What is psilocybin?
Q: What is psilocybin?
A: Psilocybin is a mind-altering chemical found in certain types of mushrooms. It can lead to effects like hallucinations or visions and has been used for medical purposes to treat cluster headaches, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and certain kinds of depression.
Q: What are some examples of magic mushrooms?
A: Psilocybe semilanceata is the classic example of a magic mushroom, but there are quite a few others including Copelandia, Gymnopilus, Inocybe, Mycena, Panaeolus, Pholiotina and Pluteus.
Q: How much psilocybin does an average psychedelic mushroom contain?
A: On average psychedelic mushrooms contain about 1% psilocybin by weight.
Q: What is the LD50 rate for rats when it comes to psilocybin?
A: The LD50 rate for rats when it comes to psilocybin is 280 mg/kg.
Q: How much would a 60 kg person need to consume in order to reach the LD50 rate for rats?
A: A 60 kg person would need to consume nearly 1.7 kilograms of dried mushrooms or 17 kilograms of fresh mushrooms in order to reach the LD50 rate for rats.
Q: When were magic mushrooms first used?
A: Magic mushrooms have probably been used since prehistoric times and may be seen in rock art from many cultures who have used them in religious rites.
Q: What purpose do compounds like this serve in nature?
A: Compounds like this serve as a defence against herbivory by reducing the likelihood that the mushroom will be eaten before its spores have been scattered.
