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Psilocybin and psilocin are the two best-known tryptamine alkaloids in Psilocybe mushrooms. Their names are similar and they are closely related chemically, but they differ in structure, stability and in the role each one plays. Understanding the difference helps to interpret lab results and explains why the way a sample is handled matters so much.
| Psilocybin | Psilocin | |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical name | 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine | 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine |
| Formula | C12H17N2O4P | C12H16N2O |
| Molar mass | ≈ 284.3 g/mol | ≈ 204.3 g/mol |
| Structure | Phosphate group at position 4 | Hydroxyl group at position 4 |
| Stability | Relatively stable in properly dried material | Unstable; oxidises easily |
| Typical abundance in dried mushrooms | Usually the main alkaloid | Usually present in smaller amounts |
Psilocybin is the phosphorylated form of psilocin. When the phosphate group is removed (dephosphorylation), psilocybin becomes psilocin. In pharmacology, psilocybin is described as a prodrug: it is converted to psilocin in the body, and psilocin is the compound that acts on serotonin receptors, mainly 5-HT2A.
In the mushroom itself, the same conversion can happen when tissue is damaged, as enzymes come into contact with psilocybin and remove its phosphate group.
Psilocin has a free hydroxyl group on its indole ring, which makes it easy to oxidise in the presence of oxygen, light, heat and moisture. This is why psilocin levels in a sample can drop quickly after harvest, and why drying and storage conditions have such a strong effect on lab results. Read more in our article on drying magic mushrooms and alkaloid stability.
The blue colour that appears when Psilocybe tissue is touched or damaged is produced by the enzymatic oxidation of psilocin into blue oligomers. In other words, bruising shows that psilocin is being degraded. It is not a reliable indicator of how much psilocybin a mushroom contains.
Because psilocybin can turn into psilocin, and psilocin can degrade, looking at only one of the two can give an incomplete picture. That is why the MycoTest analysis reports psilocybin, PCBE (psilocybin + psilocin combined) and total tryptamine alkaloids for each sample. Learn more about how MycoTest works.
A real example: in laboratory tests carried out by Full Canopy Genetics between May 2023 and November 2025, the Albino Jedi Mind Fuck (AJMF) cultivar averaged 0.8% PCBE and 1.027% total alkaloids. The difference between the two figures corresponds to other tryptamine alkaloids present in the sample, which is why a complete report looks beyond psilocybin and psilocin alone.
Both psilocybin and psilocin are listed in Schedule I of the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), and are controlled in most countries. National laws differ, especially regarding spores, mushrooms and research use, so always check the regulations that apply where you live.
Psilocin is the active compound, and psilocybin is converted into it in the body. On a weight basis, psilocin is lighter because it lacks the phosphate group, so the same mass of psilocin corresponds to more active molecules.
In properly dried material, psilocybin is usually the main alkaloid, while psilocin is typically present in smaller amounts because it degrades more easily.
No. Bruising is caused by the oxidation of psilocin and indicates degradation, not potency.
PCBE is the combined value of psilocybin and psilocin. It is reported together because one can convert into the other.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and scientific purposes only. MycoBag does not promote or encourage the consumption of mushrooms or regulated substances. The information presented here is framed in contexts where research or use is permitted by local legislation. We remind you that regulations may vary by country or region, and MycoBag products are intended solely for mycological research and educational purposes.
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