Welcome to a solo episode of The High Guide with April Pride, where we take a deep dive into the world’s most recognizable magic mushroom: Psilocybe Cubensis. From ancient ritual use to today’s rise in microdosing and therapeutic journeys, this fungi is far more than a trip—it’s a tool. April unpacks the science behind psilocybin, explains how strains like Penis Envy and Golden Teacher differ, and shares essential dosing guidelines for beginners and seasoned psychonauts alike. Whether you’re curious about lemon tekking or navigating post-trip integration, this episode offers practical advice and lived experience for women exploring psychedelics as a healing modality.
🔵 Key Takeaways
Psilocybe Cubensis is the most common psychedelic mushroom—its effects range from mild euphoria to deep spiritual insight.
Dosing matters: 0.1g is a microdose, while 5g+ is considered a “heroic dose.” Always have a trip sitter for high doses.
Strain profiles like Penis Envy, Hillbilly, and Ecuador offer different experiences in terms of potency and tone.
Making psilocybin tea can ease common side effects like nausea and improve onset time.
Lemon tekking intensifies effects—be prepared for a shorter, more potent trip.
🔵 Timestamps
[00:00] Why Psilocybe Cubensis is the mushroom you’ve probably already taken
[01:48] Ancient rituals + “God’s flesh”: Indigenous ceremonial use
[02:40] What psilocybin does to your brain: serotonin, senses, and evolution
[03:32] How to safely identify psychedelic mushrooms (and when not to DIY)
[04:15] Different consumption methods: whole fruit bodies, tea, capsules
[05:16] Dosing guide: micro to heroic—and how to prep
[06:41] Whole fruit bodies vs. edibles: choosing the right product for your journey
[07:30] Three strains to know: Penis Envy, Hellbilly, and Ecuador
[08:24] Why tolerance builds and how to reset
[08:45] Lemon tekking explained: what it is and why it hits faster
[09:38] Trip duration and post-trip care: timelines and integration
[10:30] The best trip night? Two grams, Golden Teacher, and a journal
[11:08] Watchlist: Fantastic Fungi and Kiki’s Delivery Service
[11:45] Honoring Maria Sabina—and the terroir of magic mushrooms
🔵 Additional Resources
SetSet Blog: “Albino Penis Envy”
SetSet Blog: “Golden Teacher Mushroom”
SetSet Blog: “Hillbilly Mushroom”
SetSet Blog: “Ecuador Shroom”
SetSet Blog: “The Science and Safety of Microdosing Mushrooms for Women”
🎙️SetSet Podcast: Ep. 43 “Psilocybin Mushroom Dosage: A Beginner’s Guide”
🎙️SetSet Podcast: Ep. 40 “Psilocybin Mushrooms 101: Effects, Dosing & Tips”
Substack: “Psilocybin and Women, Survey Says”
How do you choose your dose—and how do you want to feel? Have you experimented with different strains or methods like lemon tekking? 👇 Let’s talk about it in the comments after the transcript below.
🔵 Transcript
[00:00] April Pride:
Hey, it's April Pride, your host here on the High Guide podcast. I'd like to take a moment to remind you that we do discuss cannabis and [psychedelic mushrooms], and this podcast is intended for audiences 21 and over. Also, I am not a medical expert. We do discuss interventions and protocols and you should consult your medical professional before moving forward with anything that we may discuss here on the show. Before we begin, I'd like to thank our show sponsor of like Minds. Check out of like Minds Co That's of like minds mind. Esco To learn more about Seattle's trusted source for [Psilocybe Cubensis]. Hi, everyone, and welcome back. We're going to talk about [Psilocybe Cubensis], the Latin name for the most common species of [magic mushrooms]. If you've ever had a [mushroom trip], there is a high likelihood it was courtesy of [Psilocybe Cubensis], or as they're affectionately referred to, cubes. So today we're going to explore the origins, the varieties and the effects of [Psilocybe Cubensis] and get to know this magical fungi through some scientific research, cultural insights, and personal stories. Our word of the week is psilocybin, an organic hallucinogenic compound that is the magic in [magic mushrooms]. There are hundreds of species of [Psilocybe Cubensis] or fungi containing various levels of the psychedelic compound, psilocybin and psilocin, each providing slightly different benefits and [psilocybin effects]. The dried mushrooms that are ingested are called [whole fruit bodies].
[01:48] April Pride:
Ancient indigenous cultures hundreds to thousands of years ago ingested [psilocybin mushrooms] [Psilocybe Cubensis] ceremonially, and some even called it God's flesh due to its ability to enhance the mind and spirit. Yes, it still does that. When consumed psilocybin acts on our serotonin system, causing changes in perceptions, check, mood, check and even our senses check. The stoned ape hypothesis is a theory written by Terence McKenna, referring to the link between mind expanding [magic mushrooms] and the evolution of our oldest ancestors, Homo erectus, into more advanced Homo sapiens, homo or Homo sapiens over 2 million years ago. Today, [psilocybin mushrooms] are used to treat serious conditions such as depression, anxiety and end of life suffering. Whether you're interested in [microdosing] wondering how to intensify your [mushroom trip] or curious about the [mushroom trip timeline], there are various [mushroom strains] and methods of consumption to experiment with. [Psychedelic mushroom identification] should not be taken lightly as [psilocybin mushrooms] can look similar to poisonous mushrooms and [psilocybin] shrooms typically have black or purple brown spore patterns with blue flesh and gills. In the more blue, the higher the potency. It's a little shortcut. However, slight variations can mean [psilocybin] is not present. So beware of [psychedelic mushroom identification] on your own. And when it comes to finding the right mushrooms, the safest method is to acquire them from a trusted source. In some, in some municipalities, you can even walk into a dispensary.
[03:32] April Pride:
Like there's this church I joined in Oakland called Zeider, and for $20 I became a member of the congregation and I had access to a dispensary of mushrooms. I'm not kidding. Look it up. Once identified correctly, [psychedelic mushrooms] can be consumed by eating the [whole fruit bodies], brewing them into [psilocybin tea] or grinding them into capsules for [microdosing]. So let's go over our trip tips the [effects of psilocybin], changes in perception, mood and thought, varying levels of visual hallucinations, looking inward, feelings of grounding or I should say groundedness, connectedness and euphoria. Less desirable. But normal effects include queasiness, nausea, increased heartbeat and headaches. A lot of these physical side effects can be diminished by by making a [psilocybin tea]. At least that's what I found. I kind of have a can get an upset stomach, but the tea really helps. So when you're dosing mushrooms, okay, we have we have a download on our website that you can go and check out and it's a guide to using shrooms. So all this is spelled out for you, but I'm just going to give it to you here on the show. You can take notes or you can visit the website, the guide. So when you're dosing to [microdose], that is 0.1 to 0.5 grams of the of the [whole fruit bodies]. A low dose would be half a gram to two grams. Two grams is like a magical dose in my opinion.
[05:16] April Pride:
A moderate dose two to 3.5g. A high dose is three and a half to five and a [heroic dose] is over five grams. We typically suggest that if you're going to be doing over five grams that you have a trip sitter, someone that is not consuming and that can help, just remind you that everything is going to be okay. I want to take a minute to explain a term that might be new to you. [Whole fruit bodies]. Mushrooms have these amazingly intricate underground route networks that are a big part of what make mushrooms magical. The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom we see above ground, the cap and the stem. And those are the parts that make [magical mushrooms] magic. For the true romantics who want to experience the purest form of psilocybin, our [whole fruit bodies], which are carefully dried and sold by the eighth of an ounce, are the way to go. Of like minds. [Whole fruit bodies] are cultivated and sourced in Seattle, where of like minds is based. It's important to us to work with trusted partners. That's why our [whole fruit bodies] come from the same guy who helps us create our amazing caramels. All of our [whole fruit bodies] are cultivated and sourced in Seattle, where of like minds is based. It's important for us to work with trusted partners.
[06:41] April Pride:
That's why our [whole fruit bodies] come from the same guy who helps us create our amazing caramels. Now let's talk [mushroom strains]. We've got three excellent varieties of magic and our [whole fruit bodies] collection. There's the potent and intriguing [Penis Envy], the gentle, inviting [Hellbilly] and the captivating [Ecuador]. Each [mushroom strain] offers a unique experience tailored to different preferences and explorations that we write about in depth on our website. We do understand that not everyone wants to chew on a dried mushroom. Maybe you've got a sensitive stomach or you prefer a different taste profile to dried up dust. So I do want to mention that we also make scrumptious [chocolate-covered psilocybin caramels]. We make [microdose offerings]. If you're new to the world of [psychedelics] and just want a more subtle approach. So whether you're seeking the purity of [whole fruit bodies] or the convenience of taste of an edible, or if you're looking to take baby steps into tripping via [microdosing], the of like Minds website is a place to go to get started. Explore a range of offerings. Read up on the experiences of others. And if you live in Seattle, you can of course purchase one of our educational PDF downloads and as your gift with purchase, you will receive shipped via third party carrier a gift from of like minds to you at your Seattle address. Sign up for the Ublic Minds newsletter and follow us on social media at Ublic Minds Co for all the updates to learn all the ways we are all of like minds.
[08:24] April Pride:
A [psilocybin] tolerance can build up over time. And in a future podcast, we'll cover [microdosing schedules] that have led many women to successful outcomes. [Lemon tekking] is one way to intensify your [mushroom trip], because citrus acids can amplify the experience. You grind the mushrooms, you put them into a short glass, add lemon juice like I put them into a shot glass and then add lemon juice, mix it thoroughly. It sits for 15 minutes and you can even turn this into tea. It's sort of like a lemon [psilocybin tea]. Or you can just add a little bit of water and just take it down in one shot. The mushroom for. Let's talk about duration because [mushroom trips] can last for a while. The timeline is as follows. Okay. So the effects are typically felt within 30 to 45 minutes and can last between 4 to 8 hours. When consumed in hot liquid, the effects are felt as soon as 15 minutes. That is true. And they come down know regardless of how you consume it is 24 to 48 hours. That just means you're going to feel some effects. So if you want to get high again, then you can just smoke some weed the next day and sometimes that'll bring your high back on.
[09:38] April Pride:
You may feel anxious. I typically I think weed can be helpful, but some people can make them feel more anxious. So take that into consideration and make sure you do not have anything planned the next day. Give yourself some time and space to rest and integrate your experience. On Friday night last week, I took two grams of I had chocolates and so it was [Golden Teacher], which the [strain]. And I kept my journal out and just like went inward and journaled. And it was maybe one of the best Friday nights I have had in a long time. So I encourage you to do the same. Until then, some resources that we recommend you check out Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna, which explores the human relationship to plants and chemicals over time, which played a crucial role in not only developing species but whole societies and civilizations. While you are at it, listen to the High Guide Episode 33. Integration Number five Take [mushrooms] and make it happen. This was at the end of last year, and our guests were Lily Smalls, who facilitated an integration with Merrill Montgomery, who is a co-founder of Barberry. And Merrill was manifesting her best year this year. So I encourage you to listen to that. We are not even two months into the to the year. There is still time to dose yourself with love and [psychedelics] and have your best 2022.
[11:08] April Pride:
Okay. I really wanted to find something great to watch that was not a documentary about [mushrooms]. So if you want to get high and watch something, I would suggest Kiki's delivery service, which is what I did on Halloween. But if you want to learn more about. [Psilocybe Cubensis]. I highly, highly recommend Netflix's Fantastic Fungi. A lot of people have recommended this movie and I watched it and it is both super informative and it is surprisingly emotional. I did cry and as we close out this episode, this short bonus episode, I will leave you with this quote. “I am a creator, woman, a star woman, a moon woman, a cross woman, a woman of heaven. I am a cloud person, a dew on the grass person.” And this quote is from Maria Sabina, who is a Mexican healer and shaman who introduced [Psilocybe Cubensis] to modern culture in the mid 1950s. And she very quickly regretted that decision. You can read more about her just as you are more likely to find a cab on a wine list than a pino. [Psilocybe Cubensis] species are the most abundant because of their favorable growing conditions or terroir. Pinot Grape's famously requires specific growing conditions lime in the soil, the most critical element. And it's rare to source in nature. Perhaps it's the same with other species a bit too delicate to survive in most condition.
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