Accueil
Blog
Strain Guides
McKennaii Magic Mushroom Strain: Origin, Characteristics & Growing Guide

McKennaii Magic Mushroom Strain: Origin, Characteristics & Growing Guide

Juillet 13, 2013

Everything you need to know about the McKennaii magic mushroom strain — its mysterious origin, visual characteristics, growing tips, and the legacy of Terence McKenna.

In this guide: A complete profile of the McKennaii magic mushroom strain — one of the most popular Psilocybe cubensis varieties in Europe. We cover the strain's origin story, its physical characteristics, how it grows, and how it connects to the legendary psychonaut Terence McKenna.

Whether you want to grow McKennaii from a grow kit or study its spores under a microscope, this guide has you covered.

The McKennaii magic mushroom strain holds a special place in the world of Psilocybe cubensis. Named after the philosopher and ethnobotanist Terence McKenna, this strain first appeared in Dutch smartshops shortly after McKenna's death in 2000. Since then, it has earned a devoted following for its distinctive dark caps, fast colonisation speed, and reputation as one of the more intense cubensis varieties available.

But who actually created the McKennaii magic mushroom strain? And what makes it different from other cubensis varieties? Let's separate the facts from the myths. For a broader introduction to cubensis strains in general, see our guide on what magic mushrooms are.

The Origin of the McKennaii Strain

The true origins of the McKennaii magic mushroom strain remain uncertain. Two stories circulate widely, and neither can be fully confirmed.

McKennaii magic mushroom strain dark caps Psilocybe cubensis

The most romantic version claims that spore prints found among Terence McKenna's personal belongings after his death in April 2000 formed the basis for this strain. However, no solid evidence supports this story. The more likely explanation? A Dutch mycologist created or selected this potent cubensis hybrid and named it McKennaii as a tribute to McKenna's life work.

Regardless of the true origin, the name fits perfectly. Few people championed the exploration of psilocybin mushrooms more passionately than Terence McKenna. As a result, many growers and enthusiasts view the McKennaii strain as a genuine tribute to the man himself.

Who Was Terence McKenna?

Terence McKenna (1946–2000) was an American ethnobotanist, psychonaut, philosopher, and writer. Together with his brother Dennis, he pioneered home cultivation techniques for Psilocybe cubensis during the 1970s. Their book Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide brought mushroom growing to a mainstream audience for the first time.

Beyond cultivation, McKenna spent decades articulating the philosophical and spiritual potential of psilocybin. He explored topics ranging from shamanism and language to the nature of consciousness. His lectures remain widely available online and still attract large audiences today.

The Stoned Ape Theory

McKenna's most famous idea is the Stoned Ape theory, first proposed in his 1992 book Food of the Gods. In essence, McKenna suggested that early humans who consumed Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms gained evolutionary advantages — including improved visual acuity, increased social bonding, and the development of language and symbolic thinking.

The theory remains controversial among evolutionary biologists. Nevertheless, it sparked widespread interest in the relationship between psychedelic substances and human evolution. For McKenna, psilocybin mushrooms served as the "evolutionary catalyst" behind human culture, religion, and art. Learn more about these ideas in our post on mushrooms and the mind.

McKennaii Magic Mushroom Characteristics

What makes the McKennaii magic mushroom strain visually distinct? Several features set it apart from other cubensis varieties:

Species	Psilocybe cubensis
Origin	The Netherlands (created or selected by a Dutch mycologist)
Cap colour	Dark caramel to deep brown
Cap shape	Irregular, wavy, often twisted — almost sculptural
Stem	Thick and sturdy, white to off-white, frequently curved
Bruising	Strongly blue when handled — indicates high psilocybin content
Spore colour	Dark purple-brown to nearly black
Potency	Average to high (consistently reported among the stronger cubensis strains)
Difficulty	Easy — fast coloniser, generous flushes

The overall appearance is compact, dark, and characterful. McKennaii fruits look unlike most other cubensis varieties. Their odd shapes and deep colouration give them a raw, untamed look that experienced growers find instantly recognisable.

Tip: McKennaii bruises strongly blue when handled. This bluing reaction indicates oxidation of psilocybin and suggests above-average potency. However, bluing intensity alone does not precisely measure psilocybin content.

Growing McKennaii Magic Mushrooms

One reason for McKennaii's popularity is how easy it grows. The strain colonises fast, tolerates a range of conditions, and typically produces generous flushes. This makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced cultivators.

Using a Grow Kit

The simplest approach is a ready-to-grow McKennaii mushroom grow kit. These kits contain fully colonised substrate — you simply add water, provide warmth (ideally 24 °C), and wait. First pins typically appear within 5 to 16 days. Expected yield ranges from 200 to 800 grams across multiple flushes.

We stock McKennaii in two grow kit formats:

FreshMushrooms® McKennaii 1200 ml — fully colonised, ready to fruit immediately. No soaking needed for the first flush.

GetMagic® McKennaii 1200 ml — layered grow kit with perlite and vermiculite. Classic approach, multiple flushes, high yield.

For detailed step-by-step instructions, see our beginner's guide to growing magic mushrooms and our video instructions.

Growing from Spores

If you prefer to start from scratch, we offer McKennaii spores in several formats:

McKennaii Spore Print — best for long-term archiving, agar work, and microscopy. Shelf life of 5–10+ years.

McKennaii Spore Syringe (20 ml) — 500 g.p.p./ml in a special organic solution for faster colonisation. Ready for substrate inoculation.

McKennaii Liquid Culture Syringe (10 ml) — pre-germinated mycelium for the fastest possible colonisation. Ideal for advanced growers.

Not sure how to use a spore print or syringe? Our step-by-step guide on how to use a spore print walks you through agar inoculation, syringe preparation, and grain transfer.

Optimal Growing Conditions for McKennaii

McKennaii grows well under standard cubensis conditions. Here are the key parameters:

Temperature: 24 °C is ideal. Stay between 21–29 °C for active growth. Below 18 °C, colonisation slows dramatically. Use a thermo mat if your environment runs cold.

Light: Indirect sunlight or a few hours of fluorescent light per day triggers pinning. Avoid direct sunlight — it damages mycelium.

Humidity: Mist the inside of the grow bag once daily (not directly on the cake). This also introduces fresh oxygen.

Harvesting: Pick mushrooms when the veil between cap and stem just tears. Do not pull — instead, gently twist at the base. For a visual guide, see our when to pick magic mushrooms article.

Flushing: After harvesting, soak the cake in cold water for 12 hours. Then repeat the growing process. Expect 2 to 4 flushes per kit, with the first two being the largest.

Sterility tip: Always work with clean hands or sterile gloves and a face mask. Contamination is the number one reason grow kits fail.

McKennaii vs Other Cubensis Strains

How does the McKennaii magic mushroom strain compare to other popular Psilocybe cubensis varieties? Here is a quick overview:

Strain	Potency	Growth Speed	Appearance
McKennaii	High	Fast	Dark brown, irregular caps, thick stems
Golden Teacher	Moderate	Moderate	Golden-yellow caps, elegant shape
B+	Moderate	Fast	Light caramel caps, large fruits
Ecuador	Moderate	Moderate	Brown caps, medium-size, reliable
Colombian	Moderate	Fast	Warm brown caps, high yield

McKennaii stands out for its combination of above-average potency and easy cultivation. If you enjoy the Golden Teacher for its accessibility, McKennaii offers a step up in intensity while remaining just as easy to grow. For a broader comparison, see our guide on common types of psychedelics.

McKennaii Products in Our Shop

Here is a complete overview of all McKennaii products we currently stock:

Ready to grow McKennaii? Start with the McKennaii grow kit for the easiest experience, or browse our spore prints and spore syringes to start from scratch.

Legal notice: Psilocybin mushroom spores do not contain controlled substances and are legal to buy in most countries for microscopy and research purposes. However, cultivating psilocybin mushrooms may carry legal penalties depending on your jurisdiction. Always check and obey the laws in your country or state.

← Article Précédent Article Suivant →

McKennaii Magic Mushroom Strain: Origin, Characteristics & Growing Guide

The Origin of the McKennaii Strain