🍄 How can "magic mushrooms" be used in medicine?

Substances derived from so-called "magic mushrooms", like psilocybin, could transform the treatment of disorders such as depression. However, their powerful hallucinogenic effects remain a major obstacle to their medical use. This is why researchers are exploring modified versions of these molecules, aiming to preserve their therapeutic virtues while mitigating the intense sensory effects that accompany them.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, scientists designed five chemical derivatives of psilocin, the active molecule produced by the body from psilocybin. Their approach consisted of creating stable compounds capable of releasing the active ingredient in a spread-out manner over time, a strategy that could limit hallucinogenic reactions. This work is based on the hypothesis that the action on serotonin receptors, linked to the benefits, could be separated from the psychedelic effects, as the authors indicated.


Among the derivatives examined, one of them, named 4e, drew attention for its stability and its ability to release psilocin gradually. Laboratory tests on human plasma samples and gastrointestinal absorption models validated these properties. This compound maintains notable activity at the level of serotonin receptors, which play a central role in mood regulation, while suggesting a reduction in the peaks responsible for undesirable effects.

Tests on mice yielded promising observations. Administered orally, compound 4e crossed the blood-brain barrier and produced lower but more persistent concentrations of psilocin in the brain compared to pharmaceutical psilocybin. Furthermore, the animals' behavior showed a marked decrease in head movements, an indicator typically used to assess psychedelic effects in rodents. This reduction occurred despite continuous activation of serotonin receptors.

The mechanism at play seems linked to the release kinetics of psilocin. By avoiding sudden concentration spikes in the brain, compound 4e could limit hallucinations while allowing prolonged therapeutic action. According to the researchers, this approach could increase the acceptability of treatments for patients, who would thus benefit from the positive effects on mood without experiencing destabilizing sensory effects.

The next steps involve more in-depth investigations to understand the precise mode of action of these derivatives and assess their overall biological impact. Before considering clinical trials in humans, it will be necessary to confirm their long-term safety and therapeutic efficacy. This research could lead to new, more accessible medications meeting the needs of people with mental disorders.