10 Facts of Psilocybin

When the word psilocybin is mentioned, many don’t know how to respond. Some people don’t know what it means. Others may possess some arbitrary information about psychedelics, but not enough to respond confidently. Socially, only a small percentage of conversation about magic mushrooms turns into an enthusiastic chat about the healing power of psilocybin therapy. It’s time to change the conversation.

Many people focus on what has been perceived in the media which contributes to psilocybin being mislabeled and misunderstood. While the portrayals of dizzying, colorful scenes, spiritual apparitions, and tree-hugging hippies seem to hyperbolize the positive effects of psilocybin on the human mind and body, there are also negative connotations about psilocybin that precede. Sharing correct information contributes to healthier discussions and increased community wellness.

Here are 10 facts about psilocybin that help put weird assumptions to rest, and explain the effects of psilocybin consumption on the human brain and body:

1. Psilocybin is the pro-drug to psilocin, the psychoactive tryptamine alkaloid agent in mushrooms The mechanism by which the brain interacts with psilocybin is called dephosphorylation, a process that removes a phosphate group from the structure of psilocybin to make psilocin. Once this is done, psilocin can cross the protective blood-brain barrier. The interaction between tryptamine alkaloid psilocin and the brain is where the “trippy” effects of mushrooms come from.

2. There are over 200 different species of Psilocybe. Psilocybe Mexicana was the first to The most popularly known psilocybin mushrooms are Psilocybe cubensis (golden teacher), Psilocybe semilanceata (the Liberty Cap, and Psilocybe cyanescens (wavy cap).

3. Psilocybin effects are felt within 20 minutes of consumption and can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on the dosage.

4. Psilocybin is eliminated by the human body after 24 hours but can be detected in urine in trace amounts for up to 7 days. Generally, this information is important for consumers who are subject to drug tests for work, or other. It is also useful when studying the effects of psilocybin by self-examination. Consumers, especially those that microdose (take small, controlled doses over long periods of time for continued therapeutic aid) can calculate and calibrate their psilocybin use more accurately to fit their needs.

5. The effects of psilocybin are psychosomatic, which describes the aggregate influences that the mind has on the body. When considering psilocybin therapy for disorders such as anxiety, depression, and Alzheimers, the brain and body connection is extremely important for the improvement of individual health and wellness.

6. Psilocybin consumption greatly affects the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which governs cognition, social behavior, decision making, and expression of personality. Positive and lasting changes have come with micro-dosing and controlled therapy. The effects of psilocybin therapy increase responsiveness to positive emotional stimuli in the right amygdala and decreased responsiveness to negative/neutral emotional stimuli. A bait and switch on the perception of surroundings. Psilocybin is considered serotonergic which means it reacts to serotonin receptors in the brain to help mediate emotions/moods and appetite.

7. Psilocybin has a low toxicity rate, low addiction, and low abuse potential rate. The part of the brain that controls the reward mechanism for positive behavior is regulated by the mechanism by which psilocybin positively stimulates the brain, a synergistic quality of consumption. This helps to balance tolerance without the compulsive and need to increase the dosage.

8. Psilocybin consumption helps to regulate and increase glutamate concentration for normal healthy brain function and increased neuroplasticity, which leads to increased neurogenesis (forming of new neurons, specifically in the hippocampus. Dysregulation of neurogenesis in the hippocampus can lead to mood disorders, memory issues, and other deleterious effects).

9. Psilocybin is enhanced by its own entourage effect, much like cannabis. Psilocin biocytin and betacarbolines (other tryptamine alkaloids) interact to increase the efficacy and synergistic effects of psilocybin.

10. Psilocybin is used as an entheogen. An entheogen is a chemical substance that generally comes from a plant and is consumed to induce an altered and enhanced state of consciousness for spiritual or religious purposes. The idea is that the altered state brings the individual closer to God or the Source. The “ego dissolution” property of psilocybin on the brain is the key to this effect; the ability to surrender.

We can never learn too much about psilocybin, especially considering current research in psychedelics, tailing the legalization of cannabis as plant therapy.

Psilocybin is currently a schedule 1 drug in the United States, but science is heading the race to change the manner by which it and other psychedelics are considered. The more we know collectively about psilocybin, the better we can wield it as a healing tool to preventative action and therapeutic healing.

It’s even more important to learn more about psilocybin, as mushrooms are easy to grow. Accessibility to plant therapy seems much more equitable when the access is homegrown. Teaching people to grow and utilize plants as medicine contributes to financial gain as well. Psilocybin gets an associative win for that one. We intentionally put effort towards the vision of a healed collective simply by knowing a little bit more and sharing with the next person.