Sarah Brown
While mushrooms are typically eaten raw, dried, or cooked, there have been instances of people injecting mushroom tea into their veins. In one such case, a man nearly died after injecting himself with a self-made magic mushroom tea. He was hospitalized for 22 days, eight of which were spent in the ICU, and was treated for multisystem organ failure. The mushroom tea he injected contained Psilocybe cubensis, which grew in his bloodstream. This case underscores the importance of public education about the dangers of using drugs in ways other than prescribed and the need to seek professional guidance when considering alternative treatments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chanterelles | Medium-sized, stocky, orange and white |
| Chanterelles veins | Regular gills |
| C. formosus | West of the cascades |
| C. cascadensis | East of the cascades and southern, yellow fading to white in the centre, with paler veins |
| C. roseocanus | Pale cap with a hint of rose, veins brighter than the cap |
| C. subalbidus | Starts out white but turns orange with age |
| Chroogomphus tomentosus | Dry, orange and fuzzy |
| Turbinellus floccosus | Orange, pale veins, scaly and umbilicate |
| Craterellus | Small winter brown chanterelle, black chanterelle with barely any hint of veins |
| C. 'neotubaeformis' | Small and slender, orange to brown cap |
| C. calicornucopioides | Practically smooth under the cap |
| C. atrocinereus | Less tubular oak species with prominent veins |
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What You'll Learn
Chanterelle mushrooms have veins, but no gills
Chanterelle mushrooms are a species of wild mushroom under the Latin name Cantharellus. They are most commonly found in a deep golden yellow-orange colour, but there are also white and bright red species. Chanterelles have false gills, which are forked ridges or folds that run down the stem and are not easily detachable. These false gills are distinct from the true gills found on other mushrooms, such as button mushrooms or Shiitake, as they are melted onto the mushroom and not separate. The false gills of chanterelles become wavy as the mushroom ages, and the cap margins become uneven.
While chanterelle mushrooms do not have true gills, they do have veins or ridges underneath their caps that can resemble gills. These veins are blunt and extend down the stem, and they are not easily detachable. The veins or ridges of chanterelles are part of what distinguishes them from other mushrooms, such as the Jack-o-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus illudens), which is highly toxic and has true gills that are not blunt. Another look-alike is the false chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca), which is mildly toxic and has thinner, brighter orange or yellow-orange gills than the chanterelle.
It is crucial to properly identify chanterelle mushrooms if you plan to harvest them from the wild, as there are poisonous false species. Chanterelles can be identified by their deep golden yellow-orange colour, white or pale yellow dense flesh, and fruity apricot-like smell. As they mature, they become vase-shaped and take on an egg yolk appearance, with the stem being the same colour as the cap. The stem is also fleshy and not hollow, and there are no markings or rings around it.
While chanterelle mushrooms themselves do not have veins in the traditional sense, the ridges or folds that make up their false gills could be described as vein-like structures. These false gills are an important identifying feature of chanterelle mushrooms and help distinguish them from other similar-looking species. It is important to be able to differentiate between true gills and false gills when identifying mushrooms, as some species with true gills may be toxic.
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Black chanterelles have barely any veins
Chanterelles are a type of mushroom that typically grows in humid regions with summer rainfall, such as eastern North America and New England. They are also found in western North America, but they usually pop up after the fall rains in September or October. Chanterelles are mycorrhizal, meaning they have a symbiotic relationship with the roots of trees. They are commonly found near hardwood trees, including beech, oak, maple, birch, and poplar, as well as conifers like pine or hemlock.
While chanterelles are generally identified by their flat or funnel-shaped caps, wavy edges, and solid stems, there are several species within the Cantharellus genus. The most common species is Cantharellus cibarius, also known as girolle, which typically has a golden colour. Other species include yellowfoot chanterelles and black trumpet mushrooms, the latter of which are considered "black chanterelles".
Black chanterelles, or black trumpets, are close cousins of the true chanterelles and are known for their delicious flavour, resembling that of golden chanterelles but with a smoky note. They are usually found in the same habitats as true chanterelles and can be identified by their dark brown to grey to black colour, wavy cap, and funnel shape. They are thinner and more brittle than golden chanterelles and rarely grow taller than a couple of inches.
While chanterelles are known for their raised veins, black trumpets have false gills. These gills are thin and closely spaced, similar to those of their poisonous look-alike, the jack-o-lantern mushroom. However, black trumpets can be distinguished by their lack of apricot scent and their downward-turning caps.
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Veined mushrooms can be poisonous
It is imperative to identify the type of mushroom before consuming it, as some poisonous mushrooms can be deadly. While veined mushrooms like Disciotis venosa, commonly known as the bleach cup, veiny cup fungus, or the cup morel, are edible, there are other veined mushrooms that are poisonous. For instance, the "Jack-o-lantern mushroom" (Omphalotus spp.) has true gills rather than veins and is toxic. Verpa bohemica, also known as "thimble morels" or "early morels," has vein-like ridges and is toxic. Gyromitra spp., or "false morels," are deadly poisonous if eaten raw.
Mushroom poisoning results from ingesting mushrooms that contain toxins. While some mushroom toxins cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort, others can lead to organ failure and death. The period between ingestion and the onset of symptoms varies depending on the toxin. For example, α-Amanitin shows no symptoms for 6-12 hours, while other toxins may take days or weeks to manifest symptoms.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is crucial to correctly identify the mushroom and be 100% sure of its edibility. Some rules for avoiding poisonous mushrooms include:
- Avoiding mushrooms with white gills.
- Avoiding mushrooms with a skirt or ring on the stem.
- Avoiding mushrooms with a bulbous or sack-like base called a volva.
Additionally, some mushrooms, like true morels, are only edible when cooked, while others, like those containing amatoxins, are not safe to eat even after cooking. Therefore, it is essential to have a positive ID and be well-informed about the specific mushroom before consumption.
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Veined mushrooms can be edible
Another veined mushroom is the Chroogomphus tomentosus, which is dry, orange, and fuzzy. It is a gilled mushroom often mistaken for a chanterelle. Turbinellus floccosus is another veined mushroom with orange, pale, irregular veins, a scaly and umbilicate appearance, and a size of less than 10 cm. Its stems are hollow.
Craterellus, or chanterelles, include the small winter brown chanterelle and the black chanterelle, which is rare outside of California. The black chanterelle has barely any veins, making it difficult to recognize.
When foraging for wild mushrooms, it is crucial to be able to identify them correctly. Some poisonous mushrooms, like the Death Cap, can be very tasty, so taste is not a reliable indicator of edibility. One method of identification is to examine the colour of the spore print. This can be done by removing the stem and placing the mushroom gills down on a piece of clear glass or paper for a few hours or overnight.
Additionally, it is important to send clear photos of the mushroom's cap, gills, and stem, along with any other relevant information such as smell, location, and size, to experts for accurate identification.
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Injecting mushroom tea can be life-threatening
Intravenous injection of mushroom tea can be life-threatening. In 2021, a 30-year-old man, referred to as "Mr X", was hospitalized after injecting a self-made "tea" from magic mushrooms. He had sought to self-medicate for opioid dependence and bipolar disorder.
Doctors described Mr X as being in a state of confusion, lethargy, and nausea, with his skin beginning to yellow. He was vomiting blood and suffering from diarrhea. He was rushed to the emergency department by his family members, who were concerned about his altered mental state.
The doctors found that the fungus from the tea had begun to grow in his veins, causing multiple organ failure, including acute liver injury, and affecting his kidneys and lungs. Mr X tested positive for a bacterial infection with the microbe Brevibacillus and a fungal infection from Psilocybe cubensis, the magic mushroom species he injected.
Mr X spent 22 days in the hospital, with eight of those in the intensive care unit (ICU). He was treated with antibiotics and antifungal drugs and was placed on a ventilator due to acute respiratory failure. He survived and was later discharged, but he continues to receive long-term treatment with antibiotic and antifungal medication to prevent the mushrooms from regrowing.
Researchers have stressed that hallucinogenic substances should only be administered under medical supervision. While magic mushrooms are generally considered safe for recreational use, they are typically ingested orally or eaten directly and are not meant to be injected into the bloodstream.
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