Psilocybin and Body Changes

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Recommended: Medical application of psilocybin

Psilocybin and Body Changes

Physiological (Whole Body) Changes

Psilocybin, the active psychotomimetic, hallucinogenic

chemical found in the psilocybe genus of mushrooms, is absorbed

through the mouth and stomach and is a monoamine-related

substance (Levitt 1975, Grilly, 1998). This means that

psilocybin's biochemical effects are mediated by changes in the

activity of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the

central nervous system (made up of the brain and the spinal

cord) primarily by way of 5HT2a receptors (Grilly 1998, Hasler

2003). Monoamine-related drugs share a basic similarity in

molecular structure with monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin,

dopamine, and norepinephrine. Psilocybin produces bodily

changes which are mostly sympathomimetic. This means that

psilocybin mimics the effects of stimulating postganglionic

adrenergic sympathetic nerves (online medical). The effects of

this sympathetic nervous system arousal may consist of pupillary

dilation, increases in blood pressure and heart rate,

exaggeration of deep tendon reflexes, tremor, nausea,

piloerection (hair erection), and increased body temperature

(Grilly 1998).

Psilocybin creates distinct psychological (hallucinogenic,

entheogenic) changes in humans. Because of the mind-altering

properties of the drug, much research on psilocybin is devoted

to understanding its physiological effects on brain chemistry.

A recent study tested prefrontal activation during a

cognitive challenge and the neurometabolic effects of four

different drugs on 113 regions of interest of the brain

(Gouzoulis 1999). The four substances tested were psilocybin,

d-methamphetamine (METH), methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE),

and a placebo in healthy volunteers. No significant differences

of global cerebral metabolism were found in the four groups.

Neurometabolic effects were found to include a significant

increase of regional glucose activity in the right anterior

cingulate of the brain, the right frontal operculum, and an

increase in activity of the right inferior temporal region. A

significant decrease in metabolism was found in the right

thalamus, the left precentral region and a decrease in activity

was found in the left thalamus. Overall there was a general

hypermetabolism of the prefrontal region of the right hemisphere

and hypometabolism in subcortical regions. During the cognitive

challenge activation of the middle prefrontal cortex was

eliminated and activation of Broca's area (right frontal

operculum) was reduced.

In a study conducted by A.M. Quetin, electrolyte levels,

liver toxicity tests and blood sugar levels were shown to be

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