[Solved] What active ingredient is in magic truffles and what is the effect?

Just about all the psychedelic effects of truffles and magic mushrooms are not directly caused by psilocybin, but by psilocin. Both magic mushrooms and truffles usually contain more psilocybin than psilocin, but psilocybin is largely converted into psilocin in the body.

Therefore, we should actually view psilocin as the main active substance. The reason why psilocin has such a significant effect is that it effortlessly crosses the blood-brain barrier (much more easily than serotonin) and exerts a strong influence on various serotonergic receptors. Psilocybin itself has hardly any direct influence on these so-called 5-HT receptors.

The effect of psilocin is therefore that it makes you trip. This is because psilocin binds better than serotonin to the 5-HT2A receptors in the cerebral cortex, which are responsible for perception, self-awareness, and meaning-making.

What people experience during a truffle or magic mushroom experience varies from person to person, but there are clear patterns that often recur. Generally, the experience is described as a journey inward, where the boundaries between thinking, feeling, and perceiving blur.

In the first phase, many people experience feelings of euphoria, wonder, and connectedness. Colors seem more intense, sounds richer, and patterns or shapes seem to “breathe.” Time loses its meaning: minutes can seem like hours and vice versa. Often, a sense of unity arises, as if everything is interconnected, which can be accompanied by deep feelings of love, awe, or gratitude.

In the more introspective phase, attention shifts inward. Old memories, emotions, or beliefs may surface and be understood in a new way. For some, this feels like a form of emotional cleansing or insight, as if the mind is clearing itself out. Some even speak of “the ego dissolving.” This is a state in which the distinction between 'I' and the world temporarily disappears. That can be both liberating and confronting.

Physically, people often experience a pleasant softness or tingling in the body, a slightly floaty feeling, or waves of energy flowing through them. Breathing often becomes deeper, the heart rate slightly slower, and the body feels relaxed or, conversely, vibrating with life energy.

In the final phase, many people experience a deep sense of peace, clarity, and a feeling of renewed connection with themselves and their surroundings. The world often seems “new” or “purer” at this time. This integration phase is also the moment when insights gain meaning and can be incorporated into daily life.

In summary, under the influence of psilocin, people experience an expanded consciousness in which emotions, perceptions, and thoughts merge. The experience can vary from playful and visual to deeply therapeutic and transformative, depending on intention, setting, and guidance.

In addition to its direct influence on perception, psilocin also causes a temporary increase in neuronal connections. This explains why many people speak of insights, emotional liberation, and lasting changes in thinking and feeling after a truffle or mushroom ceremony. In fact, psilocin opens a 'window of flexibility' through which old patterns loosen and new perspectives can emerge.

Although the effect is often described as “hallucinatory,” it is better to speak of an expanded state of consciousness in which the brain associates more freely. This makes psilocin interesting not only for spiritual or recreational purposes but also for therapeutic applications, for example in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, or trauma.

Magic truffles contain multiple active substances, of which psilocybin the best known is. After ingestion, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, and it is this substance that is responsible for the psychedelic effects.

How does psilocin work in the body and the brain?

After ingestion, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which then binds to the 5-HT2A receptors of serotonin in the brain. This binding leads to a temporary disruption of normal communication between brain regions, resulting in:

1. Increased brain plasticity

2. A reduction of the default mode network (DMN), the part of the brain involved in self-reflection, worrying, and ego construction

3. New, unusual connections between brain regions, forming the basis for insights, creative thoughts, and spiritual experiences.

The pineal gland is often mentioned as an energetic center that could be extra active during a truffle trip, which can contribute to deep spiritual experiences.

What else is in truffles?

In addition to psilocybin and psilocin, truffles sometimes also contain:

1. Baeocystin and norbaeocystin (less well studied, but presumably also psychedelic)

2. Small amounts of MAO-inhibiting substances (depending on the type of truffle)

How long does it take for the effects to start?

The first effects usually occur within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion. This may be slightly faster on an empty stomach or with liquid preparations.

How long do the effects last?

An average A truffle trip lasts 4 to 6 hours, with a peak between 1.5 and 3 hours. The 'afterglow', the sober feeling of clarity and connection, can last for days to weeks.

Differences with other psychedelics

1. LSD: longer (8-12 hours), more analytical and less 'earthy' than psilocin.

2. MDMA: no classic hallucinations, more empathetic and stimulating, but less suitable for deep introspection.

3. DMT or ayahuasca: much more intense and shorter (with DMT), spiritually overwhelming and often visionary.

4. Ketamine: dissociative, less emotional, but effective for depression in a different way.

5. Psiloflora: Truffles combined with passionflower (a mild MAO inhibitor) provide a softer, controlled experience.

The psychedelic therapy that Triptherapie offers is based on these neurochemical and spiritual principles of action. The combination of good set and setting, Preparation, guidance, and integration are essential for a safe and valuable experience.

An important addition to how psilocin works is that the blockade of the default mode network does not occur randomly. This network is normally very active and responsible for self-criticism, rumination, and getting lost in future worries. By reducing this activity, truffles offer an entry point to more direct and pure perception.

Regarding the timing of effects, it is also important to note that various factors can influence this. A full stomach significantly delays absorption, while an empty stomach causes the effects to set in more quickly. Individual differences in stomach acid levels and liver enzymes also affect how quickly someone feels the effects.

As for the duration: the descent from a truffle trip is slower than the build-up. Although the peak is over after 3 hours, many people still feel subtle effects after 6 hours. The 'afterglow' that lasts for days is not so much the substance itself, but rather the neurochemical and psychological after-effects of that intense experience.

Regarding the comparison with other psychedelics: what is interesting is that LSD lasts much longer but is less body-oriented. Psilocin feels more 'physical' with warm waves and intense sensory experiences, whereas LSD is more mental and visual. MDMA has no hallucinations at all but strong empathic effects. These differences mean that each substance offers unique therapeutic possibilities.

The duration of psilocin's effects also depends on preparation. Someone in a calm, prepared state generally experiences deeper effects than someone participating unprepared. This underscores that, in addition to the chemistry, the psychological and spiritual aspects are of great importance to how a session unfolds.