John Miller
Viking Berserkers were a group of very skilled and dangerous warriors associated with the god Odin. They were said to have fought in a trance-like fury, and there are several theories about how they achieved this state. One theory suggests that they ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms, specifically Amanita muscaria, or fly agaric, which has toxic and hallucinogenic properties. However, this theory has been disputed, and other substances such as henbane, alcohol, or cannabis have been proposed as more likely alternatives. The truth about whether Berserker mushrooms are real remains a subject of speculation and ongoing research.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Berserker Mushrooms |
| Other Names | Magic Mushrooms, Amanita muscaria, Fly Agaric, White Agaric |
| Appearance | Bright red cap with white spots or blotches |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans |
| Effects | Heightened strength, delirium, trance-like state, uncontrollable rage, hallucinations, immunity to pain and fear |
| Usage by Berserkers | Disputed, possibly unlikely |
| Alternative Substances | Henbane, alcohol, cannabis, ergot poisoning |
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What You'll Learn
Berserker mushrooms are likely an urban legend
Viking Berserkers were a group of very skilled and dangerous warriors associated with the god Odin. They were said to have fought in a trance-like fury, and there are various theories about how they achieved this state. One theory is that Berserkers ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms, specifically Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric. This theory was first proposed by a priest named Ödmann in 1784, based on reports about Siberian shamans. However, there is little evidence to support this idea, and it is considered by many to be an urban legend or speculation.
The effects of Amanita muscaria include hallucinations, but it is technically toxic to humans and can cause side effects such as drowsiness, vomiting, muscle spasms, and numbness in arms and legs. These side effects would not have been advantageous for warriors, and there is no mention of mushrooms in the sagas, which document the Berserkers. Additionally, A. muscaria is known to be rare in Scandinavia, where the Berserkers were based.
A more likely explanation for the Berserkers' behaviour is the use of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), a plant with psychoactive properties that was known to have been used in the region during the Viking age. Henbane can cause delirious states, dissociation from reality, hallucinations, and pain-killing effects, which are consistent with the descriptions of Berserkers in Old Norse literature. It also grows rapidly as a weed and would have been more readily available than A. muscaria.
While the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms by Viking Berserkers has captured the public imagination, it is important to consider the historical and botanical context. The latest research in ethnobotany and the opinions of experts in the field, such as ethnobotanist Karsten Fatur, suggest that henbane is a more probable explanation for the Berserkers' trance-like state. Therefore, the idea that Berserkers used hallucinogenic mushrooms is likely an urban legend that has been perpetuated over time.
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Viking Berserkers may have used henbane
Viking Berserkers were legendary Viking warriors renowned for their ferocity in battle, fighting in a trance-like state of blind rage, howling like wild animals, biting their shields, and often unable to distinguish between friend and foe in the heat of battle. The word berserker is thought to come from "bear skin", as they wore animal pelts in battle.
The source of their behaviour is not well understood, but one hypothesis is that berserkers ingested a specific kind of mushroom with psychoactive properties. However, this hypothesis has been challenged by ethnobotanist Karsten Fatur, who suggests that henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a more likely candidate. Henbane is a plant that has been used in various cultures throughout history as a narcotic, painkiller, cure for insomnia, and anesthetic. It can also produce short-term memory loss and has been investigated as a possible truth serum.
Fatur argues that while both mushrooms and henbane could account for the increased strength, altered consciousness, delirium, jerking and twitching, and red face commonly associated with berserkers, aggressive rage is not commonly associated with the mushrooms. Additionally, henbane is known to have grown in Scandinavia during the berserker era, while the mushrooms in question typically grow in forests. Archaeological evidence also supports the use of henbane during the Viking age, including a woman's grave in Denmark from around 980 CE that contained a pouch of henbane seeds.
However, there are aspects of berserker behaviour that cannot be explained by henbane use, such as the biting of shields and chattering teeth. Furthermore, it is difficult to get the dosage right when using wild plants, and incorrect dosage could be deadly. Overall, while henbane may be a more likely candidate than hallucinogenic mushrooms, the true source of berserker behaviour remains speculative due to a lack of archaeological and historical evidence.
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Amanita muscaria mushrooms have toxic and hallucinogenic properties
Amanita muscaria mushrooms, commonly known as fly agaric, have been associated with Viking Berserkers, who were believed to consume hallucinogenic mushrooms to induce their battle rage. However, the idea that Vikings used Amanita muscaria has been largely dismissed by modern academics due to the mushroom's rarity in Scandinavia and the inconsistent psychological effects it induces. Instead, it is speculated that Berserkers used other substances, such as henbane or alcohol.
Amanita muscaria mushrooms are known for their distinct appearance, with large, scarlet red caps and white spots. They are considered psychoactive and potentially toxic, containing compounds like muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine, which are responsible for their hallucinogenic and psychoactive effects. These mushrooms can cause a range of physiological and psychological effects, including sedation, hallucinations, delirium, and in some cases, even death.
The toxicity of Amanita muscaria mushrooms is well-documented, and they are related to several deadly varieties, including the Amanita phalloides, or "Death Cap". While these mushrooms are not listed as controlled substances in the United States, they are unregulated due to their potential toxicity. Proper preparation is crucial as these mushrooms can be poisonous if consumed raw or in large amounts, leading to stomach cramps, illness, and even death.
The psychoactive effects of Amanita muscaria have been recognised throughout history, featuring in various cultural and religious traditions. They have been implicated in the Mysteries of ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in the traditions of shamanic peoples in Siberia, Europe, and Pan-America. Additionally, some scholars believe that Amanita muscaria was the hallucinogenic sacrament of the Vedas, known as Soma.
The consumption of Amanita muscaria mushrooms can lead to a range of physiological and psychological effects. Initial symptoms typically occur within 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion, with alternating periods of stimulation and depression. Common effects include confusion, dizziness, agitation, visual and auditory perceptual changes, space distortion, and a lack of awareness of time. In some cases, more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, tachycardia, and hypertension may occur.
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Berserker rage could be induced by biting shields
Viking Berserkers were a group of very skilled and dangerous warriors associated with the god Odin. They were known for their uncontrollable rage and bloodlust on the battlefield. The word "berserker" is thought to come from "bear skin", as they wore animal pelts in battle.
The idea that Berserkers ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms to induce their battle rage has been popularized by a theory put forward by a priest named Ödmann in 1784. Ödmann suggested that Berserkers ate fly agaric mushrooms (Amanita muscaria), which are known for their bright red caps with white spots and their hallucinogenic properties. However, this theory has been challenged by academics, who argue that the side effects of these mushrooms, including drowsiness, vomiting, muscle spasms, and numbness in the arms and legs, would have made the Berserkers ineffective warriors.
Instead, it is now believed that Berserkers achieved their battle trances through other means, including the use of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), a plant known for its psychoactive effects. Henbane can cause delirious states, dissociation from reality, hallucinations, and pain-killing effects, all of which are consistent with the descriptions of Berserker behavior in Old Norse literature. Additionally, henbane was known to flourish in Scandinavia during the Berserker era, making it a more readily available option than the Amanita muscaria mushrooms, which typically grow in forests.
While the use of hallucinogenic substances is one theory to explain Berserker rage, other hypotheses have also been proposed, including self-induced hysteria—aided by biting their shields and howling, epilepsy, ergot poisoning, or mental illness. The ritual process of biting their shields and howling may have helped induce a hypnotic trance state, contributing to their fierce and uncontrollable behavior on the battlefield.
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Berserkers may have been high on magic mushrooms
Viking Berserkers were a group of very skilled and dangerous warriors associated with the god Odin. They were known for their uncontrollable rage and bloodlust on the battlefield. They fought in a trance-like fury, and their behaviour has been described as being on the boundary between fantasy and reality.
One theory for the source of their behaviour is that Berserkers ingested a specific kind of mushroom with psychoactive properties. The mushroom in question is Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, a striking red and white mushroom with toxic and hallucinogenic properties. This theory was first proposed by a priest named Ödmann in 1784, based on reports about Siberian shamans.
However, this theory has been challenged by ethnobotanist Karsten Fatur, who argues that black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a more likely candidate for the substance that sent the Berserkers into their battle trance. Henbane is known to have psychoactive effects and was widely used in the Viking Age. It can cause delirious states, dissociation from reality, hallucinations, and pain-killing effects, all of which are consistent with the behaviour described in Old Norse literature about the Berserkers. Additionally, henbane grows rapidly as a weed and was known to have flourished in Scandinavia during the Berserker era, while Amanita muscaria is much rarer in the region.
While the debate continues, it is clear that the Berserkers' behaviour was not simply due to working themselves into a rage before battle. The use of psychoactive substances, whether mushrooms or henbane, is a compelling explanation for their trance-like state and heightened strength in battle.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether berserker mushrooms are real or not. While some theories suggest that berserkers ingested Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, to induce their battle rage, others argue that henbane is a more likely candidate.
Amanita muscaria is known to have hallucinogenic and psychoactive properties. It is also technically toxic to humans but can be ingested after parboiling twice.
Henbane is known to cause psychoactive effects, delirium, dissociation from reality, hallucinations, and pain-killing effects. It also causes the inability to recognize faces, removal of clothing, and lowered blood pressure, which could explain why berserkers did not lose much blood when injured.
