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cannabissciencetech.com june 2022 | Psychedelics: New Frontiers in Alternative Medicine 17 processing/manufacturing / feature • Choosing the correct substrate me- dia prior to pasteurization • The proper selection of tools and equipment is essential to complete these tasks Inoculation Procedures The second phase of inoculation proce- dures includes work in: • Live culture to spawn media • Spawn media to spawn media (grain to grain) • Spawn media to substrate Fruiting Chambers Next is the selection and build-out of the fruiting chambers. This includes the design and the preparation of the vessels as well as the application of proper steril- ization procedures. Once the chamber is in place, additional procedures must be formalized. This includes: • Colonization protocols • Environmental controls • Air exchange • Humidly control Spawn Media and Substrate Media Preparation Critical spawn media procedures include: • Soak and rinse • Pre-sterilization • Pasteurization and sterilization Substrate media procedures include: • Creating a media ratio with specif- ic considerations towards sub spe- cies preferences • Media blending and safe handling protocols Harvesting, Drying, and Storage Now that the psilocybin has been grown, it's time to harvest in equally controlled conditions. This requires cleaning, handling, and harvesting techniques built to the strictest standards. Of course, drying and storage is important too as we consider: • Proper handling to help eliminate contamination • Humidity-controlled drying • Freeze-drying for improved efficacy of the finished fungi • Alkaloid preservation techniques • Techniques that enhance long-term storage Extraction For psilocybin, we favor full plant ex- traction, which more closely resembles grinding over traditional extraction techniques such as CO 2 extraction. This process supports the preservation of active constituents that captures a fuller experience from fungi biology. Formatting into Powder and Tablets Our company has developed a pat- ent-pending process where we can turn fungi-derived active ingredients into a good tasting, water-soluble tablet, sublingual tablet, or single serving pow- der dose. The effervescent tablets and powder forms mix quickly and evenly in any hot or cold liquid. In addition, we re- cently developed a sublingual tablet form that dissolves discretely under the tongue without having to drink any liquid. This tablet is highly bioavailable and comes in a pleasant mango or mint taste. Both the tablet and powder forms provide a more convenient, better tasting way of using psilocybin. These forms also feature accurate dosing and a faster onset time due to enhanced bioavailability. Analytical and Regulatory Testing Similar to cannabis testing, potency lev- els and contamination levels play an im- portant part in psilocybin testing. While few standard psilocybin testing methods exist in the US, we want to be at the fore- front of delivering consistent protocols. This requires a prescriptive approach to testing protocols, equipment, chemical concentrations, and much more. As analytical and research laboratories begin entering the space in great numbers, it's also important to ensure accuracy and data integrity. Importantly, there must be agreed upon and detailed methods used universally across the space. This model is not unique as it has been used in other industries that have been successful in delivering safe, contamination-free, and high-quality products people consume with confidence. As the psilocybin landscape matures, regulatory laboratories will be required to hone and perfect DNA and genetic test- ing protocols. For example, Oregon is re- quiring the use of Psilocibe cubensis. This requires the proper extraction of actives without denaturing or inhibiting quantifi- cation of psychoactive compounds. While laboratories will be focused on regulatory standards, it is clear that more research is required. This research may come from medicinal mushroom compa- nies in the nutraceutical and supplement space who are seeking similar testing ca- pabilities as well as new markets. This will add to the support and sophistication of testing for fungi, in both psychedelic and non-psychedelic varieties. Research Today's regulatory models address the value stream and production of psilocybin. Currently, much of the psilocybin research is being conduct- ed in academic settings with little emphasis on commercialization. We believe research should address a fuller ecosystem. This can include genet- ics, strain management, processing improvements, post processing, and clinical applications. The involvement of the private industry in this research will take what is learned in all settings and apply this learning to help build superior products.