Psilocin

Psilocin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by more than 200 species of mushrooms, collectively known as psilocybin mushrooms. Psilocin is the pharmacologically active agent in the body after ingestion of psilocybin or some species of psychedelic mushrooms.

Chemistry

Psilocin is a tryptamine alkaloid which is found in psilocybin mushrooms. It is chemically similar to the amino acid tryptophan, and due to this similarity, is involved in biological reactions via enzymes that normally react with tryptophan. Psilocin is relatively unstable in solution due to its phenolic hydroxy (-OH) group. In the presence of oxygen it readily forms bluish and dark black degradation products.

Pharmacology

Psilocin's hallucinogenic effects are believed to come from its efficacy at the 5-HT2A receptor as a partial agonist. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience is the subject of ongoing scientific investigation.

Effects

The effects of psilocin are highly variable and depend on factors such as the individual, the mood and expectation, and the environment. The effects of psilocin can seem to last much longer to the user because of psilocin's ability to alter time perception.

Toxicity

Despite the fact that psilocin and other drugs like it are capable of inducing a wide range of subjective experiences, the majority of these experiences, as reported in controlled studies, do not appear to be life-threatening.

Legal status

Psilocin is listed as a Schedule I drug under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are deemed to have a high potential for abuse and are not recognized for medical use.

See also

• Psilocybin
• Psychedelic drug
• Psychedelic experience
• Psychedelic therapy
• Serotonin receptor

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