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Psilocin
4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine
Psilocine, Psilocyn, Psilotsin, 4-HO-DMT, 4-OH-DMT
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Psilocin is a naturally occurring tryptamine psychedelic found in approximately 190 species of mushrooms across every continent.citation needed While psilocybin is the more commonly referenced compound, psilocin is the pharmacologically active substance responsible for the hallucinogenic effects—psilocybin serves as its prodrug, converting to psilocin in the liver. Psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocin have been used since prehistoric times, with evidence in cave art and documented ceremonial use by Mesoamerican peoples.12
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Light2.5-5 mg
Moderate5-10 mg
Strong10-15 mg
The retained insufflated tiers are tentative community reference values from TripSit rather than clinically validated boundaries, and no supported threshold or heavy boundary is available for this route.3
Duration
Onset5-10 minutes
Total2-4 hours
Half-life
1-3 hours
Subjective Effects
Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
The physical effects of psilocin can be broken down into several components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:
Cognitive
The cognitive effects of psilocin are described by many as extremely relaxing, profound and stoning in style when compared to other commonly used psychedelics such as LSD or 2C-B which tend to be energetic and stimulating. It contains a large number of psychedelic typical and unique cognitive effects. The most prominent of these typical effects generally include:
Current mind state enhancementThought connectivityNovelty enhancementTime distortionDéjà vuPersonal bias suppressionFeelings of predeterminismImmersion enhancementConceptual thinkingDirect communication with the subconsciousMemory suppressionFeelings of interdependent oppositesDelusionsUnity and interconnectednessFeelings of self-designExposure to inner mechanics of consciousnessSpirituality enhancement
Visual
Distortions
As for visual distortions and alterations, the effects experienced are detailed below:
Enhancements
Psilocin presents a full and complete array of possible visual enhancements which generally includes:
Geometry
The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of 4-AcO-DMT, Ayahuasca and 2C-E than LSD or 2C-B. It can be comprehensively described through its variations as intricate in complexity, abstract in form, organic in feel, structured in organization, brightly lit and multicoloured in scheme, glossy in shading, soft in its edges, large in size, slow in speed, smooth in motion, rounded in its corners, non-immersive in depth and consistent in intensity. They have a very "natural" feel to them and at higher dosages are significantly more likely to result in states of Level 8B visual geometry over Level 8A.
Hallucinatory States
Psilocin and its various other forms produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is more consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics. These effects generally include:
Auditory
The auditory effects of psilocin are common in their occurrence and exhibit a full range of effects which commonly includes:
See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Psilocin acts as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, with its hallucinogenic effects attributed specifically to activation of the 5-HT2A receptor in the prefrontal cortex, where psychedelic effects correlate directly with receptor occupancy. It also activates 5-HT2C and 5-HT1A receptors, which may contribute to its overall effects, and displays pronounced biased agonism at the 5-HT2C receptor. Psilocin exhibits functional selectivity at 5-HT2A, activating phospholipase A2 rather than phospholipase C as serotonin does. It has no significant effect on dopamine receptors and only affects the noradrenergic system at very high doses. Psilocin has been reported to act as a positive allosteric modulator of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), though subsequent studies failed to reproduce this finding.
Pharmacokinetics
Psilocin is the pharmacologically active compound produced by rapid dephosphorylation of its prodrug psilocybin in the body. Its elimination half-life ranges from 1 to 3 hours.citation needed
Metabolitesnone documented yet
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Unsafe
AvoidThere is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Full Tolerance
Tolerance develops almost immediately after ingestion, preventing the full effects from being experienced for approximately 4-7 days unless the dose is significantly increased.citation needed
Cross Tolerance
Mescaline, LSD, Other serotonergic psychedelics
Baseline Reset
4-7 days
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowPsilocin is non-habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use.citation needed It is most often self-regulating.
Physical
Extremely LowNo withdrawal syndrome has been reported when chronic use is ceased.citation needed
Toxicity
Lethal Dosage
There has been no direct lethality associated with psilocin.
History & Culture
Traditional Use
Psilocin is a naturally occurring tryptamine psychedelic found within approximately 190 separate species of mushroom, growing on every continent across the planet.citation needed Psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocin and its prodrug psilocybin have been in use since before recorded human
Legality
International
UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule I)6
By Country
Illegal5
United StatesSchedule IPsilocin is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.16 While psilocybin-containing mushrooms are not explicitly named in federal statutes, possession or cultivation can be prosecuted as manufacture or distribution of a Schedule I drug since the mushrooms contain scheduled compounds. A 2005 New Mexico appeals court ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms for personal consumption did not constitute 'manufacturing a controlled substance' under state law,12 though federal prohibition remains in effect.13
GermanyIllegalPsilocin, under the synonym Psilotsin, is expressly listed in Anlage I of Germany's Betäubungsmittelgesetz as 3-(2-Dimethylaminoethyl)indol-4-ol. Anlage I substances require authorization for regulated activities, and authorization may be issued only exceptionally for scientific or other public-interest purposes.
NetherlandsProhibitedOn November 29, 2008, the Netherlands announced a ban on the cultivation and use of psilocybin-containing fungi, which took effect on December 1, 2008.11 Prior to this, fresh mushrooms had occupied a legal grey area.citation needed
United KingdomClass AControlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.14 Dried psilocybin mushrooms were already illegal as preparations containing a controlled substance. The Drugs Act 2005 extended prohibition to fresh mushrooms, closing a previous loophole.15 Class A classification carries the most severe penalties under UK drug law.citation needed
Not scheduled1
New MexicoState exception (personal cultivation)
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Seetal Dodd, Trevor R. Norman, Harris A. Eyre, Stephen M. Stahl, Arnie Phillips, André F. Carvalho, & Michael Berk. (July 2022). Psilocybin in neuropsychiatry: a review of its pharmacology, safety, and efficacy. CNS Spectr, 28(4), 416–426. https://doi.org/10.1017/s10928529220008881
- Dominique Strauss, Soumya Ghosh, Zurika Murray, & Marieka Gryzenhout. (2022). Psilocybin containing mushrooms: a rapidly developing biotechnology industry in the psychiatry, biomedical and nutraceutical fields. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-022-03355-412
- Psilocin structured drug record. tripbot.tripsit.me (n.d.). https://tripbot.tripsit.me/api/tripsit/getDrug/psilocin1234
- TiHKAL: The Continuation, Entry #18, 4-HO-DMT / 4-HO-DMT phosphate ester. erowid.org (n.d.). https://erowid.org/library/books_online/tihkal/tihkal18.shtml12
- Community substance factsheet; retrieved 2026-08-16. psychonautwiki.org (n.d.). https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/Psilocin12
- INCB Green List — Psychotropic Substances Under International Control (1971 Convention, Schedule I). International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) (n.d.). https://www.incb.org/incb/en/psychotropics/green-list.html1
- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule III. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/section-sched95602.html1
- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule III (Psilocin, Psilocybin). Government of Canada / Justice Laws Website (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-38.8/section-sched95602-20031211.html?wbdisable=true1
- Anlage I, Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG). gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/anlage_i.html1
- Anlage I, Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG). gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/__3.html1
Further Reading
Article Status
Step 1 · Automated synthesisAn autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.
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Recent changes8 human edits · latest
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5 August 2026
Lyrea · Updated the article
13 July 2026
Lyrea · Updated the article
24 January 2026
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
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