#AI reads Urine# Elevated Endogenous Psychedelic Bufotenine in the Urine of Patients Diagnosed With a Mental Illness

Published 27 June, 2025

This systematic review explores whether the concentration of endogenous psychedelic bufotenine in the urine of patients with mental illnesses is higher than that in healthy controls. A total of 8 studies involving 609 participants were included. It was found that bufotenine was detected in the urine of 82% of patients with mental illnesses, compared with only 29% of healthy controls. Some studies showed that the concentration in the patient group was higher and statistically significant, but others did not find a significant difference. Due to limitations such as small sample sizes, inconsistent methodologies, and drug confounding in the studies, bufotenine cannot currently be used as a biomarker for mental illnesses. However, its mechanism as a 5-HT2A receptor agonist suggests that further research is needed to clarify its role in the pathophysiology of mental illnesses.

 

Cureus. 2025 May 20;17(5):e84510. doi: 10.7759/cureus.84510.

Elevated Endogenous Psychedelic Bufotenine in the Urine of Patients Diagnosed With a Mental Illness: A Systematic Review

Alistair J Clarke

 

Youhe Gao

Statement: During the preparation of this work the author(s) used Doubao / AI reading for summarizing the content. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article.

 

For earlier AI Reads Urine articles:

https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/advances-in-biomarker-sciences-and-technology/ai-reads-urine/

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