Magic Mushroom Stems: Do They Contain Psilocybin?

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. The mushrooms have long, slender stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside. Psilocybin mushrooms are abused by being eaten or brewed as tea, or added to other foods to mask their bitter flavor. The hallucinogenic alkaloids in Copelandia were 0.43-0.76% in the whole mushroom (0.64-0.74% in the cap and 0.31-0.78% in the stem). The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality.

The stems of Copelandia mushrooms contain less psilocybin than the caps

Mushrooms that contain psilocybin are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms" and are popular hallucinogens. They are found throughout the U.S. and Mexico and are abused by being eaten, brewed as tea, or added to food to mask their bitter flavor. The effects of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. In some cases, panic reactions, psychosis, and even death may occur, especially if a user ingests a large dose.

Psilocybin is a molecule that gets converted to psilocin, which is responsible for most of the psychedelic effects in humans. One common question surrounding psilocybin mushrooms is whether the caps contain more active ingredients than the stems. In the case of Copelandia mushrooms, this seems to be true, as the stems contain less psilocybin than the caps.

Orange Photonics conducted a test to compare the psilocybin content in the caps and stems of two mushroom strains: Golden Emperor and Penis Envy. The results showed that the Golden Emperor cap had higher psilocybin content than its stem, while the Penis Envy cap was less potent than its stem. The difference in potency between the two strains may be due to their distinct structures. The Golden Emperor mushroom has larger, crusty caps that contribute to most of its weight, while the Penis Envy mushroom has a smaller cap that is less distinguishable from the stem.

The findings highlight the importance of understanding the potency of mushroom products, especially for those seeking a psychedelic experience or following a microdose regimen. By consuming a 250 mg capsule of the Golden Emperor strain, an individual would receive under 2 mg of psilocybin, which is considered a typical microdose. In contrast, a 250 mg capsule of the Penis Envy strain would deliver over 3.5 mg of psilocybin, resulting in a more potent effect.

Psilocybin mushrooms are also known as 'magic mushrooms' or 'shrooms'

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin mushrooms have long, slender stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside. Fresh mushrooms have white or whitish-grey stems, while dried mushrooms are usually rusty brown with isolated areas of off-white.

Psilocybin is the chemical compound responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of magic mushrooms. It is a tryptamine alkaloid, and when ingested, it is converted by the body into psilocin, the compound that produces the psychoactive properties. The effects of psilocybin are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users. The mind-altering effects typically last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism.

Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic and psychedelic effects. They are known to affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. Psychedelics can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Physical effects may include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination.

Psilocybin mushrooms are often consumed fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They can also be dried and turned into extracts or food products such as mushroom edibles. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly between and within the same species. Recreational doses typically range from 1.0 to 3.5–5.0 grams of dry mushrooms and 10 to 50 grams of fresh mushrooms.

Fresh mushrooms have white or whitish-grey stems

Fresh mushrooms with white or whitish-grey stems are known as psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms". These mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can be found fresh or dried throughout the US and Mexico. They have long, slender stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside. The caps of fresh mushrooms are dark brown around the edges and light brown or white in the centre. When dried, they are usually rusty brown with off-white patches.

Psilocybin mushrooms are often abused for their hallucinogenic effects, typically by being eaten, brewed as tea, or added to other foods to mask their bitter flavour. The psychological consequences of consuming these mushrooms include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Other effects include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination. In the case of an overdose, a user may experience a longer and more intense "trip", psychosis, and even death.

It is important to note that the abuse of psilocybin mushrooms can also lead to immediate poisoning if one of the many varieties of poisonous mushrooms is incorrectly identified and ingested. The stems of mushrooms can vary in colour, with some being dark brown or grey, and even reddish-brown or black. However, fresh mushrooms with white or whitish-grey stems are indicative of psilocybin mushrooms.

Psilocybin mushrooms are eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into tea

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are hallucinogenic and can cause an individual to experience an altered sense of reality. They can be consumed in a variety of ways, including being eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea.

Fresh psilocybin mushrooms have white or whitish-grey stems with caps that are dark brown around the edges and light brown or white in the centre. When cooked, they may be prepared by frying or grilling, although specific preparation methods may vary. They can also be added to other foods to mask their bitter flavour. When brewing psilocybin mushrooms into a tea, individuals typically steep the mushrooms in hot water, similar to preparing a regular cup of tea.

Consuming psilocybin mushrooms can lead to a range of physical and psychological effects. Physically, individuals may experience nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination. Psychologically, the mushrooms' hallucinogenic properties can induce hallucinations, an altered sense of time, place, and reality, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. The effects typically begin within 30 to 45 minutes of consumption and can last up to 6 hours.

It is important to note that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms are highly variable and unpredictable. While some individuals may experience a mild "trip" characterised by drowsiness or relaxation, others may encounter intense paranoia, panic attacks, or fears of death. Additionally, there is a risk of poisoning if poisonous mushrooms are incorrectly identified and ingested. The dosage and potency of the mushrooms play a significant role in determining the intensity of the experience and the potential risks involved. Consuming a large dose of psilocybin mushrooms can lead to a longer and more intense "trip", psychosis, and, in rare cases, death.

Psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic chemical found in certain types of mushrooms. Psilocybin is biologically inactive on its own but is converted by the body into psilocin, its active metabolite, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with psilocybin mushroom ingestion.

Psilocybin is dephosphorylated into psilocin in the body, a process that occurs via the acidic environment of the stomach or through the actions of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and non-specific esterases in various tissues and bodily fluids. This conversion is rapid and extensive, with reports suggesting that psilocybin is converted to psilocin by 90% to 97%.

Psilocin is chemically related to serotonin, a neurotransmitter, and acts as a non-selective agonist of serotonin receptors in the brain. The serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, in particular, is dose-dependently occupied by psilocin, and this interaction is believed to mediate the psychoactive effects of psilocybin.

The conversion of psilocybin to psilocin can be influenced by certain factors. For instance, the competitive phosphatase inhibitor β-glycerolphosphate significantly inhibits psilocybin dephosphorylation, thereby reducing the behavioural effects of psilocybin in rodent studies.

In terms of detection and analysis, differentiating between psilocybin and psilocin can be challenging due to their chemical similarity. Early methods using gas chromatography involved high temperatures that caused psilocybin to spontaneously lose its phosphoryl group and transform into psilocin. More advanced techniques, such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), are now employed for accurate detection and discrimination between these two compounds.

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