Shiva
This strain is not currently available for pickup.
Ask about availabilityAbout Shiva
Strength: Advanced — very high potency cubensis (pot 88). Named for the Hindu deity of transformation. Ceremonial character, advanced only.
Dosing: Microdose 30–50 mg. Light 0.5–1.0g. Moderate 1.0–1.5g. Full 1.5–2.5g.
Onset: 30–60 minutes after eating. Sharper come-up than beginner strains.
Duration: 4–6 hours total. Peak around 90 minutes. Heavier body load.
Shiva magic mushrooms are a very high potency Psilocybe cubensis strain named for the Hindu deity of transformation — and the name earns itself. Where recreational-first strains lean bright and social, Shiva runs distinctly ceremonial: reflective, heart-opening, and best worked with in a quiet, intentional setting. But the ceremonial framing does not soften the strength — Shiva sits in the Very High potency band alongside Blasher, A3, and APE. Advanced users only.
Fruits come in with clean geometry and steady pigmentation across the flush — grey-blue-tinted caps that develop a distinctive stormy tone as they mature, straight-set stems, and consistent morphology from pin to harvest. The coloration reads visually different from the warm caramel of Golden Teacher or the deep brown of Tattoo. Bruising is meaningful on handling; density and dose weight per gram are substantial. The visual character is understated compared to PE-family strains, which fits Shiva’s temperament — the strain doesn’t announce itself outwardly. The weight is on the inside.
The experience
Onset 30–45 minutes on a light meal, peak arriving inside 90 minutes to two hours. Total session five to six hours with a substantial reflective afterglow. Visuals are clean and geometric — less color-saturated than Bluey Vuitton, less dense than Tattoo, but with a fluid, flowing quality to the patterning that’s Shiva’s signature. Body load is present but grounding rather than heavy — movable at museum doses, more anchoring at full doses. Headspace runs quiet, philosophical, and meditative; time perception softens rather than dilates.
Shiva vs Tattoo
Both sit near 88% on our scale in the Very High-to-Extreme range, but the character differs meaningfully. Tattoo is weighted and grounding — body load anchors in place, headspace runs deep-philosophical. Shiva is quieter and more fluid — body load is present but less anchoring, headspace runs meditative-still. Pick Tattoo for ego-work sessions, Shiva for meditative work. Both reward preparation; neither rewards casual approach.
Dosing Shiva
Because of the elevated potency, Shiva is classified Advanced – Very High tier. Golden Teacher = 1× reference (Shiva runs ~1.6×):
- Microdose: 30–50 mg (vs 100 mg cubensis baseline)
- Light: 0.3–0.6 g
- Museum: 0.6–1.1 g
- Full: 1.4–2.4 g (equivalent to a 2.5–4 g Golden Teacher session)
- Heroic: 3 g+ (experienced Shiva users only)
Drop your standard cubensis dose by 30–40% and start at 1.5g or less the first time. Shiva does not reward chasing the ceiling — the museum and lower-full range is where the strain’s signature character shows up clearly. First-time psilocybin users should start with Golden Teacher or White Billy.
Setting requirements
Quiet space, minimal external stimulation, familiar surroundings, sober trip-sitter aware you’re dosing, no obligations for at least 8 hours. Shiva pairs well with intentional practices — meditation, journaling, quiet music, familiar nature settings — and does not pair well with chaotic environments or unfamiliar company.
Available At MycoAndCo
We carry Shiva dried fruit while supply lasts. Shipping is available, with free in-store pickup at 2007 S State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Open daily 10AM–9PM. Cash only, ATM on site. Adults 21+ with valid ID. Operating under Ann Arbor Resolution R-20-362.
Shiva — Quick Facts
| Experience Level | Advanced |
| Potency | Very High |
| Species | Psilocybe cubensis |
| Format | Dried whole mushrooms |
| Sizes Available | Not currently available |
| Availability | Currently out of stock |
| Pickup Location | 2007 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
Dosage Guide for Shiva
The following guidelines apply to Shiva and most dried Psilocybe cubensis varieties. Always start lower than you think you need, especially with a strain you have not tried before.
→ View full dosage reference chart in our Strain Guide.
Where to Buy Shiva
Shiva is available for shipping or in-store pickup from MycoAndCo, an Ann Arbor psilocybin shop. We are located at 2007 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 and open daily 10AM–9PM. No appointment needed, walk-ins welcome.
Shipping and free in-store pickup are available. Adults 21+ with valid ID. Browse all dried mushroom strains →
Shiva is currently out of stock.
About Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms — commonly called magic mushrooms — contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Researchers at institutions such as Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research have studied their effects in supervised research settings.
Responsible use involves thoughtful set and setting, starting with appropriate dosing, and ideally having a trusted person present. Our staff are always available to answer questions about any strain we carry, including Shiva.
→ Explore our full Strain Guide for potency ratings, experience levels, and effect profiles on all strains we carry.
Shiva - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shiva?
Shiva is a Psilocybe cubensis strain named for the Hindu deity of transformation. Very high potency with a distinctly spiritual, ceremonial character — reflective, heart-opening, and best suited to intentional set-and-setting rather than casual recreational use. The ceremonial framing does not soften the strength.
How potent is Shiva?
Very high potency — we classify Shiva as Very High potency, Advanced difficulty, alongside strains like Blasher, A3, and Natal Hills. Meaningfully stronger than beginner and intermediate strains. Dose conservatively and treat it with the same respect as any Very High tier strain.
What dose of Shiva should I take?
For most experienced users, 1.5–2.5g produces a full ceremonial experience. First-time Shiva dose should start at 1–1.5g given the elevated potency. Microdose protocols use 50–75 mg every 3–4 days. Duration typically 5–6 hours with a meaningful afterglow.
Is Shiva good for first-time users?
No. Shiva is Advanced-only. First-ever psilocybin users should start with a beginner-tier strain like Golden Teacher, White Billy, or Hillbilly. Shiva rewards experience and intentional set-and-setting — approach it once you have worked through beginner and intermediate strains and want a strain that leans spiritual at genuinely high potency.
What does Shiva feel like?
Deep, quiet, and reflective at the surface — but the potency runs high underneath. Steady come-up, fluid closed-eye visuals, a heart-opening headspace, and a body feel that stays comfortable rather than heavy despite the strength. Well-matched to breathwork, meditation, solo journeys, or evening ceremony — not typically a party or festival strain.
Where can I buy Shiva mushrooms in Ann Arbor?
MycoAndCo carries Shiva at our Ann Arbor location, 2007 S State Street. Shipping and free in-store pickup are available. Open daily 10AM–9PM. Adults 21+ with valid ID. Operating under Ann Arbor Resolution R-20-362.
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Adults 21+ only · Shipping and free in-store pickup · 2007 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI · Psilocybe cubensis
Getting the Most from Shiva: Dosing, Prep, and Storage
How to weigh and portion accurately
Dried mushroom potency varies within a single flush — caps are typically 20–40% more potent per gram than stems, and smaller mushrooms tend to test higher than larger ones. To eliminate that variance and get a consistent session dose from Shiva, grind your entire eighth into a homogenous powder before weighing out your session dose. A coffee grinder works fine; a mortar and pestle is quieter and preserves the aroma.
Use a scale with 0.01g precision (0.05g minimum). Kitchen scales that measure to the nearest gram will not give you accurate psilocybin doses. If you're microdosing, you need 0.01g resolution or the variance between "microdose" and "threshold dose" will drift session to session.
Set and setting: the two variables that shape every trip
"Set" is your mindset going in — are you calm, curious, well-slept, and free of acute stress? "Setting" is your physical environment — is it comfortable, private, safe, and free of interruptions? These two variables have as much influence on a psilocybin session as the dose itself. Do not dose Shiva the day of a major work deadline, in an unfamiliar environment, or if you're actively arguing with someone.
Recommended baseline: Familiar space, comfortable clothes, water, snacks that don't require prep, a curated playlist or nothing (silence is fine), no obligations for the next 8 hours, a trusted sitter if this is a new strain or a high dose. Phone on Do Not Disturb.
Onset, peak, and duration — a session timeline
Most Psilocybe cubensis strains including Shiva follow this timeline when eaten dried on an empty stomach:
- 0–45 minutes: Come-up. Body warmth, first perceptual shifts, mild yawning or nausea. Some strains onset in 20–30 minutes (Melmac PE lineage, albinos). Others take 60–90 minutes.
- 45 minutes–2 hours: Peak. Full visual enhancement, deepest introspection, warmest body sensations.
- 2–5 hours: Plateau. Effects gradually taper. Music, art, and conversation feel richest here.
- 5–8 hours: Come-down. Perceptual effects fade, residual afterglow (warmth, mental clarity, mood lift) can last into the next day.
Tolerance and how to manage it
Psilocybin tolerance builds fast and resets slow. A full dose today will feel roughly 50% weaker if repeated tomorrow, 75% weaker at day 3, and back to baseline around day 7–14. Cross-tolerance with LSD and other classical psychedelics is significant. If you're doing back-to-back sessions, expect diminishing returns and don't chase the first-day intensity by stacking doses.
For microdosing protocols, this is why the Fadiman schedule (1 day on, 2 days off) and Stamets Stack (5 days on, 2 days off) exist — both are designed to avoid tolerance buildup.
Storage and shelf life
Dried magic mushrooms including Shiva stay potent for 1–2 years stored properly — airtight glass jar, room temperature, out of direct sunlight, away from moisture. A silica gel packet in the jar helps maintain the crispy "cracker-dry" texture. Do not refrigerate (introduces moisture) or freeze (degrades the cell structure and alkaloids). Psilocybin slowly converts to less-active byproducts over time; a well-stored jar at year 2 will be roughly 15–25% weaker than fresh.
Edibles (chocolates, gummies, drinks) have shorter shelf lives — check the manufacturer's date on the package. Most are stable 6–12 months when kept cool and dry.
When to seek support
If a session becomes overwhelming, remember: you took a substance, it will pass, and you are safe. Change your environment (go outside, dim lights, put on quiet music), focus on breath, and ride it out with your sitter. Psilocybin has an exceptional safety profile physiologically; the risks are psychological (anxiety, panic, difficult introspective content) and almost always resolve as the substance metabolizes.
For emergency mental health support at any time: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For local Ann Arbor harm-reduction guidance: SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357.
Where to buy Shiva
MycoAndCo, 2007 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. In-store pickup only, 21+ ID required, open daily 10 AM to 9 PM. No shipping, delivery, or mail order under any circumstances. Check the live product listing linked from this strain guide to confirm current stock and pricing.
Related resources:Full Magic Mushroom Strain Guide · Shop All Dried Strains · Mushroom Capsules · MycoAndCo Rewards