Is there mush-room to improve the environmental sustainability of psilocybin production?
Luke Lanham, Alistair R. Mctaggart, James R. Falconer
Journal of CO2 Utilization June 10, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2025.103137 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Production economics Sustainability Hallucinogen Ecology |
| Key findings | Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction is a promising environmentally sustainable alternative to current synthetic and chemoenzymatic methods for producing psilocybin, though no studies have yet demonstrated its use for extracting psychedelic tryptamines from fungal biomass. |
Abstract
Mental health disorders and associated economic impact continue to rise domestically and globally. In 2023, to expand treatment options for individuals suffering Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia has permitted psychiatrist lead psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Psilocybin, a psychedelic tryptamine found naturally in psychedelic mushrooms is presently synthesised, for clinical use, through synthetic or chemoenzymatic methods. Unfortunately, the synthesis-based methods are limited by low production yields, high material costs, multiple steps, and laborious in-process controls. Use of neoteric (“new”) solvents, such as supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) offers an environmentally sustainable alternative to synthetic techniques. Favoured for its selective extraction, low supercritical process parameters (31.7°C and 72 bar), high permeability through plant matrices, and a lack of post-extraction residues, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) presents a promising option for extracting novel psychedelic tryptamines from the fungi biomass. Presently, no publications demonstrate the use of scCO2 in the extraction of psychedelic tryptamines from any plant biomass. Herein, to better understand the plausibility and need of alternative psilocybin supply pathways, the current synthetic, biosynthetic and chemoenzymatic production options are reviewed and compared to the possibility of scCO2 extraction from the fungi biomass as a viable, environmentally conscious alternative. Additionally, a brief overview of psychedelic mushrooms and the medicinal importance of their psychedelic tryptamines is provided.
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
Cites 80
- 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
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
and 75 more in the library