Acknowledgement of
Indigenous Roots

While microdosing has gained attention in recent years, its origins trace back centuries to Indigenous traditions that have long understood the effects of Psilocybe mushrooms. Indigenous groups in Mesoamerica, such as the Zapotec, Nahua, Mixtec, and Mazatec, have incorporated these fungi into sacred ceremonies for healing, spiritual exploration, and divination (Carod-Artal, 2015; Guzmán, 2008). Despite efforts to suppress these traditions, Indigenous knowledge of these mushrooms has endured across generations.

The Aztecs, for instance, referred to psilocybin-containing mushrooms as teonanácatl, or “the flesh of the gods,” reflecting their deep spiritual and ceremonial significance (Carod-Artal, 2015).

Even in the face of colonial suppression, many Indigenous communities have preserved their ancestral traditions. In regions like Oaxaca, Mexico, sacred mushroom rituals remain a vital part of cultural and spiritual life, passed down through generations of traditional healers (Guzmán, 2008). As interest in microdosing expands globally, it is essential to acknowledge that this practice is rooted in Indigenous wisdom.