The quest to understand and harness the incredible potential of psychedelic compounds found in nature, including how to extract psilocybin from mushrooms, has led to a resurgence of interest in psilocybin-containing mushrooms.
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, has shown promise in various therapeutic applications, such as addressing psilocybin anorexia nervosa and as a tool for personal growth and self-discovery.
However, obtaining pure psilocybin from mushrooms is a delicate and intricate process that requires careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the chemistry involved.
Equipment and Materials
To extract psilocybin from mushrooms, you will need the following equipment and materials:
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Psilocybin-Containing Mushrooms
Start with a known species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis. Ensure that you have correctly identified the mushrooms to avoid any poisonous look-alikes.
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Coffee Grinder or Mortar and Pestle
You’ll need a grinder to turn the dried mushrooms into a fine powder. A mortar and pestle can also be used for this purpose.
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Citric Acid
Citric acid converts psilocybin into its salt form, making it more soluble in water.
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Isopropyl Alcohol (99%)
Isopropyl alcohol is used to extract psilocybin from the mushroom powder.
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Glass Jar with Lid
You’ll need a glass jar to mix the mushroom powder and isopropyl alcohol.
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Cheesecloth or Coffee Filter
This is used to filter the liquid extract.
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Evaporation Dish
A shallow dish is used to evaporate the liquid and obtain psilocybin crystals.
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Fan
A fan is used to speed up the evaporation process.
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Desiccant
This is used to ensure that the psilocybin crystals are dehydrated.
Step-by-Step Extraction Process of Psilocybin From Mushrooms
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Prepare the Mushrooms
Begin by drying the psilocybin-containing mushrooms. You can do this by placing them in a food dehydrator or a well-ventilated area until they are cracker-dry. Properly dried mushrooms are essential for an efficient extraction process.
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Grind the Mushrooms
Once the mushrooms are dry, use a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle to grind them into a
fine powder. The finer the powder, the more efficient the extraction process will be.
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Combine with Citric Acid
In a glass jar, combine the mushroom powder with citric acid in a ratio of approximately 1:20 (one part citric acid to twenty parts mushroom powder). The citric acid will convert psilocybin into psilocybin citrate, more soluble in water.
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Add Isopropyl Alcohol
Pour enough isopropyl alcohol (99%) into the glass jar to cover the mushroom powder and citric acid mixture. Seal the pot with a lid and shake it vigorously for several minutes.
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Filter the Extract
Place a cheesecloth or a coffee filter over another clean glass container. Pour the contents of the first jar through the filter to separate the liquid extract from the mushroom residue. This liquid contains dissolved psilocybin.
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Evaporate the Alcohol
Pour the liquid extract into a shallow dish like a glass pie plate. Place this dish before a fan to speed up the evaporation process. As the isopropyl alcohol evaporates, psilocybin crystals will form in the container.
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Harvest the Crystals
Once the alcohol has completely evaporated, you will be left with psilocybin crystals in the dish. Scrape these crystals carefully and store them in an airtight container with a desiccant to keep them dry.
Key Takeaways
Extracting psilocybin from mushrooms involves a detailed process, starting with correctly identifying psilocybin-containing mushrooms, followed by grinding and chemical conversion.
Isopropyl alcohol extracts psilocybin, and the crystals are obtained through evaporation. Attention to detail and proper equipment are crucial for a successful extraction.
