John Miller
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, contain the compounds psilocybin and psilocin, which are responsible for their psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which is the compound that causes the psychedelic effects. In addition to these two compounds, magic mushrooms may also contain norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin, which can modify the effects of the mushrooms. Mushrooms are also known to have medicinal properties and are considered a new-generation food with a high content of biologically active compounds, including polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, terpenoids, polyphenols, vitamins, and mineral elements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, hallucinogenic mushrooms, psychoactive fungi, psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, norpsilocin, aeruginascin, β-carbolines (e.g. harmine, harmane, tetrahydroharmine, harmaline) |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, perceptual changes, euphoria, nausea, panic attacks, heightened emotions and senses, distorted sense of time, spiritual experiences, flashbacks, increased creativity, giggling, mental clarity, adverse reactions (e.g. nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, lack of coordination) |
| Forms | Fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, dried, extracts, food products, capsules, powder, tablets |
| Dosage | Recreational doses: 1.0-3.5 to 5.0 g of dry mushrooms, 10-50 g of fresh mushrooms; Common species (P. cubensis) dose: 1.0-2.5 g; Strong dose: 2.5-5.0 g dried mushroom; Heavy/heroic dose: >5.0 g dried mushroom; Subthreshold/microdose: <2.5 mg; Low dose: 5-10 mg; Intermediate/good effect dose: 20 mg; High/ego-dissolution dose: 30-40 mg |
| Safety | Not physically or psychologically addictive, but can cause short-term mental and physical effects; No approved therapeutic products; Research ongoing for potential therapeutic benefits for mental health disorders |
| Legality | Controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances; Illegal in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and Food and Drugs Act (FDA) without authorization; Legality varies across Europe |
| Types | Over 200 species, including P. cubensis, P. subcubensis, P. semilanceata, golden tops, blue meanies, liberty caps |
| Identification | Dark-spored, gilled mushrooms that grow in subtropical and tropical woods and meadows, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris; May bruise blue when handled or damaged due to the oxidation of phenolic compounds, but this is not a definitive identification method |
| Medicinal mushrooms | Lion's Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Turkey Tail; Contain biologically active compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, terpenoids, polyphenols, vitamins, and mineral elements; Potential therapeutic effects: anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic compounds, including psilocybin and psilocin
Psilocybin, also known as 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-PO-DMT), is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid found in more than 200 species of mushrooms. It is the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, which are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. Psilocybin is a prodrug of psilocin, meaning that it is biologically inactive until it is converted by the body into psilocin. This conversion occurs through a process called dephosphorylation, which is mediated by phosphatase enzymes.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be consumed in various forms, including fresh, cooked, dried, or brewed into a tea. Recreational doses typically range from 1.0 to 3.5–5.0 g of dried mushrooms and 10 to 50 g of fresh mushrooms. Psilocybin is also available in extract form or as food products such as edibles. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are subjective and can vary among individuals, but they generally include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, a distorted sense of time, and changes in emotions and sense of self.
Psilocin, also known as 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-HO-DMT), is the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of magic mushrooms. It is a tryptamine derivative that is structurally similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Psilocin is derived from its precursor, psilocybin, through dephosphorylation. When psilocybin is ingested, it is rapidly broken down by the liver into psilocin, which then acts as a serotonin receptor agonist.
Psilocin can also be used on its own, either in the form of psilocybin-containing mushrooms or in synthetic form. It is typically taken orally or intravenously, with a human dosage of 10 to 20 mg. The effects of psilocin include tachycardia, dilated pupils, restlessness or arousal, euphoria, and visual distortions. Psilocin is relatively unstable in solution due to its phenolic hydroxy group and readily forms degradation products in the presence of oxygen.
Both psilocybin and psilocin are controlled substances in many countries and are listed as Schedule I controlled psychoactive substances under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971). Despite their hallucinogenic effects and potential for misuse, these compounds have gained therapeutic relevance, and there is no known physical or psychological dependence associated with their use.
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β-carbolines, such as harmine, harmane, and harmaline
Β-carbolines, including harmine, harmane, and harmaline, are compounds found in certain mushrooms, such as Psilocybe, Cyclocybe, and Hygrophorus. These compounds are of particular interest due to their ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme responsible for breaking down tryptamine alkaloids. β-carbolines in psilocybin mushrooms can influence the metabolism of psilocybin and other substances, thereby enhancing their effects.
Harmine, also known as banisterine or telepathine, is a naturally occurring β-carboline alkaloid. It is structurally related to harmaline and is found in the vine Banisteriopsis caapi, as well as in Peganum harmala (Syrian rue). Harmine has been studied for its potential medicinal properties, including its use as an antiparkinsonian medication in the past. It is also a useful fluorescent pH indicator, with its fluorescence decreasing as the pH of its environment increases.
Harmane, also known as norharmane, is another β-carboline compound found in Psilocybe mushrooms. While its specific effects and properties may differ from those of harmine and harmaline, it contributes to the overall impact of psilocybin mushrooms when consumed.
Harmaline, a fluorescent indole alkaloid, is structurally derived from harmine and is also classified as a β-carboline. It is found in plants such as Peganum harmala and Banisteriopsis caapi, the key ingredient in the ayahuasca brew. Harmaline is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA), which means it can help prevent the breakdown of monoamine compounds like serotonin and norepinephrine. This property is essential for inducing a psychedelic experience when ayahuasca is orally ingested.
These β-carbolines, harmine, harmane, and harmaline, have been reported to possess hallucinogenic effects, with harmaline being particularly potent. They are also known to have other physiological and psychological effects on the human body, contributing to the overall experience associated with the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Baeocystin and norbaeocystin, which are less active
Baeocystin is one of the components in magic mushrooms. It has been reported to be active as a psychedelic in humans, with mild hallucinogenic effects. However, the importance of baeocystin in the overall effects of magic mushrooms is not well understood and often overlooked. It is being evaluated for the possible treatment of pervasive developmental disorders like autism in children.
Mycologist Paul Stamets has reported that he tried 10mg of pure baeocystin and it did not produce hallucinogenic effects but did produce pupil dilation and apparent anxiolysis. In contrast, mycologist Jochen Gartz reported that 4mg of the pure drug caused a "threshold" or "gentle hallucinogenic experience" with mild hallucinations for three hours. He also stated that 10mg of baeocystin was found to be about as psychoactive as a similar amount of psilocybin.
Norbaeocystin is a naturally occurring compound in several species of psychedelic mushrooms. It is a tryptamine derivative, with a chemical structure that is an indole consisting of a benzene ring and a pyrrole ring. It is an analog of psilocybin due to the similarities between the compounds. However, there is no evidence that it exhibits psychoactive effects. Norbaeocystin may not be psychoactive, but it may contribute to the effects of psychedelic mushrooms by amplifying the effects of psilocybin. It has also been found to have benefits for the gut microbiome, increasing the diversity of organisms inside it.
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Medicinal mushrooms with anti-cancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects
Mushrooms have been used for their health-promoting effects in traditional medical systems in China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries. Medicinal mushrooms, also known as mycomedicinals, have been studied for their potential medicinal properties, including anti-cancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects.
Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, have been used as an immunostimulant by patients with AIDS and cancer. They contain beta-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenes, which have been shown to have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. Reishi has also been found to increase plasma antioxidant capacity and enhance both immune and tumor response in cancer patients.
Lions mane, or Hericium erinaceus, is another mushroom that has gained attention for its anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects. Studies have shown that extracts of this mushroom can significantly reduce tumor weights and increase natural killer cells and tumor necrosis factors.
Other mushrooms with potential medicinal properties include Schizophyllum commune, also known as split-gill mushroom, which has been studied for its immunomodulatory and anti-neoplastic effects, and P. linteus, which has been evaluated for its potential anti-cancer and immunomodulatory effects.
Mycomedicinals are best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach, and the typical dose varies from 800 mg to 3,000 mg of the active polysaccharide per day. While they rarely cause side effects, caution should be exercised in patients with certain conditions or those taking immunosuppressants due to their effects on immune modulation.
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Psychoactive effects and safety considerations
Psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, are naturally occurring and 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, emotions, and perception. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin to produce psychoactive effects. Other compounds that may be present include norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin, which can modify the effects of magic mushrooms.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically begin within 15-45 minutes of ingestion and can last for approximately four to six hours. The duration of effects may vary depending on the method of consumption, with shorter onset times for soup or tea compared to eating fresh or cooked mushrooms. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and may include heightened emotions, senses, creativity, and a sense of mental clarity. They can also induce hallucinations and distort one's sense of reality, mixing up the senses.
It is important to note that the strength of magic mushrooms can vary significantly, and a bad trip may occur, especially at high doses. A bad trip may involve frightening experiences, paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Additionally, some individuals may experience flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences, which can be disturbing. The likelihood of a bad trip may be influenced by one's mood, expectations, and environment.
From a toxicological perspective, it is challenging to overdose on psilocybin mushrooms due to their primary toxin compounds. However, elevated levels of psilocin can overstimulate the 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, leading to acute serotonin syndrome. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious when consuming magic mushrooms, as the consumption of a large amount or a strong batch can result in adverse effects.
While there is little evidence of physical or psychological dependence on magic mushrooms, regular use can lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects. Additionally, there are potential mild psychological withdrawal effects, such as fatigue. It is recommended that the elderly, children, pregnant or lactating individuals, and those taking medications or herbs exercise caution or avoid excessive consumption of mushrooms due to potential interactions or unknown effects.
The safety and efficacy of psilocybin-containing products have not been fully evaluated by health authorities, and ongoing research is exploring its potential therapeutic benefits in treating various mental health disorders. It is important to follow local regulations regarding the use, possession, and sale of magic mushrooms, as their legal status varies across jurisdictions.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin and psilocin are the primary compounds found in magic mushrooms. Other compounds include baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid and investigational drug found in over 200 species of mushrooms. Psilocybin is converted into psilocin in the body, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects.
The effects of these compounds include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, euphoria, changes in perception, and a distorted sense of time.
Yes, it is possible to experience a "'bad trip'", which may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. There is also a risk of overdose, although it is rare.
Yes, medicinal mushrooms such as Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Chaga contain biologically active compounds with potential anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects.
