Psilocybin toxicity

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

Some toxins in mushrooms are alkaloids that cause central nervous system effects of narcosis and convulsions. Hallucinations occur in subjects who have eaten mushrooms that contain psilocybin. The toxic alkaloid muscarine is present in some mushrooms. 

In the Pacific Northwest, at least four thousand mushroom species have been identified, with more than a dozen of these containing psilocybin. About three-quarters as many have been reported in Europe thus far. Mexico is the richest in psilocybin mycoflora. In fact, I have yet to find a single temperate or tropical habitat with high annual rainfall that lacks psilocybin mushrooms. But without some form of guidance, the random discovery of a psilocybin mushroom is, frankly, remote. In any region of the world, psilocybin mushrooms are greatly outnumbered by toxic mushrooms. 

Extensive animal research efforts during the 1950s furnished evidence that both psilocybin and psilocin are alkaloids of negligible acute toxicity. Specifically, the dosage of... 

Animal tests showed that, on average, psilocybin was a substance only half as toxic as mescaline, and at the same time, turned out to be 50 times more potent as a psychoactive substance. For example, up to 2 g of mescaline were being administered with no dangerous side effects, while the usual dose of psilocybin ranged from 3 to 30 mg as part of psychological testing and psychotherapy sessions. 

The benefits of diagnosing brain-damaged patients with psilocybin were investigated in the former Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. Psilocybin was the alkaloid of choice for these studies, due to its minimal toxicity and because participants were not expected to develop additional chronic dysfunctions as a result of ingesting psilocybin. Visual hallucinations were found to be almost completely suppressed in patients suffering from lesions to parts of the central nervous system known to mediate visual-sensory functions. 

There are numerous toxic mushrooms growing around us. Some of these could be mistaken for some of the other psilocybin fungi mentioned in this guide. It is essential that the mushroom hunter learn to use an identification key. A key is a listing of the various features which will positively identify a given species. If a specimen does not confirm... 

Mushrooms from Psilocybe and Panaeolus species contain psilocybin and related derivatives of tryptamine that cause short-lasting hallucinations. Gyromitra species (false morels) produce G1 disorders and a delayed hepatotoxicity. The toxic substance, acetaldehyde methylformylhydra-zone, is converted in the body to reactive hydrazines. Although fatalities from liver and kidney failure have been reported, they are far less frequent than with amatoxin-containing mushrooms. 

Psilocybin, mescaline, and LSD have similar central (via serotonergic systems) and peripheral (sympathomimetic) effects. None of these hallucinogenic drugs have been shown to have teratogenic potential. Contrast this with the established potential for teratogenicity or other fetal toxicity with abuse of ethanol, amphetamines, and cocaine. Unlike most hallucinogens, phencyclidine acts as a positive reinforcer of self-administration in animals. Scopolamine is not a positive reinforcer but does exert atropine-like effects. The answer is (D). 

Globe RS (1993) Toward a cmnparative overview of dependence potential and acute toxicity of psychoactive substances used non-medically. Drug Alcohol Abuse 19 263-281 150. Rolsten C (1967) Effects of chlorpromazine, psilocybin and psilocin on pregnancy of C57BL/10 mice and their offspring at birth. Anat Rec 157 311... 

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