The effect of particular active substances of hallucinogenic mushrooms

Psilocybin, psilocin, ibotenic acid, and muscimol, produced by certain fungi in the genera Conocybe, Copelandia, Panaeolus, Psilocybe, and Stropharia, chemically resemble natural neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA. After ingestion, these substances alter brain neurochemistry and induce hallucinations. This mini review describes their effects on the nervous system and discusses their influence on human emotion and mental health.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Magic mushrooms have accompanied man for thousands of years. Formerly they were used for religious and culture purposes. Those fungi belong mainly to the genera Conocybe, Copelandia, Panaeolus, Psilocybe and Stropharia. A number of these fungal species produce substances, like psilocybin, psilocin, ibotenic acid or muscimol. Because of their chemical similarity to naturally occurring neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA these substances, after ingestion, affect brain neurochemistry and by this induce hallucinations. This mini review presents the influence of psilocybin, psilocin, ibotenic acid and muscimol on the nervous system. Also the effects of the above mentioned substances on emotion and mental health of people are discussed.