Magic mushroom Psilocybe

Also known to be hallucinogenic are the indole derivatives psilocin and psilocybin found in the so-called magic mushrooms, Psilocybe species. Ingestion of these small fungi causes visual hallucinations with rapidly changing shapes and colours. Psilocybin is the phosphate of psilocin although based on 4-hydroxytryptamine, they also act on 5-HT receptors. 

Hallucinogenic mushroom magic mushroom psilocybe psilocybin psychedelic... 

Magic mushrooms belong to the genus Psilocybe, and include Psilocybe mexicana and hougshagenii, traditionally considered to be most important, and also Stropharia cubensis and Panaeolus sphinctrinus. These contain psilocybine and psilocine which mimic the action of serotonin. The Mazatec shaman, Maria Sabina, described the effects of the mushrooms as follows This is a world beyond ours, a world that is far away, nearby and invisible. And this is where God lives, where the dead live, the spirits and the saints, a world where... 

Psilocybin can be found in over 100 species of mushrooms in Mexico, Central America, and northwestern and southeastern parts of the United States. Some of the common mushroom varieties are Psilocybe mexicana, Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe azure-scens, and Psilocybe cyanescen. Street names include Alice, magic mushrooms, purple passion, sh rooms, and siUy putty. 

But nowhere in the legal archives of current drug statutes can you find mention of Genera such as Psilocybe, Stropharia, Paneolus or Inocybe. Nor of the dozens and dozens of species that stem from them. So, you would logically conclude that these magic mushroom are not illegal Well, yes and no. 

OFFICIAL NAMES Psilocybin, Psilocybe mushrooms STREET NAMES Magic mushrooms, shrooms, boomers, caps, cubes (Psilocybe cubensis), fungus, liberty caps, Mexican mushrooms, mushies, mushrooms, psychedelic mushrooms, psilocydes, purple passion, sillies, silly putty, simple Simon DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS Schedule I, hallucinogen... 

As abuse of these mushrooms increases worldwide, more data is available on the serious side effects. In a 2000 Swiss Toxicological Information Center (STIC) study, researchers examined 161 acute Psilocybe mushroom exposures in which people intentionally ate magic mushrooms. The median age of the person seeking medical attention was 20 years (range 14—56). According to the researchers, Reasons for hospitalization were marked hallucinations, hyperexcitability, panic attacks, coma, and convulsions. As good trips turn bad and euphoria turns to fear and panic, there is no antidote or antitoxin that can make it go away. Thirty-one percent of the people in this study experienced panic attacks severe enough to seek medical attention. 

Psilocybe mexicana (Teonanacatl, Mexican sacred mushroom), Psilocybe spp. (magic mushrooms)... 

Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a psychedelic indole, as is its active metabolite, psilocin. It is found in about 200 species of fungi, including those of the genus Psilocybe, such as Psilocybe semilanceata (the liberty cap) and Psilocybe cubensis (golden top or golden cap), also called magic mushrooms or simply shrooms (1). 

Two books on magic mushrooms are Teonandcatl Hallucinogenic Mushrooms of North America, edited by Jonathan Ott and Jeremy Bigwood (Seattle Madrona, 1978) and Psilocybe Mushrooms and Their Allies by Paul Stamets (Seattle Homestead Book Co., 1978). Terrence McKenna s Food of the Gods (New York Bantam, 1992) is an entertaining and articulate speculation on the influence of psilocybin on human evolution and the value of the psychedelic experience. 

This chapter will present a discussion of the chemistry of a particular type of psychoactive mushroom, of the genus Psilocybe, often known collectively as psilocybin mushrooms, and sometimes referred to as magic mushrooms. ... 

I grew up in southern Louisiana, where from March to October cow pastures blossomed with psilocybe mushrooms after every rain, especially in the spring and fall. One day, about thirty years ago, Marc, my best friend, and his older brother, John, and I decided to try the Magic Mushroom. I had never done them before, though I had dropped acid a few times. 

Cortinarius orellanus, C. orellanoides, C. speciosissimus, C. splendens Psilocybe semilanceata ("Magic mushrooms") Orellanine Late onset of acute renal failure (3-17 days), dialysis may be required Chronic renal failure in 30-45% of cases [87]... 

Psilocybe cubensis, or Stropharia cubensis, more commonly knojon as "magic mushrooms."... 

Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-iV,A -dimethyltryptamine) (9.31) and the parent alcohol, psilocin, were first isolated from the Mexican mushroom Psilocybe mexicana by Hofmann in 1959. Since then these hallucinogenic metabolites have been reported in more than 30 species of this genus and its relatives. The highest concentration (over 0.5% dry weight) of psilocybin has been detected in Conocybe cyanopus and Psilocybe semilanceata. The hallucinogenic properties of these organisms have led to their colloquial name as magic mushrooms . P. semilanceata, which is quite widespread in Europe, is sometimes known as the Liberty Cap. A biosynthetic sequence from tryptophan to psilocybin has been established. 

Figure 6. Psilocybin, the hallucinogen in Psilocybe ( magic ) mushrooms...

Most of the approximately 200 species of mushrooms containing psilocybin fall in the genus Psilocybe. Psilocybin and psUocin act as hallucinogens, their activity is similar to the activity of the known hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) as they also affect receptors of serotonine (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the central nervous system. For this reason, many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of the so-called magic mushrooms. 

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