Flesh of the Gods: The Aztec God Mushroom Strain

What are Aztec God Mushroom strains? 

This is a strain of psychedelic mushrooms commonly harvested in Central America and Southern Mexico. They possess a moderate to average psilocybin potency and have been widely utilized by the Aztecs for religious purposes. They are widely cultivated or harvested for their above-average psilocybin content, which is suitable for beginners and prolonged trips when taken in large doses. 

While Aztec God mushrooms are widely known for their role in religious ceremonies, their scientific classification is still debated. While some classify them as a species of psilocybin mushroom known as Psilocybe aztecorum, others believe they are strains of Psilocybe cubensis. 

Aside from the minor differences in their physical appearance, which is mostly noticed by mycologists, Psilocybe aztecorum tends to have a lower potency than Aztec God mushroom strains. This means people are more likely to experience a more intense psychedelic experience after consuming Aztec God strains. The average psilocybin concentration of Aztec God mushroom strains ranges from 0.9% to 1.15%, while Psilocybe aztecorum has a potency of 0.2%. 

Other differences may not be covered in the scope of this article. For convenience, we will classify them as Aztec God mushrooms. 

Aztec God mushrooms represent a group of psychedelic mushrooms whose traditional and religious use are vanishing. They are restricted to endangered habitats, usually on high mountain tops, and may likely go extinct due to global warming. They were listed as a vulnerable mushroom species in 2017 and may likely disappear by 2067. They were added to the fungal red list in 2017.

History and relevance in religious ceremonies

Aztec God psilocybin mushrooms were first reported by Roger Heim, a French mycologist who discovered and studied them in 1956 in the Popocatepetl Mountains in Mexico. Before his discovery, anecdotal evidence shows the possible use of the Aztec God mushroom in Aztec religious activities. 

Its effect was mostly linked to the activities of Xochipilli (the god of flowers), whose statue represents the ecstatic state of hallucinogenic plants. The statue features a dilated pupil, suggesting the effect of psychedelic mushrooms. 

Aztec God Mushrooms are often described as “the flesh of the gods” since they allow users to communicate with the gods and see their environment in a new dimension. There are also pieces of evidence from cave paintings, statues, and exploration reports from European explorers that show these mushrooms' importance to Aztec religious ceremonies. 

The Aztecs have a long history of utilizing several plants and animals within their society. These plants form a large part of their medicine and religious rituals. Aztec God mushrooms were an important part of these gatherings. Reports show that Aztecs would take psilocybin mushrooms at festivals or during large religious gatherings since it helped them to communicate with their gods. The shrooms are considered sacred since obtaining them is a herculean task, often requiring all-night searches. During the festivals, psilocybin mushrooms are consumed with chocolates and honey for an improved experience. 

Note that chocolates contain anandamide, a bliss molecule that can interact with receptors to promote relaxation (see our article on psilocybin chocolate). It plays a critical role in relaxation and hallucination. On the other hand, honey is an excellent antioxidant and carrier agent that promotes the effect of psilocybin mushrooms. The combined use of these compounds can improve the overall quality of mushroom trips. The Aztecs understood this secret long before discovering psilocybin and its potential effects. 

Aztecs are often required to fast before eating the sacred flesh of the gods. This is an age-long tradition in many cultures since fasting is considered a way of purging oneself from every weight that may affect the overall outcome of religious activities. Eating mushrooms during Aztec festivals was known as mushrooming oneself or monanacahuia. 

Fasting before tripping on psychedelic mushrooms may have varying effects on users. While some may experience extremely positive effects, others may end up with an awful experience. Some users have experienced fewer side effects of psychedelic mushrooms after fasting for at least 24 hours.

Although eating psychedelic mushrooms while fasting can mitigate its side effects, it can also lead to the following awful experiences:

• Exhaustion 
• Discomfort 
• Lightheadedness 
• Fainting. 

In most cases, people who experience these side effects are new to fasting. 

Prolonged psychedelic trips were common with Aztec festivals since the mushrooms were not properly dosed. People who partake in the festival are most likely to embark on several hours of psilocybin trips and have attested to communicating with the gods. 

Psilocybin opens the third eye by deactivating sensory gating. This allows our brain to convert more stimuli and allows us to see beyond our natural environment. Psilocybin trips are common with an improved sense of smell and sight. People are most likely to see colors vibrating, the trees breathing, or the environment moving. 

Final thoughts 

Aztec God mushroom strains are highly sought after in Aztec communities. The mushrooms live up to their name since they are potent and have an affinity for inducing spiritual visions during the experience. 

These mushrooms are mostly picked from the wild since they are hard to cultivate. They prefer wood substrates with high elevations. Some growers have reported success with cultivating these mushrooms on manure with wood chips mixed in, but they can also grow on usual substrates. Their yield is, however, limited when cultivated on usual substrates.

Aztec God mushrooms are great for beginners and microdosing. When taken in high doses, their intense effects can trigger long trips. 

Need a little more Bluntness in your life? Subscribe for our newsletter to stay in the loop.