Mazatapec Mushrooms (P. Cubensis) | Strain & Cultivation Guide

Background: Mazatapec Strain 

History of Mazatapec Mushrooms (P. Cubensis) 

The Mazatapec strain of Psilocybe Cubensis has a rich and fascinating history rooted in the heart of Central Mexico. The strain holds a cultural and spiritual significance, particularly among the Mazatapec indigenous people. For centuries, they employed this strain in sacred ceremonies as a means to establish a profound connection with natural spirits and the divine realm. Even to this day, P. Cubensis is used for sacremony in large swaths of rural Mexico. Though primarily used as a religious tool, the Mazatapec strain was highly esteemed for its therapeutic properties as well, believed to possess healing capabilities for both the mind and body. 

So, where did it come from? Well, It gained prominence as the first Psilocybe species to be introduced to the Western world by an indigenous Mazatapec woman. As a result, the strain has become an essential and coveted addition to any spore collector's repertoire, cherished for its historical significance and the unique insights it offers into the world of Psilocybe Cubensis.

Fast forward to 2023, and Mazatapec is one of the most popular strains in the world for cultivation, consumption, and microscopy. Our spore syringes have been selling faster than ever before, and we could not be prouder of how far this strain has come. Could you imagine telling Maria Sabina that one day, people would be able to order mushroom spores named "Mazatapec" directly to their door? Welcome to the future folks, isn't it awesome? 

Identification & Physical Traits

Mazatapec mushrooms are known for their ability to produce medium to large-sized fruits with a classic cubensis look. The caps of Mazatapec mushrooms display a gentle chestnut brown coloration, adding to their relatively generic look. Oh yeah, and this strain has long stems, very long stems! 

Moreover, the spores of Mazatapec are dark purple to brownish and sub-ellipsoid on 4-spored basidia. Spore release is moderate compared to other strains of P. Cubensis. 

One last thing... P. Cubensis strains like the Mazatapec will turn blue when bruised. By squeezing the stem and looking to see if it bruises a deep blue color, you can confirm that it is in fact a psilocybin containing mushroom. 

Natural Habitat

Uses & Effects

How to Enjoy Mazatapec Mushrooms

There are many ways to consume these mushrooms, depending on your personal preferences and the desired effects. Some popular methods include:

• Eating fresh mushrooms on their own or mixed into a meal.
• Drying and then powdering the mushrooms for use in teas, pill capsules, or as an addition to other foods. This also allows for long-term storage.
• Brewing Mazatapec mushroom tea by boiling dried or fresh mushrooms in water for 15-20 minutes, then straining the liquid and drinking it.
• Incorporating Mazatapec mushrooms into smoothies or other drinks to mask the taste.

Regardless of how you choose to consume this unique mushroom, it is essential to start with a low dose and proceed with caution, as the effects can be potent and long-lasting. For some shelf-life directions regarding p. cubensis mushrooms, check out this article.

Dosing Recommendations 

When it comes to dosing this sacred magic mushroom, it is important to start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed. The strength of the mushrooms can vary widely depending on the strain, growing conditions, and other factors, so it is always best to err on the side of caution. For beginners, a small dose of .5 to 1.5 grams of dried mushrooms is recommended, while more experienced users may choose to take three to five grams or more for a stronger experience. It is also important to consider factors such as body weight, tolerance, and individual sensitivity when determining the appropriate dosage. Additionally, it is recommended to have a trusted friend or sitter present during the experience to provide support and assistance if needed.

Also note that Mazatapec mushrooms have a different potency per each individual mushroom. To get a consistent dose, you can powder all the mushrooms together, mix thoroughly, and divide them up into portions by weight. Each portion will have an average potency of all of the mushrooms combined. 

Potency & Psychedelic Effects

The effects of Mazatapec mushrooms can vary widely depending on the dosage and individual sensitivity. Some potential effects include:

• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Changes in perception of time and space
• Deep introspection 
• Feelings of sacred, spiritual reflection 
• Intense feelings of euphoria or anxiety *
• Physical effects such as pupil dilation, increased heart rate, and changes in body temperature.
• Physical relaxation, sweeping calmness 

*It is important to note that while some people may find these effects enjoyable and therapeutic, others may experience very negative effects such as paranoia, confusion, or panic. It is essential to approach the use of Mazatapec mushrooms with caution and to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the experience.

Cultivation Of The Mazatapec Strain

Is Mazatapec Easy To Grow?

While no mushroom is necessarily "easy" to grow, the Mazatapec strain of P. Cubensis is relatively welcoming for cultivators, thanks to abundant available information like in this guide. As a result, it is one of the most popular on our site. Rapid mycelial colonization, moderate resistance to temperature & contamination, and manageable fruiting conditions make this strain a hardy, reliable choice for mycologists of all levels. For a more beginner strain, consider the Malabar Coast Strain. 

What Are the Mazatapec Mushroom's Fruiting Conditions? 

The fruiting conditions for Mazatapec mushrooms are similar to those of other strains of P. Cubensis. In order to produce fruiting bodies, the mycelium must be prepared in a bulk substrate such as a mix of vermiculite, coco coir, gypsum and water. The substrate should be pasteurized to prevent contamination by other fungi or bacteria. Once the mycelium has colonized the substrate, you can initiate fruiting conditions which include  high humidity and good air exchange. A temperature range of 75-85°F (24-29°C) is ideal for fruiting, and light is also necessary for the mushrooms to develop properly. Indirect sunlight works, or you can get fancy with an artificial lighting setup. Fruiting can take several days to several weeks, depending on the growing conditions and the strain of the mushrooms. With proper care and attention to these fruiting conditions, it is possible to produce a bountiful harvest of Mazatapec mushrooms.

Recommended Substrates for STB (Spawned to Bulk) 

For Mazatapec mushrooms, we'd recommend using CVG which is Coco Coir, Vermiculite, and Gypsum. The purpose of CVG substrate is to maintain water capacity, providing an optimal growth medium for your spawn. It mimics the wet & humid environments from which this strain originated. If you are more advanced, feel free to get creative with your substrates by experimenting with different formulas.

Recommended Growing Method for Mazatapec Mushrooms

There are a lot of ways to grow mushrooms. For these, we'd recommend creating cultures in agar, inoculating sterilized grain, and then moving spawn to a bulk substrate (STB) to initiate fruiting. 

Growing Process (11 Steps) 

Note: This section is only permitted & intended for those in areas where growing P. Cubensis mushrooms is legal. Please contact your local government prior to reading this information. All information is for educational purposes ONLY, and should not be performed at home.  

1. Set your intention: Do you want to grow for consumption (illegal in the USA), microscopy, for spore collection, or something else? Defining your intention will help you optimize your set-up. 

2. Obtain Mazatapec Spores or Cultures: You can obtain mushroom spores or a spawn from a variety of sources, including online retailers and specialty gardening stores. Make sure that the spores or spawn are fresh and of high quality with no contamination. At Eden shrooms, contamination should be the least of your issues. Magic mushroom spawn is illegal for purchase in the USA & many other places, so you'll likely need to go with spores. 

3. Choose an inoculation medium: Many begin their process by inoculating agar plates with their syringe to create mycelium, and then move that mycelium to sterilized grain to create spawn. This article has more information on inoculating agar. If you don't want to go the agar route, you can inject spores or liquid culture directly onto sterile grain, or into an all-in-one grow bag. For Mazatapec mushrooms, however, we'd recommend starting with agar, and moving the mycelium to sterile rye grain in a jar. The agar method makes it easier to detect early contamination, and it allows you to select the healthiest mycelium to transfer. Before you perform that task, however, there is still work to be done. 

4. Sterilize the Grain: To prevent contamination, it is important to sterilize the grain you picked before adding the mushroom spores or culture. This can be done by putting rye grain into a jar and then using a pressure cooker. Once sterilized, you can prepare your grain jars to be introduced with spores or mycelium culture, depending on if you began with agar or not. 

5. Introduce the Mycelium or Spores: If you began with agar, you will have some mycelium on the plate that you can move to your jar. Just flame-sterilize a scalpel, remove some tissue from the plate, and place it onto the grain. If you didn't use agar, simply inject the full syringe at different angles into the sterile grain. Make sure to be extremely clean during this process. Now, your mycelium or spores have met their nutrient-rich fuel source, and will begin to expand. 

6. Provide the right environment for colonization: At this point, you need to let your mycelium colonize the grain, which requires specific conditions. Mazatapec require a humid, dark environment with consistent temperature and low air circulation to grow. Many have recommended 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit as a relatively safe range for your mycelium to colonize the grain. Keep extremely clean, and be patient. 

7. Shake & Break: Once your mycelium has colonized about 20% of the grain, you should shake up the jar to increase exposure points between mycelium & grain. Then, wait for the rest to be colonized. 
8. Move grain spawn to pasteurized bulk substrate (STB): After the mycelium has fully colonized the rye grain, it will have formed a brick-like "cake" of mycelium. At this point, it's time to transfer your spawn to a bulk substrate. Common practice is to crumble up & mix your grain spawn with a CVG bulk substrate in your mono-tub. Using bulk substrate in a monotub can be confusing, so this guide should help you considerably. Make sure to pasteurize any monotub contents before adding spawn. Pasteurization will kill most of the microbes in your substrate, but not all, which is desirable so that remaining bacteria can ward off unwanted contaminants. 
9. Initiate fruiting conditions: At this point, your grain spawn has been moved to a monotub and you need to initiate fruiting conditions in order for mushrooms to pin. To do this, you should always make sure to keep your substrate moist, introduce fresh air exchange (but not too much), and keep your mushrooms in indirect sunlight or artificial light. If you nail fruiting conditions and keep sterile, your mushrooms should start pinning and maturing! 

10. Harvest the mushrooms: Mazatapec mushrooms are best to harvest just after they break their veil. If you want to collect spore prints, you'll need to harvest once the caps completely flatten out. When the mushrooms are ready to harvest, carefully twist and pull them off at the base. Do not cut them off, as the exposed stumps become vectors for contamination. 

11. Get A 2nd, 3rd, maybe 4th flush: After you harvest your first mushrooms, you still have some work left to do! At this point, you'd have a "cake" that formed with the bulk substrate in the monotub. You can let your "cake" continue to exist in its current conditions while maintaining humidity and fresh air exchange. That may be enough to see another flush. Or, if your cake appears to be too dry, you can dunk the cake in sterile water and put it back into the tub to try again.

Remember, this information is NOT supposed to be replicated in the United States, or any country where Psilocybin is federally illegal. Rather, it is to educate those who are curious about the growing processes of Mazatapec mushrooms and may consider studying them further. 

Acquiring Mazatapec Spores 

Where to Buy Mazatapec Spores

EdenShrooms is the best place to buy Mazatapec Spores due to their high-quality and contamination-free syringes, affordable prices, user-friendly website, fast and discreet shipping, and exceptional customer service. With a wide selection of strains and a commitment to quality, EdenShrooms is the top choice for anyone looking to buy spore syringes. Remember, our spore syringes are for microscopy only. 

How to Collect Mazatapec Spores

Once you have fresh Mazatapec mushrooms in your possession, you could always collect your own spores as well. A great way to do that is by taking a spore print, and saving for future use. 

Conclusion & Legal Status

In conclusion, Mazatapec mushrooms are a very popular strain of P. Cubensis that are known for their large, caramel-brown caps and potent effects that will connect you to the sacred forces of ancient Mexico. While their legal status varies depending on location, they are generally illegal in many parts of the world. It is important to always check local laws and regulations before growing, possessing, or consuming Mazatapec mushrooms. However, for those in areas where they are legal, these mushrooms can be a fascinating and rewarding addition to any mycology hobbyist's collection. With proper growing techniques and responsible consumption, they can provide a unique and enlightening experience.

Disclaimer: We offer Psilocybin mushroom spores intended for microscopy and taxonomy purposes only. Images & Text provided are for informational and educational reference only and originate from cultivators and labs outside of the USA. Buying magic mushroom spores is legal in the United States. However, cultivation of magic mushrooms, which includes all psilocybin and psilocin containing mushroom species, is illegal in many countries, including the United States. Please check your local regulations to ensure that you are following the law properly.