Novel qNMR Method to Quantify Psilocybin and Psilocin in Psychedelic Mushrooms
Luisina Castelli Rodríguez, Guillermo Morera, Sandra Lupo, Danilo Davyt, Ignacio Carrera, Gonzalo Hernández Dossi
ACS Omega November 10, 2025 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c07092 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAn optimized extraction protocol and a quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) spectroscopy method enable accurate, nondestructive quantification of the psychoactive tryptamines psilocybin and psilocin in dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms. Using both 1H and 31P NMR, the method detects and measures both alkaloids simultaneously with high reproducibility. Analysis of user-provided and laboratory-grown samples reveals substantial variability in total tryptamine content and in the psilocybin-to-psilocin ratio, suggesting that storage conditions affect alkaloid stability. Compared to conventional chromatography, qNMR provides a rapid, calibration-free alternative for routine analysis, potentially supporting quality control in clinical and regulatory settings for psychedelic mushrooms.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Method development and validation study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms (user-provided and laboratory-grown samples) |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Tryptamines Extraction chemistry Folium of descartes Solid phase extraction |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | qNMR spectroscopy provides a rapid, calibration-free method for quantifying psilocybin and psilocin in dried Psilocybe cubensis, revealing significant variability in alkaloid content and ratios between samples. |
Abstract
Psychedelic mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus contain the psychoactive tryptamines psilocybin and psilocin, compounds currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of depression and other psychiatric conditions. However, the accurate quantification of these alkaloids in fungal matrices remains analytically challenging. Here, we report an optimized extraction protocol and a robust, nondestructive quantification method based on quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) spectroscopy. Using a combination of 1H- and 31P NMR, we achieved simultaneous detection and quantification of psilocin and psilocybin in dried Psilocybe cubensis samples with high accuracy and reproducibility. Our method revealed significant variability in tryptamine content and psilocybin-to-psilocin ratios among user-provided and laboratory-grown samples, underscoring the potential influence of storage conditions on alkaloid stability. Compared with conventional chromatographic approaches, qNMR offers a rapid and calibration-free alternative for the routine analysis of psychedelic fungi. This approach may facilitate quality control in emerging clinical and regulatory contexts of psychedelic mushrooms.