Discrimination of Psychoactive Fungi (Commonly Called "Magic Mushrooms") Based on the DNA Sequence of the Internal Transcribed Spacer Region.
Takuro Maruyama, Osamu Shirota, Nobuo Kawahara, Kazumasa Yokoyama, Yukiko Makino, Yukihiro Goda
Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi) 2003 DOI: 10.3358/shokueishi.44.44 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Magic mushrooms obtained from Japanese markets |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Internal transcribed spacer Sequence biology Genetics |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key findings | DNA sequencing of the ITS region classified tested magic mushrooms into six groups and identified their species, with Panaeolus cyanescens having the highest psilocin content and Amanita species lacking it. |
Abstract
'Magic mushrooms' (MMs) are psychoactive fungi containing the hallucinogenic compounds, psilocin (1) and psilocybin (2). Since June 6, 2002, these fungi have been regulated by the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law in Japan. Because there are many kinds of MMs and they are sold even as dry powders in local markets, it is very difficult to identify the original species of the MMs by morphological observation. Therefore, we investigated the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region in the ribosomal RNA gene of MMs obtained in Japanese markets to classify them by a genetic approach. Based on the size and nucleotide sequence of the ITS region amplified by PCR, tested MMs were classified into 6 groups. Furthermore, a comparison of the DNA sequences of the MMs with those of authentic samples or with those found in the databases (GenBank, EMBL and DDBJ) made it possible to identify the species of tested MMs. Analysis by LC revealed that psilocin (1) was contained at the highest level in Panaeolus cyanescens among the MMs, but was absent in the Amanita species.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms. Patients with treatment-resistant depression | 2017 | Observational cohort | n = 19 |
| Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Healthy volunteers | 2019 | Observational cohort | n = 8 |
| Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin Humans | 2017 | Observational study | |
| Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. USA adult respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2012) | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 190,000 |
| Prediction of Psilocybin Response in Healthy Volunteers Healthy volunteers | 2012 | Observational cohort | n = 409 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Occurrence and use of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin alkaloids TemaNord May 19, 2009
- An Overview on the Taxonomy, Phylogenetics and Ecology of the Psychedelic Genera Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Pluteus and Gymnopilus Frontiers in Forests and Global Change May 23, 2022
- Historical overview of psychoactive mushrooms Inflammation and Regeneration 2009
- [Chemical and DNA analyses for the products of a psychoactive plant, Voacanga africana]. Yakugaku Zasshi August 1, 2009
- Global species diversity and distribution of the psychedelic fungal genus Panaeolus Heliyon May 17, 2023
and 3 more in the library
Cites 2
- Hallucinogenic mushrooms on the German market - simple instructions for examination and identification. Forensic Science International September 11, 2000
- Identification of members of the genera Panaeolus and Psilocybe by a DNA test. A preliminary test for hallucinogenic fungi. Forensic Science International August 1, 2000