Psilocybe cubensis: potencial neuropsicofarmacéutico de la psilocibina y psilocina
Tecnología en Marcha May 20, 2025 Frank Barrientos-Alfaro, Valeria Herrera-Rojas, Michelle Montero-Quesada et al.
Fungi play a key ecological role and produce secondary metabolites, including alkaloids that can have hallucinogenic properties. Psilocybe cubensis, a common hallucinogenic mushroom native to Mesoamerica, produces alkaloids such as psilocybin and its dephosphorylated derivative psilocin. Research has explored the potential of these compounds in treating depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While mushrooms containing psilocybin are generally not toxic for consumption, they can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. Due to these effects and legal restrictions, this mushroom and its compounds are not currently marketed, but new research demonstrates their potential and highlights the need to consider their commercialization.