Exploring the World of Psilocybin Spores in the Laboratory: Past, Present, and Future
On : February 23, 2023The compound Psilocybin in the so-called “magic” mushrooms seems to have the potential to treat health conditions, including addiction, anxiety, depression, and compulsive disorders.
However, scientists still cannot draw scientific conclusions because there is still much left to be learned through studies to understand exactly how these compounds have evolved, their role in the natural world, and their side effects.
For instance, almost nothing is known about the evolution of these compounds in nature, and the reason why fungi should contain compounds like neurotransmitters is unresolved. The assumptions suggested for their evolution have never been formally tested.
Laboratory tests were hampered by the status of Psilocybin which, under the Controlled Substances Act, is a Schedule I substance, which means that it is also illegal. But a legal loophole still allows exploring the world of unique psilocybin spores in the lab. Spores, at their level of development, do not contain Psilocybin; it only appears in later stages of development. So the spores can be safely used in research. Suppose research continues to reveal positive aspects of medical treatments with Psilocybin. In that case, this substance may not only be decriminalized but also cleaned from the stigma that is currently hovering over it.
