Crystallographic hallucinations
Acta Crystallographica Section C Structural Chemistry – January 27, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Achieving consistent therapeutic outcomes with psychedelics requires precise chemical understanding. Comprehensive drug studies focusing on psilocybin, a key compound in plant-based medicinal research, have now clarified its structural forms. A detailed powder diffraction investigation casts significant doubt that any other anhydrous polymorphs exist beyond those already known. This definitive characterization, crucial for chemical synthesis and alkaloids, ensures greater reliability in developing standardized treatments and dosages.
Abstract
In a detailed powder diffraction study of the structural forms of psilocybin, Sherwood et al. [Acta Cryst. C78, 36–55] cast doubt that any other anhydrous polymorphs could exist.