A journey with psychedelic mushrooms: From historical relevance to biology, cultivation, medicinal uses, biotechnology, and beyond
Marco Pepe, Mohsen Hesami, Karla A. de la Cerda, Melissa L. Perreault, Tom Hsiang, Andrew Maxwell Phineas Jones
Biotechnology Advances August 31, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108247 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Tryptamines Biotechnology Hallucinogen Pharmacology |
| Citations | 35 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic mushrooms represent a re-emerging frontier for research, with potential therapeutic applications for neurological and psychiatric disorders, but significant knowledge gaps remain in their diversity, biosynthesis, and pharmacology. |
Abstract
Psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin and related tryptamines have long been used for ethnomycological purposes, but emerging evidence points to the potential therapeutic value of these mushrooms to address modern neurological, psychiatric health, and related disorders. As a result, psilocybin containing mushrooms represent a re-emerging frontier for mycological, biochemical, neuroscience, and pharmacology research. This work presents crucial information related to traditional use of psychedelic mushrooms, as well as research trends and knowledge gaps related to their diversity and distribution, technologies for quantification of tryptamines and other tryptophan-derived metabolites, as well as biosynthetic mechanisms for their production within mushrooms. In addition, we explore the current state of knowledge for how psilocybin and related tryptamines are metabolized in humans and their pharmacological effects, including beneficial and hazardous human health implications. Finally, we describe opportunities and challenges for investigating the production of psychedelic mushrooms and metabolic engineering approaches to alter secondary metabolite profiles using biotechnology integrated with machine learning. Ultimately, this critical review of all aspects related to psychedelic mushrooms represents a roadmap for future research efforts that will pave the way to new applications and refined protocols.
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 15
- Development of Psilocybe Mushroom Species Reference Material—Cultivation Parameters and Chemical Profiles Journal of AOAC International February 13, 2025
- Psilocybin Use in the Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review Clinical Neuropharmacology September 1, 2025
- Biochemical Insights into Diverse Psilocybe Mushrooms and Their Metabolites as Sources of Neuroactive Agents: A Review. Current microbiology July 15, 2025
- Characterization and Identification of an Antimicrobial Compound Psilocybin from Psychedelic Mushroom. Indian journal of microbiology June 1, 2025
- Surprising Variability in Tryptamine Profiles of Psilocybe cubensis Fruiting Bodies: Inter- and Intra-Strain Differences Across 14 Strains Cultivated Under Controlled Conditions Journal of Fungi July 2, 2026
and 10 more in the library
Cites 126
- 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
- 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
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Neuroreport December 1, 1998
and 121 more in the library