Traditional uses of magic mushrooms in Mexico

Camila Sanchez
September 19, 2023

Psilocybin has a long history of traditional use in Mexico. These psychoactive fungi have been an integral part of indigenous life for centuries. (Shutterstock)

In Mexico, the use of magic, or hallucinogenic, mushrooms can be traced back to indigenous cultures that regarded them as sacred and revered their transformative properties. Many Indigenous groups, such as the Mazatecs, Mixtecs, and Zapotecs, have incorporated mushrooms into their traditional ceremonies for healing, divination, and connecting with the spiritual realm.

During mushroom ceremonies, a shaman, known as a curandero or curandera, guides participants through the experience, providing a safe and sacred environment. One of the most famous Mexican curanderas is María Sabina, who gained international recognition for her work with prominent individuals seeking profound insights and healing through traditional mushroom ceremonies. Her unique abilities and connections with the spiritual world attracted notable figures, including scholars, artists, and even celebrities, who traveled to her remote Oaxacan village to partake in the ancient rituals involving psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Sabina’s interactions with these prominent personalities contributed to the growing fascination with entheogenic experiences and their potential impact on creativity, spirituality, and personal growth.

The mushrooms are often consumed ritualistically, such as being ingested with specific chants, prayers, or offerings. The curandero facilitates the journey, helping individuals navigate their inner landscapes, confront fears, gain insights, and experience profound spiritual connections. We spoke with Fernanda, a Mexican practitioner of psilocybin treatments (name changed for safety), about her work combining her knowledge of curanderismo, allopathic medicine, and psychology in her practice.

How does psilocybin work on the body?

Psilocybin is metabolized in the liver, transformed into psilocin (the “molecule of happiness”), and then acts on serotonin receptors, explicitly regulating mood. Psilocybin stimulates neurogenesis, which is the generation of new neurons. It is extraordinary for neuroplasticity -the brain’s ability to recover, restructure, and adapt to new situations. Additionally, it stabilizes moods and allows for a higher level of consciousness.

What do psilocybin treatments consist of?



Natural medicine provides what you need. (Tania Malréchauffé/Unsplash)

Treatments can be administered in microdoses or macro doses, stimulating neurogenesis and offering extraordinary potential for neuroplasticity, mood stabilization, and heightened consciousness. A microdose contains approximately 0.010 to 0.5 grams, and although the doses are taken daily, they are so small that they are indistinguishable in everyday life. On the other hand, macrodose therapies contain 0.6 grams and above and are conducted in sessions of approximately five hours; you can do it as often as once a month.

How should I prepare before the psilocybin ceremony?

Compared to micro-dosing, before a macro dose session, the patient must avoid consuming fats, red meat, and pork for at least one week in advance. The approaches to psilocybin treatments must be individualized, with patients having various intentions and goals in mind.

More:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/wellness/traditional-uses-of-magic-mushrooms-in-mexico/