Mushrooms And Nausea: What's The Connection?

Nausea is a common side effect of ingesting psilocybin mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms can also cause nausea and vomiting, and in some cases, lead to severe gastrointestinal distress. The cause of nausea from magic mushrooms is speculated to be the indigestible chitin in mushrooms, an immune response to pathogens or toxins, or the presence of psilocybin and psilocin. Additionally, the level of hydration, physical condition, metabolism, dosage, and other factors may contribute to nausea. Preparation methods such as the Lemon Tek can help reduce nausea by grinding the mushrooms, exposing them to an acidic environment, and aiding the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin before consumption.

Indigestion and immune response

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is a pattern of symptoms that occur together after eating and while digesting. It involves frequent stomachaches and a feeling of fullness or bloating after eating. Functional dyspepsia is a kind of chronic indigestion with no identifiable cause. It is diagnosed when healthcare providers cannot find a direct cause for a patient's symptoms.

Mushrooms are largely made up of chitin, an indigestible polysaccharide known to trigger inflammation and immune response. Raw mushrooms are largely indigestible due to their tough cell walls, which are mainly composed of chitin. Chitin can be broken down by cooking mushrooms, but this is rarely done with magic mushrooms due to the fear of degrading psychoactive compounds.

The available evidence points to indigestible chitin, immune response to pathogens or toxins, psilocybin, psilocin, or a combination of these factors as possible causes of nausea from ingesting magic mushrooms. It is speculated that the conversion process of psilocybin to psilocin may also cause nausea, as even individuals given pure psilocybin isolate still experienced nausea during clinical trials.

Psilocybin is a serotonin agonist, and most of the body's serotonin is found in the bowels. Antidepressants that increase serotonin levels often cause gastrointestinal issues as a side effect. This may be another reason why psilocybin mushrooms cause nausea and other gastrointestinal issues.

Chitin, a tough compound in mushrooms

Mushrooms are a good source of dietary fibre, and they have a meaty texture because of chitin. Chitin is a fibrous polysaccharide that forms the cell walls of fungi, giving them strength and durability. Chitin is also found in shrimp, sea crustaceans, insects, and is extracted from the byproduct of beer manufacturing. In its pure form, chitin is translucent, pliable, resilient, and tough. It is a component of composite materials, such as sclerotin, which forms the exoskeleton of insects.

Chitin is indigestible for humans and can trigger inflammation and an immune response. It is speculated that the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin in magic mushrooms may cause nausea, as individuals given pure psilocybin experienced nausea during clinical trials. Additionally, phenethylamine (PEA), a compound in magic mushrooms, can cause nausea due to its stimulant, neurotransmitter, and hallucinogenic effects.

Cooking mushrooms breaks down chitin, aiding digestion and reducing potential nausea. However, people rarely cook magic mushrooms as it may degrade their psychoactive compounds. Alternative preparation methods, such as mushroom tea or lemon tek, can help reduce nausea by sparing the body from the mechanical breakdown of chitin.

Chitin has potential applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and medicine. It can be used to create products such as surgical thread, fertilizer, and sponges. Chitin is also being explored for building structures and tools using composite materials.

Phenethylamine (PEA), a stimulant

Nausea is one of the most common side effects of ingesting psilocybin mushrooms. In some cases, vomiting, stomach pains, and gastrointestinal distress can accompany nausea. Mushrooms are largely made up of chitin, an indigestible polysaccharide known to trigger inflammation and an immune response. Cooking mushrooms breaks down chitin and eases digestion, but people rarely do this with psilocybin mushrooms, fearing the degradation of psychoactive compounds.

There are various preparation methods to aid digestion and combat nausea, such as the lemon tek method, which involves grinding dried mushrooms into a fine powder and steeping them in hot water. This process spares the body from the strain associated with the mechanical breakdown of chitin, and one can expect a quicker onset of effects and less nausea compared to simply chewing and ingesting mushrooms.

Another compound found in psilocybin mushrooms is phenethylamine (PEA), a central nervous system stimulant, neurotransmitter, and hallucinogen in humans. PEA is chemically similar to amphetamine and may cause similar side effects such as rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, agitation, and nausea. However, the compound is rapidly metabolized in the human body, and its effects may be short-lived.

Phenethylamine (PEA) is an organic compound and a central nervous system stimulant in humans. It is a natural monoamine alkaloid and trace amine found in plants, bacteria, fungi, animals, and humans. PEA is also produced synthetically in laboratories. As a stimulant, it enhances the release of monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

PEA has been sold as a dietary supplement for purported mood and weight loss-related benefits. It is also found in certain foods, such as chocolate, especially after microbial fermentation. Aging can lead to decreased PEA levels, which may be linked to ADHD, addiction, and neurodegenerative diseases. PEA has been studied as a potential treatment for depression and ADHD, showing promise as an antidepressant and a possible alternative to SSRIs.

However, it is important to note that PEA may have side effects similar to amphetamines, including rapid heart rate, anxiety, and agitation. It is possibly unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and it may affect individuals with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. PEA can also interfere with certain medications and surgeries, so it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before consuming it.

Preparation methods to reduce nausea

Nausea is one of the most common side effects of ingesting psilocybin mushrooms. The cause of this nausea is speculated to be the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin in the body, indigestible chitin, immune response to pathogens or toxins, or a combination of these factors.

Lemon Tekking

Lemon tekking is a popular method used to prepare magic mushrooms for consumption, known for its potential to enhance the effects of psilocybin and reduce the likelihood of experiencing nausea. The process involves grinding dried mushrooms into a fine powder and letting them soak in fresh lemon juice for around 15 to 20 minutes. The lemon juice, with a pH of around 2, breaks down the mushroom's cell walls, functionally predigesting the mushrooms so your digestive system has less work to do.

Mushroom Tea

Mushroom tea is another way to consume mushrooms that may reduce nausea. The preparation is similar to lemon tekking, with the dried mushrooms being ground into a fine powder. The powder is then steeped in hot water for 10 to 20 minutes, bringing the water-soluble psilocybin into the solution. After this, the powder can be strained out or left in the tea, although leaving the powder may be less optimal for those susceptible to nausea.

Longer Chewing

If you don't have time to prepare mushroom tea or lemon tek, simply chewing the mushrooms for a longer period of time can help reduce nausea. By chewing the mushrooms for at least 30 minutes before swallowing, you begin the digestive process earlier, as the grinding and exposure to saliva help break down the components that may lead to nausea.

Ginger

Consuming raw or fresh ginger in any form, such as ginger tea, ginger candies, or capsules, can help reduce nausea due to its anti-nausea properties.

Preparation

Preparing both mentally and physically before ingesting mushrooms can also reduce the chances of nausea. This includes managing anxiety, staying hydrated, and having a light meal. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help you achieve a positive and relaxed state of mind, reducing anxiety and stress that may worsen nausea.

Poisonous mushrooms and toxins

Poisonous mushrooms contain a variety of different toxins that vary in toxicity. The symptoms of mushroom poisoning can range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to organ failure and death. The onset of symptoms depends on the ingested toxin and can take anywhere from a few hours to several days or even weeks.

The most common consequence of mushroom poisoning is gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, some toxins can cause more severe symptoms such as liver and kidney failure, neurotoxicity, and destruction of red blood cells. For example, the deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) and the fool's webcap (Cortinarius orellanus) contain a poison called orellanin, which initially causes flu-like symptoms but can lead to kidney failure if left untreated.

Another deadly mushroom is the destroying angel (Amanita verna), which contains potent toxins known as trichothecene mycotoxins that can cause multiple organ failure. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) is considered one of the deadliest mushrooms, as its amatoxin toxins are heat-stable and quickly damage cells throughout the body. These toxins are not destroyed by cooking, making it especially dangerous.

Other notable poisonous mushrooms include Jack-o-lantern mushrooms (Omphalotus spp.), which contain illudins, and Gyromitra esculenta, which contains gyromitrin, a toxin that can cause neurotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity. Clitocybe dealbata, sometimes mistaken for an oyster mushroom, contains muscarine, leading to cholinergic toxicity. Coprinus atramentarius, also known as "inky cap," contains coprine, which causes a disulfiram-like reaction, resulting in symptoms similar to a hangover.

To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is crucial to properly identify mushrooms before ingestion. Many poisonous mushrooms bear a close resemblance to edible species, making misidentification a common cause of poisoning. Foragers and amateur mushroom gatherers must familiarize themselves with local edible and toxic mushroom species to avoid accidental poisoning.

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