Psilocybin

1. Psilocybin By: Jessica Vance

2. Names • Name of Drug: Psilocybin • Street Name: Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Mushies, Caps, Mushrooms • Brand Name: Psilocybemexicana and Psilocybecubensis • Chemical Name: Psilocybin (PY, 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine)

3. How to Consume “Shrooms” • Eaten Raw • Mixed with food • Brewed with tea • Eaten fresh or dried for later use

4. History • Hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin have probably existed longer than the human race. • Throughout history, ancient pictures, carving, and statues have been seen, showing the importance of these fungi to ancient tribes.

5. History Cont. • In Central and South America • Religious Practice • For Indians the fungi are known as sacred mushroom and historically propelling them on a religious path to the spirit world.

6. History Cont. • Timothy Leary and the hippie movement • The 1970s brought a ban on psilocybin except for medical research

7. Medical Use • Many studies have been conducted yet there has been not set medical use for Mushroom • Studies have shown to • Inhibit tumor growth • Reduce Cholesterol levels • Reduce Inflammation (Animal Study) • Lower Blood Sugar (Animal Study)

8. Schedule Rating • Schedule 1 Rating • Addictive and can not be used medically

9. Physiological Effects • emptiness of the stomach feeling • involuntary/voluntary muscle spasms • visual distortions • feeling of vertigo • numbness in the limbs, especially in the legs. • moist, numb feeling in the lower abdomen • outlining of distant objects(skies look as if they're painted on) • colors seem more vibrant and alive • increased sensitivity to touching (especially touching objects with interesting textures or finishes) • auditory distinctions are much more sensitive (enjoying music as if you've heard it for the first time). • dilated pupils, overall look of tiredness. • redness in the skin in certain areas, sometimes accompanied by itching. • auditory hallucinations (a constant high pitch in the background, hollow metallic noise, like your inside a metal tunnel, or some other "broken record" occurrence.) • increased heart rate • acute vision • nausea and/or dizziness • upset stomach, cramps • nervous euphoria • confusion on the onset • slight drunkenness when walking or moving • manic energy, indecisive judgment in looking for something to do or get • feeling of extreme lightness

10. Psychological Effects • Can trigger underlying mental disorders and cause schizophrenic-type symptoms • Increases emotional awareness • Illusions, hallucinations

11. Possible Side Effects • Sickness • Impaired judgment • Episodes of anxiety and panic • Flashbacks • Relaxed, dreamlike state • Heightened sensitivity • Illusions, hallucinations

12. Bibliography • http://dancesafe.org/drug-information/magic-mushrooms • http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/mushrooms • http://open.salon.com/blog/doctorandmama/2010/04/13/hallucinogens_magic_mushrooms_for_medical_use • http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/drugs-drogues/poster-affiche/mushr-champ-eng.htm • http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/psilocybin.asp • http://Itech.dickinson.edu/chemistry/?p=917