Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin

Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by mirimir on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @03:27AM (#15016199)

Better yet, the ability to integrate synthesis in your body. So you can trip whenever you like. Burroughs predicted that decades ago.

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by peteretep on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @04:57AM (#15016533)

This is less good in practice than in theory:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-brewery_syndrome

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by mirimir on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @05:21AM (#15016644)

Woah. But I was imagining more conscious control.

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by chrisweekly on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @08:11AM (#15017438)

Yeah, made me think of "glanding" in the culture novels (iain m banks scifi)

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by std_throwaway on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @04:29AM (#15016428)

Our body already has this ability but does not use it often.

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by mirimir on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @04:48AM (#15016488)

I'm sure that our bodies produce molecules that interact with the same receptors that psilocybin does. But that doesn't mean that our bodies produce psilocybin.

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by CuriouslyC on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @09:38AM (#15018040)

Psilocin is 4-hydroxy-DMT, and psilocybin is just phosphorylated psilocin. DMT is itself just dimethyl tryptamine, which is a modified serotonin. Serotonin itself is itself just modified tryptophan (without the hydroxyl group). The body produces small amounts of DMT naturally, I wouldn't be surprised if that is also the case for Psilocybin. Biochemistry is messy and small amounts of many "unintended" products are created.

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by code_duck on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @09:29AM (#15017984)

Of course... serotonin.

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by feelix on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @07:59AM (#15017348)

can you elaborate on that?

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Re:Researchers unravel the biosynthesis of psilocybin by mdahlstrand on Tuesday August 15, 2017 @12:26PM (#15019660)

I'm guessing it's the production of DMT (similar to psilocybin and LSD) by the pineal gland that is being referred to. IIRC there's still a debate about whether it can cross the blood-brain barrier, but it seems quite likely. Ostensibly it's produced at birth and at death.

Please excuse the lack of sources, but the book The Spirit Molecule kickstarted this line of thought if you're interested in learning more.

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