Psilocybin mushrooms, a traditional psychedelic similar to LSD in its role as a serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist, are currently under investigation for psilocybin-assisted therapy. This form of therapy aims to treat a variety of mental health issues such as emotional distress from major depression, anxiety, cluster headaches, and migraines.
In order to understand how shrooms can be beneficial for these conditions, it is vital to delve into how they are metabolized in the body. This knowledge can help both researchers and users to comprehend how the active compound produces its psychological and therapeutic effects. This article provides a basic overview of psilocybin’s pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.
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Key Takeaways:
- Half of the ingested psychedelic fungi is absorbed and distributed throughout the body.
- Primarily in the liver, the fungi compound is dephosphorylated by the enzyme alkaline phosphatase.
- Within 24 hours, about 3.4% of the compound is excreted in its original form, with most being eliminated as a stable metabolite.
What Does Pharmacokinetics Mean?
Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the science of how substances like drugs are processed by the body after their introduction. It’s a separate field, yet closely related to pharmacodynamics, which studies how a compound interacts with your body. PK primarily focuses on four aspects: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Understanding these processes enables healthcare professionals to prescribe the most effective medications while minimizing the risk. It also allows them to customize treatments based on each patient’s unique physiology and lifestyle.
How Does Pharmacokinetics Relate to Psilocybin?
Psilocybin and psilocin, the primary active compounds in certain types of magic mushrooms, have garnered significant attention from both researchers and users. Pharmacokinetics studies how the body processes these mushrooms and provides insight into their potential effects, whether for medicinal or recreational use.
These compounds, also referred to as “magic,” “psychedelic,” “medicinal,” or “sacred,” are found in certain fungi species that are consumed. The Mushroom species, their habitats, sizes, growth and drying conditions, as well as their age, can heavily influence the concentration levels.
Despite these mushrooms naturally growing in the wild, scientists have found ways to produce them synthetically in a lab. Both the natural and lab-grown versions have low toxicity, but they may cause mild side effects like nausea or vomiting.
Despite these side effects, the compounds in these mushrooms have shown promising therapeutic benefits due to their safe profile and non-addictive properties. These benefits have encouraged further research into their potential use in psychotherapy, particularly for treating anxiety and depression.
Understanding the 4 Stages of Pharmacokinetics
Psilocybin, the compound present in these mushrooms, is inactive in its original form. It functions as a prodrug, transforming into its active form, psilocin, with the help of enzymes like alkaline phosphatase. This transformation enables psilocin to circulate throughout the body, reaching various tissues. However, psilocybin cannot be detected in the circulatory system, feces, or urine after oral administration.
Absorption
The absorption process allows the compound to enter the bloodstream from the site of administration. This process affects how quickly and effectively the compound reaches its target, such as the plasma. Oral consumption is the most common method of administration. While inhalation has been attempted, it’s not as effective as oral ingestion.
The absorption also involves the release of the compound from the dosage form during oral ingestion. Factors like delays in the throat or esophagus can affect this process, possibly slowing down the results or leading to irritation. The acidic environment in the stomach can start breaking down the compound before it makes its way into the bloodstream.
Studies on animals suggest that only about 50% of orally administered psychedelics are absorbed and distributed throughout the body.
Factors Impacting the Absorption Process
Several factors can affect the absorption process, resulting in variations in the onset, intensity, and duration:
- Stomach Contents: Eating before taking the compound can delay the process as it slows down the onset of effects. Absorption is quicker on an empty stomach.
- Body Fat: Compounds can accumulate in fat tissues, which may potentially prolong their effects.
- Age: Metabolic rates and body composition often vary with age.
- Zero-Order Kinetics: The substance is expelled at a fixed rate, regardless of its concentration.
- First-Order Kinetics: The rate of expulsion is in proportion to the concentration of the drug.
The term ‘Distribution’ points to how psilocin spreads in the body once it has been absorbed into the bloodstream. As psilocin is lipophilic, it has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thereby reaching the central nervous system.
system.Various factors such as the size, polarity, and protein-binding capacity of the product, together with the individual’s unique physiology—including hydration status and body composition—contribute significantly to this process.
The aim is to achieve an effective concentration at the target site. For the product to function effectively, it needs to reach the intended area, as determined by the volume of distribution, while remaining unattached to proteins. This allows it to interact dynamically with its receptor.
What Factors Affect the Distribution Process?
Several factors can have an impact on the distribution process:
Effects usually begin to manifest between 20-40 minutes after ingestion, reaching their peak around 80-100 minutes. The effects of magic mushrooms generally last between 4-6 hours.
How Does Distribution to the Brain Happen?
Initial experimental research on two species revealed that its binding affinity follows the order of 5HT2A > 5HT1A > 5HT2B [23]. It also attaches to dopamine D1, 5HT1E, 5HT5A, 5HT7, 5HT6, D3, 5HT2C, and 5HT1B receptors.
It acts as a partial agonist at the 5HT2A receptor, with an efficacy of roughly 40%. Its psychedelic effects are primarily due to its partial agonist activity at 5HT1A autoreceptors.
The mood-enhancing and psychotomimetic experiences may arise from the noted association between increased dopamine levels and feelings of depersonalization and euphoria. Hallucinogens work by modifying neurochemistry and receptor activity. It enhances 5HT2A agonist activity by boosting BDNF synthesis in the hippocampus, which encourages neurogenesis and reduces conditioned fear-related behaviours.
Elimination
Excretion is the mechanism through which the The body naturally expels substances through various organs such as the kidneys, lungs, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract. In terms of the kidneys, they filter a naturally occurring psychedelic drug in the glomerulus or secrete it in the tubules. The process is further complicated by some reabsorption.
The primary compound has a half-life of around 160 minutes while that of psilocin is approximately 50 minutes. Animal studies reveal that this compound is primarily excreted through urine, accounting for about 65% of it within 8 hours. After consumption, residues of the substance can be detected in minute quantities in bile and feces.
In humans, about 3.4% of the substance is excreted in its original form within a day, while most of it is removed as psilocin-O-glucuronide, a relatively stable metabolite. This stability allows for the compound to be identified in urine samples for an extended timeframe.
The substance is expelled primarily through two methods:
Most psychedelic drugs follow the first-order kinetics method, reaching stable concentrations after four to five half-lives. Total elimination also occurs after four to five half-lives.
Discover Our Array of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
The metabolic process differs among various types of fungi. By buying from reliable online vendors like Magic Mushroom Dispensary Canada, you can avoid unintentional consumption of poisonous mushrooms. Certain types, such as Agaric mushrooms, can lead to powerful and undesirable effects. Hence, it’s vital to acquire magic mushrooms from trustworthy dispensaries instead of potentially hazardous street vendors or wild 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 | Resembles a blob or | Resembles a cauliflower or brain in structure | Typical appearance of cubensis; moderately sized | Thick, white stems; caps in a golden caramel color; evident blue bruising |
| Effects | Considered the most potent; known for intense effects | Powerful mental high; visuals that take some time to manifest but are pronounced | Strong visuals accompanied by euphoria |
Educate Yourself on Psilocybin Mushroom Use Online
For medical professionals, researchers, and users, understanding the pharmacokinetics of shrooms is crucial. With this information, you can make knowledgeable decisions about dosage and timing, thus reducing potential risks.
Discover your perfect psychedelic experience at Magic Mushroom Dispensary Canada. Whether you’re after a soothing trip or a deeper exploration, our wide assortment of products is designed to meet your unique requirements. Enjoy premium, safe, and quality-controlled shrooms, removing worries about uncertain sources or poisonous mushrooms.
Sample the best magic mushrooms that Canada has to offer and take your psychedelic journey to unparalleled heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any known interactions between shrooms and other drugs?
Our products can interact with certain medications, particularly those that affect serotonin levels, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). SSRIs and SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) can reduce the effects, unlike non-serotonergic antidepressants. This reduced effect can last for up to three months after discontinuing the antidepressant use.
Do all psychedelics use the same pathway as psilocybin?
No, each psychedelic substance has a unique structure that requires different metabolic processes to activate, and they attach to various receptors in the body. The way each psychedelic is administered also affects its absorption. While the basic principles of absorption, metabolism, and distribution are the same, each substance has different pathways and effects.
Can the shroom’s form affect the pharmacokinetics?
Yes, the form of the shroom (be it fresh, powdered, or dried) can influence the absorption rate. For example, powdered forms might be absorbed faster than whole dried ones due to quicker dissolution.
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