Baeocystin, also known as norpsilocybin or 4-phosphoryloxy-N-methyltryptamine (4-PO-NMT), is a zwitterionic alkaloid of the tryptamine family and an analogue of psilocybin (4-PO-DMT). It is found as a minor compound in most psilocybin mushrooms together with psilocybin, psilocin (4-HO-DMT), norbaeocystin (4-PO-T), and aeruginascin (4-PO-TMT). The compound is the N-demethylated derivative of psilocybin and the 4-phosphorylated derivative of norpsilocin (4-HO-NMT).
Use and effects
Chemist and mycologist Jochen Gartz reported in the 1990s that baeocystin is active as a psychedelic in humans. He has stated that 4mg produced a "threshold" or "gentle hallucinogenic experience" with "mild hallucinations for three hours" and that "10mg of baeocystin [was] found to be about as psychoactive as a similar amount of psilocybin". Conversely, he has claimed that accidental ingestion of Inocybe aeruginascens, which contains high levels of both aeruginascin (4-PO-TMT) and baeocystin, is usually associated with euphoric experiences, in contrast to the dysphoric experiences that can occur with mushrooms containing only high levels of psilocybin.
Interactions
Pharmacology
Baeocystin is thought to be a prodrug of norpsilocin, analogously to how psilocybin is a prodrug of psilocin. Norpsilocin is a potent and centrally penetrant agonist of the serotonin 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptor and also interacts with other serotonin receptors.
Chemistry
Analogues
Analogues of baeocystin include 4-HO-NMT, norbaeocystin (4-PO-T), psilocybin (4-PO-DMT), psilocin (4-HO-DMT), ethocybin (4-PO-DET), and aeruginascin (4-PO-TMT), among others.
Natural occurrence
Baeocystin was first isolated from the mushroom Psilocybe baeocystis,
See also
- Substituted tryptamine
- List of investigational hallucinogens and entactogens