CHEMISTRY AND DOSAGE
    --------------------

    The main active drugs found in the group one mushrooms are TRYPTAMINE
  derivatives PSILOCIN, PSYLOCYBIN and BAEOCYSTIN, all of which contain the
  INDOL group characteristic of hallucinogens. The TRYPTAMINE molecule is 
  composed of this indol group and a DIMETHYLAMINE chain, -CH .CH .NH
                                                             ²   ²   ²
    In PSILOCIN and PSILOCYBIN the two hydrogen atoms at the end of the 
  dimethylamine chain are replaced by methyl groups -CH . 
                                                       ³
  In BAEOCYSTIN only one hydrogen atom is substituted in this way. The length
  of chain in these substituted groups affects the intensity and duration of
  the drugs action. 

    In PSILOCYBIN and BAEOCYSTIN one hydrogen atom in the benzene ring 
  (4 position) is replaced by a PHOSPHORLOXY group O.PH .O .
                                                       ²  ³
  On ingestion of PSILOCYBIN the phosphorloxy group is hydrolised to an
  hydroxy group, -OH, giving PSILOCIN.

  It takes about 50% more PSILOCYBIN than PSILOCIN to produce the same effects
  and at present no information as to the specific actions of BAEOCYSTIN is 
  available.

    All these drugs are thought to produce their psycho-activity by altering
  the SEROTONIN (another indol) levels in the brain thus interfering with the
  transmission of stimuli that regulate the processing of information.
  A dosage of 3-6mg of PSILOCIN (0.1mg/kg) produces hallucinations in man and
  doses as low as 0.5mg are discernible.

    As the dosage is increased beyond 6mg the effects are noticed much sooner,
  seem to be more intense and last slightly longer. The lethal oral dose of
  PSILOCIN in man (50% WILL die) is estimated to be 100mg/kg or about 80lbs.
  of fresh P.SEM. This LD   figure does not mean that a massive dose, below
                         50
  this figure, will not cause irreparable damage.

    The group two members, A.MUSC and A.PANTH, both contain IBOTENIC ACID and
  its derivative MUSCIMOL as their main psycho-active ingredients. These 
  OXAZOLE derivatives affect both the central nervous system and the
  sympathetic nervous system, acting as sedatives as well as hallucinagenics
  and producing both physiological and psychotomimetic effects. Orally the
  potency of IBOTENIC ACID is one tenth that of MUSCIMOL. The effective doses,
  in man, being 70mg and 8.5mg respectively. The lethal doses, in man, of 
  IBOTENIC ACID is 40mg/kg and of MUSCIMOL 45mg/kg.

    As previously mentioned the quantities of psycho-active drugs present 
  differ from specimen to specimen of a particular species and this quantity
  is dependent on the soil and climatic conditions as well as the size and
  age at the time of picking. With so many variables no hard and fast rules
  on dosage can be formulated in terms of the numbers of mushrooms to eat to
  achieve a particular effect. One thing which must be pointed out about oral
  consumption of drugs is the fact that drugs taken on an empty stomach have
  a far stronger effect than when ingested on a full stomach. Taking 10 P.SEM
  on an empty stomach can be like taking 40 after a meal and when consumed 
  with alcohol they are even stronger.

    Of group one, P.SEM can be considered the most consistent in it's content
  and be used as a "yard stick" by which to assess the others.

    It contains between 0.1% and 0.4% PSILOCYBIN by wt. of the dried mushroom
  and up to 0.2% PSILOCIN. From this one can deduce that 30-40gms of fresh 
  P.SEM or about 5mgs of dried P.SEM, that's about 30 small mushrooms, can be
  expected to contain 3-12mg of PSILOCYBIN. This figure is usually about 6mgs
  an effective dose.

    P.COP, P.MONT, PAN.CAMP, and PANA.FOEN can all be expected to contain 
  smaller quantities of these drugs while H.CYAN may contain up to 5 times
  the amount given above.

    The active drug content of AMANITA MUSCARIA and AMANITA PANTHERINA varies
  from virtually nothing to as much as 1.2% of the dry weight. This content
  is governed by the same factors which affect psilocybes. 1gm of dry A.MUSC
  can be expected to contain 1mg of IBOTENIC ACID and 3mg of MUSCIMOL, but 
  these figures can be as high as 5mg and 10mg respectively. A.PANTH is 
  usually considered stronger than A.MUSC. So although 4mgs of dried mushrooms
  will normally constitute a reasonable dose these 4mgs may contain 6 times
  the amount you expected.

    If you intend to take psychotropic mushrooms be careful, particularly with
  the AMANITAS. Take a small dosage to check the level of the drug content
  before you contemplate taking a full dose.

    A good technquie to assess the quality of a particular batch is to do 3
  controlled experiments, each on a different occasion. It is better if these
  experiments can be carried out with at least 4 days between each as a 
  tolerance to the drug may affect your results. In the first experiment eat
  a very small amount, maybee 5 Psilocybes or ¾gm of dried Amanita or 
  1½ H.CYAN and try to remeber what it feels like. In the second experiment
  take twice the amount. Again try to assess the effect, but this time
  contrast it with the experience of the first experiment. For the third
  test, double the dosage again (that's if nothing untowards has happend so
  far) so that you will now be taking about 20 Psilocybes or 3mg of Amanita
  or about 8 H.cyan. By now you should have a good idea of the comparative 
  effect of different doses and be able to assess for yourself what
  constitutes a "normal dosage".

    Please take care.