Is the Amanita Muscaria Mushroom Psychedelic?
You can’t think of mushrooms without picturing Amanita muscaria and its iconic red-and-white speckled toadstools. But did you know this classic mushroom is highly poisonous? Despite this, A. muscaria is a popular pick for those seeking a psychedelic trip.
But how can a mushroom be poisonous and therapeutic at the same time? Below, we’ll unpack what’s going on beneath the surface to help you make informed decisions about how you consume A. muscaria. Let’s get started!
What is Amanita Muscaria (Fly Agaric)?
The classic red-and-white toadstools of Amanita muscaria, also known as fly agaric, are the stuff of legends. These powerful mushrooms are native to many regions of Asia and may also be found in countries throughout the Southern Hemisphere. It’s part of the genus Amanita, which comprises some of the most poisonous mushrooms around the globe.
It’s hard to miss A. muscaria with its large, white-gilled and spotted appearance, especially since its look is so widely seen in popular culture. From power-ups in the Super Mario franchise to the charming shroom homes in The Smurfs, A. muscaria appearances are everywhere. Its distinguishable features make it one of the most iconic mushroom species to date, but A. muscaria has a few other tricks up its sleeves.
Like other poisonous mushrooms, A. muscaria is rich in a compound called muscimol, which produces hallucinogenic effects upon consumption. Also present is a chemical known as ibotenic acid, which transforms into muscimol in the body to produce even stronger effects.
These psychoactive compounds form the foundation of A. muscaria’s place in human culture and history. The mushroom has been eaten in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America for centuries.
Its collection and use have also been part of winter solstice traditions for many European and Asian cultures. In some sects of Central Asia, the shroom plays a key role in shamanistic rituals. Its use even predates the crossing of the Bering Straits into North America completed by our ancient human ancestors.
So, A. muscaria is nothing new, and it’s certainly here to stay. But to use this famous red mushroom to our benefit, we must first understand its effects and risks.
Is Amanita Muscaria Psychedelic?
Amanita muscaria does produce psychoactive effects thanks to active compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid. The psychedelic “trip” that follows consumption can make users feel detached from their bodies or out of touch with their surroundings.
The mushroom works its magic by sending chemicals that are similar to GABA, a neurotransmitter, into the body. Muscimol and ibotenic acid rapidly enter the bloodstream via the gastrointestinal tract and stimulate the central nervous system. The result is sedative, mind-altering effects that impact perception, thought patterns, and more.
Though A. muscaria can stimulate your central nervous system, it can also slow it down (much like a drink of alcohol might). As active compounds break down and interact with the body, many users experience alternating periods of excitation and sedation.
How is A. muscaria different from other mushrooms?
A key component of A. muscaria is its psychoactive compounds. Not all medicinal mushrooms have chemicals like muscimol, and not all options are capable of causing a “trip.”
But that doesn’t mean that other medicinal mushrooms don’t still have plenty to offer. Psychedelic or not, mushrooms are packed with naturally healing compounds that can be used for any number of health concerns.
For instance, the turkey tail mushroom, another common medicinal fungus, contains polysaccharide K (PSK), which is approved in many Asian countries to treat cancer. It’s believed the mushroom may have effects that inhibit the growth of tumors, though more research is needed to fully explore how these fungal friends can benefit our health.
Is Amanita Muscaria Poisonous?
Technically, A. muscaria is highly poisonous. But it’s not necessarily toxic. The poisonous compounds in the mushrooms are actually the same chemicals that create a psychedelic trip. By willingly consuming A. muscaria, you are, by definition, poisoning yourself. You’re ingesting compounds that could make you sick and are meant to help the fungus defend itself from predators.
But much like other plant defense mechanisms we’ve learned to enjoy (i.e., smoking psychoactive compounds like THC or enjoying a hot pepper), muscimol is still consumed recreationally and medicinally.
That’s because few cases of extreme reactions – like comas or death – are recorded. Most serious instances of A. muscaria toxicity come from extremely large doses or involve children. Ingesting small amounts at a time is unlikely to lead to anything more than some unpleasant side effects.
However, because the mushroom is still considered poisonous, it’s best to be careful when you use it and consume it at your own risk.
Amanita Muscaria Side Effects
Most side effects of A. muscaria appear within about 30 to 120 minutes of ingestion. They should go away on their own as the trip progresses. Some common examples of side effects include:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- In rare cases, changes in breathing, heart rate, or blood pressure may occur
Amanita Muscaria Effects & Trip Experiences
What is it like to trip on Amanita muscaria? It depends on who you ask. Some users report a jarring, intense experience that left them disoriented. Others find powerful therapeutic benefits in their trip and experience shifts in perspective that stick with them.
Overall, it seems fair to expect your trip to be a bit of a mixed bag. You might experience periods of stimulation followed by feelings of heavy sedation, or your trip may primarily lean toward one end of the spectrum. Some people report minimal effects, while others swear they’re bed-bound as soon as their trip kicks off.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway here is that there is no one experience to expect from A. muscaria. There simply isn’t enough research or anecdotal evidence to point to a clear series of effects.
What we know for sure is that most people who consume the mushroom experience visual and auditory perceptual changes, spatial distortion, and shifts in their awareness. Whether these effects are pleasant, overwhelming, or just plain “fine” likely comes down to your expectations and experience with tripping.
How to Trip Safely
Anytime you decide to pop one of your favorite mushroom gummies or take a trip with A. muscaria, make sure you take the time to set yourself up for success. Since this mushroom is so powerful, it’s wise to treat it with caution.
Follow these essential tips to ensure your trip is as safe and pleasant as possible:
- Don’t Trip Alone. It’s a good idea to make sure someone you trust knows that you’re tripping so you have a safe, sober person to reach out to. If you have a bad reaction or just need some help navigating your symptoms, it’s always nice to have someone you can count on. Plus, knowing you have someone looking out for you can take a lot of stress off your mind.
- Start With Low Doses. Always follow package instructions and start with a beginner’s dose when embarking on a trip. It can take up to two hours for the effects of your mushrooms to fully kick in, so resist the urge to pile on more doses while you wait.
- Have a Plan. Set up a cozy spot to hang out, and ensure you have all the activities and stimuli you’ll need to enjoy your trip nearby. Your favorite music, some cool water, a fuzzy blanket, and something to watch are just a few examples of trip activities you’ll want to set up ahead of time.
Where to Find Quality Amanita Muscaria Products
Because A. muscaria is so strong, it’s wise to only source it from sellers you trust. You ultimately are the final authority over what you put in your body. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate these products, consumers, unfortunately, are responsible for finding safe, reputable products.
You can count on The Green Dragon CBD to deliver trustworthy products for a price you can afford. We work closely with manufacturers we believe in to ensure we offer only the best options on the market. We’re dedicated to helping our customers find the best deals and products for their lifestyles.
Shop our mushroom products to find something that works for you. Need some help making a decision or want to learn more about our products? Contact us today for a free consultation.
Amanita Muscaria is a psychoactive, trippy, and federally legal mushroom. The twisted tales of Amanita are as trippy as the mushroom itself. Amanita muscaria contains a high quantity of alkaloids and its pharmacology is complex and not fully understood. The most relevant alkaloids are ibotenic acid, muscinol, muscarine, and muscazone.
Legal and Trippy!
The twisted tales of amanita are as trippy as the mushroom itself. Amanita muscaria contains a high quantity of alkaloids and its pharmacology is complex and not fully understood.
Shrooms that contain psilocybin are considered federally illegal, at least in the U.S., because psilocybin itself is a Schedule I Controlled Substance. This means that, in the eyes of the federal government, psilocybin has a high potential for misuse, no accepted medical uses, and can only be safely used under the supervision of a medical professional.
Whether or not this classification of shrooms is really fair is up to you, but there are fortunately other options for those looking to experiment without breaking the law. Remember our friend Amanita muscaria, the classic red-and-white toadstool mushroom? Its active ingredients are not controlled substances, which means they are not subject to the same restrictions and legal penalties.
The word “shrooms” is generally used as an umbrella term for different types of psychedelic or “magic” mushrooms.
Unlike the mushrooms we might eat in a dish, shrooms often contain compounds that can produce psychedelic effects, like hallucinations, distorted senses, and altered states of consciousness, also known as “trips.” The most common psychoactive compound found in these sorts of shrooms is psilocybin, but not all shrooms capable of impacting the brain rely on psilocybin to do so.
Many people turn to shrooms for recreational or medicinal purposes (or both), which isn’t a new phenomenon; many types of mushrooms have been used for centuries or even longer to treat common ailments, promote spiritual exploration, and bring people closer together.
In fact, some shrooms, like fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), are so ancient that researchers have traced their origins back to the period before indigenous peoples crossed from Eurasia to the Americas via the Bering Straits. That means that shroom use has been around for almost as long as modern human society has!
Magic mushrooms, including those with psilocybin and things like A. muscaria, typically begin to kick in within about 30-60 minutes. Effects generally peak after an hour or two, and the entire trip will likely last from four to six hours.
There are, of course, personal and biological factors that can affect how long your shroom experience lasts. The potency of the shrooms in question, the dose you take, and your own metabolism can all influence how strong a trip is and how long it sticks around.
Once your trip has come to a close, you can likely expect the remnants of your fungal friends to linger in your body for about one to three days. Keep in mind, though, that most standard drug tests don’t check for magic mushrooms, and if they do, they’re almost certainly looking for psilocybin.
If drug testing is a concern of yours, it might be best to choose shrooms that are psilocybin-free or time your trips to leave enough days for your body to purge it from your system.
- Use the right amount for your body.
- Pay attention to side effects.
- Talk to a doctor before starting any new medication plan, shroomy or not.
- Take time to find the right products for your needs and goals.
