Albino B+ (Psilocybe cubensis)
What is Albino B+? A Complete Overview
Albino B+ is a rare and visually striking genetic mutation of the widely known B+ strain within the species Psilocybe cubensis. Unlike its parent strain, Albino B+ features a ghostly white appearance with bluish hues, particularly around the cap and gills, due to reduced pigment production (leucism) and pronounced psilocybin bruising. The caps tend to remain more closed and bell-shaped in younger specimens, eventually flattening out with maturity. The gills often carry an off-white to light grey coloration.
Due to its unique appearance and strong yet balanced effects, Albino B+ is a highly coveted strain among both amateur cultivators and experienced psychonauts. Originating as a natural mutation in home cultivation setups, it has since been stabilized by cultivators specializing in preserving genetic variances. What sets Albino B+ apart is not just its colorless phenotype but also its variability in fruiting conditions, with smaller but often denser yields compared to regular B+.
Largely due to its aesthetic and intensely visual psychedelic effects, Albino B+ has carved out a niche in the mushroom community. Its potency is reliably in the medium to high range, with a slower onset and smoother climax than other cubensis counterparts. This makes it attractive for those seeking a deep, introspective journey without overwhelming dissociative effects.
Taxonomic Classification
Origin and Traditional Use of Albino B+
Albino B+ emerges from the popular and mysterious lineage of the B+ strain, a psilocybin mushroom that has enjoyed cultural reverence since its introduction to mainstream mycology in the 1990s. While B+ has its roots in Florida and is rumored to have been developed by a cultivator known only as Mr. G, the Albino B+ was an accidental yet fortunate mutation that captivated underground cultivators for its ghostly appearance and slightly altered psychoactive properties.
Unlike other Psilocybe strains with ancient ties to Mesoamerican shamanic traditions, Albino B+ is more a product of modern psychonaut culture. It represents a convergence of contemporary cultivation innovation and the spiritual curiosity that surrounds sacred mushrooms. Though it lacks direct historical use among indigenous cultures, it is often imbued with its own corner of modern digital folklore, revered in online mushroom communities as a 'spirit mushroom' for its strong third-eye activation and tranquil visuals.
It is often shared in social circles centered around therapeutic or spiritual psychedelic practice. In this realm, it's been used in guided settings for deep emotional introspection or energetic cleansing, often said to produce visions in hues of white, silver, and violet.
As designer and albino strains gain attention in the rising conversation surrounding psychedelic therapy, Albino B+ serves as a symbol of modern cultivation's ability to create new, meaningful experiences out of established genetics. Its true cultural significance, therefore, is deeply tied to the 21st-century resurgence of psilocybin interest and the creativity of the enthusiast community.
How to Cultivate Albino B+
Difficulty Level: Intermediate - slightly more challenging than regular B+ due to specific environmental needs and slower pinning.
Substrate Requirements:
- Sterilized milo grain bags for spawn
- CVG (Coco Coir, Vermiculite, Gypsum) substrate preferred
- All-in-one grow kits available for convenience
- Manure-based substrates also suitable but less preferred
Environmental Conditions:
- Colonization Temperature: 75°F to 80°F (24°C–27°C)
- Fruiting Temperature: 70°F to 75°F (21°C–24°C)
- Humidity: 90–95% RH consistently required
- Air Exchange: Adequate fresh air exchange to avoid CO₂ buildup
- Lighting: 12-hour indirect light from fluorescent or LED sources (5000–6500K)
Timeline:
- Colonization: 14–18 days depending on conditions
- Pinning stage: 14–21 days (slower than regular B+)
- Harvesting: Handle carefully due to delicate albino genetics
Important Note: Due to the slower initial pinning observed in Albino B+ compared to regular B+, patience is required during the fruiting phase. All-in-one grow kits are particularly recommended for maintaining the delicate balance required for albino genetics, offering consistent moisture and gas exchange controls.
Where Do Albino B+ Typically Grow?
While Albino B+ is a genetic mutation and does not occur naturally in the wild, its parent strain B+ is well-documented in subtropical and tropical environments. Psilocybe cubensis variants, including B+, typically thrive in regions characterized by warm, humid climates with nutrient-rich soils and decomposing organic material such as dung.
The natural habitat for standard B+ includes grassy fields, pastures, and along the edges of forested land in places like the southeastern United States, Central America, northern parts of South America, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It is commonly found growing in or near cow pastures, as cubensis species are coprophilic, growing predominantly in the dung of grazing animals.
Although Albino B+ itself is cultivated and not wild, environmental simulation during indoor growing replicates these conditions. This means maintaining high humidity, stable warmth, and indirect lighting to mirror shaded woodland edges. The natural behavior of the strain when exposed to these mimicked conditions shows it favoring heavily hydrated substrates and fruiting effectively during the late flushes, which is characteristic of strains adapted to recurring rainfall.
In essence, Albino B+ prefers:
- Nutrient-rich substrates, specifically dung-like but less contaminated (e.g., CVG)
- Warm, mild temperatures between 70–80°F
- Moist, oxygen-rich conditions with good FAE (Fresh Air Exchange)
- Moderate light exposure similar to filtered sunlight under a forest canopy
When are Albino B+ in Season?
Late spring to early fall (May through October)
Are Albino B+ Edible or Toxic?
Toxicity Information:
Albino B+ is considered non-toxic when taken in responsible, human-intended doses, but as with all psilocybin-containing fungi, there are potential risks, especially with misuse. The primary active compounds, psilocybin and psilocin, while physiologically non-toxic in moderate ranges, can produce intense psychological effects that may contribute to panic, paranoia, or disorientation if improperly managed.
Physical Risks:
- Psychological toxicity in unprepared settings can include episodes of anxiety, derealization, or depersonalization
- Hallucinogenic overload in high doses may cause temporary cognitive fragmentation or ego death
- Risk of hazardous behavior if not taken in a safe, supervised space
Risk of Misidentification:
Of special note is the presence of dangerous lookalikes—white or pale toxic fungi such as Amanita bisporigera (Destroying Angel), which can be fatal if mistakenly harvested in the wild. Thankfully, Albino B+ is a cultivated strain, so this risk is not applicable unless misidentified when cloning spores or prints.
There are no known fatal overdoses solely from Albino B+ or Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms. However, combining psilocybin with alcohol or stimulants can lead to unpredictable or dangerous physiological responses. It is critical that users be informed, grounded, and preferably supervised if uncertain about dosage or set/setting.
What are the Medicinal Uses for Albino B+?
Albino B+ contains a rich concentration of psilocybin and psilocin, the primary alkaloids responsible for its psychoactive and therapeutic properties. While scientific studies have not yet been focused on Albino B+ specifically, its classification under Psilocybe cubensis means it carries the same potential medicinal benefits attributed to this species.
Potential Benefits:
- Mental Health Applications: Recent clinical research shows that psilocybin can promote neurogenesis, enhance brain connectivity, and positively affect mood regulation
- Therapeutic Applications: This strain has been preferred in therapeutic journeys due to its smooth, non-chaotic onset and vivid but gentle visuals—ideal for guided psychedelic therapy
- Microdosing Benefits: When taken in microdose quantities, Albino B+ has been noted to increase focus, creativity, and cognitive flexibility
- Emotional Processing: Users often report anti-depressant effects post-trip, with enhanced emotional clarity and feelings of openness
Some key medicinal benefits include:
- Anxiety and Depression Reduction
- Mood Stabilization
- Cognitive Reinforcement Through Neuroplasticity
- PTSD Symptom Alleviation
- Enhanced Emotional Regulation
As with other psilocybin-containing fungi, Albino B+ also shows promise in future clinical applications involving substance misuse, such as smoking cessation and alcoholism treatment. Although further scientific validation is needed, current research continues to support its potential as a promising agent in psychedelic-assisted therapy models.
What Drugs Interact with Albino B+?
Interactions with Prescription Medications:
- SSRIs and Antidepressants: Drugs like fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline may blunt psilocybin's effects by downregulating serotonin receptors. However, these medications also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when combined
- MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors): These include both pharmaceutical (like phenelzine) and herbal forms such as Syrian Rue. MAOIs can dangerously potentiate psilocybin by inhibiting its breakdown
- Benzodiazepines: These medications may reduce the intensity of a trip and are sometimes used to abort unpleasant experiences, but may interfere with therapeutic benefits
- Lithium: This is a significant red flag; combining psilocybin with lithium is strongly correlated with seizures and dangerous neurological events
Other Substances:
- Stimulants: Combining psilocybin with stimulants like Adderall or cocaine can increase strain on cardiovascular and nervous systems
- Alcohol: Consuming alcohol before or during a psilocybin experience can dull effects or increase nausea and may impair judgment
Important: For safety, mushroom experiences should ideally occur with minimal interference from other psychoactives or prescriptions—unless under carefully managed medical supervision.
What Mushrooms Look Like Albino B+?
While Albino B+ is a cultivated strain and not found in the wild, it is important to mention wild fungi that share similar features to help prevent misidentification where spores or clones have escaped into nature:
- Amanita bisporigera (Destroying Angel): This all-white mushroom may appear similar to Albino B+ but is one of the most toxic mushrooms in North America, containing potent liver-destroying amatoxins. Unlike Albino B+, it lacks blue bruising, has free gills, and features a volva at the base
- Leucocoprinus birnbaumii: While more yellow than white, younger leucocoprinus species can be mistaken by beginners as part of the 'albino' family. This species grows in potted plants and greenhouses and is inedible
- Chlorophyllum molybdites (Green-Spored Lepiota): Especially when young, this mushroom can resemble albino Psilocybes in shape. It causes severe gastric distress when consumed
- Other leucistic cubensis or hybrids: Strains such as Albino A+, Leucistic Cambodian or Penis Envy Albino also share similar appearances—identifying them usually requires microscopic spore examination or controlled growing conditions
Safety Note: For safety, always cultivate from known, sterile genetics and avoid identifying albino strains solely by naked-eye appearance. High-resolution spore prints and growth patterns remain the preferred method to delineate Albino B+ from lookalikes.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational, taxonomy, and research purposes only. Always consult a trained professional before attempting to identify any mushroom. Always consult a trained healthcare professional before attempting to ingest any mushroom. Do not message asking if we sell cultures or spores, all requests will be ignored. Always respect your local laws.
