Traditional psychedelic, Psilocybin mushrooms, similar to LSD, function as a serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist. They are presently being researched in psilocybin-facilitated therapy for mental health issues, encompassing emotional distress linked to severe depression, anxiety, cluster headaches, and migraines.
In order to understand how shrooms help with these conditions, it’s vital to explore their metabolic process in the body. This knowledge enables researchers and users to ascertain how the active compound produces psychological and therapeutic effects. This article offers a basic overview of the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of psilocybin.
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Key Points:
- Half of the ingested psychedelic fungi is absorbed and disseminated throughout the body.
- The compound in the fungi undergoes dephosphorylation via the enzyme alkaline phosphatase, primarily in the liver.
- Around 3.4% of the compound is excreted in its initial form within 24 hours, while the majority is expelled as a stable metabolite.
What is Pharmacokinetics?
Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of how substances like drugs are processed by the body once they are ingested. It is distinct yet related to pharmacodynamics, which investigates how a compound interacts with the body. PK explores four key areas: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Comprehending these processes allows healthcare providers to prescribe the most effective drugs with the least risk. It also helps them to customize treatments to each patient’s distinct physiology and lifestyle.
How Does Pharmacokinetics Relate to Psilocybin?
Psilocybin and its derivative psilocin, the primary active compounds in certain types of magic mushrooms, have attracted significant attention from researchers and users alike. Pharmacokinetics scrutinizes how the body processes mushrooms containing psilocybin, aiding in understanding their potential effects, either medicinal or recreational.
These compounds are known by various names, such as “magic,” “psychedelic,” “medicinal,” or “sacred.” The fungi that contain these compounds are consumed, with The types of mushrooms, their origins, size, growth, and drying conditions, as well as their age, can result in considerable differences in their concentrations.
Even though these mushrooms grow naturally in the wild, scientists have devised techniques to create them in a laboratory. Both natural and synthetic versions display low toxicity, however, minor side effects such as nausea or vomiting may be experienced.
In spite of these physical effects, the compounds present in these mushrooms have exhibited potential therapeutic advantages due to their safe profile and non-addictive properties. These benefits have encouraged researchers to explore their application in psychotherapy, particularly as a treatment for anxiety and depression.
The 4 Phases of Pharmacokinetics
Psilocybin, the compound found in these mushrooms, is inactive in its native state and operates as a prodrug, transforming into its active state, psilocin. Enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase facilitate this conversion, allowing psilocin to be absorbed and distributed across the body, reaching various tissues. Nonetheless, psilocybin cannot be detected in the circulatory system, feces, or urine after oral consumption.
Absorption
The process of absorption is how the compound enters the bloodstream from the site of administration. It affects the speed and effectiveness at which the compound reaches its destination, such as the plasma. Oral intake is the most common method of administration. Inhalation has been tried, but it isn’t as effective as consumption through the mouth.
The absorption process also involves the compound’s release from the dosage form during oral ingestion. Factors such as delays in the throat or esophagus can affect this, potentially slowing down results or causing irritation. As the compound arrives in the stomach, the acidic environment might start to decompose it before it enters the bloodstream.
Studies on animals show that roughly 50% of orally administered psychedelics are absorbed and spread throughout the body.
Factors Influencing the Absorption Process
A number of factors can affect the absorption process, resulting in variations in the onset, intensity, and duration:
- Stomach Contents: A full stomach can slow down the process as it delays the onset of effects. Absorption is quicker on an empty stomach.
