Sarah Brown
Mushroom gummies are a supplement made with sweetener, gelling agents, flavour, and powdered functional mushrooms. While some mushroom gummies are made with hallucinogenic mushrooms, which are usually illegal, the ones we're discussing here focus on non-hallucinogenic functional mushrooms. These are believed to have health benefits, including boosting energy levels, improving cognitive function, boosting the immune system, and reducing inflammation. However, the safety and legality of mushroom gummies are questionable. There have been reports of people experiencing adverse effects, including seizures, blackouts, heart problems, nausea, and vomiting, after consuming mushroom gummies. The regulatory requirements for mushroom edibles are murky, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against the use of certain brands. It is important for consumers to be aware of the potential risks and regulatory uncertainties associated with mushroom gummies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality | Psilocybin, the best-known psychedelic substance derived from "magic" mushrooms, is a Schedule I substance and is illegal. However, Amanita muscaria, another mushroom with psychoactive effects, is not a scheduled substance and is legal for US consumers to possess, except in Louisiana. |
| Safety | The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against the use of mushroom gummies, particularly the brand Diamond Shruumz, which has been linked to seizures, blackouts, heart problems, nausea, vomiting, and agitation. |
| Side Effects | The main reported side effects of eating functional mushrooms are allergic reactions or various forms of stomach discomfort, such as gas or diarrhea. Other side effects may include tachycardia, confusion, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and chest pain. |
| Benefits | Functional mushroom gummies are associated with various health benefits, including improved cognitive function, a boosted immune system, reduced inflammation, increased energy levels, and reduced feelings of stress. |
| Regulation | The regulatory requirements for mushroom edibles are unclear, as the FDA has not specified whether they should be regulated as dietary supplements, foods, or drugs. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hallucinogenic mushroom gummies are usually illegal
- Functional mushroom gummies are made with sweetener, gelling agents, flavour, and powdered mushrooms
- Side effects of mushroom gummies are usually mild, but allergic reactions and stomach discomfort may occur
- Some mushroom gummy brands claim to be lab-tested, but experts say these tests are often bogus
- Mushroom gummies are not regulated, and may contain undisclosed, illegal substances
Hallucinogenic mushroom gummies are usually illegal
The legality of mushroom gummies becomes more ambiguous when they contain Amanita muscaria, a type of mushroom with psychoactive properties. While Amanita muscaria itself is not a scheduled substance and is legal to possess in most states, the commercial production and distribution of products derived from it are less clear. This ambiguity has created a regulatory grey area, with the FDA not explicitly categorizing mushroom edibles as dietary supplements, foods, or drugs.
The lack of clear regulations has led to concerns about the safety of mushroom gummies. There have been reports of hospitalizations and even deaths linked to the consumption of certain brands, such as Diamond Shruumz. Investigations have found that some of these products contain undisclosed ingredients, including synthetic psychedelics similar to psilocybin and prescription medications.
In Australia, the sale of Cordyceps and Lion's Mane mushroom gummies was banned by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) due to their unapproved status as novel foods. This decision highlights the importance of regulatory oversight in ensuring the safety and legality of mushroom gummies, especially when they contain hallucinogenic or psychoactive compounds.
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Functional mushroom gummies are made with sweetener, gelling agents, flavour, and powdered mushrooms
Mushroom gummies are a supplement made with sweetener, gelling agents, flavour, and powdered mushrooms. They are designed to mask the earthy taste of mushrooms and are a convenient way to get your daily dose of functional mushrooms.
Functional mushrooms are a special category of mushrooms packed with unique compounds that may support brain health, immunity, and overall balance in the body. They have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and modern research has backed up their potential benefits.
However, it is important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not clearly specified whether mushroom edibles must be regulated as dietary supplements, foods, or drugs, creating a regulatory grey area. This has resulted in a free-for-all for manufacturers, with brands skirting regulation and potentially selling unsafe products.
For example, in 2024, the FDA warned consumers against using any products made by the brand Diamond Shruumz, as they were linked to seizures, blackouts, heart problems, nausea, and other serious side effects. The products were found to contain a range of undisclosed ingredients, including a synthetic psychedelic similar to psilocybin and a prescription anticonvulsant medication.
Therefore, it is crucial to do your research and be a critical consumer when considering mushroom gummies or any other supplement. While they can be a tasty and effortless way to get your daily dose of functional mushrooms, it is important to remember that they may not be subject to strict regulation and could contain undisclosed substances.
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Side effects of mushroom gummies are usually mild, but allergic reactions and stomach discomfort may occur
Mushroom gummies are supplements made with sweeteners, gelling agents, and flavouring, along with powdered functional mushrooms. They are often marketed as a "legal high" or "all-natural healing" product. However, they are largely unregulated and may contain undisclosed substances, including illegal drugs such as psilocybin and psilocin. These substances can have serious side effects, and in some cases, have even led to hospitalizations and deaths.
Functional mushrooms are both nutritious and have promising health effects. For example, reishi mushrooms have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries and are now being used in China as an immune boost after cancer treatment. They have also shown promise in reducing anxiety and promoting sleep. Other types of mushrooms, such as cordyceps, have been associated with increased muscle energy and skin longevity.
Despite the potential benefits of functional mushrooms, the side effects of mushroom gummies are not always mild. While some people may experience positive effects, such as increased energy and improved cognitive function, others may experience negative side effects, particularly if the gummies contain undisclosed substances. These side effects can include hallucinations, altered mental status, tachycardia, gastrointestinal upset, seizures, blackouts, heart problems, nausea, and vomiting. In one case, a boy who consumed magic mushroom gummies experienced sharp stomach and back pains, which led to him being hospitalized for renal failure.
Therefore, it is important to be cautious when consuming mushroom gummies, as the lack of regulation and accurate labeling means that buyers may unknowingly ingest harmful ingredients. While functional mushrooms can provide health benefits, the potential for undisclosed substances and serious side effects means that mushroom gummies should be approached with caution.
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Some mushroom gummy brands claim to be lab-tested, but experts say these tests are often bogus
The legitimacy of mushroom gummies has been a topic of concern for health experts, with some brands claiming to be lab-tested, but experts suggesting caution. While mushroom gummies are marketed as a convenient and palatable way to consume functional mushrooms, there are potential risks associated with their consumption.
Some mushroom gummy brands have been found to contain undisclosed and potentially dangerous or illegal ingredients. For instance, testing by Avery Michienzi's team at the University of Virginia School of Medicine revealed the presence of psilocybin, psilocin, caffeine, ephedrine, and kratom, an herb with opioid-like effects, in products sold at local gas stations and smoke shops. These ingredients were not listed on the labels, highlighting the inaccuracy of labelling practices in the mushroom edibles market.
In response to the growing concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings against specific brands, such as Diamond Shruumz, which have been linked to severe side effects, including seizures, blackouts, heart problems, nausea, and even potential deaths. However, the regulatory landscape surrounding mushroom edibles remains unclear. The FDA has not provided explicit guidelines on whether these products should be regulated as dietary supplements, foods, or drugs, creating a challenging situation for consumers trying to navigate this market.
While some mushroom gummies may contain non-psychoactive mushrooms like reishi, lion's mane, and chaga, which offer potential health benefits, the lack of standardised testing procedures and inconsistent labelling practices make it difficult to ensure product safety. Experts advise consumers to be cautious and conduct thorough research before consuming mushroom gummies or similar products.
To summarise, while mushroom gummies may offer potential health benefits, the presence of undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients is a significant concern. The regulatory ambiguity surrounding these products further complicates the situation. Consumers are advised to exercise caution, be critical in their choices, and pay attention to the quality and bioavailability of the products they consider.
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Mushroom gummies are not regulated, and may contain undisclosed, illegal substances
Mushroom gummies are not regulated and may contain undisclosed, illegal substances. While some mushroom gummies are made with sweetener, gelling agents, flavour, and powdered functional mushrooms, others may contain undisclosed, illegal hallucinogens.
In 2024, five people, including a 3-year-old child, fell sick after consuming mushroom gummies. The Blue Ridge Poison Center analysed the mushroom gummies sold in local gas stations and smoke shops and found that they contained illegal hallucinogens not listed on the label. Three of the five brands tested contained psilocybin or psilocin, hallucinogens that are illegal at both the state and federal levels in the United States. Other undisclosed ingredients included caffeine, ephedrine, and kratom, an herb that produces opioid-like effects and can cause addiction.
In another incident, several people in Australia were hospitalised after consuming mushroom gummies distributed by the brand Uncle Frog and made in the United States. The reported symptoms included elevated heart rate, nausea, anxiety, and hallucinations. Investigations are ongoing, but the adverse reactions may have been due to a stronger-than-expected cannabis component in the gummies.
The regulatory requirements for mushroom edibles are murky. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not clearly specified whether mushroom edibles must be regulated as dietary supplements, foods, or drugs, creating a free-for-all for manufacturers. Without knowing exactly what's in mushroom edibles, it's difficult to say with confidence that any product is safe.
Some mushroom gummies may be marketed as nootropic or improving brain function, and may imply that they have psychedelic properties. However, these products are not regulated and can contain any number of unlabeled substances, which can cause undesired symptoms. Consumers should be cautious when purchasing and consuming mushroom gummies, as they may contain undisclosed, illegal substances.
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Frequently asked questions
Without knowing exactly what's in mushroom edibles, experts cannot say with any confidence that any product is safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently told consumers not to use any products made by the brand Diamond Shruumz, as they have been linked to seizures, blackouts, heart problems, nausea, vomiting, agitation, and other side effects.
Mushroom gummies fall into a legal and regulatory grey area. Amanita muscaria and its constituents are not scheduled substances, so they are legal for U.S. consumers to possess (except in Louisiana). But existing laws do not definitively address whether it can be produced and distributed commercially.
Non-hallucinogenic functional mushrooms have been associated with a variety of benefits. Some of the most noted benefits in medical research include boosting immune function by activating white blood cells, reducing inflammation, increasing energy levels, improving cognitive function, improving oxygen flow, and reducing oxidative stress and free radicals.
The side effects of mushroom gummies depend on their ingredients. In 2024, several people across the United States were hospitalized after consuming mushroom gummies distributed by the brand Uncle Frog. Their reported symptoms included elevated heart rate, nausea, anxiety, and hallucinations.
Mushroom gummies are not regulated by the FDA, which means they can contain any number of unlabeled substances. Brands are slipping through the cracks and effectively skirting regulation altogether. The safest choice for people curious about consciousness-altering drugs is to visit a state-regulated facility, where products must meet certain standards around safety, dosing, and ingredient disclosure.
