Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
May 23, 2022
Dominique Strauss, Soumya Ghosh, Zurika Murray et al.
30 citations
Psilocybin and psilocin, found in psychedelic mushrooms, show therapeutic potential for mental health disorders without the addiction and overdose risks of drugs like cocaine and alcohol. These mushrooms are naturally widespread and easily accessible. The recent surge in research and public interest has created an urgent need for comprehensive field guides and reviews. This review covers species identification, taxonomy, classification, and available DNA sequence data for psychedelic species in the genera Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Pluteus, and Gymnopilus, and also describes similar-looking harmful genera.
3 Biotech
December 1, 2022
Dominique Strauss, Soumya Ghosh, Zurika Murray et al.
13 citations
Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used by humans for medicinal, recreational, and religious purposes since before recorded history, though they are illegal in most countries. Psilocybin and psilocin, two psychoactive alkaloids naturally produced by these mushrooms, are structurally similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Activation of the serotonin system by these compounds can produce temporary changes in the brain, inducing hallucinations and euphoria, and may moderate symptoms of related mental disorders. This review covers the discovery of hallucinogenic mushrooms and their psychoactive compounds, the history of their criminalization and decriminalization, current knowledge of psilocybin and psilocin, and potential applications for human dysfunctions.
Heliyon
May 17, 2023
Dominique Strauss, Soumya Ghosh, Zurika Murray et al.
7 citations
A review of the fungal genus Panaeolus finds that, although species in this group are reputed to contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin and are used recreationally, no contemporary scientific summary has catalogued which species are psychedelic versus those that are not. The global distribution, species diversity, and extent of DNA sequence data for identification remain poorly documented. This lack of data hinders regulation and law enforcement as markets for these fungi rapidly develop. The review reveals regions where species are mostly known and highlights areas lacking biodiversity data. Substantial further study is needed to confirm which Panaeolus species are truly psychedelic and what compounds they produce.