psilocybin and psilocin Psilocybin mushrooms psilocybin and psilocin

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as psychedelic mushrooms “magic mashrooms” , are mushrooms that contain the psychedelic drugs psilocybin and psilocin. Of the 140 species that have been identified, approximately 80 are known to produce hallucinogenic compounds. Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N dimethyltryptamine) is obtained from certain types of mushrooms that are indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. These mushrooms typically contain( 0.2 to 1.1 % of dry weight) psilocybin plus trace amounts of psilocin (0.11–0.42% of dry weight), another hallucinogenic substance.

Most common species of psilocybe mashrooms: Psilocybe cubensis (Stropharia cubensis); the most commonly cultivated and consumed Psilocybe, due to ease of cultivation and large size of fruit bodies; also commonly collected throughout the tropics and subtropics, nicknamed the commercial psilocybe. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuX1VBHgYYA) Psilocybe cyanescens; Native to the Pacific Northwest of North America; nicknamed the wavy-cap or waves. Psilocybe semilanceata; The most common psilocybin-containing mushroom. Found in northern temperate climates; nicknamed the liberty cap. Psilocybe azurescens, a highly potent species native to the U.S. states of Washington and Oregon, but popular in outdoor cultivation, and expanding its range as a result; nicknamed azies.

Psilocybe cubensis Psilocybe cyanescens Psilocybe semilanceata Psilocybe azurescens

Mushrooms have been taken in religious rituals in indigenous cultures in Mexico and Central America for thousands of years. But the users today take them as a hallucinogen that is considered gentler and more natural (less chemical) than LSD. Users report feelings of mild euphoria and tingling physical sensations. They also report increased sensitivity to music and visual sensations. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are available fresh or dried and typically taken orally. The effects of psilocybin, which appear within 20 minutes of ingestion, last approximately 6 hours.

* Psilocybin and its biologically active form, psilocin , cannot be inactivated by cooking or freezing preparations. Thus, they may also be brewed as a tea or added to other foods to mask their bitter flavor. * Dosage of mushrooms containing psilocybin depends on the potency of the mushroom (the total psilocybin and psilocin content of the mushrooms), Typical doses of psilocybin range from 2 to 40 milligrams { 0.25 gram to 5 grams of dried mushroom }, but are hard to control because the active amount of hallucinogens in mushrooms differ widely according to the genus, strength, and condition (fresh or dried) of the mushrooms.

by the action of alkaline phosphatases (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) (4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine)

Psilocybin and Psilocin Actions Psilocybin and its metabolite psilocin directly affect a number of serotonin receptors - 5HT2A, 5HT2C and 5HT1A agonists - without directly affecting other neurotransmitter systems. They have little affinity for dopamine receptors, and only very high doses affect norepinephrine receptors. Studies in humans and nonhuman animals indicate that psilocybin has extremely low toxicity. LD50 ranged from 285 mg/kg in rats and mice to 12.5 mg/kg in rabbits. It is likely that the lethal dose in humans far exceeds doses that produce profound alterations in consciousness.

Physiological and Psychological (Subjective) Effects # The active compounds in psilocybin-containing “magic” mushrooms have LSD-like properties . # The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. # Panic reactions and psychosis also may occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose. # It can produce muscle relaxation or weakness, ataxia, excessive pupil dilation, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. # Long-term effects such as flashbacks, risk of psychiatric illness, impaired memory, and tolerance have been described in case reports. Individuals who abuse psilocybin mushrooms also risk poisoning if one of many existing varieties of poisonous mushrooms is incorrectly identified as a psilocybin mushroom.

Psilocybin mushroom Analysis steps Physical examination: including Macroscopic characteristics and Microscopic characteristics Extraction step: A pre-extraction step is necessary for presumptive testing of Psilocybe mushrooms (dried, powder, tablet or capsule) which may contain foreign matter that interfere with the colour reaction. Presumptive tests: they are non-specific tests to chick the presence of psilocybin and Psilocin so It is mandatory for analysts to confirm such results by using alternative techniques.

Ehrlich Reagent: Dissolve 1 g of p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in 10 ml methanol, then add 10 ml concentrated ortho-phosphoric acid. Method: Place a small amount of the suspected material on a spot plate. Add two drops of Ehrlich reagent. After a few minutes a violet to grey violet colour indicates the possible presence of psilocybin or psilocin. The detection limit of this method is about 1 ug. Marquis' Reagent: Place a small amount of the suspected material on a spot plate. Add one drop of reagent (Concentrated sulfuric acid) and two drops of reagent (8-10 drops of 40% formaldehyde solution to 10 ml glacial acetic acid). An orange to orange colour indicates the possible presence of psilocybin, a green-brown colour the presence of psilocin. The detection limit of this method is about 10 μg.

4) Thin-layer chromatography technique:

5) GC technique:

6) HPLC technique:

6) HPLC technique:

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Bufotenine

Bufotenin (5-OH-DMT), is a tryptamine related to the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is an alkaloid found in the skin of some species of toads; in mushrooms, higher plants, and mammals. Toads The name bufotenin originates from the Bufo genus of toads, Bufo alvarius, that secrete bufotoxins from their parotoid glands. Anadenanthera seeds Bufotenin is a constituent of the seeds of Anadenanthera colubrina and Anadenanthera peregrina trees. Anadenanthera seeds have been used as an ingredient in psychedelic snuff preparations by indigenous cultures of the Caribbean, Central and South America. Other sources of bufotenine are the mushroom Amanita muscaria and the tropical American tree Piptadenia peregrina, the seeds of which were used at the time of the early Spanish explorations by the Indians of Trinidad

bufotenine, weak hallucinogenic agent active by intravenous injection, isolated from several natural sources or prepared by chemical synthesis. Bufotenine is a constituent of toad poison, the poisonous, milky secretion of parotoid glands found in the skin on the back of the animal. It was first isolated in 1934. Bufotenine also functions as a powerful constrictor of blood vessels, causing a rise in blood pressure.

5-OH-DMT (5-hydroxy-N,N dimethyltryptamine)

Serotonin = (5-hydroxytryptamine)

Pharmacology and Mode of Action: After oral administration, bufotenine produces physiological effects that include initial excitement, dilatation of pupils, increase blood pressure, headache and perhaps nausea and vomiting. These are followed by psychological change that include distortions in perceptions of space and time, change in body perceptions and hallucination. It is a weak hallucinogenic agent. Structurally, bufotenine is an indole hallucinogen. It produces its effects by interfering with the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Uptake and elimination Uptake and elimination In rats, subcutaneously administered bufotenin (1–100 μg/kg) distributes mainly to the lungs, heart, and blood, and to a much lesser extent, the brain and liver. It reaches peak concentrations at 1 hour and is nearly completely eliminated within 8 hours. In humans, intravenous administration of bufotenin results in excretion of (70%) of injected drug as 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) form , an endogenous metabolite of serotonin, while roughly 4% is eliminated unmetabolized in the urine. Orally administered bufotenine undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism by the enzyme monoamine oxidase. Lethal dose The acute toxicity (LD50) of bufotenin in rodents has been estimated at 200 to 300 mg/kg. Death occurs by respiratory arrest.

Color test not specific as psilocybe mushrooms it includes Ehrlich Reagent: violet color Marquis Reagent: green brown Chromatographic analysis: In TLC , we use bufotenine as standard In GLC , we use bufotenine internal standard.

Spectroscopic Methods: IR and MS are used for identification of isolated or synthesized bufotenine but pure sample must be prepared prior to spectroscopic analysis. IR (KBr cm-1): 1615, 1493, 1232, 1052, 824 and 792 EI ms m/z: 204, 146, 160, 58, 159, 43 and 59

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