Let’s talk chemistry. The larvae are harmless protein, and the tequila itself is pure distilled agave. Mezcal, where you usually find the worm, can have a smoky, complex flavor that plays tricks on your senses.
That “trippy” feeling you get after a few shots? That’s called intoxication, my friend. Alcohol is a depressant that lowers inhibitions and muddles perception, which can feel surreal but isn’t a psychedelic journey.
There is one exception: some artisanal mezcals might contain a tiny bit of methanol from the distillation process. In massive, dangerous quantities, that can cause visual disturbances—but we’re talking hospital-level bad, not a fun flashback.
The Power of Suggestion
Your brain is the most powerful drug in the room. If you believe a worm will make you hallucinate, your mind might just create the experience. It’s called the placebo effect, and it’s incredibly real.
I once had a friend who swore he saw pink elephants after a worm shot. He’d had three margaritas before. Confirmation bias is a sneaky thing—we see what we expect to see.
Cultural references from movies and songs fuel this fire. Think of that scene in From Dusk Till Dawn where the bad guys drink tequila and things get wild. Art imitates life, and life starts imitating art.
