Psilocybin
Psychedelic; phosphorylated psilocin derivative; indole derivative of tryptamine. Psilocin and psilocybin are solids that decompose when heated near the melting point. Psilocybin melts at 173-176C. They are found in mushrooms of the genus psilocybe.
It was first isolated in its pure form in 1958 by Albert Hofmann.z The effects of psilocybin are comparable to a short-term LSD trip with minor differences (in amateur circles, the effect of psilocybin is subjectively marked by increased emotionality and greater “naturalness” of sensations compared to LSD, as well as, sometimes, the “sacredness” of the experiences received). The effect of psilocybin lasts approximately 4-7 hours.
Presumably, psilocin, formed in the intestine during dephosphorylation of psilocybin, acts on serotonin receptors.
Chemical dependence is not formed. Neither psilocybin nor psilocin are as addictive or addictive as opiates, nicotine, or alcohol. Psychological dependence may form.
Psilocybin and psilocin, like other tryptamines, are not highly toxic. The lethal dose, which kills 50% of experimental animals, is 285 milligrams per kilogram of psilocybin for mice and 12.5 mg/kg for rabbits. If we compare the interpolated lethal dose for humans with the usual dose, then their ratio is 641, that is, the average lethal dose is 641 times the average effective dose. For example, we can cite similar ratios for other substances: vitamin A – 9637, LSD – 4816, aspirin – 199, nicotine – 21. There are no known deaths caused by the use of mushrooms or synthetic psilocybin. In a number of questionable cases, death occurred due to the use of other highly toxic substances along with mushrooms. There are also cases of poisoning, including fatal ones, by poisonous mushrooms, which bear an external resemblance to some hallucinogenic mushrooms. Therefore, special care should be taken when picking mushrooms. A common mistake for beginners is to pick mushrooms growing on stumps – psilocybe semilanceata never grows there! For the first time, it is recommended to go with an experienced person who knows and knows how to show how to distinguish psilocybe semilanceata from other mushrooms.
The duration of action of psilocybin is 4-7 hours.
In addition to mushrooms from the genus Psilocybe, the substance psilocybin has been found in some species of fungi from the genera Panaeolus, Stropharia and Anellaria.
Psilocybe mexicana mushrooms are traditionally consumed by Mexican Indians. They usually eat from 10 to 15 mushrooms, which, like peyote, have an unpleasant pungent odor. The effect of psilocybin usually lasts for 5-7 hours. External manifestations are nausea and vomiting.
Psilocybin is obtained from Psilocyba Mexicana, a small mushroom that grows in moist pastures.
Psilocybe semilanceata.
The psilocybin group includes drugs:
R1=H, R2=OH, R3=CH3 – psilocin
R1=H, R2=[HPO4], R3=CH3 – psilocybin
Psychotropic substances are also found in other fungi, such as: Conocybe sihdinoides, Psilocybe aztecorum, P. Zapotecorum, P. Caerulescens, Strophana cubenis.
Tryptamines of this group are resistant to MAO, and therefore effective when ingested. The usual dose is 15-25 mg (from 15 to 30 Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms, depending on the place and time of harvest). It is also possible to smoke psilocybin powder mixed with tobacco or marijuana.
The duration of action of psilocybin is 4-7 hours.
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