Michael Davis
Wild mushrooms can be toxic and, if ingested, may lead to mushroom poisoning and even death. The toxicity of wild mushrooms varies, and only a few species are fatal when ingested. However, many deadly mushrooms closely resemble edible mushrooms, making them hard to distinguish and particularly dangerous. The amount of wild mushrooms required to cause death depends on various factors, including the species of mushroom, individual tolerance, and body weight. While some mushrooms can cause severe symptoms and death within hours of ingestion, others may take several days or even weeks to lead to fatal consequences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths in the US per year | 3 |
| Mortality rate for patients hospitalised within 60 hours of ingestion | 50-90% |
| Mortality rate for patients hospitalised immediately after ingestion | 10% |
| Number of people out of 12,000 who sought emergency medical attention | 0.2% |
| Number of people out of 886 samples that were actually magic mushrooms | 28% |
| Number of people out of 12,000 who reported using magic mushrooms and sought emergency medical attention | 14 |
| Percentage of people who sought emergency medical attention where symptoms were anxiety and panic | 68% |
| Percentage of people who sought emergency medical attention where symptoms were paranoia and suspiciousness | 68% |
| Percentage of people who sought emergency medical attention where symptoms were seeing and hearing things | 42% |
| Number of deaths attributed to psilocybin overdoses alone | 2 |
| Median lethal dose in rats | 280mg per kg of body mass |
| Number of deaths attributed to "magic mushrooms" alone | 0 |
| Percentage of North American mushroom species that are poisonous | 21.2% |
| Percentage of European mushroom species that are poisonous | 12.1% |
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What You'll Learn
The toxicity of wild mushrooms
Mushroom toxicity has been known for millennia and is implicated in the death of several historical figures, including the Roman Emperor Claudius. Poisonous mushrooms contain a variety of different toxins that can differ markedly in toxicity. The symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary by species but can include abdominal pain, muscle pain, mucus in the lungs, a slow heart rate, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, low blood sugar, and kidney failure. Some toxins, such as amatoxins, are thermostable, and mushrooms containing such toxins will not be rendered safe to eat by cooking.
Mushroom poisoning is usually the result of ingesting wild mushrooms after misidentifying a toxic mushroom as an edible species. The most common reason for this misidentification is a close resemblance in terms of colour and general morphology of the toxic mushroom species with edible species. To prevent mushroom poisoning, mushroom gatherers should familiarize themselves with the mushrooms they intend to collect, as well as with any similar-looking toxic species. The safety of eating wild mushrooms may depend on methods of preparation for cooking.
Some phenotypes, or observable characteristics, may co-occur with toxicity and therefore act as a warning signal. The first potential warning sign is aposematism, which is an adaptation that warns off predators based on a physical trait of an organism. In this case, the researchers were interested in observing whether the colour of a mushroom deters predators. This would suggest that toxic mushrooms are of different colours than non-poisonous ones. The second possible warning sign is olfactory aposematism, a similar concept but focusing on odour instead of colour. This would indicate that poisonous mushrooms would emit a different odour than non-poisonous ones.
There is no home test that can distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties. The only way to tell whether a wild mushroom is safe to eat is to have it identified by a mushroom expert (mycologist). If you are unsure if a mushroom is safe to eat, don’t eat it. It is recommended that you only eat mushrooms you have bought from the supermarket, greengrocer, or another reputable source.
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Identifying poisonous wild mushrooms
It is important to be able to identify poisonous wild mushrooms as consuming them can have deadly consequences. Mushroom poisoning is usually the result of misidentifying a toxic mushroom as an edible species. The consequences of misidentification can be severe, and even deadly. In the United States, mushroom poisoning kills an average of about three people a year.
There are some general guidelines to follow when identifying poisonous mushrooms. Firstly, avoid mushrooms with white gills, a ring around the stem, and/or a bulbous base. Mushrooms with red on the stem or cap are also likely to be poisonous. Poisonous mushrooms typically have an unpleasant smell, but not always. It is also important to note that all mushrooms will become toxic when they are old and rotting.
Some of the most toxic types of mushrooms belong to the Amanita genus. The most dangerous species include Amanita, Gyromitra, and Cortinarius. Death caps (Amanita phalloides) are the most common cause of mushroom poisoning worldwide and are blamed for most mushroom poisonings. They have a 6-inch-wide cap that can be yellowish, brownish, whitish, or greenish, with white gills and a 5-inch stalk with a white cup at its base. They emit a faint, honey-sweet smell that some describe as an unpleasant, cleaning-product smell. Young death caps can resemble puffballs, including the genera Calvatia, Calbovista, and Lycoperdon, as well as tropical edible paddy-straw mushrooms. Destroying angels are another type of poisonous mushroom that gets its name from its pure white stalks and caps.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, foragers should familiarize themselves with the mushrooms they intend to collect, as well as any similar-looking toxic species. It is recommended to only eat mushrooms bought from a reputable source, such as a supermarket or greengrocer. When foraging, it is important to bring two baskets: one for mushrooms that are known to be edible and another for those that are uncertain. Unidentified mushrooms should be taken to a mycologist for identification. While some sources suggest that mushrooms with ants crawling on them are safe to eat, this is not a reliable indicator of edibility.
If you suspect that you or someone else has ingested a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Contact a poison control center or seek medical attention immediately.
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Symptoms of wild mushroom poisoning
It only takes one wild mushroom to contain enough poison to kill an average-sized adult. However, the symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary depending on the species. Some symptoms may occur within 2 hours of ingestion, while others may take 6 hours or more to manifest.
The most common consequence of mushroom poisoning is gastrointestinal upset, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, some poisonous mushrooms can cause more severe symptoms, including organ failure resulting in death. The period between ingestion and the onset of symptoms varies depending on the toxin, with some toxins taking days to show symptoms of mushroom poisoning.
Some of the symptoms of wild mushroom poisoning include:
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle pain
- Mucus in the lungs
- Slow heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle spasms
- Low blood sugar
- Kidney failure
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Hallucinations
- Changes in mood and perception
- Euphoria
- Altered thinking processes
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
Gastrointestinal symptoms can be severe and may require urgent medical attention. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical advice as soon as possible if you suspect mushroom poisoning.
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Treatment for wild mushroom poisoning
Mushroom poisoning occurs when someone ingests mushrooms that contain toxins, often when foraging for non-toxic mushrooms. The severity of mushroom poisoning can vary, with symptoms ranging from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to organ failure and death.
If you suspect that you or someone you know has ingested a poisonous mushroom, it is important to act quickly. Do not wait for symptoms to occur—contact your local poison control centre immediately. They will be able to provide advice and guidance on the next steps. It is helpful to have a sample of the mushroom, or at the very least, a detailed description, including colour, texture, and cap appearance.
Treatment for mushroom poisoning is largely supportive and depends on the specific toxin ingested. In cases of liver and kidney toxic syndromes, early volume resuscitation is important. Activated charcoal can play a crucial role in limiting the absorption of most toxins and is indicated for all patients with amatoxin poisoning. If agitation is present, particularly with hallucinogenic mushrooms, it can be treated with benzodiazepines. In some cases, a liver or kidney transplant may be necessary, although organ availability can be limited.
It is worth noting that cooking, peeling, drying, or soaking a mushroom does not make it safe to eat if it is inherently poisonous. To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is crucial to only consume mushrooms purchased from reputable sources, such as supermarkets or greengrocers. Familiarizing oneself with the characteristics of both edible and toxic mushroom species is also important.
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How many wild mushrooms does it take to overdose?
It is difficult to determine the exact number of wild mushrooms that would constitute an overdose, as this depends on various factors, including the type of mushroom, its toxicity, and individual characteristics like body chemistry. However, it is important to emphasize that consuming wild mushrooms can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening.
Firstly, it is crucial to understand that wild mushrooms encompass a wide variety of species, many of which are toxic. Mushroom poisoning is usually the result of misidentifying a toxic mushroom as an edible species, as they often resemble each other in color and morphology. Toxic mushrooms can cause severe physical symptoms, including abdominal pain, muscle pain, mucus in the lungs, a slow heart rate, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, low blood sugar, and kidney failure. Some toxic mushrooms, such as Amanita Phalloides, also known as death caps, are extremely poisonous and can lead to organ failure and death.
When discussing wild mushrooms, it is important to differentiate between those that are purely toxic and those that contain psychoactive compounds, commonly known as "magic mushrooms" or "psilocybin mushrooms." Psilocybin mushrooms are native to tropical and subtropical areas and are sought after for their hallucinogenic and euphoric effects. While these mushrooms have low toxicity, and death from an overdose is rare, they can still cause severe psychological distress, including intense fear and anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis. Consuming a large quantity of psilocybin mushrooms can lead to a "'bad trip,'" and the risk of a fatal overdose increases significantly when combined with other substances.
To answer the question of how many wild mushrooms it would take to overdose, it is necessary to consider the type of mushroom and individual factors. For toxic mushrooms, a single mushroom can contain enough poison to kill an average-sized adult. Therefore, consuming even one wild mushroom without proper identification can be fatal. For psilocybin mushrooms, researchers believe that the amount required for a physical overdose is extremely high, roughly ten kilograms of mushrooms, making it virtually impossible. However, this does not mean they are devoid of risk, as high doses can lead to intense psychological symptoms and harmful behaviors.
In conclusion, while it is challenging to provide an exact number, it is evident that consuming wild mushrooms carries significant risks. To minimize the dangers of mushroom poisoning or overdose, it is strongly advised to avoid consuming wild mushrooms unless you are an expert in mushroom identification. If you suspect mushroom poisoning or overdose, seek immediate medical attention, and if possible, bring a sample of the mushroom to aid in identification and treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on various factors, including the type of mushroom, your body weight, and your physical health. However, it is important to note that consuming wild mushrooms can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. It is always advisable to avoid consuming wild mushrooms unless you are absolutely certain that they are safe to eat.
No, not all wild mushrooms are poisonous. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms, as some toxic mushrooms closely resemble edible species in terms of colour, shape, and morphology. Therefore, it is crucial to only consume mushrooms that have been purchased from a reputable source, such as a supermarket or greengrocer.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning can vary depending on the species ingested. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, low blood sugar, and kidney failure. Some poisonous mushrooms may also cause hallucinations, changes in mood and perception, euphoria, and altered thinking processes.
If you suspect that you may have ingested a poisonous mushroom, it is crucial to act quickly. Contact a poison control centre or seek medical attention immediately, even if you are unsure or not experiencing any symptoms. Do not wait for symptoms to occur, as some toxins can take several hours or even days to cause adverse effects. Provide as much information as possible about the mushroom, including its physical appearance, and follow the advice of medical professionals.
