Psilocybin
CompoundPrimary psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms; a prodrug converted to psilocin in the body.
Example: It's the single most-patented compound in our tracker — see who actually holds those 223 patents and how they're betting on it differently.
What is psilocybin?
The primary psychoactive compound in "magic mushrooms" (Psilocybe species) — a prodrug the body converts to psilocin, which produces the characteristic psychedelic effects via 5-HT2A receptor activity.
Is psilocybin legal?
Federally Schedule I in the US under the Controlled Substances Act, but Oregon and Colorado have legalized supervised adult use, and some cities have decriminalized possession. See our legal-status directory for jurisdiction-specific detail.
What is psilocybin used for in therapy?
Clinical trials have studied it for treatment-resistant depression; Compass Pathways' COMP360 program is furthest along. See our coverage of who holds psilocybin's 223 tracked patents and how they're betting on it.