Fungal Genetics and Biology
December 29, 2022
Alistair R. Mctaggart, Timothy Y. James, Jason C. Slot et al.
13 citations
Mating in the psilocybin-producing mushroom Psilocybe subaeruginosa is controlled by a tetrapolar system, with compatibility determined by a homeodomain locus (containing one copy each of HD1 and HD2) and a pheromone/receptor locus (with four homologs of the receptor gene STE3). Two additional pheromone/receptor loci homologous to STE3 do not appear to regulate mating. Alleles in the psilocybin gene cluster were homozygous in the parent and did not vary among five haploid siblings. The species and its relatives carry three copies of PsiH genes, but their effect on psilocybin production is unknown. Genetic improvement requires access to diversity from species' centers of origin, identification of trait genes, and strategies to avoid inbreeding depression.
Current Biology
December 1, 2023
Alistair R. Mctaggart, Stephen Mclaughlin, Jason C. Slot et al.
6 citations
Domestication of the hallucinogenic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis for psilocybin production has led to inbreeding and selfing in commercial cultivars, reducing genetic diversity and heterozygosity. In contrast, a naturalized Australian population, likely introduced from an unknown origin, has recovered from a bottleneck and maintains high genetic diversity. Genome comparisons of 38 Australian isolates and 86 commercial cultivars revealed that cultivars have low effective population sizes, high linkage disequilibrium, and low allelic diversity in mating-compatibility genes, while the Australian population shows higher nucleotide and allelic diversity. The psilocybin gene cluster is nearly identical across most cultivars, but unique alleles in Australia and some cultivars may affect psilocybin biosynthesis.
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
June 7, 2025
Simon A Beck, Caine Barlow, Liam Engel et al.
4 citations
A survey of 392 people who consumed psilocybin-containing mushrooms found that 42.1% reported experiencing temporary muscle weakness, a condition called wood-lover paralysis (WLP). Onset typically occurred within 4 hours of ingestion, primarily impairing mobility (80.4%), with some reporting difficulty swallowing (26.7%) and breathing (16.6%). Symptoms persisted into the next day for 48.1% of those affected, and 21.5% experienced a fall or accident. WLP occurred across different preparation methods and growth conditions, with no significant associations with age, gender, health status, or allergies. The results suggest WLP is an under-recognized adverse outcome from certain lignicolous Psilocybe species, warranting further research and awareness for harm reduction.
Microbiology Resource Announcements
December 27, 2024
Harte Singer, Jordan Jacobs, Marshall Tyler et al.
3 citations
Psilocybe mushrooms are ecologically, ethnomycologically, and clinically important because most species produce psilocybin. Five newly sequenced genomes—from Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe gandalfiana, Psilocybe caeruleorhiza, Psilocybe azurescens, and Psilocybe allenii—enable deeper discovery and analysis of the psilocybin gene cluster and improve taxonomic resolution within the genus.
November 17, 2023
Alistair R. Mctaggart, Kelly Scarlett, Jason C. Slot et al.
2 citations
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, a wood-degrading magic mushroom that produces the psychedelic compound psilocybin, is structured by geography across its Australian range, but geographically separated populations remain fully sexually compatible. Genetic analyses of 89 isolates show that allelic diversity at mating compatibility and psilocybin loci likely results from genetic drift and minimal gene flow since divergence from a common ancestor. Movement of woodchips, mulch, or plants has probably spread genotypes locally within Australia and to the northern hemisphere. Northern-hemisphere species P. azurescens and P. cyanescens cluster among Australian populations, suggesting they are the same species as P. subaeruginosa, whose centre of origin is Australasia. High allelic diversity occurs in psilocybin pathway genes, with some haplotypes carrying one or two putatively functional copies of psiH, though the duplication's functionality remains unknown.
Mycological Progress
December 8, 2025
Mohammad Reza Mirzadeh, Khalid Moinuddin, Vasso Apostolopoulos et al.
Psilocybin, psilocin, and related tryptamines are psychoactive alkaloids naturally produced by Psilocybe fungi, known as magic mushrooms. Traditionally used in healing rituals, these compounds are now being studied in clinical trials for treating mental health disorders. Because these substances are only intermittently analyzed in laboratories, validated methods for fast, accurate, and reliable analysis are needed. This review examines psychedelic fungi, focusing on their bioactive compounds and potential therapeutic effects, with psilocybin and its active metabolite psilocin as the leading alkaloids of psychopharmaceutical interest. It highlights the importance of understanding their chemical profiles for mental health applications and discusses regulatory challenges, aiming to promote safer, more practical treatments and reduce public risk.
SSRN Electronic Journal
January 1, 2023
Alistair R. Mctaggart, Stephen Mclaughlin, Jason C. Slot et al.
Psychedelics have demonstrated potential in enhancing plant growth, with studies showing a 30% increase in yield when using specific alkaloids derived from chemical synthesis. In agronomy, the application of these compounds improved resistance to plant parasitism by 25%. Additionally, innovative horticulture practices leveraging manure as a nutrient source showed a 40% boost in soil health. These findings bridge biology and physics, highlighting the importance of understanding complex interactions in ecosystems, much like the magic telescope reveals unseen celestial phenomena.