Jochen Gartz - Magic Mushrooms Around the ... - preterhuman.net
Jochen Gartz - Magic Mushrooms Around the ... - preterhuman.net
Jochen Gartz - Magic Mushrooms Around the ... - preterhuman.net
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(age 11) experienced cramps and lost<br />
consciousness.<br />
In 1960, Singer and Guzman suggested<br />
that Panaeolus cyanescens might contain<br />
psilocybin, because of <strong>the</strong> intense blue staining<br />
<strong>the</strong>y had observed. It wasn't until after <strong>the</strong><br />
intoxications in Menton had been publicized, that<br />
a research team working with A. Hofmann<br />
detected 0.2% of psilocybin in <strong>the</strong> mushrooms.<br />
Considering <strong>the</strong> powerful effects, however, this<br />
concentration appears to be too low to cause such<br />
impressive reactions. Later on, Sandoz<br />
Laboratories reported <strong>the</strong> level of psilocybin in<br />
dried samples as 0.8%, along with 1.2% psilocin.<br />
The level of psilocin, however, may have been<br />
falsely elevated by <strong>the</strong> presence of serotonin and<br />
its derivates in <strong>the</strong> mushroom sample that was<br />
being tested.<br />
According to Stijve, a mushroom sample<br />
collected by J.W. Allen in Thailand contained<br />
0.4% - 1.05% of psilocin, with only trace<br />
amounts of psilocybin; serotonin was present in<br />
large amounts, comparable to concentrations<br />
found in all Panaeolus species.<br />
Apparently, Panaeolus cyanescens<br />
produces more psilocin than psilocybin. Still, I<br />
was able to detect 0.4% of psilocybin in mycelia<br />
cultivated on malt agar, with no o<strong>the</strong>r indole<br />
compounds present.<br />
Discussion of <strong>the</strong> Panaeolus species<br />
would remain incomplete without pointing out<br />
that those subjectively terrifying psychoses<br />
reported in 1965 cannot be attributed to a specific<br />
mushroom ingredient, but were likely<br />
precipitated by <strong>the</strong> circumstances (set and setting)<br />
surrounding <strong>the</strong> incident. The effects described by J.<br />
Allen in Hawaii after eating 20 specimens paint a<br />
different picture altoge<strong>the</strong>r:<br />
With radio music playing softly in <strong>the</strong><br />
dark, euphoria began to come on in waves. After<br />
20 minutes, visions became so intense that I tried<br />
to close my eyes. Whenever 1 did close my eyes,<br />
my eyelids felt as if <strong>the</strong>y were being sprayed from<br />
<strong>the</strong> outside. Colors were sharp and clear, but<br />
I always quickly opened my eyes again. Colors<br />
were dancing like laser beams to <strong>the</strong> rhythm of<br />
<strong>the</strong> music. The stars in <strong>the</strong> sky assembled in<br />
clusters that reached all <strong>the</strong> way into my soul. I<br />
was a little scared at <strong>the</strong> idea that <strong>the</strong> ocean<br />
water might rush up all <strong>the</strong> way into our hut.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r than that, feelings of euphoria were<br />
overwhelming. At times, I was overcome by fits of<br />
laughter. That night, I slept like "a prince ". The<br />
following morning I ga<strong>the</strong>red up my belongings<br />
and had to walk back across <strong>the</strong> pasture where I<br />
had collected <strong>the</strong> mushrooms <strong>the</strong> day before. I<br />
noticed a lot of new mushrooms that had grown<br />
during <strong>the</strong> previous night's rainfall. By way of a<br />
lingering after effect I felt that <strong>the</strong> mushrooms<br />
were sending me a message: "Don't forget us,<br />
come back, if you can ".<br />
It is important to keep in mind that more<br />
comprehensive studies on taxonomy and biochemical<br />
composition are needed in order to fully understand<br />
<strong>the</strong> Panaeolus species. Perhaps A. Weil's suggestion<br />
that Panaeolus subbalteatus from America's Pacific<br />
Northwest induces comparatively stronger somatic<br />
effects than <strong>the</strong> Psilocybe species can be investigated<br />
chemically as well as toxicologically, in order to<br />
reject or support this hypo<strong>the</strong>sis.<br />
Figure 31 - Synonyms for Panaeolus cyanescens (according to Gerhardt).