The Sacred Mushroom: Teonanácatl

In the pre-Columbian era, tribes such as the Aztecs (Mexica), Mazatecs, and Mixtecs used psilocybin mushrooms extensively. The Aztecs called them teonanácatl, which translates to “Flesh of the Gods.”  

• Ceremonial Use: These were not used recreationally but were strictly reserved for religious rituals, healing ceremonies, and divination. The mushrooms were believed to allow the user to communicate with spirits or see the cause of an illness.

• The Mazatec Tradition: Perhaps the most famous lineage of psilocybin use comes from the Mazatec people of Oaxaca. Their “Veladas” (healing vigils) were led by a curandero or curandera (shaman).  

Did Tribes in the Modern United States Use Them?

The evidence for the use of psilocybin mushrooms by indigenous tribes within the current borders of the United States (like the Comanche, Sioux, or Iroquois) is much more limited compared to the Southern Plains’ use of peyote.

1. Geography: While psilocybin-containing mushrooms (like Psilocybe cubensis or Psilocybe azurescens) grow in parts of the U.S., there is less recorded oral history or archaeological evidence of their ceremonial use among North American tribes compared to Peyote (Lophophora williamsii).

2. Peyote vs. Mushrooms: In 1845, a Comanche individual would have been much more likely to use Peyote, which grows natively in the Rio Grande Valley. The Native American Church, which formalizes this use, spread through Oklahoma and the Great Plains in the late 1800s.

Modern Research and Holistic Health

At Mark G. Agresti, MD LLC, we stay at the forefront of medical research regarding “food as medicine” and the emerging field of interventional psychiatry. Modern clinical trials at institutions like Johns Hopkins are currently exploring how psilocybin can help with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety—conditions we treat daily at our Palm Beach office.  

Healing with a View: Dr. Mark Agresti, MD LLC

Whether discussing ancient botanical traditions or modern organic nutrition, my goal is to provide a path to wellness that is clean, safe, and effective. From our office overlooking the Breakers golf course and the Intracoastal, we provide a serene environment to discuss these complex topics.

We believe in the power of nature—from the organic, non-bioengineered brands we recommend to the therapeutic presence of my Boykin Spaniel, Bella. Just as ancient cultures respected the power of the earth’s plants, we respect the power of a clean, non-toxic lifestyle to heal the mind.

If you’re ready to explore a holistic and medically sound approach to mental health, visit DrMarkAgresti.com.

And if you see a blur of brown fur sprinting along the Palm Beach shoreline, that’s just Bella—she hasn’t quite mastered the “meditative” part of nature yet, she’s too busy winning races against the tide!

Would you like me to find the latest clinical study results on psilocybin’s effect on the brain for your blog?

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