What is psilocin?

Psilocin is a psychoactive substance found in some fungi like the psilocybe cubensis. Research on this substance started in the 50s but has accelerated dramatically in the last  10 to 15 years, all this craze is caused by several health discoveries and the countless beneficial effects and possible treatments for different health problems. To date, more than  200 species of mushrooms containing psilocin have been listed.

What is another name for psilocin? 

Psilocin has a lot of other names such as liberty caps, golden tops, mushies, blues meanies,  shrooms, etc. These names are obviously more slang. 

On the scientific side, Psilocin is called 4-hydroxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine, psilocin, and psilotsin. 

What does psilocin do to the brain?  

In the brain, psilocin is an organic alkaloid molecule of the tryptamine family, and research has shown an interaction with the 5HT receptor in the brain. Several imaging tests (MRI)  have shown that after taking psilocin (psilocybin), there is much greater connectivity at the neuronal level (hyperconnectivity). We also now know that taking psilocybin mushrooms also works on the GABA receptor level.  

What neurotransmitter does psilocin affect? 

A great deal of research over the past 60 years has identified that psilocin affects the neurotransmitter 5-HT2A, which is a receptor related to serotonin. Although most of the research to date has focused on the 5-HT2A receptor, psilocin also influences several other neurotransmitters. 

Does psilocin affect dopamine? 

Psilocin has no known effect on dopamine, whether significant or not, and research shows that a very high dose must be taken to quantify an interaction with dopamine. 

Is serotonin similar to psilocin? 

Psilocin interacts mainly with serotonin and as mentioned above, the 5-HT2A receptor is a  serotonin receptor. You can see in the picture below the comparison between a psilocybin molecule, psilocin, and serotonin which have a very strong resemblance in molecular structure.

The future of psilocin looks promising 

As you have seen psilocin is very close to serotonin at the molecular level, with an incredible amount of research done on psilocybin, psilocin, and hallucinogenic mushrooms it is hard to ignore now the incredible potential of this substance whether it is for quality of life purposes or to diminish certain symptoms of mental illness or simply to increase our level of performance or creativity. The future looks extremely promising with all the discoveries made on the effects of psilocin.