Science
Potency & Testing
Understanding variability in sacrament potency
Lab Testing Reveals Massive Variability
In collaboration with Hyphae Labs of Oakland, California, psilocybin mushroom varieties (also referred to as strains) were tested for potency of pure psilocybin. The resulting data revealed vast variability in the potency of pure psilocybin in dried mushroom strains, spanning a 1-to-40 ratio. The microgram potencies of strains tested ranged from a low of 600 mcg to a high of 24,600 mcg of pure psilocybin per gram of mushrooms.Traditional Dosing Is Dangerously Imprecise
The most widely used method of calculating psilocybin mushroom dosage has been measuring grams of dried mushrooms. This “traditional dosing method” is imprecise and gravely unpredictable, especially in light of recent advancements in the understanding of psilocybin mushroom potency and the impact of body weight and tolerance on the outcome of the experience. In the absence of laboratory analysis, the potency of psilocybin in dried fungi is impossible to predict. Example: If a person accustomed to taking three grams of the weakest mushroom strain tested accidentally consumed three grams of the strongest strain tested, the experience would be equivalent to consuming forty times the amount they were accustomed to.What Determines Potency?
Factors such as substrate, cultivator, environment, and strain determine the potency of psilocybin in dried mushrooms. Vast variability in potency has been observed even between mushrooms of the same strain grown by the same cultivator. Mushrooms of the same strain grown by different cultivators have shown in laboratory testing to yield even less consistency. These findings reveal that selecting mushrooms by strain alone is in no way a predictable means of determining potency.Same Batch, Different Potency
Hyphae Labs’ analysis revealed that individual mushrooms of the same strain, grown within the same grow enclosure, can vary in potency by up to 100%. One mushroom may contain 10,000 mcg psilocybin while another from the same batch may contain 20,000 mcg. This could mean the difference between a perfect dose and an unintentional overdose.The Solution: Homogenization and Lab Testing
To account for the variance in potency between individual mushrooms, batches of dried mushrooms were homogenized into a ground powder and submitted for further analysis by Hyphae Labs. This process set a sound framework for the development of the Church of Ambrosia’s dosing calculator. The Church believes the calculator will allow for precise dosing of different strains based on the exact psilocybin content of homogenized batches. The calculator takes important factors such as body weight and tolerance into account as well.“We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect science with spirituality.” Reggie Harris, Hyphae Labs
Key Takeaways
- Psilocybin potency varies up to 40x between strains.
- Even within a single batch, individual mushrooms can vary by 100%.
- Measuring by grams alone is unreliable. Lab testing and homogenization are essential for safe dosing.
- Always use the dosage calculator when lab results are available.
