Psilocin
Psilocin (4-HO-DMT) is the active metabolite of psilocybin and the molecule directly responsible for the psychedelic effects of Psilocybe mushrooms. It is a 5-HT2A receptor agonist. Because it is what psilocybin becomes in the body, human pharmacological data come largely from psilocybin trials, in which psilocin is the measured active species.
01 Overview
Psilocin is 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, structurally the dephosphorylated form of psilocybin and a close analogue of DMT with a 4-hydroxyl group. It is the compound that actually crosses into the brain and produces psychedelic effects; orally administered psilocin itself is less chemically stable than psilocybin, which is why psilocybin is used as the storage and dosing form.
Human exposure to psilocin is characterised primarily through psilocybin pharmacokinetic studies, where plasma psilocin concentrations track subjective intensity. Effects mirror those of psilocybin: altered perception, mood, and cognition lasting several hours. Legally it is scheduled alongside psilocybin in most jurisdictions.
02 Mechanism
Partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (and 5-HT1A/5-HT2C), producing altered cortical signalling; the 4-hydroxy group confers oral activity and blood-brain barrier penetration relative to bare tryptamine.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 10–20 mg | Oral | Approximate equivalence to a common psilocybin dose; psilocin is the active species delivered. |
| Strong | 20–35 mg | Oral | Intense psychedelic effects. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic perceptual alterationVisual distortions, altered sense of time and self, and mood changes over 4-6 hours. | Dose-dependent | Clinical | |
| Mood elevation / opennessPositive mood and emotional openness reported during and after supervised sessions, as seen in psilocybin studies. | Variable | Clinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transient cardiovascular stimulationShort-lived increases in heart rate and blood pressure. | Mild | Common | Clinical | |
| Acute anxietyFear or paranoia during the acute experience, particularly at higher doses. | Moderate | Common | Clinical |