Psilocybin/psilocin

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... 

Hallucinogens LSD (lysergide) Psilocybin, psilocin DMT, mescaline DOM, STP + Distortion of perception, mood, and thought -H-M- Neurotoxicity Flashbacks Toxic psychosis... 

The hallucinogens generally fall into two chemical classes. The indole alkylamines include LSD, psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and diethyltrypta-mine (DET), all of which are structurally similar to serotonin. The other chemical subclass of hallucinogens contains phenylethylamine derivatives such as mescaline, MDMA, MDA, and DOM (dimethoxymethyl amphetamine). A related stimulatory hallucinogen, PCP, is a piperidine analogue that produces unique effects. 

This mushroom contains psilocybin, psilocin and at least four analogues. It blues markedly when bruised and is less stable than Liberty Caps. It isn t... 

The psychoactive compounds in psilocybian mushrooms are psilocybin, psilocin and their N-de and N-di-demethylated analogues. Workers at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals and elsewhere have synthesized many related compounds. But only two have been tested in humans (these were lab-coded "CZ-74 and "CY-19 ). 

The amount of time required to produce somatic sensations from psilocybin, psilocin or psilocybian mushrooms varies with the mode of ingestion. If a high dose of mushrooms is chewed well and kept for some time in the mouth, effects may be perceived within seven to eight minutes. Psilocybin or psilocin placed under the tongue—or moderate amounts of the mushrooms retained for a while in the mouth—produces initial sensations within about fifteen to twenty minutes. If the mushrooms are immediately swallowed, however, only about half of the potentiating chemicals are absorbed by the stomach wall, and it then takes thirty to forty-five minutes (sometimes a full hour) before they cross the blood-brain barrier to prompt psychoactivity. When psilocybin and psilocin are injected intramuscularly, the effects are felt within five to six minutes. 

The identified psychoactive chemical components of psilocybin mushrooms are psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, and norba,eocystin (figs. 2-5). 

The legal status of several of these molecules has been specified by the Federal Controlled Substance Act, passed into law by the United States Congress in 1970. Psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, and bufotenin have been classified as Schedule 1 substances by the U. S. Controlled Substances Act. Psilocybin and psilocin are essential nontoxic to body organs and do not cause physiological dependence of addictive behaviors (presumably the basis for the dangers of drugs of abuse as this term is used in the Controlled... 

Substances Act). The classification of psilocybin, psilocin, and many other entheogens as dangerous drugs is primarily based on socio-political reasons rather than clinical-scientific evidence. Psilocybin, psilocin, and DMT are also internationally classified as Schedule 1 substances by the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. 

Gartz, J. (1989). Occurrence of psilocybin, psilocin and baeocystin in Gymnopilus purpuratus./ er5oo za, 14, 19-22. 

Saupe, S.G. (1981). Occurrence of psilocybin / psilocin in Pluteus salicinus (Pluteaceae). Mycologia, 73, 781-784. 

Psilocybin.psilocin.baeocystin Analysis psilocybe mushrooms (Fig.8.10) Partisil 5, 6 urn 250x4.6 Me0H-H20-lM NH4N03(24 5 l)(pH 9.7) 37... 

Psilocybin.psilocin Analysis Psilocybe mushrooms yBondapak C18 300x4 MeOH-O.4% phosphate buffer(pH 7.2) -cetrimonium bromide(40 60 0.15) 49... 

Each 100 grams of dried mycelium should yield about 2 grams of extracted material. This should contain at least 500 mg of psilocybin/psilocin mixed or about fifty 10 mg doses. Theoretically psilocin should have the same effect upon the user as psilocybin. The only difference between the two is that the later has a phosphate bond which disappears immediately after assimilation in the body. In other words, in the body psilocybin turns into psilocin. Psilocybin is a fairly stable compound, but psilocin is very susceptible to oxidization. It is best to keep the extracted material in a dry air tight container under refrigeration. A sack of silica-gel can be placed in the container to capture any moisture that may enter. 

Conocyhe sili neoides has not been analyzed chemically, but has been reported to have been used in M co as a shamanic enthcogen (Heim 1956B) among the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, who call this mushroom ta a ya. The finding of psilocybine/psilocine in three other Conocyhe species underscores the probability that this is a psilocybian mushroom. 

Psilocybe cordispora has yet to be submitted to chemical analysis, although it probably contains psilocybine/psilocine, since its use an an entheogen by the Mixe and Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mdxico has been reported (Heim 1956B). The Mixe call this mushroom atka t (Lipp 1990), and a typical dose for shamanic divination is reported to consist of 12-13 psirs (Lipp 1991 MiUer 1 66). 

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