Thai Elephant Dung

Thailand is known as a place that is abundant in various mushroom species. It's no wonder why many mushroom pioneers back in the day used to visit this place and research the landscape in search of new mushroom species. 

It's believed that Thai Elephant Dung or TED for short, was first discovered in Koh Samui in Thailand and around the temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and it is believed to be more widely distributed across these regions. While it shares some similarities with other Thai strains, there is something unique that sets this rare and mysterious strain apart. 

What is Thai Elephant Dung?

The Thai Elephant Dung strain, commonly referred to as TED, is a special strain of Psilocybe Cubensis that grows naturally in Thailand from elephant dung.  It typically grows scattered or in groups in rice paddies. While the exact fruiting season is not well-documented, it is suspected to occur from late June to August, with the strain first being discovered in August. The original specimens were found in soil that contained a mix of sand and clay in Ranong province, Thailand. 

The cap of the mushroom starts off with a rounded shape and then flattens out as it grows, often developing a small bump at the top. The color of the cap is a rich chestnut or reddish-brown when young, and it lightens to a straw or brownish color as it dries. 

Thai Elephant Dung stem is light-colored, ranging from white to yellowish, and covered with tiny fibers left from the veil. It’s smooth but gets slightly thicker at the base. The spore print is a deep purple-brown, adding to its unique features. The taste and smell are described as bitter, which gives the mushroom a distinctive character.

History of Thai Elephant Dung

Its true origin story is somewhat unclear, with some suggesting it may be linked to Psilocybe Samuiensis, also called the Allen Strain, discovered by ethno-mycologist John Allen in 1991 on the island of Koh Samui, where it was found growing on water buffalo dung.

The Thai Elephant Dung is believed to have been identified by John Allen. This mushroom earned its name due to its growth on elephant dung, as the name suggests.

Alternatively, the strain may share its lineage with other dung-loving psychoactive species from Thailand, such as P. antillarum, Panaeolus cyanescens (commonly known as Blue Meanies), and P. tropicalis, all of which are known to thrive in compost made from elephant and hippopotamus droppings in zoos. Despite the mystery surrounding its precise origin, one thing is certain: Thai Elephant Dung mushrooms are distinct for their unique substrate. Locals refer to this as the “perfect alchemist,” believing it transforms ordinary dung into the “mushroom of illumination.”

The Thai Elephant Dung strain has led to the development of several sub-strains, including the potent Koh Samui Super Strain (KSSS) and Thai Ban Huan magic mushrooms. Known for their moderate to high potency, these strains are often favored for microdosing. 

Other Notable Thai Strains

Allen Strain

The Allen strain is one of many discovered by Mushroom John Allen during his travels in Southeast Asia, specifically near Ban Tailing Ngam on Koh Samui, Thailand.

Highly favored in the mushroom community, the Allen strain is known for its thin, tall mushrooms and quick colonization. It typically colonizes jars up to 20% faster than many other Psilocybe cubensis strains.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a popular strain among beginner growers due to its high resistance to contamination and its ability to produce multiple dense flushes before eventually succumbing to mold.

This strain is best known for its "fatasses," a slang term for mushrooms that are short with thick, stubby stems. Koh Samui was first collected by Mushroom John Allen in Hua Thanon on the island of Koh Samui.

Thai Strain

Thai strain, also collected by Mushroom John Allen on Koh Samui island, Thailand, shares many similarities with the official Koh Samui strain, but with some distinct differences. The main distinction is that this strain is less likely to produce the short, stubby mushrooms, commonly known as "fatasses," which are typical of the Koh Samui variety.

Lipa Yai

Lipa Yai is a Thai strain that closely resembles the Koh Samui variety, with one key difference: instead of producing short mushrooms, Lipa Yai produces taller fruiting bodies.

Thai Elephant Dung Effects

Thai Elephant Dung mushrooms offer a euphoric, dynamic experience, with a rapid onset, plenty of laughter, and a pleasant afterglow. It's said to enhance creative thinking, elevate mood, and improve focus and energy. While there are not many trip reports on this rare strain, we can see that it shares similarities with other P. Cubensis strains. 

Growing Thai Elephant Dung Mushrooms

Like many strains from Southeast Asia, TED mushrooms are resistant to contamination and can thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. They are easy to cultivate, even for beginners with limited experience and basic equipment.

While they thrive in elephant dung, these mushrooms can be grown with more beginner-friendly methods like PF-Tek. This technique is simple, affordable, and requires minimal knowledge or costly gear.

PF-Tek uses glass jars to hold the substrate where the mycelium will grow. Rye grain, bird seed, or brown rice flour (BRF) cakes are perfect for the TED strain. After filling the jars with substrate, sterilize them in a pressure cooker. 

Once the jars are sterilized and cooled, inoculate the substrate with a spore solution from your Thai Elephant Dung strain spore syringe. Seal the jars and place them in a dark space with temperatures above 68°F (20°C) for two to three weeks.

Within two to three weeks, you'll see the mycelium grow—a white, spider-web-like substance covering the substrate. Afterward, remove the mycelium cakes and transfer them to a simple fruiting chamber.

Over the following weeks, the cakes will start to fruit, producing mushrooms. Harvest them as they mature, but before they drop spores. Eventually, the cakes will succumb to mold, and mushroom growth will stop.

If you are looking for dried TED mushrooms or spores to grow your own, search Fungi Maps and find the most reputable sources all across North America!