Psilocybe mexicana is also known as Teonanacatl, or what the South American Aztec Indians called “god’s flesh.” P. mexicana is a strain of magic mushroom with a long history that spans several millennia. Before the Spanish invaded the empire, the Aztecs used this species in special, sacred ceremonies. In modern times, this magic mushroom strain is commonly known in Mexico as pajaritos, meaning “little birds.”
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History of Psilocybe Mexicana
In the 1500s, Spanish missionaries attempted to erase all records and physical proof of the consumption of these mushrooms. However, a historian and Franciscan friar from Spain who lived in the 16th century referred to Teonanacatl in his extensive writings, which intrigued ethnopharmacologists (those who study traditional medicines) in the 20th century and sparked a decades-long search for the identity of Teonanacatl.
Experts discovered the use of these mushrooms for the Western world in a 1957 photo essay published in a popular magazine because of their research. Eventually, scientists acquired some specimens and discovered their active principle that they then chemically synthesized.
According to several recent FDA-approved clinical studies, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy may be useful in treating depression, anxiety, and some addictions. Psilocybin is currently poised to significantly impact the treatments available in psychiatric medicine, presuming that larger studies can confirm early clinical studies.
Growing Teonanacatl Shrooms
Teonanacatl shrooms grow in high elevations in Florida, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. This species usually grows by itself or in small groups in moist meadows, mossy deciduous forests, and manure-rich soils. It bears fruit in the wild from May to October but can also easily grow fruit indoors.
Before attempting to grow psilocybin mushrooms, check your local and state laws.
Psilocybin decriminalization efforts in the United States started in the late 2010s, and Denver, Colorado, became the first city to do that in 2019. Following suit, various cities in California, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, and Washington have decriminalized psilocybin.
The Oregon electorate approved the 2020 Ballot Measure 109, making Oregon the first state to decriminalize and legalize therapeutic psilocybin.
What’s the Best Way To Take Shrooms?
Our Flavor Fix experts agree users should take magic mushrooms on an empty stomach to prevent a prolonged onset. Taking shrooms on an empty stomach means your stomach breaks down the already present psilocin and begins converting the psilocybin immediately.
If nothing else is in your stomach, you should feel the trip begin within about 10 minutes. But be warned: Since mushrooms are notorious for being uncomfortable in your stomach, eating raw mushrooms on an empty stomach can exacerbate this discomfort and nausea. This is probably why you see mushroom takers vomit after eating the fungi in so much pop culture media.
Thankfully, the queasy stomach sensation is caused by the shroom’s body rather than its psychoactive components. You can avoid the uncomfortable stomach feeling if you can figure out a way to separate those ingredients from the mushroom body, such as through lemon tekking or mushroom tea.
What Is Lemon Tekking?
Lemon tekking is the ritual of soaking your magic mushrooms in lemon juice (or other acidic foods) before eating them.
Your body converts psilocybin into psilocin before it’s absorbed, which is required before you start tripping. Mushroom enthusiasts believe that the acid in the lemon juice mimics stomach acid, which converts the psilocybin into psilocin faster, making the mushrooms completely bioavailable when consumed.
When you digest a dried mushroom, your body simultaneously absorbs the available psilocin and transforms the psilocybin. In other words, there’s a natural dose staggering rather than it being absorbed all at once. Because lemon tekking makes the entire dose of psilocin available at once, users believe it intensifies the experience. We don’t recommend lemon tekking for beginners.
What Is Shroom Tea?
If lemon tekking isn’t your thing, consider shroom tea. As with lemon tekking, it will make the effects begin faster, usually 10 to 15 minutes after consumption.
One of the most practical aspects of mushrooms is that psilocybin and psilocin are soluble in water. Just like lemon tekking, you can use shroom tea to hasten the onset of effects and avoid digesting dried mushrooms.
Making shroom tea requires a little extra time, but you can use that time to get ready for the experience. Plus, it’s a fantastic chance to enhance the flavor of the mushrooms. Making tea can help the medicine go down since mushrooms aren’t known for their flavor. (We mentioned they grow in poo, right?)
What Does Teonanacatl Look Like?
Some experts call Teonanacatl the “mexicana liberty cap” since its bell-shaped cap often has rippled edges that fold inward toward the margins, which resemble a hat. The cap is typically brown to deep orangish-brown, and the stem is hollow. It ranges from 10 cm to 30 cm in length. Like most psilocybin mushrooms, its flesh turns blue when bruised.
How Potent Is P. Mexicana?
- mexicana has a moderate potency. It causes an upbeat, light visual journey that is great for self-discovery. On average, P. mexicana shrooms have 0.25% psilocybin, but their potency varies greatly depending on the growing and storage environments. This species also produced sclerotia (truffles), which are less potent than the mushrooms.
Before Tripping on Teonanacatl Shrooms
Some magic mushrooms, like Blue Meanies and Flying Saucer, cause temporary paralysis, but have no fear of P. mexicana. This mushroom strain won’t cause any scary body sensations when taken responsibly. The major risks for those who are vulnerable are psychological. If you have a history of severe mental illness or are taking antidepressants, stay away from P. mexicana.
Before you plan a shroom trip, it’s always best to speak to a qualified professional first.
