The genus Psilocybe contains over two hundred species of mushroom-forming fungi that produce the secondary metabolite psilocybin, which is a prodrug converted in the body to the active metabolite psilocin. Psilocybin is currently being used in clinical trials for treating Major Depressive Disorder, existential distress in terminally ill patients, and Alcohol Use Disorder, creating a need to investigate and quantitate these substances.
Ergot alkaloids from the fungus Claviceps purpurea can be converted into psychoactive compounds using a simple lye solution, supporting the hypothesis that kykeon, the sacred drink of the Eleusinian Mysteries, was psychedelic. Pulverized ergot sclerotia were boiled in lye (pH 12.5) and distilled water. Nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry showed that toxic ergopeptides were absent after treatment, while lysergic acid amide (LSA) and isolysergic acid amide appeared. Quantification yielded 0.54 mg LSA and 0.48 mg iso-LSA per gram of ergot after 120 minutes. The transformation using ancient technology demonstrates a plausible chemical pathway for producing psychoactive compounds in ancient Greece.