Makilla Gorilla (Psilocybe Cubensis)
Psilocybe Cubensis
Visual Identification
What is Makilla Gorilla? A Complete Overview
Makilla Gorilla is a modern hybrid strain of the well-known Psilocybe cubensis, gaining attention in the mushroom enthusiast community for its potent psychoactive properties and uniquely burly visual characteristics. This strain is known for producing thick, resilient stems and broad, golden to caramel colored caps with distinguishable wavy edges as it matures. Often described as an aggressive fruiter, Makilla Gorilla tends to produce medium to large flushes, making it a popular choice among both cultivators and psychonauts. Year-round production is possible using All-In-One Mushroom grow bags and monotubs effectively.
Its name is a play on the word "gorilla," referencing the muscular physical appearance of its stem, along with high anecdotal reports of a heavy experience or "mental strength trip." The strain shows strong rhizomorphic mycelial growth during colonization, often outperforming other common cubensis strains in both speed and robustness. Hyper-potent batches have been reported, which adds to the mystique of Makilla Gorilla in the expanding landscape of designer psilocybes. Despite being relatively new to the market, its popularity continues to grow thanks to its strong visual appeal, ease of growth, and intense, immersive experiences.
Taxonomic Classification
Origin and Cultural Significance of Makilla Gorilla
Makilla Gorilla is a relatively recent entry in the broader genre of designer Psilocybe cubensis strains. While it lacks the ancient, shamanic traditions tied to wild psilocybin mushrooms like Psilocybe mexicana or Psilocybe zapotecorum, it represents a new chapter in the psychedelic renaissance where cultivators merge genetics for specific physical traits, yield, and potency. Hybrid strains like this are not typically connected to ancestral traditions but rather highlight the modern fungal movement driven by scientific curiosity, cultivation innovation, and experiential interest.
The origins of Makilla Gorilla remain shrouded in underground cultivation circles, but it is believed to be a cross between two highly regarded PE-based (Penis Envy) hybrids: Gorilla Penis and Makaveli. Both of these strains are known for their exceptional strength and unusual phenotypes. Gorilla Penis contributes the strain's thick, meaty stature while Makaveli adds visual intensity in cap structure and color.
Although newer, fungi like Makilla Gorilla are carving a space in modern consciousness exploration, particularly within Western psychonaut communities. Online forums, social media groups, and microdosing movements have all contributed to the hype surrounding this strain. It's not uncommon to find discussions connecting the strain to deep introspective journeys, creative breakthroughs, and intense ego dissolution experiences among modern users, despite its lack of historical shamanic roots.
How to Cultivate Makilla Gorilla
Difficulty Level: Intermediate - relatively straightforward for experienced growers using modern techniques and equipment.
Substrate Requirements:
- Sterilized milo grain bags for spawn
- CVG (coir, vermiculite, gypsum) substrate mixture
- Enriched substrates like manure (optional)
- All-in-one grow kits available for beginners
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% during pinning; reduced to 85% as fruits mature
- Light Cycle: 12/12 hour natural or cool white LED lighting
- Air Exchange: 4-6 times daily in still air boxes or monotubs with micropore filters
Growth Characteristics:
- Vigorous mycelial colonization with rhizomorphic pattern
- Above average yields with large cluster formations
- Fast and efficient growth when conditions are stable
- Shows strong resilience compared to other cubensis strains
Important Note: Makilla Gorilla shows vigorous mycelial colonization with a pronounced rhizomorphic pattern, making it ideal for fast and efficient growth in the right conditions. Many growers opt for all-in-one grow kits which simplify the cultivation process for beginners or microdosing hobbyists.
Where Would Makilla Gorilla Typically Grow?
Makilla Gorilla, being a cultivated hybrid of Psilocybe cubensis, does not occur naturally in the wild, but its lineage draws from wild strains that thrive in subtropical and tropical environments. Parent strains in the Psilocybe cubensis family are traditionally found in nutrient-rich animal dung, particularly cow and water buffalo manure, in regions such as Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
If hypothetically left to establish in the wild, Makilla Gorilla would prefer:
- Moist, humid environments with temperatures ranging from 70–90°F (21–32°C)
- Open pasture lands, where decomposing organic material abounds
- Well-drained soils with good airflow
- Low to mid-altitude zones, typically under 1,500 meters
Cultivators simulate these conditions indoors using humidity tents or modified monotubs with regulated air exchange. Mycelium colonization prefers subdued light and steady moisture levels, reflecting its jungle-floor ancestors.
When is Makilla Gorilla in Season?
Makilla Gorilla, being the product of indoor cultivation, can be fruiting year-round under controlled conditions. Wild cubensis relatives typically fruit between May and September in the northern hemisphere, with tropical zones seeing flushes during humid rainy seasons.
Is Makilla Gorilla Edible or Toxic?
Toxicity Information:
Makilla Gorilla, like other Psilocybe cubensis strains, contains psychoactive alkaloids psilocybin and psilocin, which are not inherently toxic but can cause psychological side effects if misused or under unfavorable conditions. These compounds are not lethal in standard recreational or microdose quantities, but psychological intensity can pose a risk.
Potential Adverse Effects:
- Paranoia, anxiety or ego death in high doses
- Nausea or vomiting upon onset
- Motor skill impairment during onset
- Emotional distress if taken without a trip sitter or proper mindset
Cultivation Safety:
One of the most established risks lies not in the mushroom's compounds directly, but rather in confusion with toxic lookalike species when foraging. Although Makilla Gorilla is cultivated and not found in the wild, amateur attempts at cultivation without sterilization might introduce contaminants like mold or bacteria, which can cause illness if consumed.
There have been no documented fatalities associated solely with psilocybin ingestion at recreational doses, but combining with SSRIs, lithium, or existing psychotic disorders can increase risk dramatically.
What are the Medicinal Uses for Makilla Gorilla?
Though no clinical trials have been done specifically on Makilla Gorilla, its Psilocybe cubensis heritage ties it to a growing body of scientific research that suggests therapeutic benefits tied to psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The psychoactive compound psilocybin converts in the body to psilocin, which interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, potentially leading to a range of cognitive and emotional benefits.
Reported Medicinal Properties:
- Antidepressant effects: Early research from Johns Hopkins and Imperial College London has shown that controlled doses of psilocybin can help reduce symptoms of treatment-resistant depression
- Anti-anxiety properties: Particularly in patients undergoing treatment for terminal illness, psilocybin therapy has reduced existential distress and anxiety
- PTSD resilience: Anecdotal and preliminary trial reports suggest efficacy in trauma integration protocols
- Increased neuroplasticity: Lab studies suggest psilocybin stimulates growth of new neural connections, potentially improving cognitive flexibility
- Cluster headache mitigation: Some users report profound relief from chronic cluster headaches after psilocybin microdosing
It must be noted that the potent genetics of Makilla Gorilla may make it less suited for beginners or first-time therapeutic sessions due to strong intensity and length of effects. It is always recommended to engage in any psychedelic experience in a controlled, supportive setting, especially in therapeutic contexts.
What Drugs Interact with Makilla Gorilla?
Contraindicated Substances:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): May blunt effects or cause unpredictable mood changes
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Can dangerously potentiate effects and duration
- Lithium: Has been linked to seizures and toxic responses when combined with psychedelics
- Tramadol or antipsychotics: May increase risk of serotonin syndrome
Synergistic Interactions:
- Cannabis: Can amplify the psychedelic state, often making visuals more intense
- Nicotinic substances: Some users report increased focus or mental energy but can raise heart rate or anxiety
- Alcohol: Strongly discouraged—reduces both clarity of trip and increases nausea
Important: Users considering therapeutic or recreational use should avoid poly-drug interactions, particularly with psychoactive pharmaceuticals. Psychedelic experiences are delicate on neurochemical balance, and mixing pharmacologically intense drugs can have dangerous outcomes.
What Mushrooms Look Like Makilla Gorilla?
Despite Makilla Gorilla being a cultivated hybrid strain, its resemblance to other Psilocybe cubensis strains and wild mushrooms can lead to confusion if identification protocols are insufficient:
- Psilocybe cyanescens: While also psychedelic, this species has a more wavy cap and much thinner stems, commonly found in woodchip-rich environments in the wild
- Galerina marginata (Deadly Galerina): Toxic mushroom with orange-brown cap, often fatal if consumed; grows in similar habitats and sometimes mistaken due to color match
- Pholiotina rugosa: Contains deadly amatoxins but somewhat resembles young cubensis mushrooms
- Panaeolus cinctulus: A weakly psychoactive species that is often incorrectly sold/traded as cubensis due to its availability and darker spore print
Safety Note: Proper identification through spore prints (cubensis strains typically produce a purple-brown print), cap shape, bruising reaction (blue bruising confirms psilocybin presence), and substrate origin are essential to avoid fatal mistakes. Makilla Gorilla typically shows blue bruising near the base of the stem and a thick, chunky look—features not replicated exactly in wild equivalents.
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.