John Miller
Psilocybin, the primary component in magic mushrooms, is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic chemical that produces a variety of psychological, perceptual, interpersonal, and physical effects in humans. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin by the liver, resulting in psychoactive effects. While the exact benefits of psilocybin-producing gene clusters in mushrooms are unknown, one theory suggests that the altered mental state it induces may act as a direct deterrent to predation. The evolutionary history of psilocybin-producing mushrooms and its potential therapeutic benefits continue to be an area of ongoing research.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for mushrooms producing psilocybin | The psilocybin-producing gene clusters likely have some benefit, but no one knows what it is. Some have proposed that psilocybin's ability to alter mental states might be a direct deterrent to predation. It’s also possible that psilocybin functions as a laxative or induces vomiting to spread spores before they are fully digested. |
| Psilocybin-containing mushrooms | Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina |
| Psilocybin's effects | Euphoria, sensory distortion, visual and auditory hallucinations, disorientation, lethargy, giddiness, joy, and depression. |
| Recreational doses of psilocybin mushrooms | 1.0 to 3.5–5.0 g of dry mushrooms and 10 to 50 g of fresh mushrooms. |
| Microdoses | 0.1 to 0.3 g of dry mushrooms, taken up to three times per week. |
| Low doses | 5 to 10 mg |
| Intermediate doses | 20 mg |
| High doses | 30 to 40 mg |
| Time taken for effects to kick in | 30 minutes when eaten, 5–10 minutes when taken as tea or soup |
| Duration of effects | 4 to 6 hours |
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What You'll Learn
The evolutionary history of psilocybin in mushrooms
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a secondary metabolite in certain mushroom-forming and other fungal species. It has hallucinogenic effects on humans and other animals. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. They are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion.
The ecological shift from wood-decomposing to soil-dwelling and eventually to growing on herbivore dung, such as cattle dung, occurred at least twice independently in the evolutionary history of Psilocybe cubensis. The molecular structure of psilocybin mimics serotonin and binds strongly to serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2A, which is known for its affinity for psychedelic drugs. This binding can cause unnatural and altered behaviours in mammals, insects, and arachnids. Some researchers propose that this altered mental state may act as a deterrent to predation.
Psilocybin has been used by humans for medicinal and spiritual purposes for thousands of years. It has been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and was also represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. Recent research has focused on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin-assisted therapies for treating various psychological disorders and treatment-resistant mental health conditions.
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The chemical process of psilocybin conversion to psilocin
Psilocybin is a prodrug of psilocin, meaning that it is biologically inactive until it is converted into psilocin by the body. This conversion is mediated by phosphatase enzymes, specifically alkaline phosphatase, through a process called dephosphorylation. The precise mechanism of this biosynthesis is debated, but it is believed to involve a series of chemical modifications, including decarboxylation, N-methylation, 4-hydroxylation, and phosphorylation of the 4-hydroxyindole moiety.
Psilocybin is one of the two main hallucinogenic compounds found in "magic mushrooms," and it is classified as a Class I Psychoactive Substance due to its psychoactive properties. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted into psilocin, which is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects. This conversion process is not instantaneous and complete, and it may require a 40% conversion rate to fit the observed data. The alkaline phosphatase enzyme in the blood may not be sufficient to achieve 100% conversion.
Psilocin is chemically related to the neurotransmitter serotonin and acts as a non-selective agonist of the serotonin receptors. The activation of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor is specifically responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of psilocin and other serotonergic psychedelics. Psilocin is further metabolized, with psilocin-O-glucuronide being the main urinary metabolite with clinical and forensic relevance in diagnosis.
The detection and analysis of psilocybin and psilocin have been the subject of various studies. Traditional methods of analysis, such as gas chromatography, can be challenging due to the high temperature required, which causes the psilocybin sample to spontaneously lose its phosphoryl group and become psilocin. More advanced techniques, such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), are widely used in forensic toxicology due to their high sensitivity and ability to separate compounds in complex biological mixtures. Other methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with chemiluminescence detection and electrospray ionization, have also been employed to improve detection sensitivity for these compounds.
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The psychological and physical effects of psilocybin
Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, produces a wide range of psychological, perceptual, interpersonal, and physical effects. The psychological effects of psilocybin can vary between individuals, influenced by factors such as mental state, personality, and immediate environment. The most commonly reported psychological effects include euphoria, sensory distortion, hallucinations, and altered thinking, sense of time, and emotions. Some users also experience negative psychological effects such as anxiety, paranoia, fear, and, in rare cases, short-term psychosis.
The intensity and duration of psilocybin's psychological effects depend on the dosage and method of ingestion. Oral ingestion typically leads to onset within 30 to 50 minutes, with peak psychoactive effects occurring within 60 to 130 minutes. The duration of action is usually between 4 and 6 hours, but the effects can last longer in some individuals. Higher doses are associated with an increased risk of negative experiences, and pre-existing mental health conditions may also elevate this risk.
Psilocybin has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Clinical trials have found that single doses, combined with psychological support, can produce rapid and long-lasting antidepressant effects, even in cases of treatment-resistant depression. However, it is important to note that psilocybin is a controlled substance, and its use may carry risks, especially for individuals with certain medical conditions or a history of mental health issues.
In terms of physical effects, psilocybin does not appear to cause physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms are typically mild or absent. The most common physical side effects include headache, high blood pressure, and nausea. However, psilocybin may increase the risk of cardiac arrest and death in individuals with heart disease, and it could exacerbate diarrhoea in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While psilocybin is not considered addictive, regular use may lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs like LSD and mescaline has been observed.
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The legal status and cultural usage of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which causes hallucinations and other psychedelic effects. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for recreational, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.
Cultural Usage
Psilocybin mushrooms have been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but their use is more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. In Mexico, a statuette dating from 200 CE depicts a mushroom resembling Psilocybe mexicana, and the Aztecs knew these mushrooms as "divine mushrooms" or "genius mushrooms". Psilocybe cubensis, another species of psilocybin mushroom, grows naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle.
Today, psilocybin mushrooms are commonly used as recreational drugs, with microdosing becoming a popular technique to achieve a less intense experience. However, they also continue to be used in Indigenous American and Mexican cultures in religious, spiritual, and divinatory contexts. Terence McKenna, an ethnobiologist, has documented the worldwide practices of psilocybin mushroom usage, suggesting that they enhance self-awareness and a sense of connection with nature.
Legal Status
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which requires its members to prohibit their use except for medical and scientific research under controlled conditions. However, due to pressure from the Mexican government, the mushrooms themselves were not specifically included in the convention. As a result, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms is ambiguous in many countries, with some jurisdictions criminalizing their possession and use while others, like Oregon and Colorado in the US, have decriminalized and even legalized their use for therapeutic purposes. In some places, there is an active underground economy involved in the sale of psilocybin mushroom spores and cultivation materials.
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Methods of cultivating and ingesting psilocybin mushrooms
Methods of Cultivating Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are illegal in many places due to their psychoactive properties. However, in some places, they are decriminalized or legalized for therapeutic use under professional supervision. If you live in an area where cultivating psilocybin mushrooms is permitted, here are the general steps to follow:
- Strain Selection: Choose a strain that is suitable for your growing environment and desired yield. Some popular strains include Penis Envy Mushrooms, Mexican Mushrooms (Psilocybe mexicana), and McKennaii.
- Substrate Preparation: Prepare the substrate, which is the food source for mushroom mycelium. Common substrates include logs, stumps, wood chips, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, and grain hulls. Ensure the substrate is clean, has optimal moisture content, and is free of contaminants.
- Inoculation: This step involves introducing the mushroom spores to the substrate. Sterilize all equipment, containers, and work surfaces to prevent contamination by competing molds or fungi.
- Incubation: Maintain optimal temperature and humidity conditions for the mushrooms to grow.
- Initiation: This is the stage where the mushrooms begin to develop.
- Fruiting: The mushrooms will start to form and grow during this stage.
- Harvest: Keep a close eye on your mushrooms during this stage as they can quickly mature and pass their optimal harvest window. Gently twist and pull the mushrooms from the substrate when they are ready.
Methods of Ingesting Psilocybin Mushrooms
The experience of consuming psilocybin mushrooms can vary depending on the method of ingestion, dosage, metabolism, and whether they are consumed on an empty stomach or not. Here are some common methods of ingesting psilocybin mushrooms:
- Fresh or Cooked Mushrooms: Eating psilocybin mushrooms fresh or cooked is a common method of ingestion. However, consuming them on an empty stomach can lead to a more intense and faster-acting experience, which may be uncomfortable for some individuals.
- Mushroom Tea: Brewing psilocybin mushrooms into a tea is a popular method as it improves the taste and bypasses the need to ingest chitin, a compound in mushroom cell walls. Tea also leads to a faster onset of effects, usually within 5–10 minutes.
- Lemon Tek: This method involves soaking the mushrooms in lemon juice or citric acid to convert psilocybin into psilocin before ingestion, resulting in a rapid and potent experience.
- Powder or Capsules: Grinding the mushrooms into a powder or encapsulating them can increase the surface area for absorption, leading to a faster onset of effects.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact reason why mushrooms produce psilocybin is unknown, but it is speculated that the psilocybin-producing gene clusters have some benefit. The molecular structure of psilocybin mimics serotonin and binds to serotonin receptors, which can cause altered behaviours in mammals, insects, and arachnids. This altered mental state could be a direct deterrent to predation.
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain mushrooms and is ingested in several ways, including consuming fresh or dried mushrooms, brewing it into tea, or combining it with food. It can cause a range of psychological, perceptual, interpersonal, and physical effects, including euphoria, hallucinations, disorientation, and lethargy.
Psilocybin mushrooms can cause disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic. While it is not considered addictive, regular use can lead to increased tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and mescaline. Accidental ingestion of poisonous mushrooms that resemble psilocybin mushrooms can also result in severe gastrointestinal illness or even death.
