Sarah Brown
Mexican mushrooms, or Psilocybe mexicana, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that has been used in Mexican and Central American cultures and religious ceremonies for thousands of years. They are commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms and contain the drug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The use of psilocybin mushrooms can cause hallucinations and alter a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. In modern times, the consumption of Mexican mushrooms has become a unique tourist attraction in certain parts of Mexico, with some towns becoming global epicenters of mushroom tourism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe mexicana |
| Other names | God's flesh, teonanácatl, santos niños |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, perceptual changes, altered thinking, sense of time, and emotions |
| Dosage | Effects begin in 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea and can last for 4-6 hours |
| Side effects | Bad trips, delayed headaches, flashbacks |
| Legality | Exempt from drug laws in Mexico when used in Indigenous practices |
| History | Used in religious ceremonies by Indigenous peoples of Mexico, rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria |
| Appearance | Cap: 0.5–2 cm in diameter, conic to campanulate or subumbonate, ocherous to brown or beige to straw color in age, Gills: Adnate or adnexed, gray to purple-brown, Stipe: 4–10 cm tall x 1–2 mm thick, straw color to brownish or reddish-brown |
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What You'll Learn
Psilocybe mexicana is a psychedelic mushroom species
Psilocybe mexicana contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. These compounds were first isolated and named by Dr. Albert Hofmann, who consumed 32 specimens to test their psychoactive properties. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on the individual, the environment, and the dosage. They typically include hallucinations, altered thinking, changes in perception, and emotional fluctuations. The effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or 5-10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last for approximately four to six hours.
Magic mushrooms have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, or spiritual purposes. They are also consumed recreationally and are known to induce a "psychedelic experience". In the Western world, sclerotia of Psilocybe mexicana are sometimes cultivated for entheogenic use, although they contain lower levels of active substances compared to the mushrooms themselves.
It is important to exercise caution when consuming Psilocybe mexicana or any other psychedelic substance. The use of magic mushrooms can sometimes lead to negative experiences or "bad trips", especially when mixed with certain medications or substances. Additionally, it is possible to experience flashbacks or visual distortions involving previous magic mushroom experiences, even weeks, months, or years after the drug was last taken.
In terms of appearance, Psilocybe mexicana has a cap that is 0.5-2 cm in diameter, conic to campanulate or subumbonate, and often with a slight papilla. The gills are adnate or adnexed, with whitish edges, while the stipe is 4-10 cm tall and 1-2 mm thick, hollow, and straw-colored to brownish or reddish-brown.
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Used in religious ceremonies by Indigenous peoples of Mexico
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted to psilocin, a psychedelic substance. The most potent species of psilocybin mushrooms are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in several other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, or spiritual purposes. Specifically, the two Mexican species Psilocybe mexicana and P. cubensis (formerly Stropharia cubensis) have been used in religious ceremonies by Indigenous peoples of Mexico. These mushrooms were considered sacred and were called "god's flesh" by the Aztecs.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms in Mexico dates back thousands of years. For example, a statuette dating from around 200 CE, depicting a mushroom resembling Psilocybe mexicana, was discovered in a tomb in the Mexican state of Colima. Additionally, rock art from Tassili, Algeria, dating back to around 9000-7000 BCE, is believed to depict the use of psychedelic mushrooms.
In pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures, hallucinogenic mushrooms were used alongside other hallucinogenic plants and cacti to induce altered states of consciousness in healing rituals and religious ceremonies. The Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations used peyote, hallucinogenic mushrooms (referred to as teonanacatl: Psilocybe spp.), and the seeds of ololiuhqui (Turbina corymbosa), which contain mescaline, psilocybin, and lysergic acid amide, respectively. Today, local shamans and healers in Mesoamerica continue to use hallucinogenic substances in their rituals and ceremonies.
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The active psychedelic compounds are psilocybin and psilocin
Mexican mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or teonanácatl in the Nahuatl language, are a type of psychedelic mushroom that contains the active compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybin is a prodrug that, when ingested, is converted by the body into psilocin, the chemical responsible for the mushrooms' psychoactive effects. These compounds are known to induce hallucinations and distort users' perceptions of their surroundings, thoughts, sense of time, and emotions.
Psilocybe mexicana, one of the two known Mexican hallucinogenic mushroom species, has a long history of use in Mexico and Central America. Indigenous peoples of Mexico, such as the Aztecs, considered these mushrooms sacred, referring to them as "god's flesh" or "the flesh of God." The use of psilocybin mushrooms in this region dates back thousands of years, with evidence of their consumption by indigenous North American peoples for spiritual and medicinal purposes.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary depending on the user's mental state ("set") and environment ("setting"). A calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a positive experience, while a noisy and crowded place may lead to a negative experience. The effects typically begin within 30 minutes when eaten and can last for approximately four to six hours. During this time, users may experience perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, and altered emotions or thought processes.
In modern times, the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms continues to hold cultural and religious significance in certain communities. In the central highlands of Mexico, particularly in the Sierra Mazatec region of Oaxaca, these mushrooms are still used for healing and divination. Additionally, some people who regularly consume magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving previous experiences with the drug, which can be triggered by various factors and may occur long after the initial consumption.
The active compounds in Mexican mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, have also garnered scientific interest. Dr. Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, was the first to isolate and name these compounds. Timothy Leary, inspired by the work of R. Gordon Wasson, travelled to Mexico to experience psilocybin mushrooms firsthand. Upon returning to Harvard in 1960, he and Richard Alpert initiated the Harvard Psilocybin Project, exploring the psychological and religious effects of psilocybin and other psychedelics.
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The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person
Mexican hallucinogenic mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, are a type of psychedelic drug. They are commonly known as shrooms and have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, a federally banned substance in the United States. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted in the body to psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. The effects include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, and sensory distortions. Some people may experience feelings of euphoria, while others may have disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic.
The risk of a bad trip may increase with higher doses of psilocybin. In addition, the strength of magic mushrooms can vary greatly, as one mushroom may have different concentrations of active ingredients compared to another. Magic mushrooms can also interact with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, in unpredictable and dangerous ways. Therefore, it is important to be careful when taking any type of drug, including magic mushrooms, as the effects can vary widely between individuals.
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San Jose del Pacifico is a global epicenter of mushroom tourism
San Jose del Pacifico is a small town in Oaxaca, Mexico, located in the misty mountains over 8,000 feet above sea level. It has become a global epicenter of mushroom tourism due to its ancestral use of magic mushrooms (Psilocybe Cubensis). The town has gained popularity among travellers seeking to consume magic mushrooms, which grow wild in the surrounding nature.
The local government estimates that approximately 50% of the town's inhabitants work in tourism, with an annual influx of 15,000-20,000 tourists. San Jose del Pacifico has become synonymous with magic mushrooms, with mushroom-themed shops, lodges, and crafts. Tourists can purchase fresh mushrooms, chocolates infused with mushrooms, and other mushroom-related products.
The town's reputation for mushroom tourism has sparked mixed reactions from locals. Some have embraced the economic opportunities that tourism brings, while others express concerns about overexploitation and the potential negative impact on the town's culture and authenticity.
Despite the controversy, San Jose del Pacifico remains a sought-after destination for those interested in psychedelic experiences. The serene environment, with its pine forests and stunning sunsets, enhances the transcendental nature of the mushroom trips. Additionally, the town offers other attractions, such as hiking trails, temazcal ceremonies, and local cuisine, making it a well-rounded destination for those seeking a unique blend of nature, culture, and transcendental experiences.
It is important to note that while the use of magic mushrooms in San Jose del Pacifico is rooted in ancestral traditions, their consumption remains illegal under Mexican law. Visitors are advised to approach the experience with respect, caution, and awareness of the local culture and customs.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the drug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. Rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformation of the user under their influence. In Mexico, they were considered sacred and were called "god's flesh" or "flesh of God" by the Aztecs.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. They can cause perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, and alter a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions.
Mexico exempts the use and sale of certain sacred plants and fungi, like peyote and psilocybin mushrooms, when used in Indigenous practices, so mushrooms are de facto legal. However, internationally, psilocybin mushrooms are Schedule I drugs under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
In Mexico, a few villages in the central highlands and the mountainous region of the Sierra Mazatec in the state of Oaxaca are known for the consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms. San Jose del Pacifico, a small town in the sierra, has become a global epicenter of mushroom tourism.
