Global species diversity and distribution of the psychedelic fungal genus Panaeolus

Author: mycolabadmin
5/18/2023
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Summary

This study is a comprehensive catalog of 77 Panaeolus mushroom species worldwide, of which 20 are known to be hallucinogenic and contain psilocybin. Researchers found that these mushrooms are most commonly documented in Asia, South America, and Europe, but many regions have little to no research data. The review highlights significant gaps in our knowledge about where these species exist and which ones truly contain psychoactive compounds, information that is crucial as these fungi become legal in more countries for medical use.

Background

Psychedelic fungi, particularly those containing psilocybin and psilocin, have received considerable attention due to their promising therapeutic potential for treating psychiatric disorders. While Psilocybe species are well-known psychedelic fungi, Panaeolus species are also reputed to contain psilocybin and are used recreationally and medically. However, comprehensive scientific data on Panaeolus species diversity, distribution, and psychedelic properties remain fragmented.

Objective

This review aimed to summarize current scientific data on Panaeolus species biodiversity, geographical distribution, DNA sequence data availability for identification, and psychedelic potential based on published results. The review identified areas where species are well-documented and regions lacking such biodiversity data.

Results

The review identified 77 currently legitimate Panaeolus species, of which 20 have reported hallucinogenic properties. Asia has the highest species diversity (32 species), followed by South America (27 species) and Europe (26 species). Only 20 species have ITS sequences available, and significant geographic data gaps exist across multiple continents. Twenty-eight species are intercontinental, while most species remain known only from their type locations.

Conclusion

This foundational dataset serves regulatory purposes and reveals substantial geographic disparities in Panaeolus research. Significant research is needed to confirm which species are truly psychedelic, establish accurate distributions, and generate DNA sequence data for reliable identification. The review highlights critical knowledge gaps requiring future investigation across underrepresented regions.

Published in:Heliyon,
Study Type:Review,
Source: PMID: 37274634, DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16338