Teonancatl Shrooms: “Flesh of the Gods”

Teonancatl shrooms refer to a specific strain of Psilocybe cubensis. However, it’s also a common name for an entirely different species of related mushroom called Psilocybe mexicana. 

For the purposes of this article, we’re referring to the Psilocybe cubensis strain, not Psilocybe mexicana (though these are excellent mushrooms to grow and consume as well). 

These mushrooms were originally discovered in Mexico in the lands where the ancient Aztecs dominated for nearly 200 years. The word Teonancatl is a loose translation for “flesh of the gods,” and the term first appeared in written history in a journal kept by Bernardino de Sahagun, an explorer from Spain.

Sahagun was alive in the 1500s, although this strain’s ancestors are believed to have been used by natives in Mexico for centuries before that. Statues and other ancient works of art have been discovered near religious grounds in Northern Mexico that suggest that hallucinogenic mushrooms had been used by humans in that area for religious and spiritual purposes for many, many years.

The Teonancatl strain also has a special place in magic mushroom history because it is believed to be a close relative of the first strain that Albert Hofmann — the scientist who invented lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and considered the father of hallucinogens — used to isolate psilocin and psilocybin.

As such, cultivators and magic mushroom users both flock to the Teonancatl strain to grow and experience a strain that has such extensive meaning in the world of psychedelic substances.

Teonancatl Shroom Specs

Potency	Above Average 💪
Cultivation	Beginner
Species	Psilocybe cubensis
Substrate Recommendation	Rye Grain or Brown Rice Flour
Cost	$
Sold By	Ralphsters Spores, Sporeworks, Sporeslab, Lil Shop of Spores

Potency & Psilocybin Content

Not only does the Teonancatl strain have a rich history that makes it popular among magic mushroom users and growers, but it also has an unusually high potency that makes it a common choice for both. As with all magic mushroom strains, the Teonancatl strain’s potency varies based on how it’s grown, and there will be natural variances in potency between samples as well.

Since there are no entries for this strain in any of the past 4 Psilocybin Cups, we can only rely on trip reports to gauge the average potency. Most users note that this strain is incredibly strong, not quite rivaling the Penis Envy strain, but close. 

We tend to agree.

Given the average magic mushroom potency lies somewhere between 0.5% and 0.9% tryptamine content by weight, we can reasonably assume, based on reports, that the Teonancatl strain averages somewhere between 1% and 2%.

Where to Buy Teonancatl Shroom Spores

If you live in the United States, you should be able to purchase these genetics from Ralphster’s Spores, which is believed to be one of the first vendors that offered it. You can also commonly find it on Spores 101.

If you live in Canada, Sporeslab is your best bet, as it carried this strain as of this writing.

Magic mushroom growers or users in Europe might have difficulty finding this South American strain. You can check Kosmic Kitchen, Viking Spore, and The Magic Mushroom Shop, although there’s no guarantee that you’ll find it. 

You can always check local spore trading circles where you live too. 

Related: How & Where to Buy Magic Mushroom Spores (Legally).

How to Grow Teonancatl Shrooms

The Teonancatl strain is known to colonize quickly, so it can stand up to mold and has decent resistance to infection. It’s a suitable strain for beginners to grow, provided they can maintain temperature and humidity, which this strain is somewhat sensitive to.

Teonancatl spores will produce medium-to-large fruiting bodies that grow quickly. You should be able to get three to four flushes, and this strain takes well to ice water baths in between flushes if you get stuck.

Other than these points, growing Teonancatl shrooms will be similar to most other cubes. You can check out the complete process in our guide to cultivating magic mushrooms.

Also see: How to Transport Growing Mushrooms.

Similar Strains

Since the Teonancatl strain is so popular, many people will want alternatives to try after growing or consuming it. The below strains are good companions to the Teonancatl strain.

Penis Envy

The Penis Envy strain was likely discovered by Terence McKenna and later isolated by Steven Pollock. It’s one of the most famous strains in the magic mushroom community because it’s the most potent Psilocybe cubensis strain known to mankind. If you enjoy the high potency of the Teonancatl strain, Penis Envy might be the only way to get a more intense experience.

Melmac

The Melmac strain is another one that is known for its high potency, so it’s a good alternative if you’re unable to find spores for the Teonancatl strain. Many people believe that the Melmac strain is an offshoot of the Penis Envy strain, which would account for similar potency levels.

Orissa India

The Orissa India strain is well-known in the community for two things: massive fruiting bodies and unusually high potency. This strain comes from India, and it has held the record for the largest fruiting body for quite some time. This is considered to be about equal in potency to the Teonancatl strain.

White Rabbit

The White Rabbit strain is a hybridization of several famous strains, including Penis Envy, Golden Teachers, Moby Dick, and the A+ strains. It’s an albino strain, so it’s quite popular among cultivators looking for a unique experience, and it clocks in at potencies well above average, much like Teonancatl shrooms.

Huautla (Oaxaca)

The Huautla strain was originally collected from Mexico near Huautla de Jimenez. The collection site is near where Maria Sabina, a now-famous shaman, practiced and used psychedelic mushrooms for healing and spiritual purposes. If you’re looking for another strain with deep roots in Central American history, this strain is a great option.

Aztec God

The Aztec God strain also comes from the region where the Aztecs ruled. This is another strain that is considered to be closely related to the one mentioned by Bernardino de Sahagun in his exploration journals, and it could have been used for hundreds or thousands of years in Central America before being collected and isolated. This strain is also known for its high potency, just like the Teonancatl strain.

Strains vs. Species: What’s The Difference?

The term “species” refers to a scientific classification. In the case of magic mushrooms, a species is a subset of shrooms that have unique genetics to other species.

Within a specific species — like Psilocybe cubensis — there can be hundreds of shroom strains — like Golden Teacher and Penis Envy. A strain is a sample of mushrooms that has identical genetics to others within its own species but exhibits unique characteristics due to variances in the climate and soil where it originated. These characteristics can be physical — like size, shape, disease resistance, or chemical potency.

Final Thoughts: Teonancatl Shrooms

For cultivators and magic mushroom users looking to grow or consume a shroom strain steeped in history, the Teonancatl strain is among the best options. 

This strain was originally collected in Mexico, and it’s believed to be a close relative to the hallucinogenic strains used by the ancient Aztecs and other Central American natives for hundreds of years. It’s also believed to be related to the shroom strain that Albert Hoffman used to isolate the psychedelic compounds in magic mushrooms for the first time.

As if the history wasn’t enough to draw magic mushroom advocates to this strain, it’s also well above average when it comes to potency. It’s considered one of the most potent Psilocybe cubensis strains, paling in comparison only to Penis Envy.