Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in "magic mushrooms," has drawn growing interest from scientists studying treatments for conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and some neurodegenerative diseases. Despite its therapeutic promise, the intense hallucinogenic effects associated with the compound may limit how widely it can be used in medicine. In research published in ACS' Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, scientists created modified forms of psilocin, the active compound produced when psilocybin is processed in the body. In an early study involving mice, these new molecules maintained their biological activity while triggering fewer hallucinogenic-like effects than pharmaceutical grade psilocybin.

"Our findings are consistent with a growing scientific perspective suggesting that psychedelic effects and serotonergic activity may be dissociated," says Andrea Mattarei, a corresponding author of the study.…