Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that has been cherished by many cultures as nature's delicacies. However, there are thousands of mushroom species, and approximately 100 of them are toxic, causing poisoning when consumed by humans. Mushroom poisoning can range from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe organ failure and even death. Therefore, it is essential to know how to avoid mushroom toxins to ensure safe consumption. While some believe that colour and reactions with silver can indicate toxicity, these are not reliable indicators. Instead, it is recommended to only consume mushrooms bought from reputable sources and to seek expert advice if foraging for wild mushrooms to avoid toxic varieties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Avoid wild mushrooms | Many wild mushrooms contain toxins and should be avoided |
| Expert identification | If you are unsure if a mushroom is safe to eat, have it identified by a mycologist |
| Avoid similar-looking species | Toxic and non-toxic mushroom species can look very similar, so it's important to know the local edible and toxic species |
| Avoid false morels | Gyromitra spp., or "false morels", are deadly poisonous if eaten raw and may still be toxic after parboiling |
| Avoid alcohol with Coprinus species | Coprinus species contain coprine, which causes a disulfiram-like reaction when combined with alcohol |
| Avoid yellow- or purple-staining Lactarius | All yellow- or purple-staining Lactarius are "best avoided", according to Arora |
| Avoid scaly chanterelle | Gomphus floccosus (scaly chanterelle) causes gastric upset in many people |
| Avoid "death cap" | Amanita, or "death cap", contains a substantial amount of amatoxin, which is lethal |
| Avoid "golden top" | Psilocybe subaeruginosa, or "golden top", is a psychotropic mushroom that causes hallucinations |
| Avoid Galerina | Some varieties of Galerina mushroom are potentially deadly and look very similar to the "golden top" |
| Avoid "yellow-staining mushroom" | Agaricus xanthodermus, or "yellow-staining mushroom", is the most commonly eaten poisonous mushroom in Victoria, Australia |
| Symptoms | Symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary but often include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea |
| Treatment | Treatment for mushroom poisoning is largely supportive; activated charcoal can be used to limit absorption of most toxins |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid wild mushrooms
The best way to avoid wild mushrooms is to know how to identify them. It is important to note that there is no single way to tell if a mushroom is poisonous or not. Many poisonous mushrooms have similar appearances and characteristics to edible mushrooms. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to identify the individual mushroom you have found.
When foraging for mushrooms, always bring a mushroom hunting guide that lists the edible mushrooms that grow in your area. This will help you properly identify safe varieties. Avoid mushrooms that grow in polluted environments, such as urban settings, along busy highways, or in areas where pesticide exposure is likely. Fungi absorb pollutants like car exhaust and chemicals from the environment.
Only hunt mushrooms if you are properly trained in identifying edible varieties. Many mushrooms have look-alikes that may be poisonous. Avoid mushrooms that are past their prime, as they may be rotting and toxic. Be very cautious when eating edible mushrooms and only eat mushrooms harvested with an expert trained in properly identifying them. Make sure they are certain of the identification, and only eat a small amount the first time to avoid a reaction. Some people may have reactions to edible mushrooms.
If you are unable to identify a mushroom with 100% certainty, it is best to avoid it. Mushroom poisonings can have devastating manifestations, including liver failure, kidney failure, and neurologic sequelae. There are up to 14 described syndromes associated with mushroom poisoning, and symptoms can range from mild nausea to organ failure and death.
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Know toxic types
There are around 100 species of toxic mushrooms out of the thousands of mushroom species that exist. While only a few of these toxic species are fatal when ingested, many bear a resemblance to edible mushrooms, making them especially dangerous.
One of the most well-known toxic mushrooms is the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), which is considered the deadliest mushroom in the world. It is found throughout Europe and closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms. Its amatoxins are heat-stable, quickly damaging cells throughout the body and leading to severe liver toxicity. Other toxic amanitas include the white Amanita verna and Amanita virosa, which are also highly toxic and resemble the Death Cap.
Another toxic mushroom is the Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus), native to northern Europe. Ingesting these mushrooms is often fatal, with symptoms taking up to three weeks to appear. Some mushrooms in the cortinarius group are also very toxic and may be fatal, with symptoms appearing between two and fifteen days after consumption.
False morels (Gyromitra esculenta) are also deadly poisonous if eaten raw, containing the toxin gyromitrin, which can cause neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and destruction of blood cells. Gyromitrin poisoning can also result from inhaling cooking vapors during preparation.
Other toxic mushrooms include:
- Inocybe rimosa: Symptoms of poisoning include heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, and nervous disorders.
- White Clitocybes: These cause poisoning similar to Inocybe rimosa, and due to the difficulty of differentiating the species, all white Clitocybes should be avoided.
- Coprinus atramentarius ("inky cap"): Contains coprine, which causes a disulfiram-like reaction when combined with alcohol, leading to aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition and symptoms such as headache, nausea, and flushing.
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Avoid toxic look-alikes
Mushroom poisoning occurs when nontoxic mushrooms are mistaken for toxic varieties. There are thousands of mushroom species, but only about 100 are toxic and cause poisoning in humans. Of these, only 15-20 species are potentially lethal when ingested. It is important to be able to distinguish between edible mushrooms and their toxic look-alikes.
The Yellow Morel (Morchella Americana) is a true morel that is edible and beginner-friendly due to its distinct appearance. Its poisonous look-alike, Gyromitra spp., is relatively easy to avoid. The true morel has a pitted cap and a smooth, hollow stem, while the false morel has a wavy and crumpled cap and a nearly solid stem. Gyromitra spp. are highly toxic and contain gyromitrin, which affects the central nervous system and can lead to nausea, convulsions, coma, and even death.
The Shaggy Mane, or Coprinus comatus, is another edible mushroom that resembles several toxic look-alikes, including the Alcohol Inky Cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria). The Alcohol Ink Cap has a similar shape and colour but lacks the "shaggy" texture on its cap. It gets its name from its toxic component, coprine, which causes headaches, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms when consumed with alcohol.
Other examples of toxic look-alikes include the False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca), which resembles the edible chanterelle, and the Jack-o'-Lantern (Omphalotus olearius), which is toxic but resembles the edible orange chanterelle. The Fool's Mushroom (Amanita citrina) is also toxic and can be mistaken for the edible honey fungus. The Destroying Angel mushroom has several look-alikes, including the edible Meadow Mushroom (Agaricus campestris).
To avoid mushroom toxins, it is crucial to correctly identify mushrooms before consuming them. While colour is not a reliable indicator of toxicity, some general rules can help distinguish between edible and toxic varieties. For example, psilocybe fruiting bodies stain blue when bruised, while Galerina mushrooms do not. Additionally, boletes are generally identifiable by their sponge-like pores and stout stems, and any boletes with red colouring or flesh that stains blue should be avoided. Milkcaps, or Lactarius mushrooms, typically exude a milky substance from their gills when touched or damaged, and all yellow- or purple-staining Lactarius are best avoided.
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Don't mix with alcohol
While shrooms are considered to have low toxicity and a low risk of addiction, experts advise against consuming them with alcohol due to unpredictable and potentially harmful effects.
Mixing mushrooms and alcohol can alter levels of intoxication, leading to an increased risk of accidents and bodily injury. The effects of one substance may be masked by the other, making it difficult to gauge how much has been consumed. This could result in a higher tolerance and increased consumption of both mushrooms and alcohol. Additionally, alcohol dulls the senses, which may lead individuals to take larger doses of mushrooms to achieve the desired effects.
The combination of mushrooms and alcohol can also increase the risk of a "'bad trip," which may include hallucinations, frightening emotions, nausea, panic attacks, and negative emotions. These negative experiences can be long-lasting and may put individuals or those around them at risk of harm. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek immediate medical attention.
Furthermore, the potential harm associated with mixing mushrooms and alcohol has not been fully studied. While mushrooms are generally considered physiologically safe, there is a risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can have severe consequences. Certain mushroom species contain toxins that can cause gastrointestinal issues, liver toxicity, and even kidney failure. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers and avoid mixing mushrooms and alcohol to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
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Seek medical attention
If you suspect that you or someone you know has mushroom poisoning, it is important to act quickly and seek medical attention immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to occur or worsen before seeking help. Call your local poison control center or a medical professional for advice and guidance. If the person is unconscious, not breathing, having a seizure, or experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, call an ambulance immediately.
When seeking medical attention, it is helpful to bring a sample of the mushroom or take a photo of it to aid in species identification and risk assessment. This information can be crucial in determining the appropriate treatment. If the person has vomited, it is a good sign that the worst may be over, but it is still important to seek medical attention to ensure there are no severe symptoms or complications.
At the hospital or doctor's office, the patient's vital signs will be monitored, including temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The medical team will also ask about symptoms, when they started, and what the person ate recently. This information is essential for diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, the doctor may induce vomiting to remove any remaining toxins from the body.
Treatment for mushroom poisoning varies depending on the type of mushroom, the toxins ingested, and the time since ingestion. Early treatment is critical to prevent organ damage, especially to the liver and kidneys. In some severe cases, a liver transplant may be necessary. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible if mushroom poisoning is suspected.
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Frequently asked questions
The only way to avoid mushroom toxins is to refrain from consuming wild mushrooms. If you are unsure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, do not eat it. Only eat mushrooms purchased from a reputable source, such as a supermarket or greengrocer. If you suspect that you or someone in your care has ingested a poisonous mushroom, seek immediate medical attention.
There is no reliable home test to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. Folklore methods, such as observing colour or reactions with silver, are not accurate indicators of mushroom toxicity. The only way to determine whether a wild mushroom is safe to eat is to have it identified by a mushroom expert (mycologist).
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary depending on the species and toxin ingested. Gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, are common symptoms. Other symptoms may include hallucinations, headache, flushing, palpitations, and in severe cases, liver and kidney failure, or even death.
There are approximately 100 species of mushrooms that cause the majority of poisoning cases in humans, and only 15-20 species are potentially lethal when ingested. Some examples of poisonous mushrooms include:
- Amanita phalloides (Death Cap)
- Amanita exitialis (Guangzhou Destroying Angel)
- Amanita fuliginea (East Asian Brown Death Cap)
- Amanita farinosa (Eastern American Floury Amanita)
- Agaricus xanthodermus (Yellow-staining mushroom)
- Gyromitra spp. (False morels)
- Coprinopsis atramentaria (Inky cap)
- Ramaria gelatinosa
- Gomphus floccosus (Scaly chanterelle)
If you suspect that you or someone in your care has ingested a poisonous mushroom, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your local poisons information centre for advice. If the person has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a seizure, or is experiencing anaphylaxis, call an ambulance. Having a sample or photo of the mushroom can help with identification and risk assessment.
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