Psilocybin and psilocin, the psychoactive compounds known from hallucinogenic mushrooms, were detected in several species of Finnish fungi. The study identified these alkaloids in specimens collected from various locations in Finland, confirming their presence in the region's fungal flora. The chemical analysis provided evidence for the occurrence of these substances, contributing to the understanding of their distribution in nature.
The hallucinogenic mushroom Psilocybe semilanceata, widely distributed in Finland, contains high levels of psilocybin, ranging from 0.62% to 2.37% of dry weight, with a mean of 1.42%. Some samples also contain low concentrations of psilocin, between 0.01% and 0.02% of dry weight. These findings, determined by HPLC analysis of samples from different parts of Finland, provide quantitative data on the psychoactive alkaloid content of this species.