Psilocybin
Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a psychedelic alkaloid of the tryptamine family. It is present in many species of fungi, notably Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps). Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are commonly called magic mushrooms or simply "shrooms". Effects of psilocybin generally resemble a shorter LSD trip. Following standard nomenclature rules, the name is Psilocybine, but this is almost never used in practice.
| Table of contents |
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2 Effects 3 Chemistry 4 Psilocybin and medicine 5 Psilocybin and the law 6 External links |
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| Chemical Structure of Psilocybin |
- IUPAC names: 4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-1H-indol-4-ol
- Chemical substance classes: Tryptamines, Indolamines (Indolalkaloides)
- Formula: C12H17N2O
Effects
Experimentation with psychedelics should be done with a lot of information and significant discretion.Effects begin 20-45 minutes after ingestion and last from 2-6 hours (depending on dose, species, and individual metabolism). Effects may start earlier if the mushrooms are chewed and held in the mouth. At low doses, hallucinatory effects occur, including walls that seem to breathe, a vivid enhancement of colors and the animation of organic shapes. At higher doses, experiences tend to be less social and more entheogenic, often catalyzing intense spiritual experiences.
The effects are often pleasant, even ecstatic, including a deep sense of connection to others, and a general feeling of connection to nature and the universe. However, as with all psychedelic chemicals, not all experiences are positive. This is especially true when they are taken with other drugs, in huge doses, during times of mental instability, or by people with psychoemotional problems. In such situations, "bad trips" are much more likely to occur. Anxiety, frightening hallucinations, confronting (symbolically or literally) past or deep-seated internal conflicts, and feelings of permanent disconnection from reality and the Self can be quite intense and cause panic. The possibility of such experiences can be mitigated by being cognizant of one's "set and setting." A very small number of people are unusually sensitive to psilocybin's effects, where doses as little as 0.25 grams (normally a very small dose) can result in effects usually associated with medium and high doses.
Psilocybin is probably metabolized mostly in the liver, but is also broken down by the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). MAOIs can roughly double the potency of psilocybin — people who are taking an MAOI for a medical condition (or are seeking to potentiate the mushroom experience) must be careful.
Mental and physical tolerance to psilocybin builds and dissipates quickly. Taking psilocybin more than three or four times in a week (especially two days in a row) can result in diminished effects and a less enjoyable experience. Tolerance dissipates after a few days; keep doses spaced 5-7 days apart to avoid the effect.
The exact method of action of psilocybin and psilocin is still a mystery, but their primary effect seems to be the inhibition of serotonin by mimicking its effects (in other words, a 5-HT2A post-synaptic agonist). This is the same hypothesis as for LSD-25's action. It's interesting to note that LSD and psilocybin show cross-tolerance — after taking one of these substances, the brain quickly builds tolerance to it, and taking another dose of either soon afterward will require more than usual to achieve the desired effects.
In the US, an FDA-approved study began in 2001 to study the effects of psilocybin on patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Informal, anecdotal reports suggest some efficacy in ameliorating cluster headaches. Users require only very low doses to achieve this effect. However, there have not yet been any medical trials to study this effect.
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Chemistry
Psilocybin is distributed fairly evenly throughout the entire fungus (with the exception of the spores which are completely free of psilocybin and psilocin), but the total potency can vary greatly between species and even between batches of the same species. There should be no drastic difference in potency between stems and caps from the same batch. Younger, smaller mushrooms are relatively higher in alkaloids and have a milder taste than larger, mature mushrooms. Mature mycelium contains some psilocybin, though one generally does not eat or otherwise process it. Young mycelium (recently germinated from spores) does not contain appreciable amounts of psilocybin.Psilocybin and medicine
Psilocybin has been studied as a treatment to several disorders. Psilocybin and the law
Spores of Psilocybe mushrooms can be legally purchased from several mail order sources; however cultivation and consumption of the mushrooms are illegal in many jurisdictions.External links
Tryptamines
{Alpha-ethyltryptamine}
{Alphamethyltryptamine}
{Bufotenine}
{Diethyltryptamine}
{Diisopropyltryptamine}
{Dimethyltryptamine}
{Dipropyltryptamine}
{Melatonin}
{5-MeO-AMT}
{5-MeO-DMT}
{N-ethyltryptamine}
{Psilocin}
{Psilocybin}
{Serotonin}
{Tryptamine}