Psilocybin Conspectus: Status, Production Methods, and Considerations
Lauren Plotnik, Grace Gibbs, Thomas Graham
International journal of medicinal mushrooms November 23, 2021 DOI: 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.2021041921 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Current methods for producing pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin include synthetic and biosynthetic routes, with new approaches emerging to meet clinical demand. |
Abstract
Psilocybin is a psychoactive alkaloid that is produced naturally by approximately 200 species of mushrooms. The potential medical use of this molecule for the treatment of mental illness is gaining renewed momentum. As demand grows and clinical trials progress, appropriate methods for producing a quality pharmaceutical product are needed. This review highlights the methods currently available, such as the prominent synthetic method and its biosynthetic alternatives, as well as others on the near horizon. This article further seeks to discuss the rapid and evolving nature of the psilocybin industry in the 21st century.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| The pharmacology of psilocybin | 2002 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness | 2018 | Review | |
| The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act | 2018 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- A journey with psychedelic mushrooms: From historical relevance to biology, cultivation, medicinal uses, biotechnology, and beyond Biotechnology Advances August 31, 2023
- The Emergence of Psilocybin in Psychiatry and Neuroscience Pharmaceuticals April 9, 2025
- Psilocybin: clinical potential, mechanistic insights, and biotechnological advances for scalable production. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology December 31, 2025
- DESI-MSI-Based Multi-Organ Distribution Mapping of Psilocin in Zebrafish Molecules June 18, 2026
- Acute Hallucinogen Intoxication Following Ingestion of a Commercially Available Mushroom Extract Product: A Case Report Cureus June 13, 2026
and 3 more in the library
Cites 17
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
and 12 more in the library