Tidal Wave: Psilocybin Cup Winner 2021 For Highest Potency

Tidal Wave currently holds the belt for the strongest strain of Psilocybe cubensis ever recorded. 

By Kat Lubiano Last Updated: November 13, 2024
Last Updated: November 13, 2024
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Tidal Wave cubensis is a magic mushroom hybrid of the very potent Penis Envy and B+ strains.

When discussing magic mushroom strains, we’re referring to subgroups within a given species differing in phenotypes or growth patterns. This may include differences in the color, size, and potency of active compounds.

Crossing strains entails mixing the DNA of two different mushroom cultures within the same species by isolating the monokaryotic culture of the desired strains. These monokaryotic cultures only have one set of DNA, so it’s unable to reproduce fruiting bodies on their own. It produces dikaryotic mycelium that grows mushrooms only when it’s introduced to another group of monokaryotic cultures. This process doesn’t always make a reliable new strain, and the process is often repeated to create stable genetics.

The Tidal Wave strain is part of the Psilocybe cubensis species and was reportedly the only strain with a higher tryptamine and psilocybin content than the famed Penis Envy. A sample submitted by Magic Myco Farm in the Spring 2021 cup contained a whopping 3.82% total tryptamines. This record has yet to be broken.

Tidal Wave is a fast-fruiting strain with an above-average potency for a magic mushroom, which makes sense, having genetics from Penis Envy — a strain known to contain up to 100 percent more psilocybin than the average Psilocybe cubensis.

Tidal Wave Specs

PotencyVery Potent 🤯
CultivationIntermediate
SpeciesPsilocybe cubensis
Substrate RecommendationRye Grain
Sold BySpores MD (🇺🇸), Sporeslab (🇨🇦), Spores 101 (🇺🇸/🇨🇦), High Desert Spores (🇺🇸), Mushroom Prints (🇨🇦), The Magic Mushrooms Shop (🇪🇺)

Potency & Psilocybin Content

Tidal Wave mushrooms are notoriously potent — but while they hold the record for the highest psilocybin and psilocin content ever tested in 4 years of the Psilocybin Cup — the averages spread across 9 samples over 2 years is actually quite a bit lower.

The psilocybin average for this strain is 0.87%. The psilocin average is 0.27%. The total tryptamine average is 1.17%.

These figures are certainly above average, but they’re nowhere near the peak achievement registered at 3.8% total tryptamines.

What this means is that you can expect these mushrooms to be pretty strong overall — but they’re not likely to achieve the nearly 4X potency reported by the current record holder.

Tidal Wave Mushrooms Effects & Characteristics

Magic mushrooms grow in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Tidal Wave mushrooms get their color, size, and overall cap shape from the B+ parent strain but have thick white bodies with tightly packed gills that resemble Penis Envy.

The wavy edges on the cap give it an otherworldly look; these characteristic waves are where the strain gets its name. Another unique quirk of the Tidal Wave strains is that they sometimes grow a little white ball on the top of their caps.

The effects of the Tidal Wave strain are similar to Penis Envy, causing heavy visual hallucinations with intense euphoria during the initial stage while maintaining a sense of mental clarity

Tidal Wave is known to produce feel-good sensations in the body, so many users find Tidal Wave mushrooms helpful in combatting depression and other mood disorders. This is why it’s also a popular strain in microdosing formulas for general mood elevation.

While Tidal Wave, B+, and Penis Envy have a higher than average psilocybin content, many mycologists believe that how the mushroom was grown is much more impactful on the effect profile of the mushrooms than the given genetics itself, which leads us to our next topic.

How To Grow Tidal Wave Mushrooms

The Tidal Wave cubensis mushrooms are fast-fruiting and are relatively easy to grow because of their inherent resistance to environmental contamination — you may not get bountiful flushes from your spores. Still, the fruiting bodies are solid and impressive to look at.

Since its success at the Psilocybin Cup, finding these mushrooms online is much easier, but you can find Tidal Wave spores in syringes or cakes online.

Related: How to Grow Magic Mushrooms (The Easy Way).

To make the growing process much easier and improve your chances for success, we recommend getting a Tidal Wave mushroom kit, which typically includes sterilized materials to grow your own Tidal Wave magic mushroom garden at home.

Compared to Penis Envy, which is highly susceptible to contamination in its growing environment, Tidal Wave seems much more robust. Still, keeping your growing area and equipment sterile is essential to avoid contamination.

Tidal Wave grows well in the most popular substrates, including rye grain, brown rice flour, and wild bird seed.

After sterilizing your equipment, it’s time to inoculate your substrate. A popular substrate for mushrooms is rye grain, which you can find at most gardening stores. To inoculate the rye grain, mix it with your spores to colonize the substrate. To give the spores a fighting chance, leave them be a few extra days before moving them into your humid fruiting chamber.

All that’s left to do is wait for the magic to happen. 

Mushrooms typically take about two weeks to fruit, so be patient! Once they pop up, you can enjoy them fresh or dry for later use. You can quickly grow magic mushrooms right in your home with little effort.

Variations & Genetic Relatives

Tidal Wave is an incredible strain bred from some very heavy-hitting classics — Penis Envy and B+. It’s unclear who deserves the credit for creating this infamous strain. 

Penis Envy is best known for its potency — its high psilocybin content produces strong hallucinogenic visuals and an otherworldly experience. At the same time, the B+ strain is enjoyed for its relaxing and clear-headed magic mushroom experience.

Where To Buy Tidal Wave Mushrooms

Wondering where to buy Tidal Wave mushroom spores?

Thanks to its impressive appearance at the 2021 Psilocybin Cup, Tidal Wave is much easier to source online due to its rising popularity.

List of all spore vendors

How to Dose Tidal Wave Magic Mushrooms

Although Tidal Wave mushrooms can have an extremely high psilocybin content, their effects are manageable, offering clear-headed effects, interesting visual hallucinations, and a body high — but you should still tread lightly when dosing.

Dosing magic mushrooms is a personal affair as the perfect dose will depend on your age, genetics, weight, and the type of experience you’d like with your mushrooms. 

If you’ve never dosed before, here’s a general guide—it’s always best to start with smaller doses and work your way up gradually, as the effects of magic mushrooms can be overwhelming for someone with no experience.

Dose guide for Tidal Wave Mushrooms:

  • Microdose — 0.25 – 1 gram
  • Medium Recreational Dose — 1 – 2.5 grams
  • Strong Recreational Dose — 3 – 5 grams
  • Heroic Dose — 5+ grams (not recommended)

Related: Check out our handy magic mushroom dosage calculator.

Final Thoughts: Tidal Wave Psilocybin

The Tidal Wave mushroom is an intense strain, more potent than the famous Penis Envy mushroom.

If you’re looking for an intense psychedelic experience, this might be what your mind has been searching for. You can find dried Tidal Wave mushrooms online at most reputable retailers or purchase spore kits to grow your magic garden at home. Of all the psychedelic mushroom species, Psilocybe cubensis is the easiest to grow. 

Thanks to this strain’s resistance to contamination, even beginners, with careful preparation, can have success growing Tidal Wave.