this post was submitted on 04 Dec 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] transientpunk@sh.itjust.works 62 points 3 weeks ago (5 children)

As far as I'm aware, we still don't know why they produce psilocybin. Something that takes 30+ minutes to begin affecting you seems like a poor defense mechanism.

We know with certainty that capsaicin does act as a deterrent against consumption, and capsaicin acts immediately...

¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[–] Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io 18 points 3 weeks ago

And doesn't deter me in the least. Pass the hot sauce, please!

[–] GluWu@lemm.ee 8 points 3 weeks ago

Most of the ones with toxins strong enough to kill you won't do so for months after you consumed it a single time. They know something about playing the long game.

[–] jatone@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 3 weeks ago

i wonder how a chemical that can distort perception of time and space could be a useful defense mechanism...... harder to find the mushroom when you cant remember where you ate it.

[–] thawed_caveman@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

They produce psilocybin because Satan told them to

It's just a guess, but it's probably protection against other species than mammals (psilocybin I mean)...

Regarding capsaicin, it's protecting against (almost) everything that is isn't a bird, birds don't feel the capsaicin AFAIK.