Psilocybin ( ) is a naturally occurring
psychedelic compound produced by more than
200 species of
mushrooms, collectively known as
psilocybin mushrooms. The most potent are members of the genus
Psilocybe, such as
P. azurescens,
P. semilanceata, and
P. cyanescens, but psilocybin has also been isolated from about a dozen other
genera. As a
prodrug, psilocybin is quickly converted by the body to
psilocin, which has mind-altering effects similar, in some aspects, to those of
LSD,
mescaline, and
DMT. In general, the effects include
euphoria, visual and mental
hallucinations, changes in
perception, a distorted
sense of time, and spiritual experiences, and can include possible adverse reactions such as
nausea and
panic attacks.