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Psilocybin
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Psilocybin is one of a class of compounds whose primary activity is known to be on 5-HT-2a/c serotonin receptors. Their effects include changes in perception and cognition. In the pharmacology literature, this class of drugs is called "hallucinogens, " though they rarely cause "hallucinations" in the sense of seeing or hearing things that are not there. Within other academic fields, the term ‘entheogen,’ roughly meaning "spirit-facilitating," is coming into prominence for this class of substances.
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Psilocybin is a drug administered in an inactive form that is then converted to the active compound psilocin in the body by the removal of phosphate groups. The reaction occurs under acidic conditions or by phosphatases in the body. It is a zwitterion that is soluble in water, quite soluble in methanol and ethanol and insoluble in most organic solvents.
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Psilocybin produced a range of acute perceptual changes, subjective experiences, and labile moods including anxiety. Psilocybin ... increased measures of mystical experience. At 2 months, the volunteers rated the psilocybin experience as having substantial personal meaning and spiritual significance and attributed to the experience sustained positive changes in attitudes and behavior consistent with changes rated by community observers.... When administered under supportive conditions, psilocybin occasioned experiences similar to spontaneously occurring mystical experiences.
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Psilocybin is metabolized mostly in the liver where it becomes psilocin. It is broken down by the enzyme monoamine oxidase. MAO inhibitors have been known to sustain the effects of psilocybin for longer periods of time; people who are taking an MAOI for a medical condition (or are seeking to potentiate the mushroom experience) should be careful.
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Psilocybin is absorbed through the linings of the mouth and stomach. The effects begin 10-40mins after consumption if held in the mouth for 20-60 minutes or if swallowed on an empty stomach and last for 2-6 hours depending on dose, species consumed and individual metabolism. Typical recreational dosage is from 10-50mg psilocybin.
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Psilocybin is rapidly dephosphorylated in the body to psilocin which then acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor in the brain where it mimics the effects of serotonin (5-HT). Psilocin is an 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A/2C agonist.
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Psilocybin