Researchers don’t know exactly how psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, evolved. Now, a new study adds to the mystery: Its findings reveal that two different groups of fungi came up with independent ways to produce the seemingly magical molecule.
In a paper published September 21 in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, scientists analyzed the genes and proteins used by Psilocybe and Inocybe mushrooms to make psilocybin. To their surprise, they found that the two genera of mushrooms produce the compound using completely different pathways.
It’s really easy to grow them yourself with some very affordable supplies. Of course you need spores, or better yet a live culture to grow from. You can usually order the spores/culture online legally (although you should check local laws beforehand) because they do not contain psilocybin themselves.
This is a very easy method for growing your own mushrooms:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZkN1XUUEvapiQocq9Fs8XYsLmGrajZeX
I love that with objectively good things like cannabis and shrooms, you can basically just grow them yourself easily. It’s just nice. Not many things are nice anymore, but those facts are, and that’s nice.
Thanks!