Baeocystin

Baeocystin is a psilocybin mushroom alkaloid and analog of psilocybin. It is found as a minor compound in most psilocybin mushrooms together with psilocybin, norbaeocystin, and psilocin. Baeocystin is an N-demethylated derivative of psilocybin, and a phosphorylated derivative of 4-HO-NMT (4-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine). The structures at right illustrate baeocystin in its zwitterionic form. Baeocystin is a psilocybin mushroom alkaloid and analog of psilocybin. It is found as a minor compound in most psilocybin mushrooms together with psilocybin, norbaeocystin, and psilocin. Baeocystin is an N-demethylated derivative of psilocybin, and a phosphorylated derivative of 4-HO-NMT (4-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine). The structures at right illustrate baeocystin in its zwitterionic form. Baeocystin was first isolated from the mushroom Psilocybe baeocystis, and later from P. semilanceata, Panaeolus renenosus, Panaeolus subbalteatus, and Copelandia chlorocystis. It was first synthesized by Troxler et al. in 1959. Little information exists with regard to human pharmacology, but in the book Magic Mushrooms Around the World, author Jochen Gartz reports being aware of a study in which '10 mg of baeocystin were found to be about as psychoactive as a similar amount of psilocybin.' Gartz also reported in a research paper that a self-administered assay of 4 mg of baeocystin caused 'a gentle hallucinogenic experience'.