Magic mushroom extracts in lipid membranes
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes May 10, 2022 Teresa Quynh Tram Nguyen, Frederik W. Lund, Ali Asghar Hakami Zanjani et al. 9 citations
Psilocin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, and the hormone serotonin both interact with cell membranes in similar ways, potentially contributing to their effects. Using computer simulations and laboratory experiments, researchers found that both molecules insert into lipid membranes and make them thinner. Psilocin penetrates the membrane more than serotonin does, but its chemical structure—a tertiary amine versus serotonin's primary amine—limits its impact on the membrane. Both compounds also lower the melting point of the membrane, a property shared with anesthetics. These findings support the idea that psilocin and serotonin may influence receptors indirectly through the membrane, not just by direct binding, and highlight how small chemical differences alter membrane interactions.