Emily Johnson
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, is a large, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red cap. It is one of the most recognisable fungi in the world and is native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a psychoactive species, containing muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine as its main active compounds. While it has been used in spiritual rituals, it can cause poisoning due to its hallucinogenic effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Fly Agaric, Fly Amanita |
| Scientific Name | Amanita Muscaria |
| Appearance | Large, bright red cap with white spots, white gills, and a bulbous base |
| Active Compounds | Muscimol, Ibotenic Acid, Muscarine |
| Effects | Hallucinogenic, Deliriant, Sedative |
| Toxicity | Poisonous if consumed raw, can cause poisoning and hospitalizations |
| Distribution | Native to Northern Hemisphere, now naturalized in Southern Hemisphere |
| Uses | Insecticide, Spiritual Rituals, Dietary Supplement |
| Related Species | A. pantherina, A. gemmata, A. breckonii, A. phalloides (Death Cap) |
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What You'll Learn
Amanita muscaria is a species complex
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a basidiomycete fungus of the genus Amanita. It is a large, white-gilled mushroom with a distinctive bright red cap covered in white warts. It is one of the most recognizable fungi in the world, native to the temperate and boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere. It exhibits complex genetic diversity, suggesting it is a species complex rather than a single species.
The A. muscaria species complex includes several closely related taxa that are considered separate species. These include A. breckonii, a buff-capped mushroom associated with conifers in the Pacific Northwest, and the brown-capped A. gioiosa and A. heterochroma from the Mediterranean Basin and Sardinia, respectively. These latter two species are found with Eucalyptus and Cistus trees, and it is unclear if they are native or introduced from Australia.
Amanita muscaria is known for its hallucinogenic and psychoactive properties due to compounds like muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine. It has been used recreationally and traditionally as a sedative and insecticide. Poisoning from A. muscaria is rare but can cause antimuscarinic, cholinergic, or GABAergic effects.
The species complex of A. muscaria is further evidenced by the existence of subspecies or variations, some with yellow or white caps, which are still commonly referred to as fly agarics. The peach-colored fly agaric (Amanita persicina) is one example of a variation that is a distinct species, yet retains the common name.
The classification of A. muscaria and its relatives is based on gross morphology and spore inamyloidy, supported by recent molecular phylogenetic studies. The complex genetic diversity and varying taxonomic classifications of A. muscaria and its related species contribute to the understanding of it as a species complex.
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Psychoactive compounds and effects
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, is a psychoactive mushroom species. It is distinguished by its bright red cap with white warts and white-spotted gills. It is native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere and has been naturalized in the Southern Hemisphere.
The psychoactive compounds in Amanita muscaria include muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine. These compounds can cause a range of effects, from mild to more serious poisoning. Mild effects include nausea, twitching, drowsiness, and mood changes. More serious poisoning can lead to delirium, hallucinations, and irritability. The mushroom is considered a "deliriant" rather than a "psychedelic" because it acts on different receptors than psilocybin or psilocin. It primarily targets GABA receptors, which can lead to a dissociative state described as ethereal, dreamlike, and sedative.
Amanita muscaria has a long history of use in spiritual and cultural rituals, particularly among northern European and Asian shamans during the winter solstice. Its use has been documented in Siberia, Alaska, and Mesoamerica. However, the popularity of fly agaric mushrooms declined in the "new world" with the introduction of liberty cap mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.), which produced more intense experiences and were better tolerated.
Despite its hallucinogenic properties, Amanita muscaria is not currently listed as a controlled substance under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act (except in Louisiana, where sales are restricted). This has led to its unregulated sale and marketing as a dietary supplement or "magic mushroom gummy," often without disclosing the mushroom's potential risks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that Amanita muscaria and its compounds are not authorized for use in food due to safety concerns. There have been reports of hospitalizations and deaths resulting from its consumption.
While some people seek out Amanita muscaria for its perceived therapeutic benefits, such as anxiety relief and sleep aid, there is little clinical evidence to support these claims. The mushroom can be toxic when consumed raw, and it is related to several deadly varieties, including the death cap (A. phalloides). Therefore, it is essential to approach this mushroom with caution and be aware of its potential risks and adverse effects.
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Toxicity and hospitalisations
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a large, conspicuous mushroom with a distinctive appearance. It is generally common and numerous where it grows and is often found in groups. Its cap is typically bright red, covered with distinctive white warts, and it has white gills. While fatal poisonings are extremely rare, it can cause poisoning due to psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid. The effects of consuming A. muscaria are unpredictable and depend on factors like habitat and the amount ingested per body weight. Effects can range from mild nausea and twitching to more severe symptoms like low blood pressure, auditory and visual distortions, mood changes, and loss of equilibrium. In cases of serious poisoning, the mushroom can cause delirium and hallucinations.
The toxicity of Amanita mushrooms has been well-documented, and they are responsible for the majority of mushroom toxicity cases in humans. Certain people seek psychotropic mushrooms to get a "high" but mistakenly ingest Amanita mushrooms, which have no distinct taste or odour and are often indistinguishable from edible species. The amanitin toxin in Amanita mushrooms is heat stable, remaining toxic whether eaten raw or cooked. Amatoxins interfere with protein synthesis and cause liver failure, with vomiting and watery diarrhoea occurring several hours after ingestion.
There have been several published case studies of hospitalizations and deaths resulting from Amanita muscaria consumption. In one case, a patient fell into a coma after accidental Amanita muscaria poisoning, but rapid identification of the mushroom allowed for regression of symptoms and discharge from the hospital after four days. In another case, a 44-year-old patient was admitted to the emergency department for malaise, nausea, and altered consciousness after ingesting approximately half a kilo of Amanita muscaria mushrooms. The patient became unconscious several minutes after admission and had to be transferred to the ICU.
Despite the well-documented toxicity of Amanita mushrooms, they are not currently included on a Controlled Substances list, except in the state of Louisiana, where sales are restricted. This lack of regulation has led to concerns about the unrestricted sales of toxic and hallucinogenic mushrooms that endanger public health. Manufacturers have been marketing Amanita muscaria products without disclosing the type of mushroom used or making clear that it is different from psilocybin-containing mushrooms, which have therapeutic potential.
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Fly agaric in folklore and rituals
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, is a large, conspicuous mushroom with a bright red cap covered in distinctive white warts. It is one of the most recognisable fungi in the world. The name 'fly agaric' comes from its traditional use as an insecticide, with pieces of the mushroom floated in milk to intoxicate and kill flies attracted by its aroma.
Fly agaric has been associated with folklore and rituals worldwide, especially in northern Europe and Asia. The collection, preparation, and use of these mushrooms were central to many northern European and Asian peoples' winter solstice celebrations and ceremonies. The shaman would consume the sacred mushrooms and share them with the participants, entering a spiritual world of visions and hallucinations.
Among the Sami (Laplander) people, ingesting fly agaric mushrooms resulted in hallucinations that gave the sensation of flying in a "spiritual sleigh" pulled by reindeer or horses. This bears a striking resemblance to the modern image of Santa Claus, with his red-and-white outfit, flying reindeer, and journey down the chimney to deliver gifts.
In Siberia, the ceremonial use of fly agaric involved the shaman ingesting the mushroom, after which others would drink their urine to experience the hallucinogenic effects. This practice may seem unpleasant, but if the shaman had been fasting, their urine would have been mainly water containing the hallucinogenic compounds.
The Koryak people of north-eastern Siberia and the Celtic Druids are also known for their ceremonial use of fly agaric, which included rituals of purification through fasting and meditation.
Fly agaric has been a popular icon in Central European Midwinter and Christmas festivities, often found on Christmas cards and as replica decorations for trees and wreaths. Its vibrant colours and conspicuous appearance have made it a classic toadstool of fairy tales and folklore, capturing the imagination of people for centuries.
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Amanita muscaria in food and supplements
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a large, conspicuous mushroom with a bright red cap covered with distinctive white warts. It is often described as remarkable and beautiful. It is native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere but has now spread to the Southern Hemisphere.
Amanita muscaria is a toxic and hallucinogenic mushroom. It contains the psychoactive compounds muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine, which can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects. The effects of consuming the mushroom can range from mild nausea and twitching to more severe symptoms such as low blood pressure, hallucinations, and delirium.
Despite the known risks associated with consuming Amanita muscaria, there is a growing market for the mushroom, with increasing interest in its potential therapeutic benefits. It has been marketed as a dietary supplement and included in food products intended to have hallucinogenic effects, sometimes labelled as "magic mushroom gummies", "psychedelic edibles", or "legal psychedelics". However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings stating that Amanita muscaria and its constituents are not authorized for use as ingredients in conventional food and may be harmful. The FDA also reminds manufacturers exploring the use of Amanita muscaria in dietary supplements of their responsibility to ensure their ingredients meet relevant safety standards.
Amanita muscaria is not currently included on the Controlled Substances list (except in the State of Louisiana, where sales are restricted), and its use is not federally regulated. This lack of regulation has led to concerns about the unrestricted sales and marketing of Amanita muscaria products, with companies profiting while putting consumers at risk. Some experts recommend placing the mushroom on the Controlled Substances list to allow for evaluation of its medical potential and abuse liability before it is widely sold. In the meantime, commonsense precautions such as age restrictions, accurate dosing, and childproof packaging are advised.
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Frequently asked questions
Amanita Muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a large, white-spotted, red mushroom. It is native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere.
The fly agaric mushroom has a bright red cap with white warts or creamy-white patches. It has a distinct appearance, but it has been mistaken for other yellow to red mushroom species in the Americas.
Amanita Muscaria is a hallucinogenic mushroom that can cause poisoning, especially in children and those seeking its hallucinogenic effects. The effects can range from mild nausea and twitching to drowsiness, auditory and visual distortions, euphoria, and loss of equilibrium. High doses can lead to an unpleasant, disturbing dissociative state.
Amanita Muscaria is not listed as a controlled substance, unlike psilocybin, which is the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. However, the FDA has warned that it is not authorized for use in food products due to safety concerns. There have been calls for it to be placed on the Controlled Substances list to evaluate its medical potential and abuse liability before it is widely sold.
