What are the Psychedelic Substances Psilocybin and Psilocin?

Author: Elena Experience expert (psychedelics and psychoactive & medicinal plants), blogger, passion for healthy food

Nature has always surprised us with its many manifestations, not least in the way certain substances can alter our consciousness, such as psychedelics. Since time immemorial, the magical powers from magic mushrooms, DMT-containing plants and LSD-like substances have been harnessed. In this blog, I dive into the world of psilocybin and psilocin. What is the history of these substances and what does the science say? 

What mushrooms contain psilocybin?

An interesting question to ask is: What types of mushrooms contain psychedelic substances, more specifically psilocybin and psilocin? All mushrooms of the genus Psilocybe are counted as magic mushrooms because they produce psychedelic substances, including psilocybin.

All mushrooms containing psilocybin have a brownish spore print and turn blue when bruised (to varying degrees).

The most well-known psilocybe mushroom is the Psilocybe cubensis. This species is easy to grow and is therefore mainly used as a grow kit. From the Psilocybe cubensis there are several subspecies, each with their own power.

Discover the entire assortment of magic mushrooms from the Shop of Sirius here.

Another species that is also very well known and loved, but not easy to grow, is the Liberty Cap, also called the pointy baldhead. Its Latin name is Psilocybe semilanceata. 

In addition, there are many other species of mushrooms that contain entheogenic substances. Examples include P. cyanescens, P stuntzii and P. baocystis.

As mentioned earlier, the species that is mainly known is Psilocybe cubensis. There are also psychonauts who go into the forest or field to search for psilocybe mushrooms.

This activity is not recommended if you do not know how to look for magic mushrooms and do not have the proper mycological knowledge.

This is because it is easy to make a mistake and pick a potentially poisonous specimen, which can lead you to unpleasant surprises and also unnecessarily deprive nature of naturally occurring mushrooms.

Chemical composition of psilocybe mushrooms

When scientists began to take an interest in psilocybe mushrooms, it did not take long to uncover the psychedelic main components: the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin and, to a lesser extent, psilocin. In addition, magic mushrooms contain a host of other substances, of which only baocystine has been well enough documented.

The substance mainly in question is psilocybin, the substance found in the mushroom in the greatest amounts. Yet psilocybin is not an active substance by itself, but must first be converted by the body into psilocin. 

Therefore, psilocybin is described as a pro-drug, a substance that must first be metabolized by the body and then converted into an active substance.

In the mushroom, psilocin is a more volatile substance and dissipates on contact with oxygen (hence the blue color when you bruise a magic mushroom). Psilocybin is a much more stable substance. Hence, your body primarily has psilocybin to process.

In dried mushrooms, the amount of psilocybin is about 1%. So this can vary greatly. So it is always wise to start with a lower dosage when you have a new batch of mushrooms.

Mushrooms are a natural product and therefore unique in chemical composition each time. The only way to be sure how potent your mushrooms are is to do a test.

Psilcybin Concentration Test: How strong are your magic mushrooms?

One way to test the potency of magic truffles and magic mushrooms is to use the PsiloQ Test Kit. This test kit allows you to test your psilocybin-containing material yourself to see how strong it is. This test kit is available at Sirius.

Heroic dosage of 5 grams of magic mushrooms: Terrence McKenna's formula

According to speaker and researcher Terrence McKenna, 5 grams of dried magic mushrooms is the dosage to engage in introspective research. He called this the heroic dosage, where ego-death can take place and you can work deeply enough with psilocybin.

We at Sirius do not necessarily recommend this dosage, because it is possible to do deep introspective work even at lower dosages and not everyone is waiting for ego-death. This dosage is only suitable when you are well informed, prepared and in the right Set & Setting.

At 5 grams, you are at about 50 mg of psilocybin. This is a significantly larger amount of psilocybin than is used in scientific research where participants are given a large dose of psilocybin to obtain a mystical experience. In these clinical trials, between 20 and 30 mg of psilocybin are used.

Research on Psilocybin as an Aid to Cancer Patients

The scientific world has virtually stood still for decades when it comes to research on psychedelic substances including psilocybin. This was because of the legislature at the time, which was imposed from governments and saw all forms of drugs, especially psychedelics, as bad and not amenable to scientific research.

In recent decades, research on these substances has been revived and several groundbreaking results have led to a more serious and respectful attitude toward these "hallucinogens. 

An example of such research is the effect of psilocybin in people suffering from existential anxiety, due to terminal cancer.

The results of these studies are stunning: people with depression and fears of death, get a dose of peace, love and acceptance from a single psilocybin experience that lasts for a very long time. 

If you compare the positive impact of a psilocybin experience with the most common antidepressants, you can almost speak of a miracle drug.

In addition, numerous studies have been added in recent years that are reaping positive results in many areas: for example, psilocybin can be used for people suffering from PTSD, 

Are psilocybin and psilocin broken down by heat?

There are several ways you can trip with the substances psilocybin and psilocin. The most common way is to consume fresh or dried magic mushrooms or magic truffles. Especially in the Netherlands this way is obvious, because you can buy fresh magic truffles in a Smartshop without any problem, which you can use immediately.

Another way in which this is possible is by preparing a tea. Here it is important that you do not boil the material, but pour it over with hot water that is no longer at boiling point (100 degrees Celsius) but below it (80 degrees Celsius).

It is mainly the substance psilocin that is sensitive to degradation by heat. Different mushrooms contain different amounts of psilocybin and psilocin. So it may be that some species such as, Psilocybe cyanescens, have a greater loss of active substance and thus you get a weaker trip.

How to make magic mushroom or magic truffle tea?

Follow this step-by-step plan to make your own tea from magic mushrooms or truffles.

The tea is intended for an average to strong trip for 1 person. For beginners, it is advisable to take less.

For dosage, an amount equivalent to about 2.5 mg of psilocybin is used.

Tea makes the effects of magic truffles or mushrooms come on earlier and last less long. Thus, it is possible to feel the truffle tea begin to work within minutes. 

Instead of a 6 hour trip you can count on a 4.5 hour trip. 

Ingredients

• 2.5 grams of dried mushrooms / 12.5 grams of magic truffles
• 250 ml hot water
• Piece of grated ginger

Step-by-step plan Magic Truffle Tea

1. Cut the mushrooms or truffles into small pieces and put them in a tea mug.
2. Optionally, you can add grated, fresh ginger for its flavor. Also, ginger has a calming effect on the stomach and this may be interesting for people who get nauseous easily.
3. Pour over with water and let steep for about 15 minutes.
4. Pass it through a strainer and pour into a tea mug.

Try Magic Truffles or Mushroom Grow Kit and grow psilocybin-containing mushrooms yourself?

If you want to get started with magic mushrooms yourself, buy a grow kit. Our grow kits are very easy to use and generally produce above average results. Remember that we are talking about a natural product, therefore it is not possible to guarantee the amount of harvest by weight. 

Still, even with a small grow kit, you can harvest enough portions for several people or several trips. Mushrooms can easily be dried and stored for later use.

Magic truffles are fresh, and available in a variety of strengths and varieties. Recently Sirius has expanded its offerings with 4 new strains: Tampanensis, Atlantis, Galindoi and Mexicana. Check out our Magic Truffle Shop for more information on these new strains, each with their unique effects.

Elena Experience expert (psychedelics and psychoactive & medicinal plants), blogger, passion for healthy food

Elena studies Organic and Biodynamic agriculture because, besides psychedelics and psychoactive & medicinal plants, she also has a passion for healthy food. Learning about the endocannabinoid system, different cannabinoids and terpenes is super interesting.

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