Psilocybe Cubensis Research Articles

Ultrastructure and Cytochemistry of Dormant Basidiospores ofPsilocybe Cubensis

The ultrastructure of dormant basidiospores of Psilocybe cubensis is described. The spore wall is characterized by three distinct layers and a germ pore. A pore cap is described for the first time in a species of Psilocybe. The protoplast is surrounded by a well defined plasma membrane with many distinct invaginations. Internally, large numbers of nonmembrane-bound lipids occur at both ends of the spore. Two nuclei are typically present and the nuclear envelope has many nuclear pores. Mitochondria with only a few, but well delineated, plate-like cristae are present. There is scant endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosomes occur regularly attached to the ER and outer mitochondrial membrane, as well as being densely packed throughout the cytoplasm. Variously sized vacuoles were demonstrated cytochemically to contain acid phosphatase. Microbody-like organelles are described but cytochemical tests to determine if these organelles are functionally similar to those of higher plants were unsuccessful. Cell-free extracts of basidiospores exhibit catalase and isocitrate lyase activity but no malate synthase

The Influence of Humidity upon Transpiration and Growth in Psilocybe cubensis

The Influence of Humidity upon Transpiration and Growth in Psilocybe cubensis

The Influence of Humidity Upon Transpiration and Growth inPsilocybe Cubensis

The influence of humidity upon individual basidiocarps of of Psilocybe cubensis was studied using an environmentally controlled wind tunnel and a computer program which helped to model growth and development. Regression models were developed which were able to explain 77% of the variation in the transpiration rate and 68% of the variation in growth rate. Transpiration and growth of this mushroom were significantly correlated with the humidity ofthe air. The fastest growth and the lowest transpiration occurred at the highest humidities. No inhibition of growth was detected at 0 pascals VPD (100% RH). Misting accelerated growth and transpiration while light had no effect. Although humidity was a very important factor influencing transpiration and growth, the size and shape of the mushroom were also important in water relations. The final water content of basidiocarps with thin stipes or those with larger surface area-to-volume ratios was significantly lower that of thickstiped mushrooms or those with small surface area-to-volume ratios even when grown under equal humidity. Growth rates under conditions which promoted the highest levels of hydration of the basidiocarp were rapid (up to estimated 4% increase in dry weight per h). Few precise studies of the influence of humidity on mushroom growth have been conducted. The appearance of fleshy mushrooms in nature is frequently associated with the presence of moisture. Indeed, the fact that most fleshy mush? rooms come up after rains and grow in, or very near, moist substrates suggests that they may be adapted to humid habitats. Most research on the influence of humidity on mushroom growth has been conducted with commercially important species. For the growth of Agaricus bi? sporus (J. Lange) Pilat, Edwards (1978) recommends 90% RH for wind flows of 50-100 mm/sec and 80% RH for air flows of 25 mm/sec in the temperature range 15-16 C. For Pleurotus sp., Kurtzman and Zadrazil (1982) report that humidities lower than 60% RH would be expected to cause rapid drying of the substrate while localized condensation would be expected to occur with humidities of 95%. Kurtzman and Chang-Ho (1982) recommend between 78 and 92% RH for Volvariella volvacea (Bull. ex Fr.) Sing., depending upon the ventilation. Badham (1983) found that high relative humidities (> 90% RH) and low wind speeds (< 100 mm/sec) favored the growth of Psilocybe cubensis (Earle) Sing. in the laboratory and natural environment. Many authors emphasize the importance of minimizing a build-up of carbon dioxide despite the maintenance of high humidity. Transpiration in several species of mushrooms was studied by Zoberi (1981). He found that evaporative water loss decreased with an increase in atmospheric humidity. Within the range of his experiments, the water content ofthe substrate did not have a great influence on the transpiration rate. A precise laboratory study that considered the influence of humidity on growth and transpiration of basid? iocarps was that of Plunkett (1956). He showed that the woody mushroom Po? lyporus brumalis Pers. ex Fr. grew poorly at high humidities while the growth of the fleshy mushroom Collybia velutipes [Flammulina velutipes (Fr.) Karst.] was

An Aqueous-Organic Extraction Method for the Isolation and Identification of Psilocin from Hallucinogenic Mushrooms

A simple aqueous extraction method for the isolation and identification of psilocin from Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms is reported. This method employs a dephosphorylation of the phosphate ester to psilocin, which facilitates a greater product yield and simplifies identification. Psilocin extracted by this method is sufficiently concentrated and free of cocontaminants to allow identification by infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Modeling Growth, Development, Transpiration and Translocation in the Mushroom Psilocybe cubensis

Modeling Growth, Development, Transpiration and Translocation in the Mushroom Psilocybe cubensis

Analysis of anemotropism in the mushroom Psilocybe cubensis

The bending of the growing basidiocarp of Psilocybe cubensis into air flow (anemotropism) was investigated. Basidiocarps were placed in a wind tunnel under controlled conditions and anemotropism was evaluated in relation to the physical dimensions of the mushroom and to certain environmental factors. Six lines of evidence are presented demonstrating that the cause of the bending is a greater water loss from the windward side than from the leeward side of the mushroom. Dehydration may result in unequal growth owing to differential production or activity of a hypothetical growth factor or because of a differential in turgor pressure.

Variation of psilocybin and psilocin levels with repeated flushes (harvests) of mature sporocarps of Psilocybe cubensis (earle) singer

Analysis of Psilocybe cubensis (Earle) Singer grown in controlled culture showed that the level of psilocin was generally zero in the first (or sometimes even the second) fruiting of the mushroom from a given culture and that the level reached a maximum by the fourth flush. The level of psilocybin, which was nearly always at least twice the level of psilocin, showed no upward or downward trend as fruiting progressed, but was variable over a factor of four. Samples obtained from outside sources had psilocybin levels varying by over a factor of ten from one collection to the next.

Tropisms in the Mushroom Psilocybe Cubensis

The growth of the mushroom Psilocybe cubensis was studied in a wind tunnel under controlled conditions of wind velocity, humidity, temperature, and light. The basidiocarp stipe grew into the wind up to the time of spore formation. When rotated with the long axis of the stipe perpendicular to the wind, fruitbodies grew upright. When spores began to be formed a negative geotropic curvature of the stipe occurred but no recurvation occurred in a sporeless mutant.

Tropisms in the Mushroom Psilocybe cubensis

The growth of the mushroom Psilocybe cubensis was studied in a wind tunnel under controlled conditions of wind velocity, humidity, temperature, and light. The basidiocarp stipe grew into the wind up to the time of spore formation. When rotated with the long axis of the stipe perpendicular to the wind, fruitbodies grew upright. When spores began to be formed a negative geotropic curvature of the stipe occurred but no recurvation occurred in a sporeless mutant.

Occurrence of Psilocybin/Psilocin in Pluteus Salicinus (Pluteaceae)

(1981). Occurrence of Psilocybin/Psilocin in Pluteus Salicinus (Pluteaceae) Mycologia: Vol. 73, No. 4, pp. 781-784.

Studies in Australian Agarics and Boletes: II. Further studies in Psilocybe

The presence of psychotomimetic indolalkylamines in three Australian species of Psilocybe is reported for the first time. Several European species of Strophariaceae are also analysed and the results compared with those from the Australian collections. Taxonomic significance of these results is discussed, particularly in respect to Australian collections of Psilocybe cubensis .

The Effect of Light upon Basidiocarp Initiation in Psilocybe cubensis

The Effect of Light upon Basidiocarp Initiation in Psilocybe cubensis

The Effect of Light Upon Basidiocarp Initiation in Psilocybe Cubensis

Formation of basidiocarp initials in Psilocybe cubensis occurred only when cultures were illuminated. Short durations of light (0.0025 sec of xenon-arc flash) were sufficient for initiation. Light-...

Illegal drugs and nutrition in undergraduate students.

The nutritional status of 82 marihuana-smoking students from two establishments of tertiary education was studied and compared with 63 controls. There was little difference between these two groups of students. Thirty-four per cent of those taking drugs had a diet which was deficient in one or more nutrients, compared with 30% of the controls. Four of the students who took drugs and three controls had a marginally reduced serum level of vitamin B12, but all were taking oral contraceptive agents. Sixteen marihuana-smokers had either a low folate or low pyridoxal serum level, and another three had reduced serum levels of both vitamins compared with a total of eleven among the controls. Forty-three students (52%) had used, or were using, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in addition to marihuana, and 10 had used mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis). Thirteen students appeared to be "stoned" at interview.

Psilocybe cubensis (Agaricales): A Comparison of Mexican and Texas Types

Psilocybe cubensis (Agaricales): A Comparison of Mexican and Texas Types

Interrelationship of Phosphate Nutrition, Nitrogen Metabolism, and Accumulation of Key Secondary Metabolites in Saprophytic Cultures of Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe cyanescens, and Panaeolus campanulatus

The three basidiomycetes were grown on rotary shakers in four nutrient media containing various amounts of phosphate to determine the relative effect of this nutrient on the trichloroacetic acid-soluble and -insoluble nitrogen metabolites and to detect possible correlation between the fungal free amino acid pool (soluble nitrogen) and accumulation of characteristic hydroxytryptamine derivatives. The species were selected to represent different patterns of metabolism in fruiting bodies and vegetative mycelia. Vegetative mycelium of P. cubensis was characterized by a relatively high soluble nitrogen component and by the capacity to accumulate psilocybin and psilocin under selected conditions. The closely related P. cyanescens was less responsive to variations in phosphate nutrient and lacked the capacity to accumulate appreciable quantities of soluble nitrogenous compounds or detectable quantities of key tryptamines. P. campanulatus grown in phosphate-rich media appeared to have an adequate free amino acid pool and to excrete some exocellular nitrogen metabolites during longer incubation periods; no 5-hydroxytryptamine derivatives were detected in cultures of this fungus.