Hallucinogenic mushrooms on the German market - simple instructions for examination and identification.

Confiscated magic mushrooms were analyzed using multiple methods. Psilocybe cubensis was the most common species, followed by Psilocybe semilanceata, Panaeolus cyanescens, and Psilocybe tampanensis. Alkaloid content ranged from less than 0.003% to 1.15% psilocybin and 0.01% to 0.90% psilocin. Panaeolus cyanescens contained the highest levels of both psilocybin and psilocin.

Study at a glance

Abstract

'Magic mushrooms' is the name most commonly given to psychoactive fungi containing the hallucinogenic components psilocybin and psilocin. Material confiscated by local authorities was examined using morphologic, microscopic, microchemical, and toxicological methods. Psilocybe cubensis was the most popular mushroom in the sample collective, followed by Psilocybe semilanceata, Panaeolus cyanescens and Psilocybe tampanensis. The alkaloid content was determined with <0.003-1.15% of psilocybin and 0.01-0.90% psilocin. Panaeolus cyanescens was the mushroom with highest levels of psilocybin and psilocin.