Magic mushrooms are making the most moves in U.S. policy these days. Olympia, Wash. recently decriminalized possession and use, while Ore. and Colo. continue shaping their therapeutic psilocybin programs. Though most psychedelics, shrooms included, remain highly illegal in much of the country, this reform speaks volumes.

Policy updates are developing atop generations of underground mycology isolating and breeding new magic mushrooms like the Hillbilly mushroom strain. Hillbillies, as they are affectionately called, are newer to the scene compared to classics like Golden Teachers.

They have risen in popularity since the 2010s, to become a solid choice among psychonauts, new and old. ShegrowsFungi started isolating and breeding Hillbilly mushrooms, leading to an uptick in popularity around 2018.

In a recent interview with GreenState, she shared that the entheogen may be beloved due to its high-temperature tolerance, resistance to contamination, ability to flush under most circumstances, and clustering. The lore of how these shrooms were first isolated is pretty cool, too.

Hillbilly mushroom lore

Though they have become a psychedelic mainstay in recent years, Hillbillies have been around since the late 1990s or 2000s. Unlike Enigma mushroom mutation or Jack Frost mushrooms, the first of this variety is said to be found growing in the American southeast.

History says the mushrooms were first found by a foraging mycologist in Arkansas. His nickname? Hillbilly.

“Hillbilly is a wild strain brought into a lab environment by a Mycotopia mycologist simply known as ‘Hillbilly,’ not much more info is known by him until Sporechasers and my own work with the genetic and its popularity,” ShegrowsFungi said.

The Psilocybe cubensis strain is believed to grow naturally wherever the species thrives. It is also a favorite in home mushroom cultivations.

[actives] First grow ever! Hillbilly. Biggest one was 136 grams!
byu/GuacamoleLit inMushroomGrowers

All about Hillbilly cubensis

Now, Hillbillies are cultivated by mycologists and enthusiasts all over, thanks to people like ShegrowsFungi. Shegrowsgot her first agar plate of Hillbillies from Sporechasers and now sells a liquid culture of the variety herself. The mycologist learned from her mistakes with the mushroom variety, giving it space to thrive under tough circumstances.

In the first few runs, she killed it by letting the plate age. Then she dropped them during the first harvest. She believes this stress was instrumental in creating the Hillbilly we have today.

“Cubensis genetics must be challenged to become something extraordinary. Playing with their food and their environment does that,” explained ShegrowsFungi.

From the mushroom finding ways to avoid contamination to the bountiful flushes, she wanted to spread the word about how successful these mushrooms could be.

“I kept posting this genetic and sharing it with others, and their success and ease of use with them really rocketed them into the public eye,” she said. “People want genetics that are easier to use, and this one has properties that I’ve tendered that make it the ideal genetics to work with.”

Growing the magic mushrooms is only half the story. People also wonder how Hillbilliy mushrooms feel.

Hillbilly mushroom trip guide

Hillbilly magic mushrooms are regarded as ideal for beginners because of their gentle effects. It is also a coveted variety for microdosing psilocybin. The effects are said to be gentle and giggly with less intense visuals.

Shegrows recalled having an internal, deep conversation with the mushrooms her first time communicating with Hillbillies. They exchanged energy on what the shrooms offer and her role in that offering. Others have also reported their experiences to the mycologist over the years.

“Happy and giggly are two very common words that people have said about these medicinal mushrooms. One person said these little fungi saved their marriage by bringing laughter back into their relationship,” she shared.

There are many magic mushroom strains, but only one Hillbilly. This is proven by the unique, indistinguishable look of the fungi.

Hillbilly mushroom impersonators

Hillbilly mushrooms have thick, white stems with russet brown caps. The caps are wide and spherical and connect to the stem without flare. This is how they can be told apart from Penis Envy mushrooms, which have a flared-out cap before the gills extend to meet the stem.

“They’re really easy to distinguish from other cubensis isolations. Hollow stems, brown and golden caps,” Shegrows said. “They do not drop a spore load, so that means they do not make this huge mess of spores if you forget to harvest. Some caps have these little white specs, and really it’s the flush that stands apart.”

Mushrooms in each flush are so densely packed that they can hold heavy items. They are strong but not too intense. When it comes to beginner experience, that is a lovely combination.

Hillbilly mushrooms FAQ

Hillbilly mushrooms are a newer variety in the grand scheme of magic mushrooms. People have enjoyed their mellow trips for decades but still may have queries. These are the most frequently asked questions about Hillbilly mushrooms.

Is it easy to grow Hillbilly mushrooms?

Hillbillies are easy to grow, but they do take a lot of water to flourish. They are known for having robust flushes of tightly packed shrooms.

Are Hillbilly mushrooms more potent?

Hillbilly mushrooms are often regarded as microdosing or beginner mushrooms. They are not thought to be more potent than other strains like Blue Meanies but have a giggly high coveted by newbies.

Where do Hillbillies come from?

Hillbilly mushrooms were first found in the Arkansas forests by a Mycotopia mycologist known solely as Hillbilly. Since then, people like ShegrowsFungi have isolated and bred prolific versions of the naturally occurring shroom.

These Hillbillies are high brow

Hillbillies are a welcome mushroom in the grand scheme of psilocybin. A beginner-friendly (for most) magic mushroom is always welcome alongside the heavy-hitting macrodose.

As the psilocybin policy, and eventually, industry, develops, strains like the Hillbilly mushroom are a reminder that high potency is not always the goal.