Psychoactive alkaloids are a group of chemical compounds found in various plants that have psychotropic effects in humans. Traditionally over the centuries, and as you may already know, this type of compound has been used by various cultures around the world for many different purposes, from medicinal to ritual and recreational.
Psychoactive alkaloids can act as stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens and have various effects on the central nervous system. These effects can vary depending on the dose, the way of administration, the purity and the individual sensitivity of the person who consumes them. Today we are going to talk about two compounds of this class found in certain types of hallucinogenic mushrooms: baeocystin and norbaeocystin.
What is a psychoactive alkaloid?
In recent years, and as you already know if you are a regular reader of our blog, there has been a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic use of some psychoactive alkaloids – such as psilocybin and MDMA – to treat disorders such as depression, anxiety and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). However, despite the benefits that some of these alkaloids can have in medicine and therapy, many of them are considered illegal drugs due to their psychoactive effects and their addictive potential and are not allowed in conventional therapies.
Despite this, there are more and more users of this type of substance (especially and in recent years we would talk about microdoses of psilocybin) who attest to an evident improvement in their state of mind when using this type of treatment, something that in fact science has been studying for a few years now and with very promising results.
Introduction to microdosing psilocybin
As we mentioned in our article on psilocybin and its effects, the use of this substance in various therapies is becoming more common, especially in the form of microdoses. Today we offer you a brief but succinct guide on psilocybin microdosing: what it is, how it works, and what are the recommended doses, are only some of the topics we will be discussing below.
Among the best-known psychoactive alkaloids are caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, morphine, opium, psilocybin, mescaline, and LSD, among others. Each of these compounds has unique properties and produces different effects on the body, although the effects of some of them are quite similar, such as psilocybin and mescaline. However, despite the good results reported in many studies, it must be said that there is still much to be investigated regarding the safety and efficacy of these substances in clinical and therapeutic settings.
Today we are going to focus on two of these alkaloids present in some varieties of magic mushrooms, baeocystin and norbaeocystin; Let’s see what exactly they are and what effects they have on the body.
What is baeocystin?
Baeocystin (C11H15N2O4P) is a chemical compound that belongs to the tryptamine family, which are organic compounds found naturally in various organisms, including some plants, fungi, and animals. Baeocystin is found primarily in certain types of psilocybin mushrooms, such as mushrooms of the genus Panaeolus and some mushrooms of the genus Copelandia.
Differences between Panaeolus Cyanescens (Hawaiian Copelandia) and Psilocybe Cubensis
Most varieties of hallucinogenic mushrooms currently on the market come from
of Psilocybe cubensis. In this article we compare this variety with Panaeolus Cyanescens (or Copelandia), which has been gaining a reputation for all the mycologists who discover it due to its Psilocybin content. This is 4 times more powerful than that of any Psilocybe Cubensis or similar. Homegrower mycologist, welcome to a new tomorrow.
This alkaloid is similar in structure to other psychoactive tryptamines such as psilocybin and psilocin, and is believed to be one of the main compounds responsible for the psychedelic effects produced by mushrooms that contain it. When consumed, baeocystin is metabolized in the body into psilocin, another psychoactive compound that produces similar effects to baeocystin.
The effects of baeocystin and other psychoactive compounds present in psilocybin mushrooms can vary depending on several factors, such as the dose consumed, the quality of the mushrooms, and the mood and environment of the consumer. Effects can include a feeling of euphoria, increased aesthetic appreciation, changes in perception of time and space, and mystical or spiritual experiences.
Baeocystin effects
Below we will mention some of the most common effects associated with baeocystin and other psychoactive compounds present in psilocybin mushrooms. It is important to take into account that, as we have already mentioned, these effects can vary in intensity and duration depending on the dose, the potency of the mushrooms, and the individual experience of the consuming person.
- Altered Sensory Perception: Baeocystin and other psychoactive compounds present in psilocybin mushrooms can alter sensory perception, which can lead to increased visual, auditory, tactile, and gustatory sensitivity. For example, brighter colors, more complex patterns, louder sounds, and stronger flavors can be observed.
- Altered Sensory Perception: Baeocystin and other psychoactive compounds present in psilocybin mushrooms can alter sensory perception, which can lead to increased visual, auditory, tactile, and gustatory sensitivity. For example, brighter colors, more complex patterns, louder sounds, and stronger flavors can be observed.
- Changes in thinking and cognition: Changes in thinking, cognition, and awareness are not uncommon when taking substances of this type. This can include an increase in creativity, a greater capacity for introspection, a greater sense of connection to the world around us, and a decrease in anxiety and fear.
- Emotional Effects: Baeocystin may also cause emotional changes, such as a feeling of euphoria, increased sensitivity to emotions, and increased aesthetic appreciation. However, they can also cause anxiety, fear, and paranoia in some people.
- Changes in Perception of Time and Space: Finally, psychoactive compounds such as baeocystin can alter the perception of time, which can make it appear as if time is moving faster or slower. They can also alter the perception of space, which can lead to a feeling of depersonalization or being out of the body.
What are the differences between baeocystin and norbaeocystin?
Norbaeocystin (C10H13N2O4P), also produced by so-called hallucinogenic mushrooms, has characteristics and effects similar to those of baeocystin. Both compounds are derivatives of 4-phosphoryloxytryptamine and analogs of psilocybin, although the former would be considered a monomethyl analog, while norbaeocystin is considered a demethyl analog.
The two substances were first detected in 1968 by Dr. Albert Y. Leung and Paul A.G. from samples of psilocybe baeocystis, a species of psilocybin mushroom commonly found on the west coast of North America. It is also known by various common names, such as “blue bells” or “olive caps”, and is known for its psychoactive properties. As in many other cases, it has been traditionally used in religious practices and rituals by some indigenous cultures in the area.
It must be said that there are still not enough studies on baeocystin, and exactly the same thing happens – even more exaggerated – with norbaeocystin. Although a group of scientists from the Usona Institute have managed to synthesize this alkaloid in the laboratory, little is still known about its effects and the possible synergy that may occur with other compounds present in this type of mushroom such as psilocybin, psilocin, or baeocystin.
What types of mushrooms contain baeocystin?
We have seen how the first time these two compounds were isolated was from psilocybe baeocystis, although later they were also found in other species such as psilocybe mexicana, psilocybe azurescens, psilocybe cyanescens, psilocybe semilanceata, panaeolus renenosus, panaeolus subbalteatus and Copelandia chlorocystis. Broadly speaking, this alkaloid can be found in various species of the genera Psilocybe, Conocybe and Panaeolus, and its role in psilocybin biosynthesis is being studied.
Among the most common Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, baeocystin can be found in species such as Treasure Coast Albino, B+, Mazatapec, or the popular Thai, although the exact content of their alkaloids is unknown for many of them, especially baeocystin and norbaeocystin. We will continue to report as the investigation progresses!
References:
- Baeocystin and norbaeocystin: New analogs of psilocybin from Psilocybe baeocystis, Leung A. Y., Paul A. G.
- Baeocystin in psilocybe, conocybe and panaeolus, D. B. Repke, D. T. Leslie, G. Guzmán
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