Extraction Yields of Psilocybin and Psilocin: A Short Review of Current Methods and Their Implications
Taynah P Galdino, Lucas C Oliveira, Mateus A Luz, Raquel A Jesus, Eunice P N Lima, Maria C M Torres, Katia Sivieri, Victor I. Afonso, João M P Q Delgado, Antonio G B Lima, Suédina M L Silva, Marcus V L Fook
Pharmaceuticals March 7, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/ph18030380 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | Studies on extraction and quantification of psilocybin and psilocin from Psilocybe mushroom species |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Extraction methods Psychoactive compounds Yield optimization Extraction techniques Psychedelic compounds Analytical chemistry Natural product isolation |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key findings | Ultrasonic bath extraction was the most efficient technique for extracting psilocybin and psilocin, particularly from Psilocybe cyanescens and Psilocybe cubensis, with polar solvents and parameters like temperature and extraction time critical for optimizing yields. |
Abstract
The growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic efficacy of psychoactive substances, like psilocybin, has driven significant interest in recent decades due to their low toxicity and potential applications in treating various mental health disorders. However, producing pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin remains challenging, with three primary approaches: chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, and extraction from Psilocybe mushroom fruiting bodies. This systematic review evaluates the extraction and quantification methods for psilocybin and psilocin, aiming to contribute to the development of standardized protocols that ensure compound quality and purity. A total of 25 relevant studies were selected from an initial pool of 9152 publications indexed in platforms such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and PubMed. The findings indicate that both the extraction method and the choice of mushroom species significantly influence compound yields. Ultrasonic bath extraction was identified as the most efficient technique, particularly for species including Psilocybe cyanescens and Psilocybe cubensis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was the most-used method for identifying and quantifying these compounds. Furthermore, polar solvents were critical for effective solubilization, with parameters such as temperature, solvent-to-material ratio, and extraction time playing key roles in optimizing yields. This review serves as a key scientific reference for advancing research, enhancing analytical precision, and ensuring reproducibility through the standardization of extraction and quantification protocols.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review of modern‐era clinical studies Patients with cancer- or illness-related anxiety and depression, major depressive... | 2020 | Systematic review | n = 188 |
| Blinding and expectancy confounds in psychedelic randomized controlled trials | 2021 | Systematic review | |
| Antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): a systematic review of clinical trials published in the last 25 years Patients from included clinical trials | 2016 | Systematic review | |
| The experimental effects of psilocybin on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis People with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression | 2020 | Meta-analysis | n = 117 |
| Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review Participants from included studies | 2022 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Exploring the Frontiers of Psychedelics: A New Chromatographic Method for Detection and Quantification of Psilocybin and Psilocin in Psilocybe cubensis Mushrooms ACS Omega July 10, 2025
- Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Psilocybe Mushrooms: Gaps and Perspectives Pharmaceuticals July 1, 2025
- Hormonal Influences on Psilocybin Responsivity Across the Female Lifespan: Toward Personalized Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Psychoactives November 2, 2025
- Multianalytical Investigation of Psilocybe cubensis Mushrooms: Physicochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Psilocybin and Psilocin Compounds ACS Omega September 15, 2025
- Naturally Derived Psilocybin for Therapeutic Use: A Six-Criterion Framework for Evidence, Safety, and Benefit–Risk Considerations in Policy and Clinical Development Biomolecules July 3, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 52
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
- Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry November 15, 2006
- Homological scaffolds of brain functional networks Journal of the Royal Society, Interface October 29, 2014
- Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms. Scientific Reports October 13, 2017
and 47 more in the library