Emily Johnson
Inocybe mushrooms are a highly diverse genus of ectomycorrhizal Agaricales, with over 1,000 species. They are often confused with edible mushrooms due to their similar appearance, but they are toxic and contain hallucinogenic substances including muscarine, psilocybin, and psilocin. Mistaken intentional consumption may occur related to attempted hallucinogen (psilocybin) seeking. The species was first documented in Hungary in 1965 and can now be found in central Europe, including Germany and Switzerland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genus | Inocybe |
| Species | Inocybe aeruginascens, Inocybe corydalina, Inocybe haemacta, Inocybe erubescens, Inocybe patouillardii, Inocybe calamistrata |
| Number of Species | 1,050 |
| Cap Shape | Conic, convex, incurved margin |
| Cap Size | 2-5 cm across |
| Cap Color | Buff, light yellow brown, greenish stains, brick red, lilac, purple, brown |
| Gills | Adnate, pale brown, grayish brown, tobacco brown |
| Stem | 2-7 cm long, 3-8 mm thick, bluish green |
| Fruit Body | Greenish tones, bruises blue when damaged |
| Spore Shape | Smooth, ellipsoid |
| Spore Size | 6-9.5 x 4.5 micrometres |
| Spore Color | Clay brown |
| Toxicity | Poisonous, hallucinogenic |
| Toxins | Muscarine, psilocybin, psilocin, aeruginascin, lectins, baeocystin |
| Effects | Acts on the central nervous system, parasympathetic nervous excitement, slow heart rate, muscle contractions, increased gland secretion, constricted pupils, hallucinations |
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What You'll Learn
- Inocybe mushrooms are hallucinogenic due to the presence of psilocybin
- The mushrooms have psychoactive effects and can produce visions
- Inocybe mushrooms are often confused with edible species, leading to accidental poisoning
- The main toxic substances in Inocybe mushrooms are muscarine, psilocybin, and psilocin
- Inocybe aeruginascens is a hallucinogenic species widely distributed in Europe
Inocybe mushrooms are hallucinogenic due to the presence of psilocybin
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen, and its presence in Inocybe mushrooms has been known to cause hallucinogenic effects. The species Inocybe aeruginascens, for example, is known to contain psilocybin and has been reported to have unequivocal psychoactive effects. Similarly, Inocybe corydalina and Inocybe haemacta also contain psilocybin and are hallucinogenic.
The mushroom Inocybe aeruginascens was first documented in Hungary in 1965 and has since been found in other parts of Europe, including Germany and Switzerland. It typically grows from spring to fall near deciduous trees in grassy areas of parks. This species has a cap that is usually less than 5 cm across and varies in color from buff to light yellow-brown, often with greenish stains that disappear when the mushroom dries. The gills are colored pale brown, grayish brown, or tobacco brown, and the stem is bluish-green, fibrous, and covered with fine powder near the top.
The presence of psilocybin in Inocybe mushrooms has been studied, and its structure is similar to that of baeocystin, another compound found in these mushrooms. The mechanism of action of psilocybin involves binding to specific subtypes of the 5-HT receptor, leading to hallucinogenic effects. The amount of psilocybin required to produce visions is relatively small, with 2.4 g of dry weight reported to be sufficient.
In summary, Inocybe mushrooms are hallucinogenic due to the presence of psilocybin, a compound that acts on the central nervous system and induces hallucinations. While these mushrooms may have potential benefits in biotechnology and biomedical applications, accidental consumption can lead to poisoning, and caution should be exercised to avoid confusion with edible species.
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The mushrooms have psychoactive effects and can produce visions
Inocybe mushrooms are a large genus of mushrooms that contains toxic substances including muscarine, psilocybin, psilocin, aeruginascin, lectins, and baeocystin. Some species of Inocybe mushrooms, such as Inocybe aeruginascens, Inocybe corydalina, and Inocybe haemacta, are non-poisonous and contain psilocybin and baeocystin. These mushrooms have psychoactive effects and can produce visions.
The mushrooms have a conic to convex cap that becomes plane in age and is often fibrillose near the margin. The cap color varies from buff to light yellow brown, usually with greenish stains that disappear when the mushroom dries. The gills are adnate to nearly free, numerous, and colored pale brown, grayish brown, or tobacco brown. The fruit body has greenish tones and bruises blue where damaged. The spores are smooth and ellipsoid, forming a clay brown spore print. The stem is solid and equal width for the whole length, sometimes with some swelling at the base.
The psychoactive effects of these mushrooms are due to the presence of psilocybin, which can produce hallucinations and alter perception. According to Gartz (1995), a dry weight of 2.4 g of Inocybe mushrooms is sufficient to produce visions. The hallucinations typically take the form of abstract sparkling colors and lights. The mushrooms taste like ordinary culinary mushrooms, and the psychoactive effects can take up to 30 minutes to onset.
It is important to note that not all species of Inocybe mushrooms are safe for consumption. Some species, such as Inocybe erubescens, contain muscarine and can cause serious and even deadly poisonings. Therefore, proper identification and caution are necessary before consuming any type of mushroom.
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Inocybe mushrooms are often confused with edible species, leading to accidental poisoning
Inocybe mushrooms are a highly diverse genus of ectomycorrhizal Agaricales. There are over 1,000 species of Inocybe, with evidence suggesting that the high degree of speciation may be due to adaptation to different trees and local habitats. Inocybe mushrooms are often confused with edible species because of their similar appearance, which can lead to accidental poisoning.
Inocybe mushrooms contain toxic substances, including muscarine, psilocybin, psilocin, aeruginascin, lectins, and baeocystin. Muscarine is a cholinergic agent that acts on tissues innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves. It increases parasympathetic tone, causing symptoms such as slowed heart rate, weakened muscle contractions, increased gland secretion, and constricted pupils. Psilocybin and psilocin have hallucinogenic effects, producing visions and abstract hallucinations. Baeocystin has a similar mechanism to psilocybin and can also bind to specific subtypes of the 5-HT receptor to produce hallucinogenic effects.
The toxic effects of these substances can vary depending on the species of Inocybe and the route of administration. For example, the brick red Inocybe erubescens, also known as Inocybe patouillardii, contains muscarine and can produce serious and even deadly poisonings. On the other hand, the blue-green Inocybe aeruginascens, Inocybe corydalina, and Inocybe haemacta contain psilocybin and baeocystin and are non-poisonous. These species occur in central Europe and have no traditional use.
Inocybe mushrooms typically have small to medium-sized caps that are initially conic and later become slightly convex with a slightly incurved margin. The caps often appear fibrous, giving the genus its common name of "fiber caps". The colour of the caps varies, with typical mushrooms of the genus having various shades of brown, while some species have lilac or purple caps. Inocybe mushrooms have a distinctive odour, described as musty or spermatic, and they grow from summer to fall in forests, pastures, moors, and alpine settings.
Due to the toxic substances present in Inocybe mushrooms and their similarity in appearance to edible species, it is important to correctly identify mushrooms before consumption to prevent accidental poisoning.
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The main toxic substances in Inocybe mushrooms are muscarine, psilocybin, and psilocin
Inocybe mushrooms are a highly diverse genus of ectomycorrhizal Agaricales, with over 1,000 species. Many species of Inocybe mushrooms are poisonous and toxic to humans. The main toxic substances in Inocybe mushrooms are muscarine, psilocybin, and psilocin.
Muscarine is a toxic substance found in some Inocybe mushrooms. It acts on the central nervous system by increasing parasympathetic tone through the activation of M-type post-ganglionic parasympathetic receptors located in muscles and glands. This can lead to symptoms such as slowed heart rate, weakened muscle contractions, increased gland secretion, and constricted pupils. Muscarine-containing mushrooms are considered poisonous and can cause serious and even deadly poisonings if ingested.
Psilocybin is also present in some Inocybe mushrooms and is known for its hallucinogenic effects. It acts similarly to psilocin, another toxic substance found in Inocybe mushrooms, and can produce visions and hallucinations. The mushroom Inocybe calamistrata, for example, is known to contain psilocybin and has been reported to cause abstract hallucinations in the form of sparkling colors and lights.
Baeocystin, an N-demethylated derivative of psilocybin, is also found in Inocybe mushrooms. It has a similar mechanism of action to psilocybin and psilocin and can bind to specific subtypes of the 5-HT receptor to produce hallucinogenic effects.
The presence of these toxic substances in Inocybe mushrooms underlines the importance of proper identification before consumption. Accidental poisoning by foraged Inocybe mushrooms can have serious health consequences and, in some cases, even lead to death.
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Inocybe aeruginascens is a hallucinogenic species widely distributed in Europe
Several rare species of the genus Inocybe contain psilocybin, a hallucinogen. Inocybe aeruginascens is a hallucinogenic species widely distributed in Europe. This species was first documented by I. Ferencz in Ócsa, Hungary, on June 15, 1965. It is a small mycorrhizal mushroom with a conic to convex cap that becomes plane in age and is often fibrillose near the margin. The cap colour varies from buff to light yellow-brown, with greenish stains that disappear when the mushroom dries. The gills are adnate to nearly free, numerous, and coloured pale brown, grayish brown, or tobacco brown. The fruit body has greenish tones and bruises blue when damaged. The mushroom grows in moist sandy soils in a mycorrhizal relationship with poplar, linden, oak, and willow trees.
Inocybe aeruginascens contains psilocybin, baeocystin, and a newly discovered indole Gartz named aeruginascine. In the 1980s, several mushroom collectors in Europe accidentally consumed this species, believing it to be edible. This resulted in unintentional intoxications with hallucinogenic symptoms, which were reported as very euphoric. There are no known deaths directly related to the consumption of Inocybe aeruginascens, however, its edibility is not yet conclusive.
The mushroom's small size, typically less than 5 cm across, and its resemblance to edible species may contribute to accidental ingestion. The spores of Inocybe aeruginascens are smooth and ellipsoid, measuring 6–9.5 x 4.5 micrometres, and form a clay brown spore print. The stem is usually 2–7 cm long and 3 to 8 mm thick, with a solid and fibrous texture. It is equal in width for the whole length, sometimes with some swelling at the base. The stem appears to be covered with a fine powder near the top.
In summary, Inocybe aeruginascens is a hallucinogenic mushroom species belonging to the genus Inocybe, widely distributed in Europe. Its discovery in Hungary and subsequent accidental consumption in the 1980s led to the identification of its hallucinogenic properties. While there have been no known fatal cases associated with its consumption, further research is needed to conclusively determine its edibility.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some species of Inocybe mushrooms are hallucinogenic. This is due to the presence of psilocybin, a hallucinogen.
Hallucinogenic Inocybe mushrooms are usually small to medium-sized and have conic to convex caps with a slightly incurved margin. They are often less than 5 cm across and have a darker blunt umbo. The cap colour varies from buff to light yellow brown, with greenish stains that disappear when dried. The gills are adnate to nearly free, numerous, and coloured pale brown, grayish brown, or tobacco brown. The stem is 2–7 cm long and 3 to 8 mm thick, and is solid and pale grey, becoming bluish-green from the bottom up.
Yes, the Inocybe genus contains many toxic mushrooms that can cause serious and even deadly poisonings. The Inocybe erubescens Blytt, also known as Inocybe patouillardii, contains muscarine and is highly toxic. It has a brick red colour.
The effects of hallucinogenic Inocybe mushrooms include abstract hallucinations in the form of sparkling colours and lights. They may also cause a range of neurological symptoms such as increased gland secretion, constricted pupils, and changes in heart rate.
