Researchers produce psilocybin from E. coli bacteria

Researchers at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, have found a way to mass-produce psilocybin using bacteria.

Having isolated the DNA sequence responsible for psilocybin production in fungi, the research team performed a simple copy/paste operation, splicing the fungus DNA into the genome of the bacterium E. coli. E. coli then «followed the instructions» of the DNA to produce psilocybin.

Mass production of psilocybin

Once we had transferred the DNA, we saw a small spike in our data,» says declared Alexandra Adams, a young chemical engineering student and lead author of the study. «We knew we had done something huge.»

By inserting psilocybin-producing capabilities into the E. coli bacterium, the researchers have made the leap between two completely distinct areas of life. They may also have developed a method of producing psilocybin that overcomes the natural limitations of mushroom cultivation, which takes up time and space, and the high costs of synthetic molecule production methods.

Genetically manipulating E. coli to produce psilocybin was only half the job, however. It took several months of experimentation to produce the 1.16g of psilocybin per liter that we have today.

«In the course of this study, we improved production from a few milligrams per liter to over a gram per liter, a nearly 500-fold increase,» explained Andrew Jones, assistant professor who supervised the research.

Towards psilocybin-based treatments

The psychedelic compounds found in mushrooms, plants and other cacti (DMT, psilocybin or mescaline) are increasingly being studied for their medical virtues, including treatment of addiction, the depression, post-traumatic stress disorder... recent studies have shown how therapeutic doses of psychedelics can heal and regenerate brain tissue and help treat mental illness. Other studies show how psychedelics can help wean people off highly addictive drugs.

Researchers are also interested in how psychedelic experiences expand consciousness and improve mental health. The use of psychedelics dates back to time immemorial and has been central to the spiritual and healing practices of many cultures. Now that health professionals are beginning to take psychedelics seriously, scientists are beginning to investigate their vast potential for health and well-being.