Psilocybin

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Psilocybin was first found in the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana

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Psilocybin

Psilocybin is a chemical substance. It can cause hallucinations when eaten, and has also been found to reverse psychological conditioning, grow brain cells and heal the brain. It occurs in many kinds of fungi and mushrooms, most notably Psilocybin mushrooms. Most of these are known as psychedelic mushrooms. It grows in Europe, South America, Mexico, and the United States. Mushrooms that contain psilocybin are known as magic mushrooms.

The substance is used as a recreational drug. It is illegal in many countries.

Psilocybin works by activating serotonin receptors, most often in the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain affects mood, cognition, and perception. Hallucinogens also work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses.

The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes after a person ingests it and last 4–6 hours. In some individuals, changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last for several days.

In 2016, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers first reported that treatment with psilocybin under psychologically supported conditions significantly relieved existential anxiety and depression in people.

Psilocybin Media

• Timothy-Leary-Los-Angeles-1989.jpg

  American psychologist and counterculture figure Timothy Leary conducted early experiments into the effects of psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin (1989 photo).

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  The ability of psilocybin to cause perceptual distortions is linked to its influence on the activity of the prefrontal cortex.

• Johns Hopkins psilocybin session room-SessionRm 2176x.jpg

  In their studies on the psilocybin experience, Johns Hopkins researchers use peaceful music and a comfortable room to help ensure a comfortable setting, and experienced guides to monitor and reassure the volunteers.

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  Chart of dependence potential and effective dose/lethal dose ratio of several psychoactive drugs.

• Psilocin intramolecular hydrogen bond and pseudo-ring system.png

  Theoretical intramolecular hydrogen bond and pseudo-ring system occurring with psilocin (4-HO-DMT) but not with bufotenin (5-HO-DMT).

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  Metabolism of psilocybin and psilocin in humans and mice.

• Serotonin.svg

  The neurotransmitter serotonin is structurally similar to psilocybin.

• Global distribution of over 100 psychoactive species of genus Psilocybe mushrooms.

• Biosynthesis of psilocybin.svg

  Biosynthetic route previously thought to lead to psilocybin. It has recently been shown that 4-hydroxylation and O-phosphorylation immediately follow decarboxylation, and neither dimethyltryptamine nor psilocin are intermediates, although spontaneously generated psilocin can be converted back to psilocybin.

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  Mayan "mushroom stones" of Guatemala.