Psilocybin

Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) occurs naturally in many mushrooms found in all

parts of the world. Psilocybe caerulescens (plus more than a dozen other members of the genus Psilocybe)
and Stropharia (Psilocybe) cubensis are commonly used in Mexico for their hallucinogenic properties. The
most commonly used psilocybin-containing mushrooms in the U.S. are: Stropharia cubensis, Panaeolus
subbalteatus, and Psilocybe semilanceata. A number of other psilocybincontaining mushrooms are found
in the U.S., including: Psilocybe pelliculosa, P. cyanescens, P. baeocystis, Conocybe cyanopus, and C.
smithy. P. semilanceata also occurs in Europe, and S. cubensis grows in tropical zones all over the world.
When psilocybin occurs naturally, it is often accompanied by psilocin, another indole derivative
hallucinogen, which is somewhat more potent than psilocybin but is found in much smaller quantities. The
pharmacological action of psilocin is identical to psilocybinÄthe evidence indicates that psilocybin must be
metabolized to psilocin before it can enter the brain and produce hallucinogenic effects.
Synthetic psilocybin was at one time legally manufactured, and therefore available on the illicit drug
market. But in the last few years it has become one of the most popularly misrepresented of all
hallucinogenic substances. Samples sold as synthetic psilocybin usually turn out to be low dosage LSD, if
they turn out to be anything at all.
Pure psilocin is even rarer on the street, because it is an extremely unstable compound and will become
inert if not maintained under controlled conditions. Even though psilocybin-containing mushrooms are
native to parts of the U.S., most mushrooms sold on the street are of the grocery-store species, usually the
frozen variety with a little LSD dropped on them. True psilocybin mushrooms needn’t be frozen, as they
will retain their potency in the dry state. Another identifying characteristic is the bitter and acrid taste of
most psilocybin mushrooms; an alleged psilocybin mushroom that tastes like it belongs on a pizza probably
does.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been used for centuries in the religious rites of some Mexican
Indians. One of the religious cults of the Aztec Indians of Mexico was based on the ritual consumption of
psilocybin-containing mushrooms called “teonanacatl” or “god’s flesh.” It has been suggested, based on
archaeological evidence, that the ancient Mayans in Mexico and Guatemala practiced mushroom worship
before 1000 B.C.
The mushrooms are still used by the Mazatec, Zapotec, and other indigenous groups in Mexico, particularly
in the state of Oaxaca. Today the mushrooms are used strictly for divination and curing by native curers.
The typical mushroom rites are not characterized by the kind of group participation and interplay found in
peyote rituals. In Mexican mushroom rites, the curandero, or doctor is the main participant. In a prophecy
ritual, he or she usually takes the mushrooms alone for divination. In curing rituals, the curandero acts as
an interpreter of visions and as a guide, in a doctor-patient relationship.
The number of mushrooms taken at one time depends on the size and species of mushroom. Doses will
range from 1-5 grams dry weight (10-50 grams fresh). Common initial reactions include: muscular
relaxation, coldness of the limbs and abdomen, and dilation of the pupils. As the effects become stronger,
LSD-like mood changes and distortion of space and time perception may occur. If the dose is large enough,
effects will include vivid visual and auditory distortion and hallucination and synaesthesia. These reactions
last 3 to 6 hours and may be followed by after effects similar to LSD: lassitude, mental and physical
depression.
Subjectively, the psilocybin experience is believed by many people to be more strongly visual than the
experiences produced by other hallucinogens. The drug has, in fact, a reputation for producing especially
vivid and colorful hallucinations. This belief is supported somewhat by the fact that the mushrooms have
traditionally been used specifically to induce visions.
Some species of mushrooms are deadly. When some mushrooms containing psilocybin are bruised or
broken open, the injured portions will turn blue to purple within 30 minutes. This is not, however, positive
proof that the mushroom contains psilocybin, nor does this test prove that the mushroom is not
poisonous. Mushroom gatherers should either know the mushrooms they intend to eat, or should have a
reliable mushroom key or manual.