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XXXV TIAFT Annual Meeting Poster Presentations
PHENETHYLAMINE MAY CONTRIBUTE TO ADVERSE REACTION TO HALLUCINOGENIC PSILOCYBE MUSHROOM INGESTION

Beck O., Helander A.*, Karlson-Stiber C.**, Stephansson N.

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute & Hospital
*Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, St. Gvrans Hospital
**Swedish Poisons Information Centre, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

The use of mushrooms containing the hallucinogenic substance psilocybin for intentional intoxication is relatively common. Occasionally, this results in adverse reactions with typical tachycardia which is not evidently caused by psilocybin. The search for other pharmacologically active substances in Psilocybe semilanceata was initiated by a case of prison inmates being disclosed with taking psilocybin-containing mushrooms. These tested positive in the urine drug screening for the amphetamine class of compounds, indicating the presence of unknown amphetamine-related compound(s). This study was done on mushrooms obtained at site from different localities in Sweden, and in connection with a clinical case. Identity of studied mushrooms as Psilocybe semilanceata was confirmed by macroscopic and microscopic inspection.
Results. Psilocybin was present in all specimens. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to demonstrate the presence of phenylethylamine (PEA). All specimens contained PEA and the content of PEA varied much more than that of psilocybin. The highest amount of PEA (146 mg/g wet weight) was observed in mushrooms from a case of three young men being hospitalized because of adverse reactions. Conclusions: PEA, which is the decarboxylated product of the ubiquitous amino acid phenylalanine, has received considerable interest within psychiatric research. The pharmacological mode of action of PEA is not fully elucidated but it has been reported to exert amphetamine-like activity and to have peripheral sympathomimetic effects. Comparison of the symptoms observed in the clinical cases of magic mushroom intoxication with those after intake of pure psilocybin or PEA suggests that PEA might have a role in the development of adverse reactions to Psilocybe mushroom intake.

  Abstract 083

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