The name, “Mazatapec,” is basically a typo that stuck[i]. This Psilocybe cubensis strain comes from the Mazatec people of Mexico, and was accordingly named for them, except somebody inserted two extra letters by mistake, and by the time a correction was issued, too many people were using the garbled version and wouldn’t change.
Mazatapec is one of many cultivated strains of P. cubensis, which may be the best-known, most popular species of “magic” mushroom. It is found almost all over the world, wherever the dung of large animals (its favorite food) is available but temperatures don’t get too low. The strains vary in their potency. Whether the trips they provide also vary qualitatively is difficult to say—so many factors can influence the mushroom experience that it’s difficult to be sure whether the choice of strain is one of those factors. But each strain does have its own reputation. Mazatapec is considered an especially good option for beginners, or for anyone interested in spiritual exploration.
Mazatapec is easily confused with Mexican, since both have similar origin stories and offer a qualitatively similar experience[ii]. But the two strains are distinct.
Two things to keep in mind with “magic” mushrooms, though.
First, although these mushrooms are relatively safe as far as ways to get altered go, they can still cause problems, especially if the basic safety procedures are ignored. Second, using—or even just possessing—psilocybin mushrooms is illegal in most places. Please do not go to prison.
Effects
Psilocybin, the main “active ingredient” in most “active” mushrooms, causes changes in mood, changes in thought-pattern, and, at higher doses, hallucinations. Usually, the mood change involves euphoria and a sense of connection, but alternatively, it can cause intense anxiety. Some people say that the mushroom works to intensify whatever mindset the user had to begin with—one reason to prepare carefully for these experiences and to never trip alone. Changes in thought-pattern can include deep personal and spiritual insight. Taking time afterwards to process and integrate these insights is important, otherwise they are less valuable.
Other effects include excessive yawning, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Rarely, severe reactions, such as convulsions, can occur.
Mazatapec mushrooms are reported to give a very spiritual experience with particularly beautiful hallucinations and fewer bodily symptoms[iii] than most P. cubensis strains.
Potency
Mazatapec is considered slightly less potent then average for P. cubensis.
Growing Mazatapec Mushrooms
If you are looking to start growing magic mushrooms Mazatapec Mushrooms are a good one to start with and any method that normally works for P. cubensis will work for Mazatapec—it’s not a picky strain. Several brands of grow kits are available, or growers can start with spores, their own substrate mixes. and growing chambers like SGFC, PF Tek or Monotub Tek. Although flushes are typically large, many growers find that Mazatapec is slow. Colonization time may be long, up to several weeks. However, excessively slow colonization is not normal and could indicate a problem with the grow—contamination, the wrong temperature, too wet, or some other thing[iv].
Dosage
Rough estimates[v] for dosage for P. cubensis are available, based on what kind of experience the user wants, whether the mushrooms are fresh or dried, what strain is involved, and so forth. However, even mushrooms of the same strain can have slightly different potency, and some people are more sensitive to psilocybin than others. It’s not possible to calculate doses exactly, and for this reason it’s best to be cautious and err on the side of too much rather than too little. A too-high dose is likely to cause unpleasant effects. I personally suggest everyone starts a new strain by microdosing and then working their way up to find their desired dose.
With that being said, if you want to try and find a dose that works for you, check out our general magic mushroom dosage guide. You can also try out ourmagic mushroom dosage calculatorwhere you can choose between six dosage levels, includingmicrodoseandheroic dose.
Popularmethods of consumption for Mazatapec Mushrooms includeLemon TekandShroom Tea.
Growing Vs. Buying Mazatapec Mushrooms
So, is it better to grow mushrooms or to buy them? The answer depends on the user’s circumstance, interests, and legal situation.
First, let’s look at cost.
Buying one or two doses will take less money than setting up a new grow, especially for people who don’t yet have their equipment yet. However, considering how many mushrooms a successful grow yields, growing at home is actually cheaper per dose[vi]. The balance sheet looks even better if the grower collects spores and then re-uses the equipment to start new cycles again and again—the only thing that must be replaced is the substrate, which is generally very cheap.
So for a user who wants a regular, plentiful supply, growing at home is far more economical, but for those who don’t want vast quantities of mushrooms, who only really want one or two doses, buying is the better bet.
Now, let’s look at quality.
Not all grows go well, and a user who finds a reliable seller may find that buying is a better way to source consistent product. However, not all sellers are reliable, and in areas where buying psilocybin mushrooms is illegal, the buyer has no recourse at all if the product turns out not as advertised[vii]. There is no suing dealers in illicit drugs. Those who can grow their own appreciate being able to do their own quality control.
Finally, let’s look at legal risk[viii].
In the many jurisdictions where possession of psilocybin is criminalized but possession of the spores is entirely legal, growing at home has a distinct advantage. Simply put, the entire grow can be set up legally. The illegal step—germinating the spores—happens in the privacy of one’s own home, and nobody else has to know about it.
Of course, a grower then ends up with a large stash of illegal material on hand for months on end, which raises legal risk in a different way.
In jurisdictions where possession for personal use has been decriminalized, the calculation may go the other way. Buying a few doses will not be prosecuted (at least not unless Federal law enforcement gets involved) but “manufacturing” an illegal drug may well be.
It’s important to know the details of applicable law for your jurisdiction.
For many people, of course, the choice will come down to whether growing mushrooms seems like a chore or a good time—some find it a fascinating hobby.
References:
[i] (n.d.). Mazatapec Cubensis Spore Print. Mushrooms.com
[ii] (2016). Everything You Need to Know About the Mazatapec Magic Mushrooms. Magic Mushrooms Shop
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] SickTouch123 (2014). Colonization Issues with Mazatapec.
[v] (n.d.). The Shroom Calculator—Why and How to Use It. Zamnesia
[vi] TipsyCzar (2019). How Much More Economic Is Growing Your Own VS. Buying Online.
[vii] Mandrake, K., Haze, V. (2021). Why You Should Grow Your Own Mushrooms. Double Blind
[viii] (n.d.). Legal Status of Psilocybin Mushrooms. Wikipedia