[P]lant scientists Paula Berman and Janka Höfer and their team set out to map and rebuild the biochemical pathways behind these compounds.

They identified the key genes used by two plants – Psychotria viridis and Acacia acuminata – to make DMT, and the step-by-step chemical pathways involved in producing the compound.

Then, they combined these with genes and pathways already known from psychedelic mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis) and the cane toad (Rhinella marina), added supporting enzymes from rice and cress, then genetically introduced the combined genetic toolkit and kaboodle into tobacco plants (Nicotiana benthamiana).

The tobacco was chosen not because of its own drug production, but because it's basically the lab rat of plant species, with its fast growth.

Finally, the team carefully monitored the plant's production of five psychedelic tryptamines: DMT originally from plants; psilocin and psilocybin from mushrooms; and bufotenin and 5-MeO-DMT from toads.

The modified tobacco plants were found to produce all five compounds simultaneously. Because the different production pathways compete for the same resources, some compounds were produced in lower quantities than in their original sources.

However, the production was high enough to suggest that with a bit more tweaking, the system could function as a biological tryptamine factory for researchers.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/43292713

Abstract

This study revisits the hypothesis that Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul., a fungus infecting cereals and producing ergot alkaloids (EAs), was the psychedelic agent in kykeon, the sacred elixir of the Eleusinian Mysteries. Although archaeological evidence supports this link, experimental data confirming the transformation of toxic ergopeptides into psychoactive lysergic acid amide derivatives in putative ancient preparations remain limited. The potential hydrolysis products of ergot were investigated using a technique that could have been readily applied by the priestesses of Eleusis, notably reacting in lye. Pulverized sclerotia were refluxed in solutions of lye and in distilled water. Samples obtained after liquid-liquid extractions were analyzed with 1H-NMR and UHPLC/Q-TOF-HRMS. The 1H NMR spectra demonstrated conversion of toxic ergopeptides, present in control samples but absent at all reaction times in 5% w/v ergot treated with pH 12.5 lye, where characteristic peaks for lysergic acid amide (LSA; ergine) and isolysergic acid amide (iso-LSA; isoergine; erginine) appeared. UHPLC/Q-TOF-HRMS quantitation confirmed this conversion, yielding 0.54 mg LSA and 0.48 mg iso-LSA per gram of ergot at 120 min. The chemical transformation of toxic EAs to psychoactive compounds, utilizing ancient technology, was demonstrated and supports the “psychedelic Eleusis” hypothesis.

Psilocybin was the most popular, followed (surprisingly) by Amanita muscaria, then MDMA, then LSD.

That means 3.7% of the American population has microdosed. If you ask me, we have to up those numbers, and those dosages... it's not a bad start, but I'm worried that it's a way to cheapen the psychedelic experience, lending it to "enhancing productivity" instead of rewiring your psyche and breaking down social constructs.

If it helps people, it can't be a bad thing. I just hope it doesn't stop at "micro" for most people.

What do you all think?