Emily Johnson
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. Psilocybin is most commonly consumed in the form of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, such as Psilocybe species. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms, psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms come from the combination of psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, resulting in psilocin, which causes the psychedelic effects. The effects of psilocybin can include euphoria, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and spiritual experiences. The first psilocybin-producing mushrooms likely arose as a wood-decomposing group, then transitioned to the soil after the split, with some species such as Psilocybe cubensis transiting to growing on herbivore dung.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How is Psilocybin Produced by Mushrooms? | Believed to have first been synthesized in mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe, with four to five possible horizontal gene transfers to other mushrooms from 40 up to 9 million years ago. |
| How is Psilocybin Consumed? | Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be used in whole form, for example, consumption of dried or fresh mushrooms, or may be turned into extracts or food products such as mushroom tea, chocolate bars, or gummies. |
| Effects of Psilocybin | Hallucinogenic, psychedelic, and serotonergic effects. Effects include euphoria, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and spiritual experiences. |
| Adverse Reactions | Nausea, panic attacks, and vomiting. |
| Legality | Federally banned substance. |
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What You'll Learn
- Psilocybin is converted into psilocin to produce psychoactive effects
- The effects of psilocybin include hallucinations, euphoria, and a distorted sense of time
- It can be consumed in the whole mushroom form, or turned into extracts or food products
- Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid found in over 200 species of mushrooms
- The first psilocybin-producing mushrooms likely arose as a wood-decomposing group
Psilocybin is converted into psilocin to produce psychoactive effects
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions.
The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation. The resulting compound is called psilocin, which is responsible for the psychoactive and psychedelic effects. Psilocybin is a prodrug of psilocin, meaning the compound itself is biologically inactive but quickly converted by the body to psilocin. Psilocybin is metabolized in the intestines, liver, kidneys, blood, and other tissues and bodily fluids. There is significant first-pass metabolism of psilocybin and psilocin with oral administration. No psilocybin has been detected in the blood in humans after oral administration, suggesting virtually complete dephosphorylation into psilocin with the first pass. It is also said to be converted 90% to 97% into psilocin.
Psilocybin and psilocin create short-term increases in tolerance in users, making it difficult to misuse them because the more often they are taken within a short period, the weaker the resultant effects are. The psychedelic effects appear around 20 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours. Physical effects may occur, including nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. As with many psychedelic substances, the effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users.
The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly between and within the same species. Psilocybin content is typically around 0.5% to 1% of the dried weight of the mushroom, with a range of 0.03% to 1.78%. Psilocybin levels appear to be highest in P. cyanescens and/or P. azurescens. Recreational doses of psilocybin mushrooms are typically between 1.0 and 3.5–5.0 g of dry mushrooms and 10 to 50 g of fresh mushrooms.
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The effects of psilocybin include hallucinations, euphoria, and a distorted sense of time
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. It is the key ingredient in magic mushrooms and is converted in the body to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, resulting in the compound psilocin.
Psilocybin can induce a euphoric state, sometimes referred to as a mystical experience, where individuals may have visions or relive memories. They may feel a sense of oneness with the universe, a concept termed "oceanic self-boundlessness" by researchers. This experience can evoke intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror.
The effects of psilocybin vary among individuals and can be influenced by factors such as dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The effects typically last from three to eight hours, with noticeable changes in perception occurring within 30 minutes to two hours after ingestion.
While psilocybin has shown potential in treating mental health disorders, it is important to approach its use with caution. Some individuals may experience adverse reactions such as nausea, panic attacks, or mood fluctuations. Additionally, the impairment in thinking clearly and awareness of physical surroundings may lead to risky behaviours.
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It can be consumed in the whole mushroom form, or turned into extracts or food products
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are consumed for their psychedelic effects. The primary ingredient in these mushrooms is the compound psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin to produce psychoactive effects. Psilocybin is a prodrug of psilocin, meaning the compound itself is biologically inactive but is quickly converted by the body into psilocin. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, and the resulting compound, psilocin, is responsible for the psychedelic effects.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be used in whole form, for example, the consumption of dried or fresh mushrooms, or they may be turned into extracts or food products. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly between and within the same species. Psilocybin content is typically around 0.5% to 1% of the dried weight of the mushroom, with a range of 0.03% to 1.78%. Psilocin is also often present in the mushrooms, with a range of 0% to 0.59%.
People generally consume psilocybin mushrooms in dried form. Due to their strong flavour, some prefer to grind their mushrooms and consume capsules, while others may brew a tea or make an edible. Each method of preparation and consumption creates slightly different effects and has varying onset timelines. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. However, the effects can seem to last much longer due to psilocybin's ability to alter time perception.
The mind-altering effects of psilocybin typically last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The first 3–4 hours after ingestion are typically referred to as the 'peak', during which the user experiences more vivid visuals and distortions in reality. Noticeable changes to the auditory, visual, and tactile senses may become apparent around 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion, although effects may take up to two hours to take place.
Psilocybin can be consumed orally, and in rare cases, people have intravenously injected mushroom extracts, but this has led to serious medical complications. Another form of psilocybin is mushroom edibles such as chocolate bars and gummies, which may be purchased at psychedelic mushroom stores.
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Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid found in over 200 species of mushrooms
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for religious, spiritual, and recreational purposes. They are typically consumed fresh, dried, or brewed into tea, with the dosage depending on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which varies between species. The most potent species belong to the genus Psilocybe, particularly P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been identified in several other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, and Pluteus.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can include euphoria, nausea, visual and auditory hallucinations, and emotional changes. These effects typically last from three to eight hours, with the first 3-4 hours considered the 'peak' of the experience. Psilocybin creates short-term increases in tolerance, making it difficult to misuse or overdose on psilocybin mushrooms. Additionally, psilocybin mushrooms have not been found to cause physical or psychological dependence.
The presence of psilocybin in mushrooms can be identified through chemical tests such as the Marquis test and the Mandelin reagent test. Psilocybin has also been produced synthetically using genetically modified Escherichia coli and GM yeast. Despite its potential benefits, psilocybin is a federally banned substance due to its psychoactive properties, and its legal status has been the subject of ongoing discussions and changes.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a diverse geographical distribution, with the majority of species found in subtropical humid forests. Mexico has the highest number of species (53), followed by the United States and Canada (22), Europe (16), Asia (15), Africa (4), and Australia and associated islands (19). The discovery of ancient rock art and artefacts suggests that psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of ritual and ceremonial use in Mesoamerican cultures, including the Mayans and Aztecs.
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The first psilocybin-producing mushrooms likely arose as a wood-decomposing group
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. The principal component of magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin to produce psychoactive effects.
The molecular structure of psilocybin mimics serotonin and binds tightly to serotonin receptors, especially at 5-HT2A, a famous receptor onto which many psychedelic drugs bind. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, resulting in the compound psilocin, responsible for the psychedelic effects.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be used in whole form, such as consuming dried or fresh mushrooms, or may be turned into extracts or food products. Psilocybin produces a variety of psychological, perceptual, interpersonal, and physical effects. The mind-altering effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid and investigational drug found in more than 200 species of mushrooms. It is a prodrug of psilocin, the compound that causes psychoactive effects.
Psilocybin is believed to have first been synthesized by mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe. The evolution of psilocybin production in mushrooms is a result of four to five possible horizontal gene transfers that occurred 40 to 9 million years ago.
Psilocybin is converted into psilocin by the liver through a process called dephosphorylation. Psilocin is a chemical that acts on serotonin receptors in the brain, causing psychoactive effects such as hallucinations, euphoria, and altered perception of time and space.
Psilocybin mushrooms can cause adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, panic attacks, and flashbacks. However, they are not known to cause physical or psychological dependence.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms can be consumed fresh, dried, or brewed into a tea. Synthetic psilocybin is also available in the form of tablets, capsules, or dissolved in water. Additionally, psilocybin can be found in edible products such as chocolate bars and gummies.
