🫠 Psychonaut POV

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Azalea Montaño-Kemp has indigenous Mexican blood, but it wasn’t until she hit rock bottom that she discovered mushrooms. That experience kicked off a whole 'nother journey—one of reconnection to her ancestors.

We talked to Azalea about blending ancient wisdom with modern science, takeaways from her curandera apprenticeship, and the secret history of Mazatec microdosing.

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How did psilocybin mushrooms first enter your life?

My best friend introduced me to mushrooms. I was living in Brooklyn and had been planning an ayahuasca ceremony in Peru. I was at a low point, battling depression, PTSD, and anorexia. Being raised with Mexican herbal remedies, I'd never used SSRIs or any medication. I scoured Reddit for natural depression cures and stumbled upon an article about someone's ayahuasca journey. I booked it, eager for a change.

Two weeks before the retreat, it got canceled. I was devastated after all the preparation, even with my therapist who had been very supportive. When I vented to my friend about how disappointed I was, she said, "Have you tried mushrooms?" I hadn't. She insisted I'd love it, especially given my mindset and preparation for the ayahuasca experience. So, in my apartment, we shared mushrooms for the first time. It not only improved my mental health but also catapulted me into reconnecting with my ancestral traditions.

As a Gen Z Mestiza woman splitting time between Brooklyn and Mexico, in many ways you’re caught between two worlds. What role does your ancestral lineage play in your life?

It's so funny how you describe me, but it really captures how I see myself. I do feel like a Gen Z, next-generation medicine healer. My ancestors and ancestry play a role in every aspect of my life. I believe my ancestors guided me back to this path, especially embracing psilocybin mushrooms and reconnecting with Mexican traditions. It wasn't just the first time I took mushrooms, but also my first ayahuasca experience in Peru later, where my ancestors entered the ceremony and urged me to revive our lineage with medicine. They've undeniably been a powerful force guiding me back to these roots.

Yet, I also sense their presence in every other aspect of my life. As you described, I straddle two worlds. Sometimes, due to the language I use—terms like indigenous healing, plant traditions, Mazatec lineage—people expect me to fit a certain mold. They assume I'm always in the mountains, constantly in ceremonies or something.

The reality is, I live in Mexico City. I love going to bazaars and vintage shops. Even then, I feel my ancestors by my side. That’s the integration. They're always with me, not just during ceremonies when I'm reciting our prayers, lighting copal, and that sort of thing. It's in those everyday moments, like when I'm walking my dog in the park, having a tough day, and I glance up at the trees between the streets and feel their presence and support. They're a part of everything I do.

You’re a third-generation curandera, or natural healer. What are some techniques, skills, or philosophies you’ve learned from your own family that have shaped your approach?

Growing up, I absorbed a wealth of wisdom from my parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. But much of it I admittedly brushed aside until I reached a point in my life where I sought to truly understand and embrace these traditions. This journey led me to apprentice with a Mazatec teacher outside my immediate family circle.

There's so much I’ve taken away from my apprenticeship, but one fundamental lesson is how deeply and spiritually connected to the natural world we are as human beings. I'd describe it as recognizing our reciprocal responsibilities, both to each other and to the environment. This understanding, I believe, is crucial in the practice of medicine work. For instance, something as seemingly simple as offering gratitude to the land before conducting a ceremony is incredibly important on so many levels. It's a tangible expression of appreciation to the land for providing a space for our experiences. It's a thanksgiving to Mother Earth for the medicines, our lives, and the traditions we hold dear. It's also a nod of acknowledgment to the ancestors of the land who safeguarded these practices through times of colonization. All of this profoundly impacts the medicinal experience.

If I were to frame it in more modern or Western terms, it feels like preparation and integration. It's not just about consuming a psychedelic substance and having an experience; it's about engaging with the experience holistically. It involves taking concrete steps, like grounding yourself in gratitude to get ready for the journey. And even after the experience, it doesn't end there. It's about carrying forward that sense of gratitude, remembering the offering made to the land, and reminding ourselves what that gesture symbolized. Gratitude must become woven into the fabric of daily life.

By practicing reciprocal responsibility, we extend our focus beyond ourselves and consider how our individual experiences integrate into the broader natural world. It’s no longer just about what we’re getting from the experience personally, but also how we’re taking care of one another.

Your method blends ancient wisdom with modern research. Can you elaborate on what that looks like, in practice?

Practically speaking, it looks a lot like the routines and rituals I just described. But conceptually, I see it as taking indigenous spirituality and using it as a philosophy to guide someone on their journey. I firmly believe that these modern and ancient elements are meant to complement each other. It's like the parable of the blind men touching the elephant, each describing a different part yet all feeling the same animal. That's very much how it resonates with me.

When we blend ancient wisdom with modern research, we find a juncture where something truly magical, tangible, and sustainable emerges. Sustainability is key here. We're no longer narrowly focused on just the neuroscientific aspect or exclusively on the broader effects. Bringing these two together creates an ongoing healing process that can enrich a person’s experience and enjoyment of life, beyond any medical diagnosis.

Contemporary research can often be fixated on the clinical outcomes of alleviating depression or other mental health conditions. But then what comes after you’re “cured”? There’s still a path that stretches ahead for everyone. The convergence of these two worlds, I believe, lays the foundation for an enduring process that can benefit anyone.

Microdosing is a fairly recent phenomenon, right? What does the Mazatec tradition say about using lighter doses of mushrooms as medicine or sacrament?

Microdosing, as it's been popularized in Fadiman’s protocol, is relatively new. However, in Mazatec communities, the practice of microdosing has ancient roots. It's a common tradition for people to take a small dose of mushrooms before going about their daily tasks, often after making an offering at a mountain or another sacred site. It’s seen as a tool to enhance daily life with increased energy or a deeper sense of connection. It's important to note that microdosing in these communities isn't a casual act; it's a practice imbued with purpose.

Something else worth highlighting is that the Mazatec use of mushrooms initially focused on healing physical illness. They understood that our physical well-being is intertwined with our spiritual state. When someone fell ill and conventional remedies weren't effective, it was recognized as a spiritual issue. So, of course, you’d consult a spiritual healer.

Even today, I’ve seen people go to curanderas for the flu, arthritis, and many other physical ailments. These healers work with mushrooms through rituals and medicine songs to allow the sick to release the cells and spirits of their disease. They’ll often purge—not necessarily by vomiting, but through various forms of expression like yawning, crying, or laughing. People often leave these ceremonies completely cured.

Microdosing in this context extends to instances like tending to a sick child or addressing allergies. In these cases, a smaller dose may be given with a specific intention and ritual, usually involving a dialogue with the mushrooms as a conscious entity. Personally, I've found this approach very effective in clearing my allergy symptoms.

Why is it so important that indigenous perspectives not be lost in this modern psychedelic renaissance?

Because indigenous people have been working with psychedelic plants and fungi for thousands of years, long before the modern man discovered their potential. With that level of experience, they probably have something helpful to share.

Want more from Azalea? Learn about upcoming ceremonies and access free microdosing resources on her website.

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.