Melmac TP (Psilocybe Cubensis)
Psilocybe Cubensis
Visual Identification
What is Melmac TP? A Complete Overview
Melmac TP is a highly sought-after psilocybin mushroom strain within the Psilocybe cubensis species. It is considered a potent offshoot of the classic 'Penis Envy' strain, which itself is famed for its unique morphology and elevated psychoactive effects. Melmac TP distinguishes itself both visually and in potency, with dense, gnarled stems, bulbous caps that seldom flatten out, and an often albino or cream appearance that makes it easily distinguishable from classic cubensis strains. The 'TP' designation is believed to stand for 'True Penis' or 'Tidal Pool', depending on grower lineage references. Outstanding results occur using All-In-One Mushroom grow bags or monotub or dubtub configurations.
Unlike standard cubensis, Melmac TP often grows slower but yields a more intense experience due to its exceptional alkaloid profile. This mushroom tends to bruise a notable deep bluish hue upon handling, reflecting its high psilocin content. Its strong visual and auditory effects, with a body-heavy onset typical of PE genetics, make it a preferred variety for experienced psychonauts seeking immersive journeys. Though not native in the wild and is a laboratory cultivar, Melmac TP has gained traction in underground growing circles due to its robust traits and memorable trips.
The name, a nod to the alien home planet in the television show ALF (Melmac), underscores the cosmic, otherworldly experience users report—intertwining pop-culture with psychedelic transcendence. This strain represents the intersection of modern mycology precision and the quest for enhanced consciousness exploration.
Taxonomic Classification
Origin and Cultural Significance of Melmac TP
Melmac TP's origins are deeply entwined in the modern underground mycology community. As a derivative of Penis Envy, its creation is attributed to passionate cultivators refining genetic lines for stability and enhanced potency. The Penis Envy lineage itself is steeped in counterculture lore, often rumored to have involved pioneering psychonauts like Terence McKenna, who popularized high-dosage psilocybin explorations. Melmac TP represents one of several refined lines that emerged in the 2000s and 2010s, with clandestine growers stabilizing traits such as cap presentation, high psilocybin content, and robust mycelial integrity.
Unlike wild-harvestable strains like Psilocybe cyanescens or Psilocybe mexicana with deep tribal ceremonial roots, Melmac TP exists almost entirely in contemporary, synthetic contexts. However, its cultural influence is noteworthy—serving as a pillar strain among microdosing discussions, entheogenic therapy communities, and psychonaut-focused forums. The drive to intensify the trip experience while reducing contaminants in cultivation reflects modern spiritual practices grounded in precision and enhancement.
Its name, a nod to the alien home planet in the television show ALF (Melmac), underscores the cosmic, otherworldly experience users report—intertwining pop-culture with psychedelic transcendence. This strain symbolizes the evolution of psychedelic culture from traditional shamanic practices to modern laboratory-refined experiences, representing both technological advancement and the eternal human quest for expanded consciousness.
How to Cultivate Melmac TP
Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced - requires patience and clean technique due to slow colonization and contamination sensitivity.
Substrate Requirements:
- Sterilized milo grain bags (recommended over BRF)
- CVG substrate (Coco Coir, Vermiculite, and Gypsum) for bulk
- Pasteurized horse or cow manure-based substrates (traditional)
- All-in-one grow kits with pre-loaded substrates
Environmental Conditions:
- Colonization Temperature: 73°F to 76°F (22°C–24°C)
- Fruiting Temperature: 73°F to 76°F (22°C–24°C)
- Humidity: 90%–95% consistently required
- Air Exchange: Fresh air exchange with 12/12 light cycles
- Lighting: Indirect lighting preferred
Timeline:
- Colonization: 3–6 weeks (slower than standard cubensis)
- Fruiting initiation: 14–20 days post-transfer to bulk
- Harvesting: Requires patience as PE-type strains take longer
Important Note: Melmac TP's slow colonizing nature requires patience and sterile technique. The mycelium grows denser than standard cubensis and may metabolize substrates differently. CVG substrate is recommended over traditional manure-based options for better contamination resistance and easier pasteurization. All-in-one grow kits can simplify the process by removing multiple contamination points.
Where Does Melmac TP Typically Grow?
Melmac TP is a man-made cultivar and does not grow naturally in the wild, but understanding its preferred 'artificial habitat' sheds light into its growth profile. As a Psilocybe cubensis variant, it mimics the baseline needs of wild cubensis mushrooms, which typically grow in warm, humid environments with rich organic matter.
In artificial settings, growers simulate tropical regions' conditions—an environment approximating jungles of South America or rice paddy habitats in Southeast Asia. This includes warm temperatures (72–80°F or 22–27°C) and high ambient humidity over 90%, ideally managed through greenhouse tents, monotubs, or martha chambers.
Key environmental conditions include:
- Temperature: 72°F–80°F (22°C–27°C)
- High humidity levels (90%+)
- Rich organic substrate with good aeration
- Controlled CO2 levels during different growth phases
- Indirect light exposure with 12/12 cycles
Substrate-wise, Melmac TP thrives on lignocellulose composites, preferring organic materials like coir, straw, and manure mimics. CVG substrate best emulates natural habitat conditions by providing aeration, moisture control, and microbial resistance. Adding a casing layer can help maintain surface moisture, stabilizing fruiting for large flushes. Though inherently domestic, when observing analogous habitat profiles, Melmac TP would most closely match tropical pastures with dense organic material decomposition.
When is Melmac TP in Season?
Year-round (indoors) – When cultivated indoors with controlled conditions, it is not subject to seasonal limitations. Outdoors in rare cases, it would fruit in late spring to early autumn in tropical zones.
Is Melmac TP Edible or Toxic?
Toxicity Information:
Melmac TP, despite being labeled as a hallucinogenic 'edible', must be approached cautiously due to its intense psychoactive compounds. Generally, Psilocybe cubensis species are not toxic in fatal terms, but high-potency strains like Melmac TP increase the risk of psychological distress, panic, confusion, and dissociation, especially at improper dosages or in unprepared users.
Physical Side Effects:
- Nausea, vomiting (especially during onset)
- Pupil dilation, tremors, cold sweats
- Temporary blood pressure or heartbeat elevation
- Risk of psychological overdose leading to derealization and ego death
Risk of Misidentification:
Wild foragers must not mistake PE variants with similar-looking Galerina or Pholiotina species, which can be lethal. Melmac TP's unique lab-based presence means it is rarely encountered outside cultivation, reducing mix-up risks—but caution must still be practiced with all fungal foraging or consumption.
No known liver or renal toxicity has been linked with psilocybin-containing mushrooms in controlled, responsible use; however, contraindications with psychiatric conditions must be considered.
What are the Medicinal Uses for Melmac TP?
Though Melmac TP is not officially regarded as a medicinal mushroom, anecdotal and early-stage clinical research into psilocybin—the active compound—links this strain's effects to various potential mental health applications.
Potential Benefits:
- Antidepressant Effects: Psilocybin interacts with serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2A, yielding a neurological shift often described as a 'reset'. Melmac TP's high psilocybin concentration makes it particularly noteworthy in this context
- Anxiety & PTSD: Therapeutically guided sessions using psilocybin can facilitate emotional processing and trauma detangling. The deep introspective states induced by Melmac TP make it ideal for such applications
- Neuroplasticity: Emerging neuroscience links compounds like psilocybin to enhanced neural connectivity and neurogenesis. Melmac TP's role in 'resetting' habitual thought loops could play a pivotal therapeutic role in treating OCD or addiction
- Creativity and Cognitive Enhancement: Creative professionals occasionally turn to higher-potency strains like Melmac TP to access divergent thinking and problem-solving elasticity
Microdosing protocols using PE-type strains including Melmac TP have shown mood-enhancing and resilience-building effects in preliminary tests. All effects are dose-dependent, and due to Melmac TP's exceptional potency, effects may be amplified versus traditional cubensis varieties.
Important: Medical applications are still under study, and current regulatory frameworks vary globally. Always consult healthcare professionals before considering therapeutic use.
What Drugs Interact with Melmac TP?
Interactions with Prescription Medications:
- Antidepressants & SSRIs: Individuals on SSRI medications may experience diminished effects due to receptor downregulation. However, recent studies show partial efficacy in microdoses. Use under psychiatric supervision is absolutely necessary
- MAOIs: Combining Melmac TP with monoamine oxidase inhibitors—either synthetic or natural (Ayahuasca analogs)—can substantially potentiate its effects, sometimes unpredictably. This increases the risk of serotonin syndrome
- Antipsychotics: These will often negate the effects of psilocybin. People with a history of bipolar or schizophrenic illness should NOT use Melmac TP
- Benzodiazepines: These can suppress overwhelming trips and are often used as 'trip aborters'. However, combining during onset can blunt the experience or create cognitive dissonance
Other Substances:
- Alcohol & Cannabis: Cannabis may amplify visual and emotional components, especially in the peak of the trip. Alcohol, however, often dulls the effects or increases nausea
Important: Caution is especially essential for people on psychiatric or cardiac medications. Always consult a practitioner when considering psychedelics with existing pharmaceutical dependencies.
What Mushrooms Look Like Melmac TP?
Melmac TP has few visual analogs in the wild due to its lab-specific origin and unique morphology, but a few species or strains may resemble it under certain growth conditions:
- Penis Envy (original): The direct ancestor of Melmac TP. Its dense stem and small cap can easily be mistaken in early growth stages. However, PE lacks the consistent albino features and may not exhibit the same sporing structure
- Albino Penis Envy (APE): Nearly indistinguishable from Melmac TP, especially in similar substrate environments. Genetic testing or spore shape may be required for confirmation
- Other PE Variants: Strains like PE Uncut, PE6, and Tidalwave PE possess close analogs in growth pattern, fruit body density, and irregular cap development. Without genetic verification or known spore lineage, they're hard to distinguish
- Pholiotina rugosa: (Deadly) Found in the wild, this small brown-capped mushroom with ringed stem could mislead novice hunters, though differs significantly in shape. Always verify source
Safety Note: Growers must label cultures carefully to avoid mix-ups and monitor for undesirable mutations like cap splitting, side-pinning, or bacterial anomalies that may alter visual assessment. Always verify identity through proper cultivation lineage.
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.
