Psilocybe mexicana
A plain-language profile of Psilocybe mexicana: its name and synonyms, its role in the 1958 isolation of psilocybin, its place in Mazatec history, and what is and is not known today.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Documented analytical data
Each group below is one study's measurement of the stated specimen or preparation. It is not a typical value for the species or product, varies between specimens, and says nothing about effects or safety. 10 values from 1 source.
Gotvaldova K, Borovicka J, Hajkova K, Cihlarova P, Rockefeller A, Kuchar M. Extensive Collection of Psychotropic Mush... (10 values)
Source: Gotvaldova K, Borovicka J, Hajkova K, Cihlarova P, Rockefeller A, Kuchar M. Extensive Collection of Psychotropic Mushrooms with Determination of Their Tryptamine Alkaloids. Int J Mol Sci 2022;23:14068. doi:10.3390/ijms232214068. Read 2026-10-22. Laboratory: not stated in the excerpt read (authors Gotvaldova, Kuchar et al.; UHPLC-MS/MS Agilent 1290/6460). Method: UHPLC-MS/MS (Agilent 1290 Infinity + 6460 triple quad, C18), methanol/0.5% acetic acid extraction. Date: not reported in source (as read).
| Specimen or preparation | Analyte | Value | What it is | Sample size and scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | aeruginascin | 0.006 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | lowest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | aeruginascin | 0.007 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | highest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | baeocystin | 0.254 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | lowest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | baeocystin | 0.328 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | highest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | norbaeocystin | 0.159 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | lowest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | norbaeocystin | 0.203 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | highest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | psilocin | 1.944 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | lowest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | psilocin | 1.974 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | highest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | psilocybin | 3.286 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | lowest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
| Psilocybe mexicana, wild-collected fruiting bodies (as named in source) | psilocybin | 3.934 mg/g (dry weight (whole fruiting bodies, cap + stipe; dried at no more than about 40 C by collectors)) | highest value of range (reported) | 2 fruiting bodies / 1 collections. range across 2 fruiting bodies from 1 collection(s) (whole fruiting bodies, individual-specimen values; no mean reported) |
Safety first
If someone has eaten a wild or unknown mushroom, or a child has eaten any mushroom, call US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 in an emergency. See plant and mushroom poisoning. This page is education only. It is not guidance on finding, identifying or using this fungus.What it is
Psilocybe mexicana is a fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. The accepted name is Psilocybe mexicana R.Heim, published in 1957 in the Revue de Mycologie. [1] Four other names are listed as synonyms: P. armandii, P. galindoi, P. pileocystidiata and P. subacutipilea. [2] Naming is therefore not settled in everyday use, and a label alone is weak evidence of what a mushroom is.Why it matters in the history of psilocybin
This species has a central role in how psilocybin became known to science. A history of the trade in the Sierra Mazateca reports that mushrooms collected at Huautla were sent to the French mycologist Roger Heim, who in 1954 managed to grow P. mexicana in his laboratory, and that a Sandoz team led by Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin in Switzerland in 1958. [3] The 1958 paper by Hofmann, Heim, Brack and Kobel is titled as describing psilocybin as a psychotropic substance from the Mexican mushroom Psilocybe mexicana Heim. [4]Heim also reported on the formation of sclerotia (dense, underground resting bodies of a fungus) in cultures of this species in 1958. [5] Sclerotia are a different structure from a mushroom; see psilocybin truffles (sclerotia).
Mazatec context
The mushrooms in this story belong first to the Mazatec people of the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico. The same history says that Gordon Wasson's article in Life revealed these mushrooms to the international public, and that residents describe mushrooms as a "sacred medicine." [3] A Mazatec community member cited there said the knowledge "was not sold because of its sacredness" but given, and a Mazatec journalist argued that the arrival of outsiders led to profanation. [3] We describe this history only at that level. Sacred and ceremonial practice is not ours to explain, and an isolated compound or a mushroom handled as a product is not the same as the tradition. Historical use is also not evidence that any use works.What has been measured
A 2022 genome survey found P. cyanescens and P. mexicana to be aeruginascin producers; the effects of that compound in people are not established. [6] A 2024 study examined how tryptophan metabolism genes are regulated in this species, which relates to how the fungus makes psilocybin. [7] Proper evidence not found for a standard psilocybin content: we did not find a measurement of this species with enough detail, and a 2022 study warns that specimen names and old measurements are often unreliable. [8]What research shows in people
Label: insufficient evidence. Proper evidence not found for clinical trials of this mushroom. The research that followed its discovery used the isolated compound; see the psilocybin guide and psychedelic clinical trials and their limits.Risks
Proper evidence not found for case series specific to this species. General cautions about psilocybin mushrooms, including mix-ups with more toxic fungi, are in a Danish review. [9] See also Psilocybe cubensis.Legal status
Not verified here. See psychedelic legal status by country. Laws change; this is not legal advice.About the name teonanacatl
Names for mushrooms in Indigenous languages belong to the peoples who use them. We did not read a source this session that ties the word "teonanacatl" to this species, so we make no claim about it.Frequently asked questions
What is Psilocybe mexicana known for?
It was the species from which psilocybin was first isolated, in 1958. [4][3]
Is a truffle the same as this mushroom?
No. A sclerotium is a different structure from a mushroom. [5]
Is it approved as a medicine?
Proper evidence not found. Clinical work uses isolated psilocybin. We did not verify any regulator's position on this mushroom.
References
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record: Psilocybe mexicana R.Heim, accepted. Read 2026-10-22.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF synonyms of Psilocybe mexicana. Read 2026-10-22.
- Garcia de Teresa M. Selling the Priceless Mushroom: A History of Psilocybin Mushroom Trade in the Sierra Mazateca (Oaxaca). J Illicit Econ Dev 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Hofmann A, Heim R, Brack A, Kobel H. Psilocybin, a psychotropic substance from the Mexican mushroom Psilocybe mexicana Heim. Experientia 1958 (citation record only; full text not read). Read 2026-10-22.
- Determinism of carpophore and sclerote formation in culture of Psilocybe mexicana Heim. C R Hebd Seances Acad Sci 1958 (title record only; abstract and full text not read). Read 2026-10-22.
- Dörner S et al. Genetic Survey of Psilocybe Natural Products. Chembiochem 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Genetic regulation of L-tryptophan metabolism in Psilocybe mexicana supports psilocybin biosynthesis. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2024 (title record only; abstract not read). Read 2026-10-22.
- Bradshaw AJ et al. DNA Authentication and Chemical Analysis of Psilocybe Mushrooms Reveal Widespread Misdeterminations in Fungaria and Inconsistencies in Metabolites. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Lassen JF et al. Hallucinogenic psilocybine containing mushrooms. Toxins contained in Danish wild mushrooms. Ugeskr Laeger 1990 (Danish; English abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.