Growing the world's most potent mushroom

In the 1980s the German mycologist Jochen Gartz published a series of provocative scientific papers that detailed a process for introducing synthetic tryptamines into the substrate of Psilocybe cubensis leading to the growth of mushrooms with an unprecedented concentration of psilocin, in addition to tryptamines like 4-HO-DET that had previously never been produced in a living organism. Gartz’s work remained a subject of fascination for decades, even inspiring the incorporation of a new religion that worshipped mushrooms grown using his methodology. Despite this widespread interest, no scientific efforts were ever made to reproduce his findings. This presentation represents the results of the first effort to reproduce Gartz’s research with quantitative chemical analysis. Hamilton Morris is an American journalist, documentarian, and scientific researcher known for his work exploring psychoactive substances, particularly through his television series, Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia. He was a correspondent and producer for Vice on HBO until 2021 and is also a contributor to Harper’s Magazine. His work delves into the chemistry, history, and cultural impact of various drugs, often involving traveling to different locations and interacting with experts and individuals associated with these substances.