Emma Wilson
Mushrooms that bruise blue are commonly referred to as magic mushrooms. They are fungi that produce the psychotropic compounds psilocybin and psilocin, which are known for their hallucinogenic and psychedelic effects. While the mechanism behind the blue coloration has puzzled scientists for decades, recent research has revealed that it is caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, specifically quinoid psilocyl oligomers. This phenomenon is not limited to psychoactive mushrooms, as some non-psychoactive strains also exhibit blue bruising. The intensity of the blue bruising is believed to be an indicator of potency in psilocybin mushrooms, with more potent varieties being more susceptible to bruising.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Magic mushrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe |
| Other names | Shrooms |
| Type | Fungi |
| Contains | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinogenic, Impaired judgment and coordination, Changes in perception, thought and mood, Altered states of consciousness, Intense emotional experiences |
| Use | Therapeutic use in treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction |
| Legality | Illegal in most countries, Legal in some US states for medicinal purposes |
| Blue colour | Caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily quinoid psilocyl oligomers |
| Bluing cause | Oxidation of compounds in the mushroom |
| Purpose of blue pigments | May serve a protective role, such as an on-demand repellent against predators |
| Similar mushrooms | Boletus Bicolor, Devil's Bolete, Bolete |
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What You'll Learn
- The blue colour is caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products
- Bluing is believed to influence the potency of psilocybin mushrooms
- The blue pigments may serve a protective role, acting as a repellent against predators
- The mechanism behind the blue colour of psychedelic mushrooms puzzled scientists for decades
- Not all magic mushrooms will experience bruising
The blue colour is caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products
Mushrooms of the genus Psilocybe, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", are known to produce the psychotropic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms often develop blue spots, or "bruises", when they are cut or damaged. This phenomenon, known as "bluing", has puzzled scientists for decades.
While it was previously established that the blue colour was caused by oxidised psilocybin, the exact nature of the pigment and the biochemical pathway producing it remained a mystery. However, recent research has revealed that the pigment is not just a single compound but a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products. Most of these compounds are quinoid psilocyl oligomers, which share structural similarities with indigo, a deep blue pigment used to dye jeans.
The blue colour is the result of a cascade reaction that begins with psilocybin. A phosphatase enzyme removes its phosphate group, converting it into psilocin. An oxidising laccase then creates psilocyl radicals, which combine to form C-5 coupled subunits and further polymerise via C-7. This reaction leads to the formation of the blue pigments.
The exact function of these blue pigments is still unknown. One hypothesis suggests that they may serve a protective role, acting as a repellent against predators. The compounds may produce reactive oxygen species, which could be toxic to insects that try to feed on the mushrooms.
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Bluing is believed to influence the potency of psilocybin mushrooms
Bluing is a natural process that occurs in psilocybin mushrooms, where they instantly develop a blue coloration when they are cut or bruised. While the exact reason for this remains a mystery, it is believed to be caused by the degradation of psilocybin and psilocin, the psychotropic compounds found in these mushrooms.
The blue colour is a result of oxidised psilocybin, which is produced by an enzyme present in some, but not all, psilocybin mushrooms. This enzyme is likely copper-based, and its presence is required for the mushroom to bruise blue. The oxidation of psilocybin leads to the formation of quinoid psilocyl oligomers, which are compounds similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment used to dye jeans.
The bluing of psilocybin mushrooms is believed to influence their potency, as the more bluish bruising a mushroom has, the more psilocin has degraded, resulting in a less active amount to produce psychedelic effects upon consumption. Therefore, when harvesting psilocybin mushrooms, it is recommended to be careful to avoid unnecessary bruising, as it can reduce the potency of the mushrooms.
However, it is important to note that not all psilocybin mushrooms bruise blue, and the absence of bluing does not necessarily indicate that the mushrooms are ineffective. Additionally, some non-psychoactive strains of mushrooms also develop blue bruising, although it is believed to be a result of a different reaction and different compounds.
While the exact purpose of the blue pigments is still unknown, one hypothesis suggests that they may serve a protective role against predators, as the compounds could produce reactive oxygen species that are toxic to insects. Further research and follow-up studies are needed to fully understand the ecological role of these molecules and their potential therapeutic benefits.
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The blue pigments may serve a protective role, acting as a repellent against predators
Mushrooms from the genus Psilocybe accumulate psilocybin, which makes them strongly hallucinogenic. Upon injury, these mushrooms instantly develop an intense blue colour, which has puzzled scientists for decades. The blue colour is caused by a two-step cascade reaction involving the enzymes PsiP and PsiL, which convert psilocybin into psilocin, which then undergoes oligomerization. The blue pigments may serve a protective role, acting as a repellent against predators.
While the exact function of the blue pigments remains unknown, one hypothesis is that they may produce reactive oxygen species that are toxic to insects that nibble on the mushrooms. This is supported by the fact that the presence of monomeric psilocybin in the fungus has been attributed to protection from mycophagous insects by interfering with their behaviour. The blue pigments may also serve as a warning signal to predators, indicating the presence of toxic or unpleasant compounds.
In addition to their protective role, the blue pigments in mushrooms may also have ecological significance. The intense blue colour may attract insects or other animals that help disperse the mushroom's spores, aiding in reproduction. The pigments may also have antimicrobial properties, protecting the mushroom from bacterial or fungal infections.
Furthermore, the blue pigments in mushrooms may have evolutionary advantages. The ability to produce blue pigments may be a heritable trait that increases the fitness of the mushroom, leading to its propagation in the environment. The blue colour may also provide camouflage or protection from UV radiation, enhancing the mushroom's survival.
While the protective role of the blue pigments in mushrooms is speculative, it highlights the potential ecological and evolutionary significance of these compounds. Further research is needed to understand the exact function and benefits of the blue pigments in mushrooms and how they contribute to the survival and propagation of these fungi.
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The mechanism behind the blue colour of psychedelic mushrooms puzzled scientists for decades
The mystery of the blue pigmentation of Psilocybe mushrooms has long been a subject of curiosity for researchers like Dirk Hoffmeister from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology in Germany. Through laboratory experiments, Hoffmeister and his team observed the blue discolouration of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms. They aimed to unravel the biochemical pathway and the nature of the pigment responsible for this reaction. Previous research had indicated that oxidised psilocybin caused the blue colour, but the underlying mechanism remained unclear.
The answer to this puzzle was finally revealed through the work of Claudius Lenz and colleagues. They discovered that the blue pigment was not a single compound but a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily composed of quinoid psilocyl oligomers. These compounds share structural similarities with indigo, a deep blue pigment used in denim dyeing. The team identified six mushroom pigments, all products of a cascade reaction initiated by psilocybin. This reaction involves the removal of a phosphate group by a phosphatase enzyme, resulting in the formation of psilocin. An oxidising laccase then creates psilocyl radicals, which combine to form C-5 coupled subunits that further polymerise.
While the chemical basis of the blue colour has been elucidated, the ecological role of these pigments remains a mystery. Hoffmeister hypothesises that the blue compounds may serve as a protective mechanism against predators, possibly producing toxic reactive oxygen species that repel insects. The discovery of the blue pigmentation mechanism in psychedelic mushrooms not only satisfies scientific curiosity but also sheds light on the potential medicinal uses of psilocybin. Despite its illegal status in many countries, psilocybin has gained recognition for its therapeutic potential in treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
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Not all magic mushrooms will experience bruising
It is a common misconception that all magic mushrooms will bruise blue. While it is true that many species of Psilocybe mushrooms will instantly develop a blue coloration when they are cut or bruised, not all magic mushrooms will experience this colour change. Several non-psychoactive strains of mushrooms also bruise blue, although the bluing reaction in these mushrooms is believed to be different, leading to different shades of blue and produced by different compounds than those found in psilocybin mushrooms.
The blue colour of magic mushrooms is caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, most of which are quinoid psilocyl oligomers. These compounds are similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment used to dye jeans. The presence of a metal compound, likely copper-based, is also believed to be partially responsible for causing the reaction. This compound is likely produced by an enzyme present in some, but not all, psilocybin mushrooms, which may explain why not all mushrooms containing psilocybin will bruise.
The mechanism underlying the 'bluing' phenomenon has puzzled scientists for decades. While it is well known that the compound psilocybin gives certain mushrooms hallucinogenic properties, it was unclear why this compound also made them turn blue when damaged. The blue pigments' ecological function remains a mystery, but one hypothesis is that they serve a protective role, acting as an on-demand repellent against predators. The pigments may produce reactive oxygen species, which are toxic to insects that nibble on the mushrooms.
The presence of blue bruises on magic mushrooms is believed to lower their potency, as psilocin must degrade and break down for the bruises to occur. This means that the more bluish bruising there is, the less active the compound is, resulting in reduced psychedelic effects upon consumption. However, this should not be confused with blackening, as heavy blue bruising can sometimes appear black. It is also important to note that bluing should not be confused with contamination, which can be determined using a Q-tip test. If the blue colour rubs onto the Q-tip, then the substrate is likely contaminated.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, or Psilocybe, are fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. They are hallucinogenic and can cause changes in perception, thought, and mood.
The blue colour is caused by a combination of linked psilocybin oxidation products, most of which are quinoid psilocyl oligomers. The oxidation of psilocybin creates psilocyl radicals, which combine to form C-5 coupled subunits and then further polymerise via C-7.
The blue bruising, or bluing, of magic mushrooms indicates the presence of psilocybin and/or psilocin, which are the compounds responsible for the mushrooms' psychedelic effects. More potent mushrooms are believed to develop blue bruising more easily.
