substrate Recommendation	Rye Grain or Brown Rice Flour
Cost	$$
Sold By	MYYCO (🇺🇸), Sporeslab (🇨🇦), Spores 101 (🇺🇸/🇨🇦), Miracle Farms (🇺🇸/🇨🇦), The Magic Mushrooms Shop (🇪🇺)

Solving the Blue Meanies Mushroom Naming Confusion

As previously stated, the term “Blue Meanies” designates the entire Panaeolus cyanescens species as well as a particular kind of Psilocybe cubensis.

It is believed that a spore vendor misidentified Psilocybe cubensis spores as “Blue Meanines” rather than the intended Panaeolus cyanescens sample, which is why there was misunderstanding.

An other explanation for the naming of the strain is that it was inspired by the primary antagonists in the Beatles film “Yellow Submarine.” Given the Beatles’ associations with psychedelic substances, mysticism, and introspection, it makes sense that the 1968 animated film bearing their name would be based on a Beatles bio.

Regardless of the cause, this overlapping of names has generated a ton of confusion around this mushroom, its effects, and how best to go about using or growing it.

If given a handful of Blue Meanies mushrooms, it’s important to know exactly what species you’re looking at. Psilocybe cubensis are much larger and denser (and nearly twice as strong) as the other version, Panaeolus cyanescens, which sports a tall, thin stem and smaller caps.

Blue Meanies Potency & Psilocybin Content

Some sources maintain that Blue Meanies have an average psilocybin content of between 0.75% to 1% by weight, which is considered roughly average compared to other Psilocybe cubensis strains.

Most trip reports from users also maintain that the potency is the same or slightly above average, which supports these claims.

For a quantitative analysis of psilocybin mushroom potency, we often turn to the Psilocybin Cup hosted by Oakland Hyphae. So far, 4 samples of Blue Meanie mushrooms have been submitted to the competition for testing.

Based on these results, the average psilocybin and psilocin levels (percent of the dried weight) for the Blue Meanie strain are 0.67% and 0.05%, respectively. The total tryptamine average is around 0.75%, and the strongest sample submitted so far registered at 0.87%.

Keep in mind that the potency can vary significantly depending on the growing and storage conditions. The results mentioned above were from samples grown by expert cultivators.

Blue Meanies Genetic Relatives

The direct lineage of Blue Meanies is unclear, but it’s believed to be a close relative to the Australian strain and Tasmanian strain — all of which come from around the same region and display similar growth characteristics. 

The Australia strain sometimes referred to as “Aussies” or “gold tops,” is differentiated by their darker, more golden-yellow color compared to the Blue Meanies strain. 

The Tasmanian strain, conversely, generally produces larger fruits than the Blue Meanies strain but has comparable potency.

Where to Buy Blue Meanies Shroom Spores

It should be easy for anyone looking to buy Blue Meanies mushroom spores for gathering or growing them to locate suppliers. Since this is one of the most well-liked and sought-after varieties of magic mushrooms, the majority of large merchants carry them.

Here are some of our favorite vendors that carry the Blue Meanies mushroom strain:

• If you live in the US — MYYCO or Spores 101 are probably your best bet. You can also check out High Desert Spores (often, but not always in stock). 
• If you live in Canada — Sporeslab will be one of the best resources for buying Blue Meanies spores, but you can also check out Spores 101 or Mushroom Prints
• If you live in Europe — The Magic Mushrooms Shop (🇪🇺), Shiny Spores (🇬🇧)

→ View all spore vendors & grow kit suppliers

How to Grow Blue Meanies Shrooms

The procedure of growing Blue Meanies is quite simple. The strain’s quick colonization rate makes it comparatively resistant to mold and disease.

It usually yields a few giant specimens, then clusters of medium-sized to small-sized mushrooms. This breed of mushrooms is quite potent overall; samples grown under less-than-ideal conditions also tend to be fairly strong.

Blue Meanies deal well with ice baths, so you can resort to that if you find your mycelium is getting stuck after just one or two flushes.

Check out our in-depth shroom growing guide for more information and guidance.

Similar Strains

Similar strains can help you find other types that you enjoy growing or ingesting, whether you’re seeking for additional magic mushroom strains that are easy for novices to grow or you just appreciate the high potency and intense trip experience that Blue Meanies deliver.

A brief synopsis of a few additional Blue Meanie-like magic mushroom strains is given below.

Australian strain

Sometimes called “gold tops” or “aussies,” Australian shrooms hail from Australia, just like Blue Meanies. Not only does this strain share an origin with Blue Meanies, but it’s also highly resistant to disease and mold, making it another great option for beginner cultivators. The potency is also quite high and will bruise blue if you handle them too much. 

Penis Envy

The Penis Envy strain is one of the most well-known magic mushroom strains available. It was likely collected by Terrence McKenna, an outspoken psychedelic advocate, and user. This strain’s high potency makes it a decent alternative to Blue Meanies for users looking for an intense experience.

Melmac

The Melmac strain’s origins are often debated, but the general consensus is that Terrence McKenna and his brother, Dennis McKenna, discovered this strain during an excursion in the Amazon. This strain resembles Blue Meanies solely in its high potency and ability to produce intense psychedelic experiences.

Golden Teachers

Lastly, Golden Teachers is a traditional strain that is arguably the most popular right now. Like Blue Meanies, Golden Teachers got their name from a colloquial term for a particular type of mushroom, in this case the Psilocybe cubensis species.

While they are often less potent than Blue Meanies, Golden Teachers have a comparatively high potency.