Western shrooming begins.
STRAIN | Mazatapec aka Mazatec aka Maz
Mazatapec is a great introductory shroom strain. There is debate as to which is the better beginner, Mazatapec vs Golden Teacher. Mazatapecs offer excellent visual hallucinations, a euphoric and connected mood, and are not nearly as intense as some of their more potent cousins. The name “Mazatapec” is actually a misspelling because this mushroom strain originates from the Mazatec area of Mexico. The incorrect spelling stuck, however, so when you’re searching out information about the Mazatapec, be sure to include both Mazatapec and Mazatec mushroom strain. This strain is also colloquially referred to as ‘Maz’.
SPECIES | Psilocybe cubensis
ORIGIN | The Mazatec people of Mexico were among the first encountered by mushroom luminaries Gordon & Valentina Wasson during their ethnobotanical investigations. Curandera Maria Sabina introduced Wasson and his partner to “magic mushrooms,” which the Wassons subsequently brought back to the United States. The Mazatec mushrooms strain was one of the originals with which the Wassons returned. The Wassons early mushroom exports and famous Life Magazine article are seen as igniting the influence of psychedelics on modern Western society.
POTENCY | The Mazatapec mushroom strain is considered a lower-potency variation. Those experienced with psilocybin mushrooms strongly suggest that lower-potency cultivars like Maz are ideal for beginner or inexperienced psychonauts. Furthermore, it is suggested that the more experienced may also want to go to this less-intense strain when experimenting with larger doses, before moving on to more potent psilocybin mushrooms.
INTENTION | Whether for recreation or deep introspection, the low potency of Mazatec mushrooms strain makes it a perfect choice for beginner trippers. Many reviewers make the comparison of Mazatapec vs Golden Teacher mushrooms, as both are excellent introductory shrooms. Despite their low potency, if you are a beginner it’s still a great idea to have a trip sitter with you, and to take some time to integrate your experiences following your psychedelic journey.
EFFECTS | A relatively low-cost and easily-cultivated mushroom, Mazatapec offers a relaxed, euphoric trip with enhanced sensory and visual stimulation. They are “great for a first experience to ‘enter in contact’ with the magic mushrooms,” and have been used for generations by Indigenous peoples in Mexico as a spiritual medicine.
APPEARANCE | Mazatec mushrooms strain has a “typical” appearance for a mushroom, with medium-length, off-white stems and wide, light brown caps. After sporulation, mature mushrooms turn a purplish-black. They are a slow-growing shroom, but often provide a bountiful harvest.
DURATION | A “typical” shroom, effects from consumption of the Mazatec mushroom strain last between 6 and 8 hours, and tend to be more gentle on the body than some other potent strains of mushroom. Some trippers report that, in contrasting the Mazatapec vs Golden Teacher, that the Mazatec mushroom strain can come on quite a bit more quickly, with effects becoming noticeable about 15 minutes after consumption.
DOSE | As the Mazatec mushroom strain is considered a good introductory strain, it’s easy to calculate a dose – these are the kinds of mushrooms from which we would calculate the “typical” dosages. It is reported that a low dose, between 0.5g and 2g, will introduce you gently to the physical and psychological effects of magic mushrooms. A higher dose will begin the process of ego dissolution, though in a much less-intense fashion than some other shrooms.
TRIP TIPS | Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are not recommended for pregnant or lactating women or children. Antidepressants appear to reduce the effect of psilocybin in some people. Note: potency of individual mushrooms can vary remarkably, even within members of the same species. No dose is going to be exactly the same, even when the amounts are measured very carefully.
TRIP REPORT |
- Cannabis: Pain relief (chronic pain, injuries), focus & relaxation, and muscle recovery.
- Psilocybin: May enhance exercise performance by altering one’s perception of pain and fatigue.
- LSD: Did Diplo really run a marathon on acid?
LINKS AND FURTHER READING |
