Psilocin
Definition
4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine; the active deacylated metabolite of psilocybin responsible for psychedelic effects. Rapidly oxidises in solution, causing the characteristic blue bruising in Psilocybe tissue.
- Chemical name
- 4-Hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine
- Class
- Indolealkylamine (tryptamine)
- Origin
- Formed by deacylation of psilocybin
- Field indicator
- Causes blue bruising in Psilocybe tissue
Common questions
Why does Psilocybe tissue bruise blue when handled?+
Psilocin oxidises rapidly on exposure to air or physical damage, forming blue quinoid pigments. It is a useful field indicator but not by itself confirmatory of species or psilocin content.
Is psilocin present in a fresh mushroom before it is eaten?+
Fresh Psilocybe tissue mainly contains psilocybin; psilocin appears as the mushroom degrades during drying or storage, or after ingestion when the body dephosphorylates psilocybin, so analysts routinely test for both compounds.
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