New Magic Mushroom Compounds Identified

Researchers isolate ayahuasca-like compounds known as ß-carbolines from several species of Psilocybe.

November 2019

Using 1D and 2D NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy, Dr. Felix Blei and his research team analyzed extracts from Psilocybe cubensis, P. mexicana, P. cyanescens, and P. semilanceata. They identified these ß-carbolines in the extracts: Cordysinin CCordysinin DHarmaneHarmol, Norharmane, and Perlolyrine.

The researchers used stable-isotope labeling with 13C11-L-tryptophan to show the ß-carbolines were biosynthetic products of the Psilocybe species. This means that ß-carbolines in magic mushrooms may contribute to the entourage effect along with the known compounds.