Mushrooms have long, sprawling family trees with branches that stretch farther than you think. Take Psilocybe ochraceocentrata, a “cryptic species” recently discovered by Western researchers in Africa. This emergent species bears many hallmarks of the widely utilized psychedelic mushroom P. cubensis - you might know it as Golden Teacher, the most commonly used species of psychoactive fungi.
However, the differences are more interesting than the similarities. Here’s what we know so far about P. ochraceocentrata, including its potency, effects, and why it has mycologists so excited.
P. ochraceocentrata appears to be the closest known relative of P. cubensis, according to research by Bradshaw & colleagues just published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, in March 2026, after a pre-print became available in 2024.
The authors allege that P. ochraceocentrata and P. cubensis may have shared a common ancestor over 1.5 million years ago. According to Bradshaw, P. ochraceocentrata’s unique composition helps illuminate new research pathways for psychedelic fungi.
Psilocybe ochraceocentrata is an emergent species, meaning there isn’t a large body of existing research on its unique properties. Due to its close genetic relatedness to P. cubensis, it would be expected that P. ochraceocentrata produces similar effects. We also know that P. ochraceocentrata harbors additional compounds which may have anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties.
However, many testimonials from psilonauts report consistent differences in the effects profile between the species, with some people preferring the experience that P. ochraceocentrata provides.
Many people report it as yielding a smoother experience with less body load and an easier come-up than P. cubensis. Others report differences in the headspace. Whether this is down to expectancy, or differences in the chemistry between the species shaping the effects attributed to each remains to be seen.
Interestingly, P. ochraceocentrata, the authors explained, has been cultivated and errantly sold as a strain called NSS, or Natal Super-Strength. What was assumed to be P. natalensis turned out to be something else altogether. “The science of fungal taxonomy is challenging, with species being tricky to identify,” says mycologist Dr. Sam Gandy.
Psilocybin is increasingly utilized in clinical settings as an adjunct therapy for mental health ailments like depression and PTSD. While it’s too early to know for sure, “there’s no good reason to suggest P. ochraceocentrata wouldn’t have clinical viability,” says Gandy. Some early research has even suggested that consuming the mushroom whole may “outperform” synthetic psilocybin.
Despite its initial collection in 2013, Bradshaw & colleagues’ research on P. ochraceocentrata is just now entering the spotlight. In March 2026, study co-author Breyten van der Merwe told Scientific American:
“New descriptions like [P. ochraceocentrata] reveal both diversity and how little we still know about African fungi.” On the upside, mycology is still an emerging field of study. Unfortunately, limited verifiable data on species like P. ochraceocentrata mean we’re forced to speculate about its acute effects.
Generally speaking, psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin are safe to consume in mild to moderate dosages.
However, some cases of adverse effects following ingestion have been reported, and it’s worth getting informed about the risks.
Consuming psilocybin-laden fungi can produce “mystical experiences,” with sensations such as:
Like any drug, the acute effects and side effects alike are contingent on the dose you take. For P. cubensis, most research involves administering 20 to 30 milligrams to participants in controlled settings.
Due to its visual similarity to P. cubensis, Bradshaw & colleagues have noted that related species, such as P. ochraceocentrata, were sometimes misidentified by morphological screening.
Luckily, modern science has provided the tools to identify and discern subtle, DNA-level differences in mushroom species. Here’s the stat sheet for P. ochraceocentrata:
P. ochraceocentrata was discovered in the Miombo woodlands - a vast tropical forest and grassland region spanning African countries like Angola, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Like P. cubensis, ochraceocentrata propagates in animal droppings, particularly those of plant-eating mammals.
It’s worth noting that we have yet to locate authenticated samples of P. cubensis in Africa. How a relative as close as P. ochraceocentrata ended up in subtropical African forests is a key area of interest for mycologists.
According to Gandy, while novel to Western researchers, the Xhosa tribe of South Africa has long consumed P. ochraceocentrata both as a health tonic and a cultural “conduit to connect with their ancestors.”
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are illegal at the federal level in the United States. Still, there are therapeutic exceptions worth noting.
Legal status aside, it’s essential to practice harm reduction strategies when dealing with any psychedelic. There’s some evidence that psilocybin may intensify certain psychotic disorders, so keep your mental health history front-of-mind.
You should also follow proper set & setting protocols - curating a serene environment and recruiting a qualified sitter or facilitator are must-dos.