A Psilocybe cubensis variety originating from the Mazatec region of Oaxaca, Mexico — part of the ethnobotanical tradition documented by María Sabina and R. Gordon Wasson.
§ 01Morphology
Mazatapec fruits are moderate in size, with caps of 25–60 mm presenting a chestnut- to russet-brown colouration that fades toward the margin as the cap matures. The stipe is slender and fibrous, bruising a clear blue-green under pressure.
The variety is noted for high phenotypic plasticity across substrates and environmental conditions; specimens from identical genetic sources may differ markedly in cap form and colouration. This variability is consistent with its origin as a wild population rather than a stabilised cultivar.
§ 02Origin & Naming
The variety takes its name from the Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, whose ceremonial use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is among the best-documented instances of pre-Columbian ethnomycology. Western awareness followed R. Gordon Wasson's 1955 participation in a velada led by the curandera María Sabina and the subsequent Life magazine account of May 1957.
Cultivated stocks distributed under the Mazatapec label derive from spore prints collected in the region by later visitors and do not constitute a genetic isolate in the strict sense.
§ 03Cultivation Temperament
Mazatapec adapts to a range of substrates and fruiting conditions, reflecting its origin in a sub-tropical montane environment. Temperature tolerance is broad (20–27 °C), colonisation speed is average for the species, and flushes tend to be numerous but modest in individual specimen size.
Cultivators note that environmental consistency produces more uniform specimens; variability increases sharply under temperature or humidity swings.
§ 04Safety Profile
As with all psilocybin-containing species, Mazatapec carries significant contraindications. Psilocybin is a serotonergic compound and interacts with a range of medications and mental-health conditions.
⚠ Contraindications
Not suitable for individuals with personal or family history of psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, or bipolar I; those taking SSRIs, MAOIs, or lithium; pregnant or breastfeeding persons; or those with unmanaged cardiovascular conditions. Always review the full safety codex before use.