Psilocybin mushrooms, similar to LSD in their function as a serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist, are a type of traditional psychedelic. Currently, these mushrooms are under investigation for their potential use in psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat various mental health disorders. These include significant emotional distress linked to major depression, anxiety, cluster headaches, and migraines.
To grasp how shrooms can benefit these conditions, it’s vital to understand their metabolic process within the body. This knowledge allows both researchers and users to comprehend how the active compound produces its psychological and therapeutic effects. This article delivers a basic overview of the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of psilocybin.
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Key Takeaways:
- Upon oral ingestion, half of the psychedelic fungi is absorbed and distributed throughout the body.
- The compound in the fungi undergoes dephosphorylation via the enzyme alkaline phosphatase, primarily occurring in the liver.
- Approximately 3.4% of the compound is expelled in its original form within 24 hours, with the rest being excreted as a stable metabolite.
What Does Pharmacokinetics Mean?
Pharmacokinetics (PK) involves the study of how substances such as drugs are processed by the body after their introduction. It’s closely related to pharmacodynamics, which focuses on how a compound interacts with the body. PK explores four main areas: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Comprehending these processes enables healthcare professionals to prescribe the most appropriate medications with the least risk. It also allows them to customize treatments to suit the unique physiology and lifestyle of each patient.
How Does Pharmacokinetics Relate to Psilocybin?
Psilocybin and psilocin, the primary active compounds in certain magic mushroom species, have attracted significant attention from researchers and users alike. Pharmacokinetics investigates how the body processes mushrooms containing psilocybin and aids in understanding their potential impacts, whether medicinal or recreational.
These compounds go by various names, including “magic,” “psychedelic,” “medicinal,” or “sacred.” The fungi containing these compounds are consumed, with The Mushroom species, their origin and size, the conditions in which they grow and are processed, and their age can yield significant differences in their potency.
Although these mushrooms naturally grow in the wild, scientists have found ways to synthetically produce them in laboratories. Both the natural and lab-produced versions exhibit low toxicity, but minor side effects such as nausea or vomiting may occur.
Despite these physical side effects, the compounds found in these mushrooms possess potential therapeutic benefits due to their safety and non-addictive characteristics. This has stimulated researchers to investigate their use in psychotherapy, particularly as a treatment for anxiety and depression.
Understanding the 4 Stages of Pharmacokinetics
Psilocybin, a compound found in these mushrooms, is inactive in its natural state and acts as a prodrug, converting into its active form, psilocin. Enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase facilitate this conversion, enabling psilocin to be absorbed and distributed throughout the body, affecting various tissues. However, post oral consumption, psilocybin cannot be traced in the circulatory system, feces, or urine.
Absorption
Absorption refers to the process by which the compound enters the bloodstream from the site of administration. It determines the speed and effectiveness with which the compound reaches its target, such as plasma. Oral intake is the most common method of administration. While inhalation has been tried, it is not as effective as ingestion.
During absorption, the compound is also released from the dosage form during oral ingestion. Factors such as a delay in the throat or esophagus can affect this, potentially slowing down the results or causing discomfort. Once the compound reaches the stomach, the acidic environment may begin to degrade it before it enters the bloodstream.
Animal studies suggest that only about 50% of orally administered psychedelics are absorbed and distributed throughout the body.
Factors that Influence the Absorption Process
Several factors can influence the absorption process, resulting in variations in the onset, intensity, and duration of the effects:
- Contents of the Stomach: A full stomach can postpone the process as it slows down the onset of effects. Absorption occurs faster when the stomach is empty.
- Types of Psilocybin Mushrooms: The absorption speed can differ when consuming raw mushrooms versus capsules or extracts. Raw mushrooms typically decompose faster.
The phosphate group in psilocybin has a strong polarity. Along with the amine group’s positive charge, it makes the molecule zwitterionic and increases its water solubility compared to psilocin. Without the phosphate group, psilocin becomes more lipid-soluble, metabolically available, and more easily absorbed in the intestines.
Metabolic Process
Metabolism is the body’s method of converting mushroom strains into compounds that can be efficiently expelled. This process enhances the water solubility of the mushroom to facilitate renal clearance and is critical for activating its effects.
The liver primarily performs metabolism in two stages:
- Stage I (CYP450 Reactions): This stage oxidizes hallucinogenic drugs into polar metabolites.
- Stage II (UGT Reactions): This stage conjugates the metabolites to simplify their distribution.
- This process neutralizes the drug and prepares it for elimination through urine or bile.
Once absorbed, the compound undergoes metabolic conversion in the liver. The main metabolic process is dephosphorylation, where psilocybin is changed into psilocin by the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. This change primarily happens in the liver. Moreover, secondary metabolic processes can generate various byproducts.
Psilocin then undergoes extensive Stage I metabolism in the liver to form different metabolites:
- 4-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde
- 4-hydroxytryptophol
- 4-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (4-HIAA)
The Stage II metabolism is catalyzed by the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzyme family, with UGT1A10 being the primary pathway. Psilocin-O-glucuronide is the main metabolite found in urine, with 2% to 4% of psilocin being expelled without changes.
Excretion
Excretion is the process of clearing these compounds from the body. Most of the psilocin is expelled through the urine, with a small amount also removed via the bile.
About 65% of psilocin is excreted in the urine within 24 hours, and an additional 15-20% is eliminated through the bile. The rest is likely metabolized and expelled in other ways.
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics describes the body’s process of absorbing, distributing, metabolizing, and excreting drugs. The pharmacokinetics of psilocybin and psilocin have been studied in humans, revealing that these compounds are rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body.
class=”wp-block-heading”>DispersionDispersion refers to how psilocin, once in the bloodstream, is distributed throughout the body. Psilocin, being lipophilic, can pass the blood-brain barrier to reach the central nervous system.
Various factors, including the size, polarity, and protein-binding capacity of the substance, as well as the individual’s physiological conditions—such as hydration status and body composition—significantly impact this procedure.
The aim is to achieve an effective concentration at the target location. For effectiveness, the substance must arrive at the calculated area (based on the volume of distribution) and remain unattached to proteins, allowing it to actively engage with its receptor.
What Factors Affect the Dispersion Process?
Several elements can influence the dispersion process:
- Body Fat: Chemicals can accumulate in fat tissues, potentially prolonging their effects.
- Age: Metabolic rates and body composition may vary with age.
Effects usually manifest between 20-40 minutes following consumption, peaking around 80-100 minutes. The effects of magic mushrooms typically persist for 4-6 hours.
How is Dispersion to the Brain Achieved?
An initial experiment involving two species suggested that the order of its binding affinity is 5HT2A > 5HT1A > 5HT2B [23]. It also interacts with dopamine D1 receptors, 5HT1E, 5HT5A, 5HT7, 5HT6, D3, 5HT2C, and 5HT1B.
It acts as a partial agonist at the 5HT2A receptor, demonstrating roughly 40% efficacy. Its psychedelic effects are thought to stem from its partial agonist activity at 5HT1A autoreceptors.
The mood-enhancing and psychotomimetic experiences might be linked to the observed association between increased dopamine levels and feelings of bliss and depersonalization. Hallucinogens work by modifying neurochemistry and receptor activity. They enhance 5HT2A agonist activity by promoting BDNF synthesis in the hippocampus, which encourages neurogenesis and reduces fear-related behaviors.
Elimination
Elimination refers to the process where the The human body expels a substance through various organs such as the kidneys, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. In the kidney, a naturally occurring psychedelic drug is either filtered in the glomerulus or secreted in the tubules, with some reabsorption which adds complexity to the process.
The primary compound has a half-life of about 160 minutes, while psilocin’s half-life is approximately 50 minutes. Animal studies have demonstrated that the main expulsion of this substance is via urine, accounting for about 65% within 8 hours. Post-consumption, smaller quantities of the substance can still be detected in bile and feces.
In humans, about 3.4% of the substance is expelled unaltered within a day, while most of it is eliminated as psilocin-O-glucuronide, a more stable metabolite. This compound’s stability allows for its detection in urine samples over a prolonged period.
Substance excretion primarily occurs via two methods:
- Zero-Order Kinetics: The substance is eliminated at a steady rate, regardless of its concentration.
- First-Order Kinetics: The elimination rate is proportional to the concentration of the drug.
Most psychedelic drugs follow the first-order kinetics method, achieving steady-state concentrations after four to five half-lives. Complete elimination also typically occurs after four to five half-lives.
Discover Our Range of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
The metabolic process differs among various types of fungi. Purchasing from reliable online suppliers like Mushroom Gummies Canada safeguards against unintentional consumption of poisonous mushrooms. Some varieties, such as Agaric mushrooms, can lead to intense and unpleasant effects. Hence, it’s crucial to acquire magic mushrooms from trusted dispensaries instead of risky street vendors or unguided foraging.
| Feature | Enigma | Full Moon Party | Gold Member | |
| Strain Type | Psilocybe Cubensis OMNI | Psilocybe cubensis (Thai Koh Samui) | Psilocybe cubensis | |
| Potency | Exceptionally high; 3.8% tryptamine content | Moderate to high potency | High potency | |
| Visual Characteristics | Similar to a blob or | Resembles a cauliflower or brain structure | Exhibits the classic appearance of cubensis; of moderate size | Features thick white stems; caps of golden caramel hue; conspicuous blue bruising |
| Effects | Known as the most potent; induces intense effects | Produces a strong mental high; visuals are delayed but prominent | Generates potent visuals and euphoria |
Explore Psilocybin Mushroom Use Online
For medical professionals, researchers, and users, understanding the pharmacokinetics of shrooms is crucial. This knowledge allows for informed decisions regarding dosage and timing, thus reducing potential risks.
Discover your perfect psychedelic experience at Mushroom Gummies Canada. Whether you desire a soothing journey or a deeper exploration, our comprehensive product range is tailored to your precise needs. Enjoy superior, secure, and quality-assured shrooms, eliminating worries about unreliable sources or poisonous mushrooms.
Experience the finest magic mushrooms Canada provides and propel your psychedelic journey to unparalleled heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there known interactions between shrooms and other drugs?
Our products may interact with certain medications, particularly those affecting serotonin levels, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). SSRIs and SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) usually reduce the effects, unlike non-serotonergic antidepressants. This reduced effect can last for up to three months after discontinuing the antidepressant.
Do all psychedelics operate on the same pathway as psilocybin?
No, each psychedelic substance has a unique structure, requiring different metabolic processes to activate and binding to different receptors in the body. The method of administration also affects how each psychedelic is absorbed. While the basic principles of absorption, metabolism, and distribution are consistent, the specific pathways and effects vary for each substance.
Can the form of the mushroom affect its pharmacokinetics?
Yes, the form (whether fresh, powdered, or dried mushrooms) can influence the absorption rate. For example, powdered forms may be absorbed faster than whole dried ones due to quicker dissolution.
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