CaaMTech, a biotech startup, recently published a study in the American Chemical Society’s journal Pharmacology & Translational Science exploring how psilocybin, baeocystin, aeruginascin, and related drugs bind to receptors in the brain.
The study found that baeocystin and aeruginascin are not psychedelic, but still seem to bind to serotonin receptors in the brain, suggesting they may still produce some therapeutic effect.
While it is not yet clear if these molecules are working together, other companies are exploring the entourage effect in mushrooms to find evidence for this. Additionally, these companies may be motivated by the potential to patent formulations, such as the proprietary blends they are developing.
Interestingly, Salon is also pitching the idea of synthetic psilocybin that is coming out of these trials. Given the problems with fentanyl, however, let’s maybe hold off on that?
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