Psilocybin Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
| Psilocybin | |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine or phosphoric acid mono- [3-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)-indol-4-yl] ester |
| Chemical formula | C12H17N2O4P |
| Molecular mass | 284.25 g/mol |
| Melting point | (decomposes) |
| CAS number | 520-52-5 |
| SMILES | O=P([O-])(O)OC1=CC=CC2=C1C(CC[NH+](C)C)=CN2 |
Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine) is a psychedelic alkaloid of the tryptamine family. It is converted in the body to psilocin. 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 experience.
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2 Chemistry 3 Psilocybin and medicine 4 Psilocybin and the law 5 Media 6 External links |
Psilocybin is absorbed through the lining of the mouth and stomach. Effects begin 20-45 minutes after ingestion of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, and last from 2-6 hours depending on dose, species, and individual metabolism. If mushrooms are chewed and held in the mouth, or taken as mushroom tea, effects begin slightly sooner and are usually noticeable within 15 minutes.
People are known to get creative with the preperation of mushrooms. Mushroom pizza, mushroom salad, and whatnot can be prepared with magic mushrooms, as long as it's edible.
However, preparing mushrooms like this can easily make things more complicated; preparing a food plate with mushrooms on can make one lose track of exactly how much one has eaten. Also, eating a lot together with the mushrooms will reduce the effects and might require larger dosage.
It is not unusual to try and neutralize the taste of mushrooms, though. For example, liberty caps are often found growing in big grassy fields where cows graze, growing on dung, making them taste faintly of dung as well. This does not leave much aftertaste when the mushrooms are dried or powdered, but if you're eating them fresh, the taste is unpleasantly strong. Some like to dip fresh mushrooms in honey or chocolate for easier eating.
Dosage varies depending a lot on the individual and on the form of the mushrooms. A rule of thumb to frequent users is to avoid eating much food before a planned trip, as this reduces the potency of the mushrooms. On the day of the trip one should eat a healthy breakfeast or lunch and then abstain from eating anything more.
Drying the mushrooms is recommended, as it eases the taste and makes it easier to measure amount. Depending on the level of drug in the mushrooms, a light dose of dried mushrooms is about one gram, a medium dose is about two to three grams, and a heavy dose may be more than three or four grams. As fresh mushrooms are heavy with water, more are necessary for the same effect.
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 of dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms (normally a threshold dose of around 2 mg psilocybin) can result in effects usually associated with medium and high doses. Likewise, there are some people who require relatively high doses of psilocybin to gain low-dose effects. Individual brain chemistry and metabolism plays a large role in determining a person's response to psilocybin.
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, so frequent users often keep doses spaced 5-7 days apart to avoid the effect.
In mushrooms psilocybin is usually found together with smaller amounts of its analogs norbaeocystin and baeocystin as well as with psilocin. Psilocybin is distributed fairly evenly throughout the entire fruiting body, with the exception of the spores which are completely free of psilocybin and psilocin. 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 is a permanently charged zwitterion and is therefore highly soluble in water, less soluble in methanol and ethanol, and unsoluble in most other organic solvents.
Psilocybin is a prodrug and is converted under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions or by phosphatase enzymes into the active compound psilocin by splitting off the phosphate group (dephosphorylation). Psilocin acts by interaction with neurotransmitter receptorss on nerve cells in the brain where it mimicks the action of serotonin (5-HT). Specifically, psilocin is a post-synaptic 5-HT2A receptor agonist. This is the same mechanism of action as for the other hallucinogens like LSD, mescaline, or 2C-B. LSD and psilocybin show cross-tolerance — after taking one of these substances, the brain quickly develops a tolerance to it, and taking another dose of either soon afterward will require more than usual to achieve the desired effects.
Psilocybin has been studied as a treatment for several disorders.
In the US, an FDA-approved study supported by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) began in 2001 to study the effects of psilocybin on patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. MAPS has also proposed studying psilocybin's potential application for the treatment of cluster headaches based on anecdotal evidence presented to them by a cluster headache sufferer.
This is an Article on Psilocybin. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Psilocybin Effects
Chemistry
Psilocybin and medicine
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.Media
External links