The Chodewave Strain: A Mysterious Psilocybe cubensis
Short. Thick. Psychedelic.
Chodewave is a hybridization of two strains renowned for their potency — Albino Penis Envy and Tidal Wave. There are over 100 strains of Psilocybe cubensis that produce different growth characteristics and potencies. Chodewave is a strain that’s on the stronger end of the spectrum.
Chodewave shrooms are stubby with thick, white stems and golden-brown, domed caps. When looking at their genetics, they should be impressively potent. However, tryptamine data from a small selection of samples says otherwise — with an average total tryptamine level of only 0.41%.
This strain is relatively easy to cultivate, even for beginners. However, the conditions in which the mushrooms are cultivated appear to have a drastic effect on the levels of psilocybin and psilocin produced.
Regardless of its unclear history, variable potency, and elusive spore samples, Chodewave is an intriguing strain with a lot going for it.
In this article, we’ll discover:
- The history of the Chodewave strain
- The potency of Chodewave mushrooms
- The Chodewave strain’s genetic relatives
- Where to buy Chodewave spores
- How to grow Chodewave shrooms
- Other highly-potent strains of Psilocybe cubensis
I’ll also answer a few frequently asked questions about Psilocybe cubensis, psychedelic trips, and other species of psilocybin-producing mushrooms.
Chodewave Specs:
| Potency | Above Average |
| Cultivation | Beginner |
| Species | Psilocybe cubensis |
| Substrate Recommendation | Rye Grain or Bird Seed |
| Cost | $$ |
| Sold By | Ralphsters Spores, Spores 101 |
History of the Chodewave Strain
The Chodewave strain has a mysterious history. We don’t know much about its origins, but it’s believed to be a hybridization of the Albino Penis Envy and Tidal Wave strains — two Psilocybe cubensis strains renowned for their impressively high psilocybin and psilocin levels.
The Chodewave strain appeared on the scene in the late 2010s, and it gained some level of exposure when its relative — Albino Chodewave — won a spot as “Therapeutic Champion” in the Spring 2022 Psilocybin Cup.
Potency & Psilocybin Content of Chodewave Mushrooms
The mother strains of the Chodewave strain are both renowned for their potency.
Albino Penis Envy produces an average psilocybin content of 0.97%, and Tidal Wave has an average psilocybin level of 0.83%. Both of these strains are capable of producing much higher levels when grown in ideal conditions.
By looking at the tryptamine data of both its mother strains, you’d assume that Chodewave mushrooms produce similar tryptamine levels. However, from samples submitted into the Oakland Hyphae Psilocybin Cup, we’ve discovered an average psilocybin level of 0.38%, a psilocin level of 0.03%, and a total tryptamine content of only 0.41%.
This data puts the Chodewave strain in the “weak” potency category. However, we believe this strain has much more potential. There are several reasons the samples entered into the Psilocybin Cup could’ve produced such low tryptamine levels. The growing conditions, how the fruits were dried, and other variables can impact overall potency.
If grown in the ideal conditions, the Chodewave strain should be capable of producing over 0.90% total tryptamines — potentially much more.
The Chodewave Strain’s Variations & Genetic Relatives
Although the history of the Chodewave strain is widely unknown, we do know a bit about its genetic lineage. The Chodewave strain has a few genetic relatives and variants.
Here are Chodewave’s closest relatives:
1. Albino Penis Envy
Albino Penis Envy (APE) is one of the two mother strains of the Chodewave strain. It’s an albino variant of the original Penis Envy strain. APE retains the famous phallic shape and staggering potency of the original strain but lacks pigment in its caps and stems.
This strain can be difficult for beginners to cultivate because it’s prone to aborts. However, those with the skills and patience may be rewarded with beautiful, potent shrooms that produce an average psilocybin content of 0.97% and around 1.16% total tryptamines.
2. Penis Envy
Penis Envy is the father to all strains in the “Penis Envy series.” It gets its name from the penis-like mushrooms it produces and is famous for its otherworldly potency — having an average psilocybin level of 0.96% (1.15% total tryptamines).
This strain is surprisingly easy to grow, and you can get decent yields with minimal skill, investment, and equipment.
3. Tidal Wave
The Tidal Wave strain is the second mother strain of Chodewave. A sample of this strain famously won the Spring 2021 Oakland Hyphae Psilocybin Cup with a whopping 3.82% total psychedelic tryptamine level.
This is a relatively easy strain to cultivate, but it’s rare to get such high levels of tryptamines. You can expect an average total tryptamine content closer to 1.17% when growing Tidal Wave at home.
4. Albino Chodewave
Albino Chodewave is a rare variant of the original Chodewave strain. The origins of this strain are unknown, but an albino mutation from the original strain was likely isolated, stabilized, and distributed through the community on the Shroomery forum.
Albino Chodewave spore samples are difficult to find, but those who manage to source them will be rewarded with potent shrooms that look and feel identical to Chodewave except for the lack of pigmentation. The average Albino Chodewave shroom produces upwards of 1.19% total tryptamines.
Where to Buy Chodewave Spores
Chodewave spore samples can be a little tricky to find. However, there are a few vendors that offer samples in the form of spore syringes, prints, and swabs. If you’re new to mushroom cultivation, we recommend you purchase spore-filled syringes — these provide the easiest way to inoculate the substrate without introducing potential contaminants.
Here’s where you’ll find Chodewave spore samples in your area:
- The United States: Chodewave spore syringes are available from Ralphsters Spores.
- Canada: Chodewave syringes and prints can be bought from Spores 101.
- Europe: Unfortunately, Chodewave spore samples are unavailable from any major venues in Europe or the United Kingdom.
How to Grow Chodewave Mushrooms
Chodewave shrooms are relatively easy to cultivate, even for newbies to mushroom cultivation. The strain is resistant to contamination, an aggressive colonizer, and will grow on most substrates.
Although the Chodewave strain will grow on most substrates, we recommend rye grain or pasteurized bird seed for the best results. The easiest way to grow this strain is to utilize a cultivation method known as “PF Tek.”
PF Tek involves inoculating substrate-filled jars with spores, waiting for the mycelium to form, and then fruiting the resulting “mycelium cakes” in a fruiting chamber.
Learn how to grow Chodewave shrooms using PF Tek: How To Grow Magic Mushrooms: The Easy Way.
If all of this sounds a little complicated, why not check out the Top 5 Magic Mushroom Grow Kits? These kits come with inoculated spawn bags ready to fruit, which cuts out several of the more difficult steps involved with PF Tek. You can harvest your first magic mushrooms in as little as seven days.
Other Highly-Potent Psilocybe cubensis Strains
Chodewave is a potent strain of Psilocybe cubensis. However, tryptamine levels can vary greatly depending on how the strain is grown. There are a few other options if you’re on the market for a super-potent strain to grow. Many of these strains are more stable.
Here are five highly potent strains to check out:
1. Penis Envy Uncut
Penis Envy Uncut is a genetic off-shoot of the original Penis Envy strain. It’s characterized by the veils below the gills that rarely break away from the stem, giving the shrooms the look of an uncircumcised penis.
The mushrooms tend to be slightly smaller than the original strain — yields are often lower. However, many believe that the Uncut variant is the strongest in the PE series, which could make up for this. The average Penis Envy Uncut shroom produces 1.36% psilocybin, 0.68% psilocin, and around 2.04% total tryptamines.
2. Penis Envy #6
Penis Envy #6 is a hybridization of Penis Envy and the Texas strain. It shares characteristics from both strains, retaining Penis Envy’s thick stems and the Texas strain’s wavy caps.
This strain is quick to colonize substrates and prolific during fruiting, leading to large yields in a short amount of time. This variant isn’t as potent as some other strains in the series, but the mushrooms still have above-average potency — producing psilocybin levels over 0.63% and psilocin levels over 0.08%.
3. Trans Envy
The Trans Envy strain is a hybridization of Penis Envy and South African Transkei. This was an accidental creation when two separate spawn bags were combined in the same fruiting tray. The tray produced distinctly different mushrooms, which were then isolated and stabilized — the Trans Envy strain was born.
The strain retains characteristics from both Penis Envy and South African Transkei, with thick stems from PE and larger caps and overall fruit size from Transkei.
Trans Envy shrooms are remarkably potent, producing average tryptamine levels above 1.80%.
4. Orissa India
The Orissa India strain is famous for producing abnormally large mushrooms. The original sample was collected from a patch of cow dung in the Orissa region of India — hence the name.
This strain is easy to grow and surprisingly potent, producing an average tryptamine content of more than 1.00%.
5. White Rabbit
The White Rabbit strain is a hybridization of Albino Penis Envy and the Moby Dick strain — two strains renowned for their potency. Developed by a group of Dutch cultivators, this strain produces pure white fruits that are highly potent.
White Rabbit shrooms are incredibly easy to grow and can produce an average total tryptamine content of over 1.80%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to know more? Here are a few of the top questions people ask about shrooms.
1. Are Psilocybe cubensis Strains the Only Magic Mushrooms?
Psilocybe cubensis is the most prevalent psychedelic species across the globe, but it’s not the only magic mushroom species. The reason this species is so widespread is because it’s easy to cultivate compared to other species.
Some other species of magic mushrooms, such as Psilocybe semilanceata (the Liberty Cap), are more potent than P. cubensis but are impossible to cultivate successfully. Other species, like Psilocybe azurescens, Psilocybe cyanescens, and Psilocybe baeocystis, can be cultivated but require more skill. This is why 90% of the mushrooms you find for sale online will be strains of the Psilocybe cubensis variety.
Here’s a list of some other species of psilocybin-producing mushrooms:
- Psilocybe azurescens
- Psilocybe semilanceata
- Psilocybe cyanescens
- Psilocybe baeocystis
- Psilocybe mexicana
- Psilocybe stuntzii
- Psilocybe weilii
- Psilocybe caerulescens
- Inocybe cyanopus
- Panaeolus cyanescens
- Conocybe cinctulis
- Gymnopilus igniculus
- Pluteus hispanica
Related: List of Psilocybin Mushroom Species (And Other Psychoactive Fungi)
2. How Do You Identify Psilocybe cubensis in the Wild?
Identifying Psilocybe cubensis in the Wild can be difficult for the untrained eye. The sheer number of genetic variants that produce vastly different growth characteristics can make it hard to identify.
There are also several similar-looking species of wild mushrooms that grow in a similar habitat to Psilocybe cubensis. Some of these species are toxic and can be fatal if ingested in large quantities.
You should only seek out P. cubensis mushrooms in nature if you’re 100% sure of how to identify them.
To gain a positive ID on a Psilocybe cubensis mushroom, the cap, stem, gills, and spores must be examined closely.
Learn how to identify Psilocybe cubensis and its look-alikes.
3. What is the Best Set and Setting for a Psilocybe cubensis Experience?
If you plan a trip on Psilocybe cubensis shrooms — or any magic mushroom for that matter — set and setting are extremely important.
The “set” is the state of mind you’re in and the “setting” is the surroundings you’re in. These two factors can dictate the entire direction of a psychedelic experience and determine whether you have a “good or bad trip.”
It’s important that you’re in the right frame of mind before entering a psilocybin trip. You should be calm, collected, and free of any fear or worries. Preparing yourself through meditation or other relaxation techniques is good practice before a psychedelic experience of any kind.
Your setting should be just as calm and relaxed as your mind.
If you decide to trip out in nature, make sure it’s in a quiet spot away from any potential foot traffic — trust me, you don’t want to encounter a stranger who’s asking for directions when you’re at the peak of the experience.
If you decide to go on a psychedelic journey indoors, make the space as comfortable as possible. Set up pillows and blankets, put on some relaxing music, and light a few candles.
If it’s your first time using magic mushrooms, we highly recommend undergoing the experience with a “tripsitter.” A trip sitter can keep an eye on you and potentially guide you through the experience or intervene if things take an uncomfortable turn.
