Scientists report that several types of mushrooms independently evolved psilocybin synthesis, demonstrating an extraordinary instance of convergent evolutionary adaptation.
This research was led by Professor Dirk Hoffmeister and his team. The study took place in the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany.
Evolution of Psilocybin in Mushrooms
Fungal species from the genera Psilocybe and fiber cap mushrooms were studied. The analysis took place in laboratories located in Jena and Innsbruck. The enzymatic pathways of the fungi were the main focus of the research. Psilocybin is produced by these pathways.
Psilocybin is a well-known psychoactive compound. The study provides insight into how fungi synthesise this chemical. Findings were published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
What does study demonstrate?
The study was published on 21 September 2025. The research demonstrates that psilocybin production evolved independently in fungi. This evolution occurred at least twice, showcasing convergent evolution.
How do the mushrooms achieve this?
Fiber cap mushrooms rely on an entirely different set of biochemical tools than psilocybe species, which use a known set of enzymes. Both pathways generate psilocybin in spite of these variations. This demonstrates how different mechanisms in nature can lead to the same conclusion.
The Next Frontier
The evolutionary benefit of psilocybin production is still unknown. But as per scientists these mushrooms might act as a chemical deterrent to predators. The study says that the future research will improve the biotechnological production of psilocybin and investigate its ecological role.
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