Fungal Hallucinogens Psilocin, Ibotenic Acid, and Muscimol

Abstract

Psychoactive drugs of fungal origin, psilocin, ibotenic acid, and muscimol among them have been proposed for recreational use and popularized since the 1960s, XX century. Despite their well-documented neurotoxicity, they reached reputation of being safe and nonaddictive. Scientific efforts to find any medical application for these hallucinogens in psychiatry, psychotherapy, and even for religious rituals support are highly controversial. Even if they show any healing potential, their usage in psychotherapy is in some cases inadequate and may additionally harm seriously suffering patients. Hallucinogens are thought to reduce cognitive functions. However, in case of indolealkylamines, such as psilocin, some recent findings suggest their ability to improve perception and mental skills, what would motivate the consumption of "magic mushrooms." The present article offers an opportunity to find out what are the main symptoms of intoxication with mushrooms containing psilocybin/psilocin, muscimol, and ibotenic acid. The progress in analytical methods for detection of them in fungal material, food, and body fluids is reviewed. Findings on the mechanisms of their biologic activity are summarized. Additionally, therapeutic potential of these fungal psychoactive compounds and health risk associated with their abuse are discussed.

The effect of particular active substances of hallucinogenic mushrooms

“…That was confirmed by using an antagonist of these receptors, ketanserin, which prevented the development of the most psychotic symptoms caused by psilocybin or psilocin administration. However, as Stebelska (2013) reported in her review article, some of the effects of these tryptamines shall not be removed, and would even undergo intensification. This is particularly the weakening of cognitive response, expressed as difficulty in maintaining attention and reduced vigilance (Carter et al 2005, Delgado & Moreno 1998, Stebelska 2013.…”

“…In the state of impaired consciousness caused by the action of both psilocybin and psilocin, negative emotional experience, such as fear, undefined anxiety, shame and a feel of guilty may occur. Therefore, religious practices combined with the usage of psychedelic drugs, often lead to the disorder of psychosocial identification (Stebelska 2013). Such mental syndrome, caused by various reasons, is often dangerous and may be trigger the development of severe pathologies of mental nature, including states similar to some forms of schizophrenia (Hyde et al 1978, McDonald 1980.…”

“…Such mental syndrome, caused by various reasons, is often dangerous and may be trigger the development of severe pathologies of mental nature, including states similar to some forms of schizophrenia (Hyde et al 1978, McDonald 1980. Due to reasons mentioned above, psilocybin and psilocin are being currently used in animal models investigating substrates of schizophrenia (Stebelska 2013 , its' distribution in the body is rather uniform (Hopf & Eckert 1974, Passie et al 2002. In the body psilocybin under the influence of alkaline phosphatase, is the subject to dephosphorylation and is converted to psilocin, which is the main and perhaps the only substance showing psychopharmacological activity.…”

“…In the body psilocybin under the influence of alkaline phosphatase, is the subject to dephosphorylation and is converted to psilocin, which is the main and perhaps the only substance showing psychopharmacological activity. About 8 hours after ingestion, the concentration of this substance in the tissues is very low, albeit in the liver and adrenal glands it remains even to about 48 hours (Hopf & Eckert 1974, Passie et al 2002, Stebelska 2013.…”

Taxonomic Identification of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Seized on the Illegal Market Using a DNA-Based Approach and LC/MS-MS Determination of Psilocybin and Psilocin

“…Gas chromatography cannot be recommended since the poorly volatile and heat-labile psilocybin tends to decompose by loss of the phosphate group during injection. All Liquid Chromatography (LC) methods described so far are based on RP LC [18] with conventional C18 columns. Due to the phosphate group the polarity of psilocybin is much higher compared to psilocin.…”