[P]lant scientists Paula Berman and Janka Höfer and their team set out to map and rebuild the biochemical pathways behind these compounds.

They identified the key genes used by two plants – Psychotria viridis and Acacia acuminata – to make DMT, and the step-by-step chemical pathways involved in producing the compound.

Then, they combined these with genes and pathways already known from psychedelic mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis) and the cane toad (Rhinella marina), added supporting enzymes from rice and cress, then genetically introduced the combined genetic toolkit and kaboodle into tobacco plants (Nicotiana benthamiana).

The tobacco was chosen not because of its own drug production, but because it’s basically the lab rat of plant species, with its fast growth.

Finally, the team carefully monitored the plant’s production of five psychedelic tryptamines: DMT originally from plants; psilocin and psilocybin from mushrooms; and bufotenin and 5-MeO-DMT from toads.

The modified tobacco plants were found to produce all five compounds simultaneously. Because the different production pathways compete for the same resources, some compounds were produced in lower quantities than in their original sources.

However, the production was high enough to suggest that with a bit more tweaking, the system could function as a biological tryptamine factory for researchers.