Mexicana Mushrooms

Psilocybe mexicana (P. Mexicana), commonly known as “Mexican mushrooms,” is the first mushroom species from which psilocybin was extracted, highlighting its significant cultural impact in the modern psychedelic movement and its potency. Beyond their well-known psychedelic effects, these mushrooms hold a profound cultural and historical significance in Mesoamerican cultures.

In traditional Mesoamerican spiritual practices, hallucinogens were used to reach different realms of consciousness and communicate with Gods or Earth spirits. Civilizations such as the Zapotec, Maya, and Aztecs believed in spiritual realms beyond the physical world. Consuming psychoactive plants and fungi like P. Mexicana was believed to induce visionary and mystical experiences, serving as a bridge between the material and spiritual dimensions.

What are Mexicana Magic Mushrooms?

Psilocybe Mexicana, often referred to as Mexicana Magic Mushrooms, is a member of the Hymenogastraceae family and Psilocybe genus, the same as P. cubensis, although they are a completely different species. 

While this might be confusing at first, by taking a look at Mexicana magic mushrooms you can easily spot the differences. They are distinguished by their small size, thin long stems, and unique, pointy cap shape and are particularly noted for their psychoactive compound, psilocybin. On the other hand, P. cubensis has larger and more round caps and shorter more robust stems. 

P. mexicana typically grows to about 5 inches in height. These mushrooms have slender, straw-colored stems and cone-shaped caps that sometimes have a raised center, giving them a bell-like appearance. Like other psilocybin-producing species, they feature a purplish-black spore print and turn bluish when bruised.

Origins of Mexicana Magic Mushrooms

It's believed that Mexicana magic mushrooms are the original "Teonanácatl," or the "Flesh of the Gods" in the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs. Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century documented the ceremonial use of Teonanácatl during social and festival events. According to the literature that depicts the Aztec rituals, these mushrooms were used by Aztec witch doctors and fortune tellers to diagnose and treat illnesses.

In the 1950s, ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson set out to verify the presence of Teonanácatl. In 1953, he visited the Mexican town of Huautla de Jiménez in Northern Oaxaca with his wife, Valentina Pavlovna Wasson, and anthropologist Robert Weitlaner. They collected psychoactive mushrooms used in divination ceremonies by the Mazatec people. 

Wasson returned to Huautla in 1955 to participate in a secret mushroom ceremony led by healer Maria Sabina. His experiences were published in Life Magazine in 1957 under the title “Seeking the Magic Mushroom,” sparking a surge of foreign tourists to Huautla eager to experience psilocybin mushrooms.

Mexicana Potency

The exact concentration of psychoactive tryptamines in Psilocybe mexicana is not definitively established. According to Heim and Hoffman, P. mexicana contains approximately 0.25% psilocybin and 0.15% psilocin, making it relatively weaker compared to other Psilocybe species like P. cubensis and P. azurescens. However, it's important to note that the potency of any mushroom can vary significantly based on multiple different factors such as storage and growing conditions.

Jochen Gartz, in his book "Magic Mushrooms Around the World," illustrates this variability in potency. He compares the psilocybin levels in P. mexicana to those in Inocybe aeruginascens and provides data on psilocybin content across five different dried samples of Inocybe aeruginascens from various locations, highlighting the variability in potency even within species.

Mexicana Effects

Specific effects of Psilocybe mexicana are less commonly documented compared to other species. However, some user reports provide insights. On forums like Shroomery, P. mexicana is described as having effects somewhat similar to cannabis, with users noting a "stoned" feeling and a distinctive post-trip "hangover" compared to P. cubensis mushrooms. These milder effects are usually attributed to their potency, making them ideal for microdosing.

However, in higher doses, Mexicana magic mushrooms can produce intense psychedelic effects characterized by vivid visuals, increased introspection, and spiritual or mystical experiences.

Effects of Microdosing Mexicana

Microdosing Psilocybe mexicana offers a subtle yet intriguing experience that can differ significantly from full-dose psychedelic journeys. When consuming small, sub-perceptual doses of Mexicana, people often report enhanced cognitive function, mood improvements, and a heightened sense of creativity. The primary appeal of microdosing with Mexicana lies in its lower potency, which is capable of enhancing daily functioning without overwhelming effects.

Growing Mexicana Mushrooms

Psilocybe mexicana was first cultivated in the late 1950s by Roger Heim and his team in France. This species is generally not challenging to grow and can produce large mushrooms relatively easily. However, many home growers today opt to cultivate sclerotia instead of mature mushrooms. This preference is often due to legal considerations and the fact that sclerotia typically has lower potency per dry weight compared to the mature mushrooms.

Growing Psilocybe mexicana is renowned for its exceptional sclerotia production, which involves a straightforward process that differs significantly from cultivating fruiting mushrooms. Instead of requiring elaborate setups like terrariums, the growth of sclerotia can be achieved using simple jars and substrates.

However, if you’re aiming to grow Psilocybe mexicana mushrooms rather than sclerotia, you can use typical substrates like coir and vermiculite mixtures for mycelium colonization. It's important to provide ample daylight to the mycelium during this phase.

For cultivating Psilocybe mexicana sclerotia, choose a nutrient-rich substrate. The best substrates for sclerotia include rye berries, rye grass seed, wild bird feed, and brown rice flour. Sclerotia should be grown in complete darkness for optimal results.

Cultivating Psilocybe mexicana can be more time-consuming compared to P. cubensis. Sclerotia can be left in a jar or bag for an extended period, provided they don’t dry out. According to research, Mexicana from various wild sources can show significant differences in their mushroom production capabilities. Therefore, using spores from diverse origins can enhance the success of growing P. mexicana mushrooms.

How To Find Mexicana Shrooms Near Me

If you’re searching for a reliable source to buy shrooms, finding a trusted vendor is the most important step. Fungi Maps is here to assist you in locating reputable suppliers. Simply use the search bar above, and enter "Mexicana" to discover various credible vendors who have this strain available.