Michael Davis
Poisonous mushrooms can have a range of effects on the body, from mild symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset to more severe consequences like organ failure and death. The specific effects depend on the type of mushroom, the toxins it contains, and the amount ingested. Some of the most common toxins found in poisonous mushrooms include amatoxin, muscarine, gyromitrin, and coprine, each causing a unique set of symptoms. For example, amatoxin blocks DNA replication, leading to cell death and potential liver and kidney failure, while muscarine stimulates muscarinic receptors, resulting in sweating, salivation, blurred vision, and even respiratory failure in high doses. With a wide variety of toxic mushrooms and potential consequences, it is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before consumption and seek immediate medical attention if poisoning is suspected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toxins | Amatoxin, Psilocybin, Muscarine, Coprine, Allenic norleucine, Gyromitrin, etc. |
| Symptoms | Sweating, salivation, tears, blurred vision, palpitations, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, delirium, muscle cramps, loss of coordination, tremors, seizures, organ failure, death |
| Effects | Blocks the replication of DNA, leading to cell death; affects the serotonergic systems in the brain; blocks the neurotransmitter GABA |
| Treatment | Activated charcoal, IV fluid treatment, liver transplant |
| Prevention | Familiarize oneself with the mushrooms and toxic species; only eat mushrooms bought from a reputable source |
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What You'll Learn
- Amatoxin poisoning: blocks DNA replication, leading to cell death and organ failure
- Muscarine toxicity: stimulates muscarinic receptors, causing sweating, salivation, tears, blurred vision, palpitations, and respiratory failure
- Gyromitrin poisoning: converts to monomethylhydrazine, affecting multiple body systems and causing gastrointestinal irritation
- Hallucinogenic mushrooms: contain psilocybin and psilocin, affecting the serotonergic systems in the brain
- Preventing mushroom poisoning: learn to identify mushrooms, be cautious with wild mushrooms, and seek immediate medical attention if poisoned
Amatoxin poisoning: blocks DNA replication, leading to cell death and organ failure
Amatoxins are a group of highly potent toxins found in certain mushroom species. They are cyclic peptides with a conserved macrobicyclic motif structure. Amatoxin poisoning is a significant concern, as it leads to severe health issues and is the cause of most fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. Amatoxins impair DNA replication and RNA transcription, affecting protein synthesis and ultimately resulting in cell death and organ failure.
The primary target of amatoxins is RNA polymerase II, an enzyme responsible for transcribing DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA carries the instructions for protein synthesis from the DNA in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm. By inhibiting RNA polymerase II, amatoxins halt mRNA synthesis, disrupting protein production within affected cells. This inhibition of protein synthesis stops cell metabolism and triggers apoptosis, or cell death.
Cells with high metabolic rates, such as those in the liver and kidneys, are particularly vulnerable to amatoxin poisoning. The liver is the first organ affected as it is the first encountered by the toxins after absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. The toxins cause liver necrosis, leading to acute hepatic failure and severe liver injury. This can result in hepatic coma, coagulopathy, and bleeding disorders.
Amatoxin poisoning progresses through distinct clinical phases, often creating a misleading impression of recovery before severe organ damage occurs. The initial latent period is asymptomatic, lasting 6 to 24 hours after ingestion, sometimes extending up to 36 hours. This is followed by the gastrointestinal phase, marked by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. After these acute symptoms subside, there may be a brief deceptive period of apparent recovery before organ failure manifests.
The toxicity of amatoxins poses a serious health risk, and even a small amount of ingestion, such as half a mushroom cap, can have fatal consequences. The most notorious sources of amatoxins belong to the Amanita genus, including the ""Death Cap" (Amanita phalloides), which contains a substantial amount of amatoxin. It is crucial to correctly identify mushrooms before consumption to prevent accidental poisoning, as the consequences can be life-threatening.
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Muscarine toxicity: stimulates muscarinic receptors, causing sweating, salivation, tears, blurred vision, palpitations, and respiratory failure
Poisonous mushrooms can have a wide range of effects on the body, depending on the species, the toxins they contain, and the amount ingested. One of the toxins found in certain mushrooms is muscarine, which stimulates the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of nerves and muscles.
Muscarine toxicity can cause a range of symptoms, including sweating, salivation, tears, blurred vision, palpitations, and respiratory failure in high doses. The symptoms of muscarine poisoning typically start early, within 15 minutes to 2 hours of ingestion. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and constriction of the pharynx. This is followed by increased sweating, salivation, tears, blurred vision, and gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and gastric and small bowel colic.
In more severe cases of muscarine toxicity, individuals may experience bradycardia, hypotension, bronchial obstruction, and asthmatic-like breathing. In the most severe cases, circulatory collapse and death can occur. Death has been reported in about 5% of cases of muscarine poisoning, but it can be avoided with prompt administration of IV or IM anticholinergic drugs, such as atropine, which acts as an antidote to muscarine.
Mushrooms containing muscarine include species of Inocybe, Clitocybe, Entoloma, and Mycena. It is also found in trace amounts in some Amanita muscaria mushrooms, although the main effect of this mushroom is caused by ibotenic acid. It is important to note that cooking, peeling, drying, or soaking mushrooms does not make them safe to eat if they are poisonous. To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is recommended to only eat mushrooms purchased from a reputable source, such as a supermarket or greengrocer, and to seek expert advice if you are unsure about the safety of a mushroom.
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Gyromitrin poisoning: converts to monomethylhydrazine, affecting multiple body systems and causing gastrointestinal irritation
Poisonous mushrooms can affect the body in a variety of ways, depending on the species, toxins, and amount ingested. One of the toxins found in certain mushrooms is gyromitrin, which can lead to poisoning and severe health issues.
Gyromitrin is a toxin and carcinogen present in several members of the fungal genus Gyromitra, particularly the species Gyromitra esculenta, also known as the false morel. This mushroom is highly regarded and consumed in Finland and parts of Europe and North America. Gyromitrin is a volatile, water-soluble, and unstable compound that can be easily converted into monomethylhydrazine (MMH) in the body.
When gyromitrin is ingested, it is first hydrolyzed in the stomach to N-methyl-N-formyl hydrazine (MFH), and then further metabolized by the liver or stomach into MMH. This active metabolite interferes with enzymatic processes, particularly those involving pyridoxine derivatives. MMH binds to and inhibits the enzyme pyridoxal phosphokinase, which is involved in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This inhibition leads to a decrease in GABA levels and an increase in glutamic acid concentrations, resulting in neurological symptoms.
The poisoning caused by gyromitrin and its conversion to MMH can affect multiple body systems and cause severe gastrointestinal irritation. Initial symptoms typically include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These gastrointestinal symptoms usually develop within 5 to 12 hours of ingestion and can be self-limiting, with most patients recovering in 2 to 6 days. However, if vomiting occurs more than 6 hours after ingestion, it indicates an increased risk of systemic toxicity.
In addition to the gastrointestinal effects, gyromitrin poisoning can also lead to acute injury to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Liver dysfunction, renal failure, and seizures have been observed in some patients over several days following ingestion. Severe cases of gyromitrin poisoning may result in death, with a reported mortality rate of about 10% worldwide.
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Hallucinogenic mushrooms: contain psilocybin and psilocin, affecting the serotonergic systems in the brain
Poisonous mushrooms can cause a range of adverse effects on the body, from gastrointestinal upset to organ failure and even death. Amatoxin, found in the deadly Amanita or "death cap" mushroom, blocks DNA replication, leading to cell death and potential liver and kidney failure. Other toxins like muscarine and gyromitrin cause symptoms such as sweating, blurred vision, delirium, and gastrointestinal issues.
Among these poisonous mushrooms are those that contain hallucinogenic compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, which primarily affect the serotonergic systems in the brain. Psilocybin is the main hallucinogenic component of 'magic mushrooms' and is classified as a Schedule I substance due to its potential for abuse. However, it has recently been designated as a potential "breakthrough therapy" for severe depression.
When ingested, psilocybin binds to and activates serotonin receptors in various parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which are involved in mood, cognition, and perception. This activation can lead to visual or auditory hallucinations, sensory distortion, euphoria, and altered perception of the environment. The effects typically occur within 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion and can last between 4 and 12 hours, depending on the dose and individual factors.
The impact of psilocybin on serotonin receptors suggests that it may have therapeutic benefits. Research indicates that psilocybin and LSD flatten the brain's dynamic landscape, reducing the energy required for the brain to switch between different activity states. This insight could inform the development of treatments for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.
While psilocybin is not considered addictive, some individuals may experience negative psychological effects, including anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. The intensity of these experiences depends on factors such as mental health, setting, quantity consumed, and individual expectations.
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Preventing mushroom poisoning: learn to identify mushrooms, be cautious with wild mushrooms, and seek immediate medical attention if poisoned
Mushroom poisoning occurs when someone ingests a toxic mushroom species. There are about 100 toxic mushroom species out of the vast number of mushroom species known to exist. Poisonous mushrooms contain a variety of different toxins, and symptoms of poisoning can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to organ failure and death. The period between ingestion and the onset of symptoms varies dramatically between toxins, with some symptoms taking days to manifest.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is important to learn how to identify mushrooms. Many cases of mushroom poisoning occur due to the misidentification of poisonous mushrooms as edible ones. Foragers should familiarize themselves with the mushrooms they intend to collect, as well as with any similar-looking toxic species. It is recommended that only commercially cultivated mushrooms are consumed, and that mushrooms found in the wild are identified by a mushroom expert (mycologist) before being eaten. If you are unsure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, do not eat it.
It is also important to exercise caution when handling wild mushrooms. If you have children or pets, regularly check your garden for mushrooms and remove them to reduce the risk of accidental poisoning. Mushrooms should be removed from sites where children are routinely present, and young children should be educated about the poisonous nature of wild mushrooms.
If you suspect that you or someone in your care may have ingested a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur before seeking medical attention. Contact your local poison control center or emergency medical services immediately. It may be helpful to have a sample or photo of the mushroom to assist in species identification and risk assessment.
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Frequently asked questions
Symptoms of poisonous mushroom ingestion vary depending on the type of mushroom and the amount ingested. Some common symptoms include gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Other symptoms include headaches, vertigo, palpitations, and rhabdomyolysis. In more severe cases, poisonous mushrooms can cause liver and kidney failure, neurologic issues, and even death.
There are several toxins found in poisonous mushrooms, including amatoxin, psilocybin, muscarine, coprine, allenic norleucine, and gyromitrin. Amatoxin is considered the most common toxin, causing cell death by blocking DNA replication. Muscarine stimulates the muscarinic receptors of the nerves and muscles, leading to symptoms such as sweating, salivation, blurred vision, and palpitations. Gyromitrin affects multiple body systems, blocking neurotransmitters and causing delirium, muscle cramps, loss of coordination, and seizures.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is crucial to properly identify mushrooms before consumption. Familiarize yourself with both edible and toxic mushroom species, as some toxic mushrooms closely resemble edible ones. Do not rely on home tests or folk knowledge, such as peeling the cap or assuming mushrooms growing on wood are safe. If you are unsure, do not consume the mushroom. Only eat mushrooms purchased from reputable sources, such as supermarkets or greengrocers.
