Aeruginascin
Aeruginascin is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid reported in several mushroom species. It is chemically related to psilocybin, but has a different side chain and its effects in people are not well established. Researchers have studied its structure, a proposed metabolite, and interactions with serotonin receptors.
- Compound type
- Tryptamine alkaloid
- Reported in
- Several mushroom species
- Related to
- Psilocybin and baeocystin
- Human evidence
- Limited and preliminary
- Research focus
- Structure and receptor activity
What is aeruginascin?
Aeruginascin is a small nitrogen-containing natural compound in the tryptamine family. Its full chemical name is 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine, often shortened to 4-PO-TMT. Like psilocybin, it has a phosphate group attached to an indole-based structure. But its nitrogen-containing side chain has three methyl groups, making its chemical structure distinct from psilocybin and other familiar mushroom alkaloids.
Researchers have reported aeruginascin in Inocybe aeruginascens and Pholiotina cyanopus, as well as in some analyses of Psilocybe cubensis. Finding a compound in a mushroom does not establish how much is present in every specimen, or whether it has a meaningful effect when people encounter that mushroom. Levels and chemical profiles can differ, and research on aeruginascin remains much less extensive than research on psilocybin.
- 1Identify
Researchers analyze mushroom samples to determine which compounds are present.
- 2Confirm structure
Chemical methods help establish the compound’s molecular structure.
- 3Test activity
Laboratory studies examine receptor interactions and possible metabolites.
- 4Compare findings
Researchers compare results with related compounds and animal studies.
- 5Assess limits
Further evidence is needed before drawing conclusions about human effects.
How might aeruginascin act?
Aeruginascin is sometimes described as a phosphorylated compound that may be converted into 4-HO-TMT, also called 4-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine. This proposed metabolite has been studied for its interaction with serotonin receptors. Laboratory findings suggest it can bind to some serotonin receptor types, including 5-HT2 receptors. That does not, by itself, show what happens in a person or establish a particular subjective effect.
Animal research also points to differences between aeruginascin and psilocybin. In a mouse study, aeruginascin did not produce the head-twitch response commonly used as one research measure of psychedelic-like activity. Another study reported no activity at particular mouse serotonin receptors under its test conditions. These findings are useful for asking research questions, but mouse results do not reliably predict human experience, and they do not settle how the compound acts in people.
Its chemistry is described; human effects remain poorly characterized.
It shares a chemical family but has a different side chain.
Most findings come from chemical, receptor, or animal research.
Editorial placement to help compare; not a measurement.
Why does aeruginascin matter?
Aeruginascin matters to researchers because it offers a way to examine how small chemical changes may alter a tryptamine’s behavior. Comparing it with psilocybin, baeocystin, and related compounds helps scientists investigate which parts of a molecule may influence receptor binding or biological activity. It is a research interest, not a well-understood stand-alone psychedelic, and there is not enough evidence to describe a reliable effect in humans.
The compound also appears in discussions of Inocybe aeruginascens, a mushroom associated with reports of accidental poisoning in Europe. A 1989 account described euphoric experiences among people who had eaten that mushroom, but these observations were not controlled tests of pure aeruginascin. Other substances in the mushroom, individual differences, and the circumstances of the incidents could all matter. The reports are interesting history, not proof that aeruginascin causes euphoria.
| Aeruginascin | Psilocybin | Baeocystin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family | Tryptamine alkaloid | Tryptamine alkaloid | Tryptamine alkaloid |
| Side chain | Three methyl groups | Two methyl groups | One methyl group |
| Phosphate | Present | Present | Present |
| Evidence | Limited human evidence | More extensively studied | Less studied than psilocybin |
| Reported in | Some mushroom species | Some mushroom species | Some mushroom species |
What are common misconceptions about aeruginascin?
A common misconception is that researchers have confirmed aeruginascin makes mushroom experiences more pleasant or prevents difficult experiences. That claim goes beyond the evidence. The reports sometimes cited are anecdotal, involve mushrooms rather than isolated aeruginascin, and cannot identify which compound caused a reported feeling. The effects of pure aeruginascin in people are not established, and claims about predictable outcomes should be treated cautiously.
Another misconception is that a mushroom’s scientific name or apparent resemblance makes it safe to eat. It does not. Some mushrooms are poisonous, and misidentification can have serious consequences; never eat a wild mushroom without expert identification. Aeruginascin research also does not establish that a mushroom containing it is safe. In the United States, psilocybin is federally Schedule I; regulated supervised access exists in state programs, while laws for other compounds and situations can differ. Check current law rather than assuming legality.
- 1989
Jochen Gartz published an analysis of aeruginascin in Inocybe aeruginascens.
- 2006
Researchers published a report describing aeruginascin as a trimethylammonium analogue of psilocybin.
- 2020
A study reported synthesis and receptor-binding research on the proposed metabolite 4-HO-TMT.
- 2022
Researchers published studies on mushroom tryptamine content and the pharmacology of related compounds.
- 2024
A study examined pharmacological and behavioral effects of tryptamines found in psilocybin-containing mushrooms.
How is aeruginascin related to other mushroom topics?
Aeruginascin belongs to the broader topic of tryptamines, a chemical family that includes serotonin and several mushroom alkaloids. Psilocybin, baeocystin, and aeruginascin share some structural features, but they are not interchangeable names for the same substance. Psilocybin can be converted in the body to psilocin; aeruginascin has a different proposed metabolite, 4-HO-TMT. Evidence about one compound should not automatically be applied to another.
For mushroom education, aeruginascin is a reminder that a species can contain several compounds and that chemical research moves in steps: identification, laboratory testing, and further studies to understand biological effects. Its presence does not identify a mushroom by sight, nor does it establish a medical benefit. Readers exploring this subject can also learn about psilocybin, psilocin, serotonin receptors, and how researchers distinguish chemical findings from evidence about human experiences.
Common questions about Aeruginascin
What does aeruginascin do?
Its effects in people are not well established. Laboratory and animal studies have explored receptor activity and compared aeruginascin with related compounds, but those findings cannot confirm a predictable human experience. Anecdotal reports involving mushrooms do not show that aeruginascin alone caused the reported effects.
Is aeruginascin the same as psilocybin?
No. They are related tryptamine alkaloids, but their chemical structures differ, including the side chain attached to the nitrogen. Psilocybin and aeruginascin are separate compounds, and findings about one should not be assumed to describe the other.
Which mushrooms contain aeruginascin?
Aeruginascin has been reported in Inocybe aeruginascens and Pholiotina cyanopus, and has also been detected in some analyses of Psilocybe cubensis. Reports of a compound in a species do not mean every specimen contains it or has the same chemical profile.
Is aeruginascin legal in the United States?
Its legal status can depend on the substance and applicable federal, state, or local law, so do not assume it is legal based on a general description. Psilocybin is federally Schedule I, and supervised access is limited to state programs. Check current official sources for the rules that apply where you live.
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Written by the Pscilly editorial team and reviewed November 2026. Educational content only, not medical or legal advice. Pscilly does not sell psilocybin. Never eat a wild mushroom without expert identification.