What Are Tryptamines?
Tryptamines are a type of chemical that include a structure called an indole ring, which is common in many natural substances. They are found in a variety of plants, animals, and fungi (including shrooms). These compounds play a crucial role in the body by acting as important natural chemicals, or biogenic amines.
Some well-known tryptamines include serotonin, which affects mood, and DMT, a powerful psychedelic found in certain plants and used in traditional spiritual practices. They can also be found in Magic Mushrooms and are commonly used to determine the level of potency in different strains.
In mammals, tryptamines are important chemicals that help control mood and behavior. The most famous tryptamine made by the body is serotonin, which affects energy levels and mood. Other tryptamines made by the body include melatonin, which helps regulate sleep, and bufotenin, which is involved in pain regulation. Tryptamines are also common in magic mushrooms, where they contribute to their psychedelic effects.
In plants, tryptamines work as kairomones, which are chemical messengers that influence the behavior of other organisms. For example, some plants produce a tryptamine called naphthalene. This chemical affects the behavior of insects, often by attracting or repelling them.
Naphthalene can serve various purposes, such as protecting the plant from being eaten by insects or helping to attract insects that aid in pollination. By producing tryptamines like naphthalene, plants can interact with their environment and other organisms in complex ways.
Mushroom tryptamines, such as psilocybin and psilocin, are known for their psychedelic effects. There are over 250 species of psychedelic mushrooms, each with varying potency. For example, Shiva Lingam mushrooms average 1.98% tryptamine content, while the Tidal Wave variety averages 1.17%
Psilocin and Psilocybin
The most well-known tryptamines in mushrooms are psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocin is a compound that interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to changes in perception, mood, and consciousness. This is what causes the psychedelic effects commonly experienced when taking magic mushrooms.
Psilocybin is a prodrug, which means it is not active on its own but converts into the active compound psilocin once it enters the body. When you ingest psilocybin, enzymes in your body break it down into psilocin.
Psilocin then binds to serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, which is thought to be responsible for the visual and mental effects of magic mushrooms. This process can result in hallucinations, changes in thought patterns, and a sense of altered reality.
Researchers are currently studying mushrooms tryptamines as treatment for depression, anxiety and other mental disorders. Most studies use synthetic psilocybin because it can be difficult to create stable synthetic psilocin.
Psilocin and the Brain
Psilocin has a powerful effect on the brain.
Psilocin has a structure similar to serotonin, a chemical in your brain that affects mood and behavior. Because of this, psilocin can activate many of the same receptors, especially the 5HT2A receptor. These receptors are mainly found in the brain's cortex, which plays a big role in how the brain works.
Research shows that psilocin also affects the Default Mode Network (DMN), which is like the brain's information highway, helping different parts of the brain communicate with each other. When you take psilocin, it can disrupt the DMN, forcing the brain to create new connections.
This is why people often experience new and unusual thoughts and perceptions during a psychedelic trip and also why many use the concept bio hacking to change their habits or form new ones. This effect is why psilocin is being studied for its potential to help with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, by helping the brain to break out of old, harmful patterns.
“When someone’s on psilocybin, we see an overall increase in connectivity between areas of the brain that don’t normally communicate well,” explains Matthew Johnson, a professor in psychedelics and consciousness at Johns Hopkins Medicine. “You also see the opposite of that – local networks in the brain that normally interact with each other quite a bit suddenly communicate less.”
For those interested in magic mushrooms, understanding the role of tryptamines such as psilocybin and psilocin is key to appreciating their effects and potential benefits.
These compounds interact with the brain in unique ways, leading to profound changes in perception, thought, and emotion. While they have a rich history of cultural and spiritual use, modern research is uncovering promising therapeutic applications for mental health conditions. However, it's essential to approach their use with caution and respect.