Emily Johnson
Mushroom gummies are a growing market, with products available in gas stations, smoke shops, and online. Marketed as nootropics or psychedelics, these gummies are often labelled as containing Amanita muscaria or proprietary mushroom blends. However, testing has revealed that many of these products contain undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients, including psilocybin and psilocin, which are classified as Schedule I substances by the US Food and Drug Administration. Psilocybin is the best-known psychedelic substance derived from magic mushrooms and is considered to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. The presence of these unlisted substances in mushroom gummies sold in Virginia and other states has led to hospitalizations and raised concerns about the potential risks to public health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do mushroom gummies contain psilocybin? | Yes, mushroom gummies have been found to contain psilocybin. However, not all mushroom gummies contain psilocybin. Some contain Amanita muscaria mushrooms, which do not contain psilocybin but do contain the dangerous agonist muscimol. |
| Other ingredients | Organic tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, and natural flavors. |
| Health risks | Mushrooms can be addictive for some people, and consuming unregulated and inaccurately labelled products may result in overdose cases and "bad trips," leading to psychosis and other mental health issues. |
| Legality | Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning it is illegal at both the federal and state levels in the US. |
| Safety concerns | There have been reports of illnesses and hospitalisations linked to mushroom gummies, with people experiencing seizures and gastrointestinal upset. |
| Regulation | Mushroom gummies are not regulated, and it is difficult to know the exact contents of these products. |
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What You'll Learn
- Amanita muscaria mushrooms are deadly and cause undesired symptoms
- Mushroom gummies are often unregulated and inaccurately labelled
- Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance with no medical use and high abuse potential
- Some mushroom gummies contain undisclosed, illegal drugs and harmful ingredients
- Kratom in mushroom gummies can increase the risk of opioid dependence
Amanita muscaria mushrooms are deadly and cause undesired symptoms
Amanita muscaria mushrooms are widely known for their distinctive appearance, featuring a red or orange cap with small white plaques. While they are considered to be one of the most remarkable and beautiful mushrooms, they are also highly poisonous and can cause severe intoxication, sometimes leading to coma and even death.
The key psychoactive constituents in Amanita muscaria mushrooms are ibotenic acid and muscimol, which are neurotoxins that can induce toxic delirium and cause a range of undesired symptoms. These symptoms include gastrointestinal issues, CNS depression or excitation, confusion, dizziness, dysphoria, visual hallucinations, agitation, ataxia, muscle fasciculation, seizures, and coma. The onset of symptoms after ingestion is typically within 30 minutes to 2 hours, and most intoxications clear within 24 hours. However, severe intoxications can have lasting clinical effects.
The consumption of Amanita muscaria mushrooms has been reported for various purposes, including intoxication, religious rituals, and even suicide attempts. While unintentional poisoning is rare due to its distinct appearance, cases of accidental poisoning have occurred. Proper identification of this mushroom is crucial for risk assessment and prescribing appropriate medical treatment.
In recent years, there has been a growing market for mushroom gummies that claim to contain psychedelic mushrooms, including Amanita muscaria. These gummies are often marketed as nootropics or substances to enhance cognitive function. However, it is important to note that these products may contain undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients, including psilocybin and psilocin, which are Schedule I substances.
The presence of unlabeled substances in mushroom gummies poses a significant risk to consumers. Health care providers and the public should be aware of the potential dangers associated with edible products marketed as containing mushrooms. While Amanita muscaria itself may not be the sole cause of the reported illnesses, the combination of its psychoactive effects with other undisclosed substances could lead to unexpected and severe consequences.
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Mushroom gummies are often unregulated and inaccurately labelled
Mushroom gummies are increasingly being sold as nootropics or psychedelics, often in gas stations and smoke shops. These products are often unregulated and may be inaccurately labelled, containing undisclosed and potentially dangerous or illegal ingredients.
The lack of regulatory oversight means that consumers may unwittingly purchase products containing illegal drugs, such as psilocybin and psilocin, which are classified as Schedule I substances by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These drugs have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. The presence of these substances in mushroom gummies poses serious public health risks, as they can cause undesired symptoms, including hallucinations, agitation, gastrointestinal upset, and seizures.
Inaccurate labelling is rampant throughout the mushroom edibles market, according to Dr. Avery Michienzi, a medical toxicologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Testing by Michienzi's team has revealed a wide range of undisclosed ingredients in mushroom gummies, including kratom, an herb with opioid-like effects, and even prescription medications such as stimulants and anticonvulsants. The presence of these substances can lead to unexpected side effects and increase the risk of opioid dependence.
The regulatory requirements for mushroom edibles are murky, as the FDA has not clearly specified whether they should be regulated as dietary supplements, foods, or drugs. This lack of clear regulation has created a legal grey area, allowing manufacturers to operate without oversight and leaving consumers vulnerable to the potential risks associated with consuming unregulated and inaccurately labelled products.
The Blue Ridge Poison Center, for example, has responded to multiple cases of illness linked to unregulated mushroom gummies, highlighting the potential health risks of consuming these products. In addition, the UVA Health Medical Center's emergency department has treated several patients, including children, who fell ill after consuming mushroom gummies containing illegal hallucinogens and other harmful ingredients not listed on the label.
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Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance with no medical use and high abuse potential
Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, which means it is considered to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. This classification is based on the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which evaluates drugs according to eight factors, including abuse potential, safety, and efficacy.
Psilocybin, derived from "'magic'" mushrooms, has been placed in Schedule I due to its potential for abuse and the adverse consequences associated with its use. Media accounts of negative experiences with psychedelic substances in the 1960s and 1970s influenced public and political leaders' perception of psilocybin as highly dangerous. This led to its placement in Schedule I in 1970, despite medical use under the supervision of experienced practitioners indicating that these substances could be safe.
The classification of psilocybin as a Schedule I substance has impeded research, making it challenging to fully evaluate its abuse potential and benefits. However, recent studies have suggested that psilocybin may have potential therapeutic applications, such as treating cancer-related psychiatric distress and substance use disorders. These findings highlight the complexity of substance evaluation and the need for ongoing research to inform appropriate scheduling and regulation.
While psilocybin itself is a Schedule I substance, mushrooms that contain it, such as Amanita muscaria, exist in a legal grey area. These mushrooms are often marketed as "nootropics" or cognitive enhancers and are sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online. However, testing has revealed that these mushroom gummies may contain undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients, including psilocybin, psilocin, and kratom, which has opioid-like effects. As a result, several people have required hospital evaluation after ingesting these products, underscoring the potential risks associated with unregulated psychoactive substances.
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Some mushroom gummies contain undisclosed, illegal drugs and harmful ingredients
Mushroom gummies are increasingly being sold in gas stations and smoke shops in the United States, with a growing market for these products. Marketed as nootropics or psychedelics, these gummies are labelled to contain either Amanita muscaria or proprietary mushroom nootropic blends. However, testing has revealed that some of these products contain undisclosed, illegal drugs and harmful ingredients.
In Virginia, five patients, including one child, were evaluated in hospitals after ingesting mushroom gummies. Researchers analysed five brands of gummies marketed as mushroom-containing nootropics, and three of them contained unlabelled Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule I substances: psilocybin and psilocin. These substances are illegal at both the federal and state levels and are not currently legal in Virginia. Other undisclosed ingredients found in the products included caffeine, ephedrine, and mitragynine (an opioid agonist commonly known as kratom).
The presence of undisclosed and potentially harmful substances in mushroom gummies has raised concerns among health experts and regulators. Dr Avery Michienzi, a medical toxicologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, has studied mushroom gummies and found that many brands may contain undisclosed and illegal ingredients. Inaccurate labelling, she says, is rampant throughout the mushroom edibles market.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about specific brands of mushroom gummies, such as Diamond Shruumz, that have been linked to serious side effects, including seizures, blackouts, heart problems, nausea, vomiting, and agitation. FDA testing of Diamond Shruumz products revealed a range of undisclosed ingredients, including a synthetic psychedelic similar to psilocybin, psilocin, a prescription anticonvulsant medication, muscimol, and ibotenic acid.
The presence of undisclosed substances in mushroom gummies underscores the need for consumers to be cautious and for regulators to enhance oversight in this market to protect public health and safety.
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Kratom in mushroom gummies can increase the risk of opioid dependence
Mushroom gummies are marketed as nootropics or psychedelics, with claims that they can enhance cognitive function or provide a "high". These products are often sold in gas stations and smoke shops, and increasingly online.
However, testing has revealed that these products may contain undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients, including psilocybin, psilocin, kratom, and even prescription medications.
Kratom, or mitragynine, is an herb that can produce opioid-like effects. It is an opioid agonist, and its repeated ingestion can increase the risk of opioid dependence. Kratom is a natural plant product, but it can interact with opioid receptors in the brain and body and lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
The presence of kratom in mushroom gummies is particularly concerning due to its potential to cause opioid dependence. Kratom acts on the same brain receptors as opioids, stimulating the release of dopamine and producing feelings of relaxation and pleasure. Over time, regular use of kratom can lead to increased tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects. This can ultimately result in physical dependence, where the body adapts to the presence of kratom and requires it to function normally. When attempting to reduce or stop kratom use, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, muscle spasms, insomnia, and mood changes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushroom gummies may contain psilocybin, an illegal hallucinogen.
Mushroom gummies are candies that are marketed as containing mushrooms and are sold as nootropics or psychedelics.
No, mushroom gummies are not safe. They are not regulated and can contain harmful and undisclosed ingredients, including illegal drugs.
Consuming mushroom gummies can cause undesired symptoms such as hallucinations, agitation, gastrointestinal upset, and seizures.
No, mushroom gummies are not legal. Psilocybin, the active ingredient in mushroom gummies, is classified as a Schedule I substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, meaning it has no medical use and a high potential for abuse.
