In this article we’ll help you understand if the Amanita Muscaria Mushroom is a Drug? The amanita muscaria mushroom is common and easy to spot in both the northern and southern hemispheres’ temperate zones and is now becoming increasingly popular as a recreational therapy. The enormous red mushroom with the white spots is one of the most recognizable fungi in pop culture and is called the Fly Agaric or Fly Amanita. Mushrooms are well-known for their psychoactive characteristics, which can cause users to experience euphoria, hallucinations, and other mood changes. Indigenous peoples in Europe and North America utilized amanita muscaria as a recreational drug in the past. The mushroom is still used by certain people today for recreational or therapeutic purposes. This video by StoneAgeMan gives some terrific insights into the Amanita muscaria mushroom
Is the mushroom Amanita muscaria psychedelic?
Historically, people have turned to the amanita muscaria fungus for its intoxicating and hallucinogenic effects. In recent years, it has grown popular among recreational users as a psychoactive stimulant. Although A. muscaria has been called a “magic mushroom” due to its psychedelic properties, its effects differ considerably from those of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Hallucinations and other mind-altering effects are possible side effects of the psychoactive chemicals ibotenic acid and muscimol, both of which are found in the amanita muscaria mushroom.
Neither psilocybin nor psilocin is found in amanita muscaria. Muscimol (GABAA receptor selective agonist) is the active component in this mushroom; it has soothing, depressive, and deliriant effects. Ibotenic acid is also present. Even in the modern era, the amanita mushroom is used by some for therapeutic and recreational purposes.
The amanita muscaria mushroom has not been proven to be a drug by scientific means. In the United States, mushrooms are widely used for culinary and recreational purposes. It is used as a recreational intoxicant by some. Please read our article about the hallucinogenic properties of Amanita muscaria mushrooms named Is the Amanita Muscaria Mushroom Hallucinogenic?
What may you expect from ingesting Amanita muscaria?
Effects of intoxication from ingesting one to four amanita muscaria mushrooms often start within 15 minutes to one hour after consumption. A mild dose consists of 0.5-1 mushroom (1-5 g), with 3 being the norm (5 – 10 g). The peak duration of effects is four to eight hours, and no unusual withdrawal symptoms exist.
Mushrooms have dual use as both food and medicine. The amanita muscaria mushroom is widely recognized as the most potent hallucinogenic species. The use of this mushroom is reported to result in vivid hallucinations and a high.
Muscimol is the primary psychoactive component of Amanita muscaria. Many users of Fly agaric have reported sound effects, including pleasure and the sensation of being in a dreamlike state. Possible side effects include seeing or hearing things and tingling or touched-like bodily sensations. Magnification or diminution of perceived size, either of oneself or the world around oneself, is one form of visual effect. At its worst, the experience can cause a dissociative state in which the individual is completely unaware of their immediate surroundings for a period that can last for hours.
It’s essential to dry the mushrooms properly, either in a food dehydrator or a slow oven. Raw mushroom consumption is strongly discouraged due to the risks of ibotenic acid toxicity, allergic reactions to uncooked mushroom proteins, and gastrointestinal distress.
If you’re experiencing an adverse side effect to Amanita muscaria consumption you should contact poison control and dial 911. Taking activated charcoal can help reduce the negative side effects of Amanita muscaria mushrooms and muscimol. Here are some activated charcoal options sold on Amazon that get great reviews:
Effects of Amanita muscaria mushrooms
Effects of Amanita muscaria range from pleasure to ataxia (balance problems) to changes in one’s senses, especially hearing, taste, and perspective.
Hallucinations and other mind-altering effects are possible side effects of the psychoactive chemicals ibotenic acid and muscimol, both of which are found in the amanita Muscaria mushroom. Some of the expected effects of amanita muscaria (with the brilliant red cap and white warts), as the effects vary significantly across individuals. Examples of common occurrences include:
- A dreamlike condition shared by lucid dreamers, characterized by increased mental clarity and potential out-of-body experiences.
- Synesthesia is a condition in which a person’s senses overlap, allowing them to do things like smell words or taste colors.
- confidence in one’s ability to reason out problems by engaging in an active internal dialogue
- Disorientation, a runny nose, and watery dilated pupils are all symptoms of a cold.
- Muscles twitch and shake involuntarily.
- An increase in both sweat and salivation.
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Risks associated with consuming amanita muscaria
Sometimes, the fungus amanita muscaria will have the active ingredient muscarine. Due to its negligible quantity, its presence in the mushroom is typically disregarded. Nevertheless, it is vital to be mindful of the consequences of taking fly amanita, especially at more potent doses.
Increased salivation, sweat, and tears are possible signs of muscarine toxicity (crying). In addition to nausea and vomiting, you may also experience dizziness, hallucinations, a heightened sense of power, euphoria, a lack of muscle control, a drop in blood pressure, perspiration and chills, blurred vision, and a feeling of strength.
Some involuntary twitching, sleepiness, perspiration, dilated pupils, and raised body temperature can dramatically impair physical coordination and basic motor skills. There have also been instances of people having negative mental experiences, such as becoming stuck in endless time loops, having their eyesight freeze, experiencing distortions in their sense of scale, or having visions.
The mushroom fungus amanita muscaria has powerful hallucinogenic properties. The mushroom is a potent emetic that induces nausea, vomiting, and even diarrhea in some people. It can potentially bring hallucinations, euphoria, and other mind-altering effects.
Drowsiness or a need to sleep may arise soon after ingestion, prompting a desire to lie down and sleep or relax. Nausea, shakiness, sweating, and a slight disconnection from reality are all symptoms that can occur.
That is a relatively lucid stage of sleep, during which a person may be dimly aware of what is happening around them. Users of amanita muscaria have reported very odd lucid dreams.
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Conclusion
Amanita muscaria is a variety of mushroom with psychoactive properties and is used in many cultural medicines and has been for 1000’s of years. The evidence for the medicinal potential of the amanita muscaria suggests it may help those suffering from addiction, anxiety, despair, and chronic pain. Many Amanita online companies are now selling products that contain muscimol and can be safely consumed in controlled settings. As with any supplement regime, it’s important to do your research before consuming any new supplemental products including muscimol.
Nate
Nate is a longtime contributor to many cannabis, hemp and psychedelic related websites including Amanita Info. His passions include small business, the psychedelic industry and its positive role in mental health. When he isn't writing he enjoys working out and watching the history channel.
