Michael Davis
Not all mushrooms turn blue. While some mushrooms develop a blue coloration when handled or cut, others do not. The blue coloration in mushrooms is caused by the oxidation of psilocybin into psilocin, which is a result of the activation of two enzymes, PsiP and PsiL. The oxidation of psilocin leads to the formation of blue pigments, which are similar in structure to indigo, the dye used to produce blue jeans. This blue coloration is not limited to psychoactive mushrooms and can also be found in non-psychoactive strains. The intensity of the blue coloration can vary, with some mushrooms exhibiting a faint blue bruise while others display a very dark blue color.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for blue colour | Oxidation of psilocybin |
| Type of mushrooms that turn blue | Psilocybe cubensis, Gyroporus cyanescens, and Lactarius indigo |
| Other colours that mushrooms turn | Blue, purple, green, or black |
| Effect of blue colour on potency | Psilocybin mushrooms lose potency with increased bruising |
| Cause of blue colour | Oxidation of psilocin |
| Enzymes responsible for blue colour | PsiP and PsiL |
| Other causes of blue colour | Oxidised gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid, presence of copper-based compound |
| Types of mushrooms that do not turn blue | Amanita family |
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What You'll Learn
The blue colour is caused by a chemical reaction
Not all mushrooms turn blue. However, several species of psychedelic mushrooms do bruise blue when they are picked, handled, or damaged. This colour change is caused by a chemical reaction that activates two enzymes in the mushroom, PsiP and PsiL. The first enzyme, PsiP, converts psilocybin to psilocin in the mushroom. This is similar to the way enzymes in the human liver catalyse psilocybin to psilocin, inspiring a psychedelic experience.
The compound psilocybin is well known for its hallucinogenic properties, and it also makes the mushrooms turn blue when damaged. The blue colour is not caused by a single compound but a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products. Most of them are quinoid psilocyl oligomers – compounds not unlike indigo, a deep blue pigment used to dye jeans. The second enzyme, PsiL, quickly oxidises the compound, rendering the molecule unstable. This action forces individual psilocin molecules to fuse into pairs, trios, and larger groupings. These psilocin conglomerates appear blue to the human eye because the new chemical structures reflect blue light.
The intensity of the blue colour varies across different species of mushrooms. For example, the bruising may appear as a faint blue or a very dark shade. The Gyroporus genus, or the 'cornflower bolete', is a well-known edible mushroom that turns blue when handled. Lactarius indigo is another edible mushroom that secretes a milky blue liquid when cut. However, its unusual colour can make it unappetising to some.
The blueing reaction in some mushrooms is believed to be caused by a different reaction and different compounds than those found in psilocybin mushrooms. For example, in Boletales mushrooms, oxidised gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid causes the blue colour. The presence of a metal compound, likely copper-based, inside mushrooms is also thought to be responsible for the blueing reaction.
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Not all mushrooms that contain psilocybin turn blue
It is a common misconception that all mushrooms containing psilocybin turn blue. While some mushrooms with high levels of psilocybin, such as Psilocybe azurescens, do turn blue when damaged, this is not true for all species. For example, the Amanita family of mushrooms, which includes the species Amanita muscaria, contains the psychoactive chemicals ibotenic acid and muscimol, but does not bruise blue.
The blue colour in mushrooms is caused by the oxidation of psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin by the enzyme PsiP. This process creates indigo-like pigments, similar to those used to dye jeans. However, not all mushrooms that contain psilocybin have this biochemical pathway. Some mushrooms, such as those in the Boletales order, develop their blue colour from the oxidation of gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid instead of psilocybin.
Additionally, the intensity of the blue colour can vary among different species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Some may bruise a faint blue, while others may exhibit a very dark and noticeable blue colour. The amount of bruising can also impact the potency of the mushroom, as more bruising leads to the conversion of psilocin into other inactive compounds.
It is important to note that not all blue-bruising mushrooms are psychoactive or contain psilocybin. For example, the Gyroporus genus, which includes the species Gyroporus cyanescens, bruises blue due to the oxidation of gyrocyanin but does not contain psilocybin or psilocin. This species is commonly known as the "cornflower bolete" for its yellow cap and blue bruising.
While the exact ecological role of the blue pigments in mushrooms is still unknown, one hypothesis suggests that they may serve as a protective mechanism against insects and other predators. The pigments could produce reactive oxygen species that are toxic to any insects nibbling on the mushrooms, acting as a natural repellent.
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Some non-psychoactive mushrooms also turn blue
While many mushrooms that turn blue are indeed psychoactive, some non-psychoactive mushrooms also exhibit this phenomenon. For example, the Gyroporus genus, which falls under the order Boletales, contains several edible mushrooms that bruise blue when cut or damaged. However, the bluing reaction in these mushrooms is not caused by psilocin, the compound responsible for the psychedelic effects in magic mushrooms.
Another example of a non-psychoactive mushroom that turns blue is Lactarius indigo, which secretes a milky blue liquid when cut. This mushroom is also edible, although its unusual colour and leakage may not make it the most appetizing. The blue coloration in Lactarius indigo is not due to the presence of psilocin, and this mushroom remains blue throughout its lifecycle, sometimes becoming even darker blue when handled.
The Amanita family of mushrooms, including Amanita muscaria, is another instance where the psychoactive properties are not caused by psilocin or psilocybin but rather by the chemicals ibotenic acid and muscimol, and these mushrooms do not bruise blue. This highlights that the presence of psilocin or psilocybin is not the sole determinant of whether a mushroom will turn blue.
While the mechanism behind the bluing reaction in magic mushrooms has puzzled scientists for decades, recent studies have made significant progress in understanding the underlying chemistry. It is now known that the blue colour is due to a mixture of complex, linked psilocybin oxidation products, specifically quinoid psilocyl oligomers, which are structurally similar to indigo. However, the specific compounds and reactions involved can vary between different species of mushrooms, leading to different shades of blue.
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The blue colour can be caused by a copper-based compound
The blue colour in mushrooms has been a mystery for decades, with scientists puzzled by the phenomenon. However, research has revealed that the blue colour is caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products. When picking, handling, or damaging the mushrooms, a chemical reaction is triggered, activating two enzymes in the mushroom, PsiP and PsiL. The first enzyme, PsiP, converts psilocybin to psilocin, which is similar to the way enzymes in the human liver catalyse psilocybin to psilocin. The second enzyme, PsiL, then oxidises the psilocin, rendering the molecule unstable. This action forces individual psilocin molecules to fuse into pairs, trios, and larger groupings, creating a blue colour.
Not all mushrooms turn blue, and the presence of psilocybin is not always a guarantee of bruising. However, a 1967 study found that the bluing reaction does not require oxygen, leading to the theory that a metal compound, likely copper-based, is responsible for the reaction. This compound is produced by an enzyme present in some, but not all, psilocybin mushrooms, which could explain why not all psilocybin mushrooms bruise. The copper-based compound may be the key factor in the bluing reaction, as it is believed to catalyse the removal of one electron from the target substrate, resulting in the blue colour.
The blue colour in mushrooms is not just aesthetically intriguing but also has ecological significance. The compounds produced during the reaction may create reactive oxygen species, which are toxic to insects that feed on the mushrooms. This protective mechanism helps deter insects from consuming the mushrooms, ensuring their survival and propagation.
While the copper-based compound is a significant factor in the bluing reaction, it is important to note that other factors, such as the presence of psilocybin and psilocin, also contribute to the overall process. The intensity of the blue colour can vary, with some mushrooms displaying faint blue bruising while others exhibit a darker, more noticeable colour. Additionally, the bluing reaction can be influenced by the maturity of the mushrooms, as some species turn blue as they age.
In summary, the blue colour in mushrooms is a result of a complex chemical reaction involving the oxidation of psilocybin and psilocin, facilitated by a copper-based compound produced by specific enzymes. This reaction not only creates an intriguing colour but also serves an ecological purpose, protecting the mushrooms from insect consumption.
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Blue bruising can indicate a loss of potency
Not all mushrooms turn blue when they are cut or bruised. While some mushrooms are well known for their high psilocybin/psilocin content and their above-average tendency to bruise blue, some species of mushrooms that have been confirmed to contain psilocybin do not bruise at all.
Blue bruising in mushrooms is caused by the oxidation of psilocybin into psilocin. This oxidation is catalysed by the enzyme PsiL, which is present in some, but not all, psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The presence of this enzyme is required for the blue bruising reaction to occur, but it is not the only factor. Other factors, such as the presence of a metal compound (likely copper-based), are also believed to play a role.
When psilocybin is oxidized, it breaks down into psilocin molecules, which then fuse together to form larger groupings. These psilocin conglomerates appear blue to the human eye because the new chemical structures reflect blue light. The more psilocybin is degraded and broken down, the less potent the mushroom becomes. Therefore, heavy blue bruising can indicate a loss of potency in psilocybin-containing mushrooms.
However, it is important to note that not all blue-bruising mushrooms are psychoactive, and the presence of psilocybin or psilocin is not necessary for blue bruising to occur. For example, the Gyroporus genus, which falls under the order Boletales, contains many edible mushrooms that bruise blue when cut or damaged, but this reaction is not caused by psilocin. Instead, the blue colour in these mushrooms is due to the oxidation of a different chemical called gyrocyanin.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all mushrooms turn blue. While it is common for mushrooms to change colour when they are handled or as they age, not all mushrooms turn blue when damaged.
Mushrooms from the genus Psilocybe, also known as "magic mushrooms", are well-known for turning blue when cut or bruised. This includes species such as Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe azurescens. Some mushrooms in the Boletales order, commonly known as "Boletes", also turn blue when damaged, such as the Gyroporus cyanescens species.
Mushrooms turn blue due to a chemical reaction that occurs when they are damaged. In Psilocybe mushrooms, this reaction involves the oxidation of psilocybin and psilocin, two psychotropic compounds. The blue colour is caused by the formation of indigo-like polymers, which reflect blue light.
No, the presence of psilocybin and psilocin is not necessary for mushrooms to turn blue. Some non-psychoactive mushrooms also exhibit blue bruising, likely due to the presence of other compounds or reactions.
In psilocybin-containing mushrooms, the intensity of the blue bruising can indicate the potency of the mushrooms. A darker blue colour indicates that more psilocybin has been converted into other compounds, reducing the psychoactive effects of the mushroom.
