Beyond psilocybin: Do magic mushroom preparations contain other compounds with pharmacological effects?
Abstract
Psilocybin (‘magic’) mushrooms are species of mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycetes) that have been used as a spiritual sacrament for thousands of years and as recreational and therapeutic drugs more recently. People who use psilocybin mushrooms have long reported that different species and preparation methods cause alterations to their pharmacological effects. In agreement with these reports, animal studies have shown differences in the effects of isolated psilocybin and psilocybin mushroom extracts, suggesting that psilocybin mushrooms may contain additional pharmacologically active compounds or adjuvants. This literature review identifies the compounds other than psilocybin/psilocin identified so far in psilocybin mushrooms and discusses their potential to cause differential effects from different psilocybin mushrooms. Several compounds have been identified in psilocybin mushrooms so far including psilocybin/psilocin related tryptamines, β-carbolines, gymnopilins, and monoamine neurotransmitters. There is not enough evidence to confirm whether these compounds have pharmacological activity or if those with proven activity are present in sufficient quantities to have any relevant effect. Some people who use mushrooms report adding active compounds from alternative sources into drug preparations to mitigate this issue of low natural occurrence of certain pharmacologically active compounds. An overview of general usage, gaps in the literature and steps forward are discussed in this review.
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