Psilocybin and Body Changes Physiological Changes (Whole Body) Psilocybin, the psychotomimetic and hallucinogenic active ingredient found in the psilocybe mushroom genus, is absorbed through the mouth and stomach and is a substance related to monoamines (Levitt 1975, Grilly, 1998). This means that the biochemical effects of psilocybin are mediated by changes in serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine activity in the central nervous system (consisting of the brain and spinal cord) primarily via 5HT2a receptors (Grilly 1998, Hasler 2003). Monoamine-related drugs share a basic similarity in molecular structure with the monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Psilocybin produces bodily changes that are mostly sympathomimetic. This means that psilocybin mimics the effects of postganglionic-adrenergic sympathetic nerve stimulation (doctor online). The effects of this excitation of the sympathetic nervous system may consist of pupillary dilation, increased blood pressure and heart rate, exaggeration of deep tendon reflexes, tremor, nausea, piloerection (erection of hair), and increased body temperature (Grilly 1998). hallucinogenic, entheogenic changes) in humans. Because of the drug's mind-altering properties, much research on psilocybin is devoted to understanding its physiological effects on brain chemistry. A recent study tested prefrontal activation during a cognitive challenge and the neurometabolic effects of four different drugs on 113 brain regions of interest (Gouzoulis 1999). The four substances tested were psilocybin, d-methamphetamine (METH), methylenedioxyethyamphetamine (MDE) and a placebo in healthy volunteers. No significant difference in global cerebral metabolism was found in the four groups. Neurometabolic effects were found to include a significant increase in regional glucose activity in the right anterior cingulate of the brain, right frontal operculum, and increased activity in the right inferior temporal region. A significant decrease in metabolism was found in the right thalamus and left precentral region, while a decrease in activity was found in the left thalamus. Overall, there was a general hypermetabolism in the prefrontal region of the right hemisphere and hypometabolism in the subcortical regions. During the cognitive challenge the activation of the middle prefrontal cortex was eliminated and the activation of Broca's area (right frontal perculum) was reduced. In a study conducted by AM Quetin, electrolyte levels, liver toxicity tests and blood sugar levels were shown to be