Psilocybe is a genus of Basidiomycota fungi, belonging to the Strophariaceae family, which contains generally small species with bell-shaped or cone-shaped caps, with generally dark blades attached to the stipe. The stipe is generally thin, fragile, and in some species retains remnants of the ring.
The genus was described as Agaricus "tribe" Psilocybe in 1821, with Psilocybe montana as a type species. However, recent studies showed that this taxon was polyphyletic and currently taxonomists have split the genus into two distinct groups (Psilocybe Y Deconic) Y P. semilanceata designated as type species of Psilocybe sensu stricto.
The species of this genus are saprophytic and widely distributed worldwide, with a greater diversity of species in Central and South America. There are about 300 species and, although it is popular belief that all of them grow directly on the feces of cattle, in reality very few species grow in this type of habitat..
Virtually all species of Psilocybe They produce psychoactive compounds, including psilocybin and psilocin, with hallucinogenic properties, the commercialization of which is banned worldwide. However, the sale of fungi of this genus, or their spores, is still legal in some countries..
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Fungi of the genus Psilocybe they generally have small fruiting bodies, with a color that can change depending on the hydration state of the organism, being generally yellowish brown, darker when fresh and pale when they lose water.
The hat is generally conical or flared, with the apex raised as a nipple. The foot is thin and fragile and in some species it retains remains of the ring. The fruiting body turns blue when cut.
The outermost layer of hyphae of the pileo is arranged so that it runs parallel to the surface of this forming a complexion.
Sporulation is dark and varies from lilac-brown to dark purple-brown. The spores are generally smooth and variable in shape ranging from rhomboidal to ellipsoidal spores and with a typical germinal pore located apically.
Virtually all species of Psilocybe, with the sole exception perhaps of Psilocybe fuscofulva, produce compounds with hallucinogenic properties.
The taxon Psilocybe was coined by the Swiss mycologist Elias Magnus Fries in 1821 under the name of Agaricus tribe Psilocybe to contain agaric mushrooms with hallucinogenic properties and whose flesh turned blue when cut.
In the same work, Fries described 22 species and placed them within his so-called tribe. Psilocybe, however currently only Psilocybe merdaria Y P. montana remain in that genre.
Recent studies showed that gender, as defined up to that point, was polyphyletic. Therefore, the taxon was divided into two clades: one with species that turned blue and were hallucinogenic (Hymenogastraceae family) and another with the remaining species (Strophariaceae family).
The gender Psilocybe, in its strict sense, it now became of the Hymenogastraceae family, and taxonomists chose a new type species, P. semilanceata. Currently it is estimated that this genus is represented by about 300 valid species.
The reproduction of Psilocybe semilanceata it is typical of Agaricales mushrooms. Reproduction is of the heterothalic sexual type. As the spores germinate, they give rise to haploid hyphae. Two distinct and sexually compatible hyphae must meet and fuse to produce a dikaryote.
The dikaryote contains cells with two haploid nuclei. When the fungus develops the fruiting bodies, spores will form in the basidia, for this the two nuclei of each cell will fuse (karyogamy) and give rise to a diploid or zygote cell, which will later undergo meiosis to produce four spores haploid.
These spores will be released into the environment, so that they hatch and unite with other compatible hyphae, to start a new cycle..
All species of the genus Psilocybe They require organic matter already elaborated and decomposing for their nutrition, that is, they are saprophytic species. A few species grow directly on the feces of cattle, the rest of the species grow on the ground, although they take advantage of the nutrients from the feces.
Organisms release the enzymes that are going to process complex organic matter directly from the environment where they are developed, and will transform it into its simplest components, which it then absorbs to complete the feeding process.
Because the fungus does not take advantage of all the nutrients released from the extracellular digestion of organic matter, many of these compounds remain bioavailable to be used by other organisms, which is why they are considered important components of the flow of matter and energy in ecosystems where they develop.
Fungi of the genus Psilocybe They are characterized by presenting substances with hallucinogenic properties. The main alkaloids present in these mushrooms are psilocybin, psilocin and baeocystin, of which the one with the greatest psychoactive activity is psilocin.
The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin are indirect because it is transformed into psilocin inside the body. This last compound is directly responsible for the hallucinogenic properties of fungi of the genus.
Although both compounds are present in living mushrooms, psilocybin is much more stable than psilocin, which degrades when the body is cooked or dried. The chemical structure of psilocin is very similar to that of serotonin, an alkaloid that is responsible for regulating our emotions.
Psilocin, in low amounts, has an effect similar to that of serotonin, which is why it can cause a feeling of happiness, but in higher concentrations, it acts antagonistically with serotonin. Researchers believe hallucinations could be due to excess serotonin in the blood.
Among the psychological effects of the alkaloids of the Psilocybe there is a mystical sensation of transcendence in time and space and of interconnection with all objects and living beings. Because of this, these mushrooms have been part of the rituals of different religions in different parts of the world..
These mushrooms, which have different names, such as magic mushrooms and gods' meat, have been used for magical and religious purposes for thousands of years and some researchers maintain that the first records of their use may be found in drawings dating back to about 9000 a C ...
These drawings, found on a mural in Tassili, Sahara desert, show psilocybid fungi and anthropomorphic figures carrying them. However, other researchers do not consider these tests as conclusive of their use for any particular purpose, and others even doubt the authenticity of these drawings.
In pre-Hispanic America the use of these mushrooms in religious rituals is firmly demonstrated, there are even records from 1598, attributed to an indigenous named Tezozomoc who documented the use of the mushroom in 1502, during the coronation ceremonies of Moctezuma II..
The Spanish conquerors prohibited any type of non-Christian religious activity, which meant that the use of these mushrooms and their hallucinogenic properties was practically forgotten. They were later documented again, and popularized, by Gordon Wasson and his wife Valentina Pavlovna, Timothy Leary, and others in the mid-20th century..
The alkaloids present in the fungi of the genus Psilocybe They can have both physical and psychological effects, which can generally appear at the time of ingestion and have effects that can last approximately five hours..
The physical effects, although generally insignificant, can occur and include dilation of the pupils, altered heart rhythm, increased blood pressure, tremors, dizziness and very rarely nausea and diarrhea..
On the other hand, the psychological effects are much stronger and can include alteration of the sensations of time, space, sensory perceptions, knowledge and consciousness..
In most cases the sensations are pleasant and even mystical. On the contrary, panic attacks, paranoia, psychosis, depression, among others can also occur.
The psychoactive substances produced by these mushrooms are illegally used and commercialized in most countries of the world, they are even indicated in list I of the United Nations Convention on psychotropic substances dating from 1971. However, some countries still allow the commercialization of the fungus and / or its spores.
Species popularly known as mongui or San Juan mushroom. It reaches a size of 5 cm, with a conical or flared hat, with a teat-shaped apex, its stipe does not present a ring and produces smooth and ellipsoidal spores. It is the species with the largest worldwide distribution within the genus.
The bioactive substances in this mushroom have hallucinogenic properties, but they have also been used for medical purposes. Among the medical uses are the treatment of people with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders or headaches, among other ailments.
This species is also known as mongui, or laughing mushroom. It is slightly larger than P. semilanceata, with yellow bell edges and a color ranging from white with a yellow central spot to a dark brown with orange central spot. It also has worldwide distribution.
Its properties and uses are similar to those of Psilocybe semilanceata.
Known as a little bird, it has a conical subumboned bell that reaches 3 cm in diameter. Like P. semilanceata Y P. cubensis has hallucinogenic compounds and has been used in religious rituals by pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican civilizations.
Its distribution is much more restricted, since it only exists in Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
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