Emily Johnson
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a highly distinctive and recognisable mushroom with a red cap and white spots. It is a popular legal alternative to hallucinogens and has been used for intoxicating and religious purposes in several cultures, particularly by Siberian shamans. Unlike psilocybin mushrooms, the hallucinogenic effects of Amanita muscaria are not considered psychedelic but are instead a result of the compounds muscimol and ibotenic acid, which influence the central nervous system rather than serotonin receptors. Consuming Amanita muscaria can induce relaxation, vivid dreams, or altered states of consciousness, but it can also cause nausea, confusion, and potential toxicity if consumed raw or in high doses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Fly Agaric, Fly Amanita |
| Scientific name | Amanita Muscaria |
| Appearance | Large white-gilled, red-capped mushroom with distinctive white spots or warts |
| Active compounds | Muscimol, Ibotenic Acid, Muscarine |
| Psychoactive | Yes |
| Psychedelic | No, considered a deliriant |
| Poisonous | Yes |
| Legality | Unscheduled in the US, but listed as a poison by the FDA |
| Effects | Relaxation, vivid dreams, altered states of consciousness, hallucinations, nausea, confusion, CNS excitation or depression |
| Use | Cultural rituals, shamanic practices, microdosing |
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What You'll Learn
Psychoactive effects of Amanita muscaria
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a white-gilled, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red cap. It is one of the most recognizable mushrooms in the world. The psychoactive effects of Amanita muscaria are well-known and documented.
The primary active ingredients in Amanita muscaria are muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine. Muscimol and ibotenic acid are the main compounds responsible for the psychoactive effects of the mushroom. Muscimol is a central nervous system depressant that interacts with GABA receptors in the brain, producing sedative-hypnotic, depressant, and hallucinogenic effects. It is considered a deliriant and is not classified as a psychedelic. Ibotenic acid, on the other hand, interacts with glutamate receptors, resulting in stimulating and energizing effects. The ratio of these two compounds in the mushroom can lead to different effects, with higher levels of ibotenic acid potentially causing confusion, agitation, and euphoria.
The onset of symptoms after ingesting Amanita muscaria is typically within 30 minutes to 2 hours, with most intoxications resolving within 5 to 24 hours. The psychoactive effects of the mushroom include perceptual phenomena such as synesthesia, macropsia, and micropsia, which are collectively known as dysmetropsia. Some users also report lucid dreaming and vivid dreams under the influence of its hypnotic effects. Other symptoms may include dizziness, dysphoria, visual hallucinations, agitation, muscle fasciculation, and confusion. In extreme cases, Amanita muscaria intoxication can lead to temporary insanity, coma, and even death.
Amanita muscaria has a long history of use in various cultures, particularly among Siberian, European, and Pan-American shamanic peoples. It has been implicated in the ancient rituals and ceremonies of different civilizations, including the Mysteries of Dionysus in Greece and the Mithraic Mysteries in Rome. The mushroom has also been linked to the Vedic plant-god soma and the Avestan haoma among early Christians and gnostic Manicheans.
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Amanita muscaria vs. magic mushrooms
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a white-gilled, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red cap. It is one of the most recognisable mushrooms in the world, often appearing in cultural symbols like emojis and garden statues. It is a poisonous mushroom that can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects. It is also a popular legal alternative to hallucinogens. The active chemicals in this mushroom are muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine. Muscimol is a central nervous system depressant that may engage GABA receptors to deliver sedative-hypnotic, depressant, and hallucinogenic psychoactivity. Ibotenic acid interacts with glutamate receptors, making it more stimulating and energizing.
Magic mushrooms, on the other hand, are fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic agent. Psilocybin is considered a prodrug, which means the body must metabolize it before it becomes active. When ingested, it turns into psilocin, which is responsible for most of the magic mushrooms' psychedelic effects. Magic mushrooms work by altering perception and inducing profound introspective experiences, vivid visuals, and a sense of the world breathing. They are often described as producing a milder, shorter version of an LSD trip.
Amanita muscaria elicits psychoactive effects resembling alcohol intoxication, with deep sleep and dream-like visions. It is often consumed raw, dried, brewed into teas or gummies, or incorporated into dishes. The onset of symptoms after ingestion is within 0.5 to 2 hours, and most intoxications clear within the first 5 to 24 hours.
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are considered Schedule 1 drugs in the US, while Amanita muscaria is largely unregulated. However, it is important to note that consuming raw Amanita muscaria mushrooms can be toxic, and they are related to deadly varieties like Amanita Phalloides. Therefore, accurate identification and proper preparation are crucial when consuming these mushrooms.
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Amanita muscaria's legality
Amanita muscaria, also known as fly agaric, fly amanita, or the panther cap, is a distinctive mushroom with a red cap and white spots. It is native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere and has been used for centuries by various cultures for its intoxicating and hallucinogenic effects. While it is not specifically listed as a controlled substance under federal law in the United States, its legal status is complex and evolving.
At the federal level in the United States, Amanita muscaria is not explicitly prohibited. It is not listed as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which classifies psychoactive substances like psilocybin and psilocin found in "magic mushrooms" as Schedule I drugs. However, the potential health risks and psychoactive effects of Amanita muscaria have raised concerns among regulators and public health officials.
In December 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took action against the use of Amanita muscaria in edibles, stating that it is not authorized for human consumption due to safety concerns. The FDA's warning letter noted that Amanita muscaria products are sometimes marketed as "psychedelic edibles" or "legal psychedelics," and that there have been adverse event reports associated with their use. The FDA's ruling does not prohibit the growing or picking of Amanita muscaria mushrooms, but it does impact the manufacturing and distribution of products containing the mushroom.
At the state level, the legal status of Amanita muscaria varies. In Louisiana, for example, it is illegal to grow, sell, or possess Amanita muscaria unless it is for strictly decorative purposes. In other states, the legal status may be ambiguous, and the interpretation of local laws and ordinances may vary. For example, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has halted the sale of Amanita muscaria products intended for consumption due to the FDA's stance on its approval as a consumable food.
The regulatory landscape surrounding Amanita muscaria is dynamic, and the increasing popularity and commercialization of products containing the mushroom may lead to further scrutiny and regulation. While it currently falls under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), which regulates vitamins, minerals, herbs, and botanicals, there is ongoing evaluation and discussion regarding the safety and legality of Amanita muscaria and its constituents in dietary supplements and food products.
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Amanita muscaria's medicinal value
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, is a fungus of the genus Amanita. It is a large white-gilled mushroom with a bright red cap covered with distinctive white warts. It is one of the most recognisable fungi in the world.
Amanita muscaria is hallucinogenic and has intoxicating effects. It contains the neurotoxins ibotenic acid and muscimol, which are responsible for its psychoactive effects. The use of Amanita muscaria as a legal alternative to hallucinogens has grown in recent years due to a lack of regulation. However, it is listed as a poison by the FDA, and fatal poisonings can occur, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects.
Despite the risks, some people consume Amanita muscaria for its perceived medicinal value. In a study, women reported consuming it to reduce pain and skin problems, while men reported using it to relieve stress, reduce depressive symptoms, and improve insomnia. However, adverse effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and drowsiness have also been reported.
In terms of medicinal value, Amanita muscaria has been ingested for centuries to treat various ailments, particularly those affecting the central nervous system and conditions associated with neuroinflammation. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and may have potential in treating sleep disorders and anxiety. However, the chemical composition of these mushroom extracts is not well understood, and more research is needed to determine their safety and effectiveness.
Amanita muscaria has also played a role in the cultural and spiritual practices of various ancient civilisations, including the Mysteries of ancient Greece and Rome, and as the original Vedic plant-god soma.
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Amanita muscaria's history in folklore
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a distinctive mushroom with a bright red cap and white spots. It has a long history of spiritual significance, with records of its use in ritual drinks and shamanic practices dating back thousands of years.
One of the earliest known uses of Amanita muscaria was by Siberian tribes, dating back to between 6000 and 4000 BCE. According to Siberian folklore, the mushroom was a "sacred gift" or "divine offering" from a figure known as Big Raven, believed to be the first shaman and the progenitor of humankind. In the Koryak folklore of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Eastern Siberia, Big Raven discovered the power of Amanita muscaria when he needed help moving a whale he had caught. He was told to eat the mushroom, which gave him the strength to toss the whale into the sea.
Amanita muscaria also holds significance in Celtic folklore, with some theories suggesting that Celtic druids used the mushroom in their spiritual rituals before the advent of Christianity. The druids believed that the mushroom's toxic nature held powerful, age-old wisdom and could even provide a direct conduit to the cosmos.
The mushroom is also associated with the berserkers, Norse combatants who allegedly ingested Amanita muscaria before battle, sending them into a frenzied state of heightened strength and resilience. This notion is supported by accounts written by Snorri Sturluson, an Iceland historian and poet from the 13th century, who described the berserkers as possessing the might of wild beasts and an apparent immunity to damage from flames or bladed weapons.
In ancient India, there was a drug known as Soma, used by the Aryan people who conquered the Indus Valley around 3,500 years ago. It has been suggested that Soma might have been Amanita muscaria, as one of the Aryan gods, Soma, was a plant with hallucinogenic effects. Additionally, in some secluded Lithuanian regions, Amanita muscaria steeped in vodka was consumed during wedding celebrations, and it was also integrated into the shamanic ceremonies of the Sami people in northern Lithuania.
Today, Amanita muscaria continues to capture the curiosity of many, with a growing number of people trying it out of interest in its ancient history and potential therapeutic benefits. However, it is important to approach this powerful substance with caution and respect, as it can cause poisoning, especially when seeking its hallucinogenic effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Amanita mushrooms are hallucinogenic. They contain psychoactive compounds like muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine.
Consuming Amanita mushrooms can induce relaxation, vivid dreams, or altered states of consciousness. It can also cause side effects like nausea, confusion, CNS depression or excitation, gastrointestinal symptoms, and in some cases, coma.
Amanita mushrooms are not listed as a controlled substance and are unscheduled in the United States. However, they are listed as poison by the FDA, and the use of Amanita mushrooms as a food ingredient is not authorized.
Amanita Muscaria mushrooms are easily recognizable with their vibrant red cap and white spots. They are sometimes referred to as "toadstool" mushrooms and are featured in fairy tales such as Alice in Wonderland.
