Laura Smith
Fly agaric, or Amanita muscaria, is a distinctive, bright red mushroom with white spots and gills, native to the UK and found in woodland and heathland. It is highly toxic and poisonous, and its ingestion can cause hallucinations and psychotic reactions. It has been used for thousands of years in religious ceremonies, particularly in Asia, and by shamans in Siberia, Lapland and other parts of the world, where it is consumed to achieve a mental state similar to that produced by psychedelics. However, it is not considered a psychedelic but a deliriant, as its active compounds muscimol and ibotenic acid are different from psilocybin, which is found in psychedelic mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Fly agaric |
| Scientific name | Amanita muscaria |
| Colour | Bright red to orange with white spots |
| Size | Up to 20 cm across and 30 cm tall |
| Smell | Mildly earthy, savoury |
| Toxicity | Poisonous, one of the most common causes of mushroom poisoning |
| Psychoactive compounds | Muscimol, ibotenic acid, muscarine, bufotenine, other toxic alkaloids |
| Effects | Hallucinations, vivid dreams, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation, perspiration, watery eyes, slowed and difficult breathing, dilated pupils, confusion, excitability, psychotic reactions |
| Legality | Not a controlled substance, unlike psilocybin |
| Traditional use | Insecticide, religious ceremonies, medicine |
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What You'll Learn
- Fly agaric mushrooms are poisonous and hallucinogenic
- They are also known as 'fly' mushrooms due to their use as an insecticide
- The active compounds are muscimol, ibotenic acid and muscarine
- They have been used in rituals and religious ceremonies for millennia
- They are not considered psychedelic but are a deliriant
Fly agaric mushrooms are poisonous and hallucinogenic
Fly agaric mushrooms, or Amanita muscaria, are distinctive large white-gilled, white-spotted mushrooms with bright red caps. They are native to the UK and grow in woodland and heathland on light soils among birch, pine or spruce trees. They are also found in forests, pastures, and fields throughout temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Fly agaric is poisonous to humans and is one of the most common causes of mushroom poisoning. It is also hallucinogenic and has been used for its psychoactive properties for thousands of years.
Fly agaric mushrooms contain the toxic compounds muscarine, muscimol, and other toxic alkaloids. Ingesting these mushrooms can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation, perspiration, watery eyes, slowed and difficult breathing, dilated pupils, confusion, and excitability. Illness usually begins within a few hours of ingestion, and recovery typically occurs within 12 hours. Although human deaths from consuming fly agaric mushrooms are rare, a recent case described the death of a 44-year-old man who suffered a heart attack about ten hours after eating four to five mushroom caps.
The hallucinogenic effects of fly agaric mushrooms have been well-documented throughout history, particularly in religious and spiritual rituals. In Siberia, shamans consumed these mushrooms to achieve a mental state similar to that produced by other psychedelics. Among the Sami (Laplander) people, ingesting fly agaric was associated with hallucinations of flying in a "spiritual sleigh" pulled by reindeer or horses. In India and Iran, fly agaric was used in a sacred ritual drink called 'soma' for over 4,000 years.
The active compounds responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of fly agaric mushrooms are muscimol and ibotenic acid. These compounds act on specific neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, dampening brain activity. While muscimol and ibotenic acid have been found to have a relatively low lethal dose, fatal poisonings from fly agaric mushrooms are extremely rare. It is important to note that the consumption of raw fly agaric mushrooms can be dangerous, and proper preparation is essential to reduce the risk of poisoning.
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They are also known as 'fly' mushrooms due to their use as an insecticide
Fly agaric, or Amanita muscaria, is a poisonous, psychoactive, and hallucinogenic mushroom. It is also called fly amanita and is native to the temperate and boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere. It is easily recognizable due to its bright red to orange cap with creamy white small patches or warts and a white underside. It grows in forests, pastures, and fields, often forming symbiotic relationships with birch, pine, or spruce trees.
Fly agaric has been used for thousands of years by shamans in northern Europe, Siberia, and Asia in their rituals and ceremonies, particularly during the winter solstice. It is consumed to induce hallucinations and achieve a mental state similar to that produced by psychedelics. The active compounds in fly agaric are muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine, which are distinct from the compounds found in psychedelic mushrooms.
Fly agaric is also known as fly mushrooms due to their traditional use as an insecticide. The name "fly agaric" is derived from the practice of sprinkling the powdered mushroom cap into saucers of milk to attract and kill flies. This practice has been recorded in Germanic and Slavic regions of Europe, as well as in France, Romania, and Sweden. The mushroom contains compounds such as ibotenic acid and 1,3-diolein, which are believed to attract insects.
While fly agaric is not considered a psychedelic mushroom, it does have psychoactive properties and can cause hallucinations, vivid dreams, and other physiological effects when consumed. It has been used medicinally by tribal groups in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Russia for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and stimulant properties. However, it can also be toxic when consumed raw or in large amounts, causing stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and other adverse effects.
In summary, fly agaric mushrooms, or fly amanita, are known as fly mushrooms due to their historical use as an insecticide. They were traditionally sprinkled into milk to attract and kill flies, and their name reflects this unique property. Today, they are recognized for their psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects, as well as their distinct appearance and wide distribution across the Northern Hemisphere.
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The active compounds are muscimol, ibotenic acid and muscarine
Fly agaric, or Amanita muscaria, is a poisonous and psychoactive mushroom. It is often referred to as a psychedelic mushroom, but this is not strictly accurate. While it does cause hallucinations, it does not produce the same effects as psilocybin "magic mushrooms", which are considered psychedelic.
The active compounds in fly agaric are muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine. These compounds are responsible for the mushroom's psychoactive effects. Muscimol is the principal psychoactive constituent of Amanita muscaria, causing sedation, delirium, and hallucinations. It is a potent and selective orthosteric agonist for the GABAA receptor, displaying sedative-hypnotic, depressant, and hallucinogenic psychoactivity. It is not considered psychedelic and is instead classified as a deliriant.
Ibotenic acid is also found in Amanita muscaria and is thought to act as a prodrug to muscimol, as it is decarboxylated into muscimol in vivo. Its psychoactive effects are not known independently of this process, although researchers speculate that it may act as a stimulant. Ibotenic acid is an agonist of glutamate receptors, specifically at the NMDA and trans-ACPD receptor sites in multiple systems in the central nervous system.
Muscarine is another active compound found in fly agaric mushrooms. It is a toxic alkaloid that contributes to the mushroom's poisonous nature. Ingestion of fly agaric mushrooms containing muscarine can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation, perspiration, and other unpleasant symptoms.
The effects of fly agaric mushrooms have been documented in various cultures throughout history, particularly in northern Europe and Asia. Shamans in Siberia, for example, wore special red and white garments to collect the mushrooms, which they would consume and share during winter solstice ceremonies. The hallucinations associated with ingestion of fly agaric were said to give the sensation of flying in a "spiritual sleigh" pulled by reindeer or horses.
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They have been used in rituals and religious ceremonies for millennia
Fly agaric, or Amanita muscaria, is a poisonous and psychoactive mushroom. It has been used in rituals and religious ceremonies for millennia, particularly in northern Europe and Asia. Its use has been documented by numerous cultures throughout history, including the Sami (Laplander) peoples, Siberian shamans, and the Celtic Druids.
In northern Europe, the collection, preparation, and use of fly agaric mushrooms were central to many winter solstice celebrations and ceremonies. The mushroom typically appears under trees, especially firs and spruces, in the days leading up to the winter solstice. During the ceremonies, shamans would consume and distribute the sacred mushrooms among participants. The smoke hole was believed to be a gateway to the spiritual world, where people would experience visions and hallucinations.
Among the Sami people, ingesting fly agaric was associated with the sensation of flying in a "spiritual sleigh" pulled by reindeer or horses. This belief may have influenced the modern concept of Santa Claus, who is often depicted with reindeer and is said to fly around the world to deliver gifts.
In Siberia, the use of fly agaric by shamans dates back centuries. In western Siberia, only shamans were permitted to use the mushroom to achieve a trance state, while in eastern Siberia, it was used by both shamans and laypeople for religious and recreational purposes. The Koryak people of northeastern Siberia have a story about the fly agaric (wapaq) that enabled Big Raven to carry a whale to its home.
The Celtic Druids, who used fly agaric in their rituals, would purify themselves through fasting and meditation before consuming the mushroom. Additionally, fly agaric has been used medicinally for hundreds of years among tribal groups in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Russia for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and stimulant properties.
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They are not considered psychedelic but are a deliriant
Fly agaric, or Amanita muscaria, is a poisonous and psychoactive mushroom. It is often referred to as a psychedelic mushroom, but it is not considered a true psychedelic. Instead, it is classified as a deliriant due to its ability to cause delirium and hallucinations.
The active compounds in fly agaric mushrooms are muscimol, ibotenic acid, muscarine, and other toxic alkaloids. Muscimol is a potent and selective orthosteric agonist for the GABA receptors in the brain, resulting in sedative-hypnotic, depressant, and hallucinogenic effects. However, it is not considered a classic psychedelic like psilocybin or "magic mushrooms."
The distinction between fly agaric and psychedelic mushrooms is important due to their differing effects and legal statuses. Psilocybin mushrooms are known for their mind-manifesting qualities and are widely used in spiritual and therapeutic settings. On the other hand, fly agaric mushrooms are associated with more delirious and hallucinogenic experiences. While they have been used medicinally and ceremonially for centuries, particularly by shamans in northern Europe, Siberia, and Asia, they can also be toxic and cause adverse effects.
The toxicity of fly agaric mushrooms is well-documented, and ingestion can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, perspiration, and in some cases, confusion and excitability. While fatal poisonings are rare, there have been reported cases of muscimol poisoning and even a recent death associated with consuming these mushrooms. Therefore, it is crucial to approach fly agaric mushrooms with caution and not confuse them with psychedelic or "magic" mushrooms.
In summary, fly agaric mushrooms are not considered psychedelic but are classified as deliriants due to their hallucinogenic and delirious effects. They have a long history of ceremonial and medicinal use, but their toxicity and potential for adverse effects should not be overlooked.
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Frequently asked questions
Fly agaric, or Amanita muscaria, is a poisonous and psychoactive mushroom. It is also known as "fly amanita" and has been used in religious ceremonies and rituals for thousands of years.
Fly agaric mushrooms are not considered psychedelic. They contain the compounds muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine, which have hallucinogenic effects, but they are classified as a deliriant. While they have been used medicinally for hundreds of years, they can also be toxic and cause mushroom poisoning if consumed raw or in large amounts.
The name "fly agaric" comes from the mushroom's traditional use as an insecticide, specifically to attract and kill flies. The mushroom's cap was broken up and sprinkled into saucers of milk to kill flies, as recorded by Albertus Magnus in his work "De vegetabilibus" before 1256.
