Psilocybin nature

Levine, "WiG. 1967, Formation of blue oxidation product from psilocybin Nature 215 1292-1293. 

Levine, W.G. Formation of Blue Oxidation Product from Psilocybin. Nature 215, 1292 (1967). 

DMT is perhaps the most powerful hallucinogen known to man. It is related to LSD and psilocybin. There are no drug tests that would show DMT usage. None of the basic NIDA-5 drug tests or any extended drug test will show a result for DMT. DMT is naturally formed in the body and has been found in abnormal levels in the body fluids of persons suffering from schizophrenia. DMT is almost never sold through dealers, rarely synthesized, and seldom used. It is, however, easily extracted from common plant materials and has been used in various forms for hundreds of years (timeline.) DMT is not a... 

The natural prototype for the phenylalkylamines is mescaline (Structure 1), isolated from the peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii) by Heffter in 1896 (100) and subsequently obtained synthetically by Spath in 1919 (218). Used for many centuries in the form of peyote by Indians in Mexico and the American Southwest (3), it is often referred to as one of the classic hallucinogens, along with psilocybin, psilocin, and LSD. Little structure-activity work was directed toward mescaline or its congeners until 1955, when Peretz et al. (174) reported that a-methyl mescaline (TMA) (8), which represented a hybrid of the structure... 

There is quite a body of scientific literature that discusses the changes (increases and well as decreases) of psilocybin and psilocin content in mushrooms as a function of their nutrient diet. And, under the 4-HO-DET entry, I mentioned that the inclusion of an unnatural component into the diet just might produce an unnatural alkaloidal product, with an exploitation of the natural... 

Fig. 2. Representative hallucinogenic drugs which hear structural similarities to some of the monoamine transmitters. It has been hypothesized that these similarities may cause the hallucinogens 10 mimic natural transmitters at synaptic receptors in the brain. Note presence of benzene-ring structure in these substances, a structure that is present in four out of the live monoamines previously shown. Also note presence of indole ring in psilocybin and lyseigic acid diethylamide, a structure that is also present in the monoamines serotonin and histamine...

Psilocybin, a chemically similar naturally occurring molecule, is much less potent than LSD but likely shares aspects of its actions on serotonin neurons once the body converts it into psilocin. Our ancestors probably discovered its source, Psilocybe Mexicana, P. semilanceata, an P. cyanescens, by accident when foraging for edible mushrooms. One can only imagine how unexpected the experience must have been for the first person who inadvertently prepared one of these mushrooms for consumption, bringing new meaning to the phrase dinner and a show. ... 

The complex sensory experience known as hallucinations can, however, occur from other sources besides drugs like LSD or psilocybin, and this fact may shed some light on the nature of the hallucinatory experience, drug-induced or otherwise, and its connection to serotonin. Consider, for example, the following hypothetical scenario ... 

While psilocybin use slowed in the 1980s, its renewed popularity since the mid-1990s is causing concern. In 2002, Psilocybe mushrooms are becoming more common at raves, college campuses, and clubs in the United States and several other countries. Psilocybe mushrooms are advertised as a natural hallucinogen that is safer and gentler than LSD. 

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogen. It exerts neurotoxic effects similar to LSD and has a chemical structure similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin in the human brain. Psilocybin is found as an indole alkaloid (nitrogen-containing organic base) in the fungal (Protista) kingdom. Often it is accompanied by the related alkaloids, psilocin, baeocystin, and norbaeocystin. 

Mushrooms that contain psilocybin are of the genus Psilocybe and belong to the Basidiomycetes class. Over 90 Psilocybe species are psychoactive, and they grow naturally around the world. Psilocybin (phosphorylated 4-hydroxydimethyltryptamine) usually accounts for 0.03 to 1.3% of the total weight of the mushroom, though potency can vary greatly. 

A growing number of young people 18-25 years old are seeking a natural hallucinogenic experience by eating Psilocybe mushrooms. Some believe that if the whole plant is eaten, the naturally occurring psilocybin will produce a safe experience. 

Yes, psilocybin is just as natural as strychnine (used as rat poison and found naturally in the seed of the nux vomica tree) and cyanide (used as an insecticide and found naturally in the fruit seeds)—but just because it is natural doesn t mean it is safe. 

Injecting Psilocybe mushroom juice intravenously is not common but it is reported. Most psilocybin users are seeking a natural experience and use of needles is not considered natural. Intravenous injection is the fastest means of getting psilocybin to the brain. In less than 16 seconds, the psilocybin is mixed with the blood, taken to the lungs, returned to the heart, and delivered to the brain. As the natural barriers and buffers of the stomach, small intestine, and liver are bypassed, the chances of overdose and adverse side effects such as coma, convulsions, and kidney failure, are greatly increased. It is even more rare for users to inject psilocybin powder, as this drug is difficult to obtain on the street. Supposed psilocybin powder bought on the street is almost always LSD, PCP, or both. 

Archeological evidence of psilocybin liquid via enemas dates back to A.D. 1 and some tribes still practice this method today. In ancient times, a hollow bone or tube was inserted deep into the rectum. Then an animal bladder filled with the psilocybin liquid was attached to the end of the tube. The liquid was then squirted deep into the rectum and lower intestine. Because so many natural barriers are bypassed by this method, the user is at great risk for overdose, serious side effects, or death. 

Access to Psilocybe mushrooms is increasing. They grow naturally in the Gulf States and the Pacific Northwest. In other areas across the United States, the mushrooms are cultivated in laboratories or in homes with kits purchased over the Internet. Psilocybin mushrooms in the United States often sell for 2CM0 per one-eighth ounce. 

Some Psilocybe mushroom eaters, in an effort to avoid LSD and PCP tainted varieties sold on the street, try to pick their own mushrooms. In theory, this should be easy to do. Psilocybe (species containing psilocybin) mushrooms grow naturally around the world and in the United States particularly in the Pacific Northwest and southeastern states. Mushroom hunters often seek out cow pastures, riverbanks, pine forests, and wood chips in search of over 90 known species of Psilocybe mushrooms. The problem, though, is that it is very difficult to tell the difference between Psilocybe and other poisonous mushrooms. Psilocybe and poisonous look-alikes can grow side by side. 

It can be a short step from intrigue to panic. Psilocybin users can have bad trips where they may believe they are sinking into the floor or they are being suffocated or harmed by others. The primary effects of psilocybin last four to six hours. For an additional two to four hours many users find it difficult to sleep and continue to experience an altered reality. It is common within the next few days to experience mood swings. Also, due to the intense nature of the experience, it is common to have recurring thoughts or feelings for several days or weeks. 

Though psilocybin is known as a natural hallucinogen and has a reputation of being gentler than LSD, it is still known to cause panic attacks, bad trips, and to precipitate mental illness in some people. In 1998, a study at the Psychiatric University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, demonstrated that psilocybin produces a psychosis-like syndrome in healthy humans that is similar to early schizophrenia. The study showed that psilocybin-induced psychosis was due to serotonin-2A receptor activation and was not dependent on dopamine stimulation. 

U.S. Food Drag Administration Center for Food Safety Apphed Nutrition Foodbome Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook. Chapter 40. Psilocybin Poisoning. . 

Schedule 1 Ecstasy, China White, GHB, Heroin (synthetic and natural), Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), Marijuana, Mescaline, Peyote, Psilocin and Psilocybin (constituents of magic mushrooms)... 

These molecules cause significant changes in the perceptual system, producing sensory illusions and inducing a distortion of reality, the sense of space and time, to the point of hallucination. Natural, synthetic or semisynthetic substances can cause hallucinogenic effects psilocin, psilocybin, mescaline, and LSD. Hallucinogenic effects are also created by phencyclidine and ketamine, but these molecules have a dissociative character. 

---