The Content of Psilocybin in Norwegian Psilocybe semilanceata

Abstract

Psilocybe semilanceata contains hallucinogenic indole alkaloids and has been used as a narcotic drug in Norway. The content of psilocybin, the major constituent in Norwegian P. semilanceata, has been investigated as well as its habitats and its distribution throughout the country. The mushroom is growing on grassy sites in most parts of Norway from the middle of August to the middle of October. The psilocybin content in dried mushrooms varied considerably, from 0.17 to 1.96%. The highest concentrations in percent was found among the smaller mushrooms whereas the content in mg was highest in larger mushrooms. The content of psilocybin makes P. semilanceata to a potent hallucinogenic drug.

Occurrence and use of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin alkaloids

“…Mushrooms weighing up to 20 mg had an average tissue concentration of 12 600 mg/kg whereas the ones weighing more than 60 mg had an average tissue concentration of 5,700 mg/kg dry weight. Even if the tissue concentration in percent is higher in the smaller mushrooms than in the larger ones, the total psilocybin content is higher in the larger mushrooms, indicating that psilocybin is produced during growth (Christiansen et al, 1981b), in accordance with other studies (see above). These data have subsequently been confirmed by Gratz (1986a).…”

“…However, in absolute amounts, larger fruit bodies contain more psilocybin and baeocystin than smaller ones, showing that these compounds are continuously produced in the mushroom. In relative terms, small fruit bodies of P. semilanceata contain a higher percentage of psilocybin and baeocystin than larger fruit bodies (Gartz, 1986b;Christiansen et al, 1981b).…”

“…Normal phase chromatography on a silica column is the simplest form of this technique. It was used qualitatively by White (1979) and for quantitative analysis by Christiansen et al (1981aChristiansen et al ( , 1981b, Christiansen and Rasmussen (1983) and Jokiranta et al (1984). By this method Christiansen and Rasmussen obtained an excellent separation of the indole alkaloids present in Norwegian Psilocybe semilanceata.…”

“…Of 48 mushroom samples freshly collected in Norway 1979-1980 and dried overnight at 50 o C, 70% weighed between 20 and 60 mg (Christiansen et al, 1981b). The average weight loss during drying was 92%.…”

Strategies for the capillary electrophoretic separation of indole alkaloids in Psilocybe semilanceata

“…1B) is only found in trace amounts, while up to 0.3% of baeocystin has been detected as a demethylated derivative of psilocybin ( Fig. 1C) [3]. Since psilocybin is a controlled compound and considered a narcotic drug, it must be reliably identified and quantified in mushroom samples.…”