Posted by pinksharkmark (216.209.183.16) on June 06, 2001 at 21:05:34:
In Reply to: Question for the shroom experts posted by Marc on June 06, 2001 at 19:17:56:
I presume that is one of the more popular Thai varieties of Psilocybe cubensis such as the Lipa Yai or the Koh Samui?
From what I have heard of these two strains, they are generally considered to be one of the more potent cubensis varieties available.
I would suggest a dose in the range of a gram to a gram and a half of COMPLETELY dried mushrooms, two grams at the most. This weight is for mushrooms that have been dried to the point where they are crisp and cracker-like, and snap into fragments easily. If they have been incompletely dried, they will be more leathery in texture, and you will require a bit more... maybe half a gram more.
If they are fresh-picked and haven't dehydrated at all, make that ten to fifteen grams... twenty grams at the most. Don't forget that a fresh-picked Psilocybe cubensis is approximately 90% water... that is why the "wet" or "fresh-picked" dose is ten times the mass of a "dry" dose... to account for the water content.
While these doses will certainly be sub-hallucinogenic, they should produce a mild buzz... the rough equivalent of a beer or three. If there is no "buzz" at all then it is likely that the dose was too small for the particular individual involved, or the mushrooms were less potent than usual.
Depending on the method of growing, the method of storage, genetic variability, the freshness of the mushroom, individual sensitivity to psilocybin, interference with medication, stomach contents, etc., there can be a fairly extensive difference in effect, but it is a pretty safe bet that a gram or a gram and a half will not cause anyone much distress.
At the low dose I recommend above your friend will certainly not be as ... ummmm... "entranced"... as Ike appears to be tonight. *toothy grin*
pinky