While visiting Mexico, Gordon Wasson, a mycologist, discovered the use of the psilocybin mushroom in the spiritual ceremonies of Indian tribes. After experiencing the spiritual and hallucinatory effects of the mushroom, Wasson returned to the area accompanied by an expert mycologist, Roger Heim, who managed to cultivate the mushroom once in France and send samples to the scientist who had discovered lysergic acid, Albert Hoffman. . From mushrooms, Hoffman successfully isolated two compounds which he further named psilocybin and psilocin. Analogues of these compounds were further synthesized and were employed primarily for psychotherapeutic uses. In the early 1960s, numerous tests were conducted on psilocybin at Harvard University. However, along with LSD, psilocybin became a scheduled substance in 1970, making it illegal. During this time, psilocybin mushrooms became part of the psychedelic and hippie movement and were used for recreational and spiritual purposes. Psilocybin research ended in the late 1980s due to strict government regulations, but recently scientists have once again begun research on this chemical. Chemical Structure The chemical structure of psilocybin is C12 H17 N2 O4 P. It has a ring configuration called indole attached to an ethylamine substituent. Indoles are aromatic compounds that have a benzene ring attached to a nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring. The chemical structure of psilocybin comes from an amino acid and tryptamine called tryptophan. It also has a visible structural similarity to serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for “happiness”. Psilocybin is very soluble in water, insoluble in organic compounds, and slightly soluble in methanol and ethanol. This is due to the... middle of paper... ects, which in my opinion shows that its introduction into society (decriminalisation) could benefit the community in many aspects (such as volunteering for a good cause) due to the increased sensitivity that can be developed towards society/others. I find that society has been misinformed about this chemical, solemnly regarding it as a dangerous substance and classifying it alongside physically harmful and potentially deadly substances such as heroin and cocaine. Not only is psilocybin non-lethal, but its abuse potential is lower than that of caffeine. To summarize and conclude, I find that when used responsibly, psilocybin along with other entheogens can be beneficial to mental health and that more light needs to be shed on its benefits to allow society to see it from a different angle than what is propagated through the media they talk about today.