Toadstools and toxins

In 2023, the author, a public-health scientist, discovered a product called ‘magic mushroom’ gummies in a smoke shop. These gummies did not contain psilocybin, the compound found in most psychedelic mushrooms, but instead were made from Amanita muscaria, a red-capped, white-spotted toadstool often associated with fairy tales and pop culture. The term ‘magic mushrooms’ usually refers to psilocybin-containing species, but Amanita muscaria works differently in the body. The author’s interest was driven by practical concerns: understanding the contents, safety, and legality of these products. The article highlights the confusion between psilocybin and Amanita muscaria, as well as the lack of clear regulations around the latter.

Amanita muscaria has deep roots in folklore, often linked to ancient rituals and cultural myths. In the 1950s and 1960s, ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson argued that this mushroom might be the source of soma, a ritual drink mentioned in ancient Indian texts. The mushroom has also been connected to figures like Santa Claus, Viking warriors, and even Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Its name ‘fly agaric’ comes from its historical use as a natural pesticide for house flies, and the Latin muscaria means ‘fly’. These cultural associations contrast with the scientific understanding of its effects, which are less well-documented.

The main psychoactive compound in Amanita muscaria is muscimol, which works differently from psilocybin, the compound in ‘magic mushrooms.’ Psilocybin converts to psilocin in the body, which activates serotonin receptors (specifically 5-HT2A) in the brain’s cortex, leading to altered perception, vivid colors, and changes in time perception. In contrast, muscimol primarily affects GABA-A receptors, which act as the brain’s ‘braking system,’ slowing down neuronal activity. This results in drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, and sometimes hallucinations. Unlike psilocybin, muscimol can cause sedation or loss of consciousness in severe cases.

The author’s research into the toxicity of muscimol revealed alarming findings. In animal studies, muscimol had a lower lethal dose (LD50) than many common drugs, including fentanyl. The LD50 is the dose required to kill 50% of a test population; for muscimol, this was particularly low in mice. While translating animal doses to humans is imperfect, these results raised serious safety concerns. The article also notes that muscimol’s effects can include muscle twitching, disorientation, and even life-threatening sedation at high doses. These risks are different from those associated with psilocybin, which primarily affects perception rather than causing sedation.

The author searched for modern, controlled studies on muscimol dosing but found none. Instead, they discovered a 1967 self-experiment by Swiss pharmacologist Peter G. Waser, who ingested pure muscimol under psychiatric supervision. Waser reported effects at doses of 5, 10, and 15 milligrams. At 10 mg, he experienced mild intoxication, dizziness, and altered vision but recovered within hours. At 15 mg, effects were stronger, including severe dizziness, slurred speech, muscle contractions, and confusion. The author suggests that dosing recommendations in commercial products may be based on this outdated study, raising concerns about safety and reliability.

The Amanita muscaria market operates in a legal gray area. Unlike psilocybin, muscimol is not a controlled substance under the US Controlled Substances Act or most other countries’ laws, with exceptions like the Netherlands and Louisiana. This permissiveness allows manufacturers to sell products like gummies and chocolates without strict regulations. The author compares this to the ‘hemp loophole’ in the 2018 US Farm Bill, where delta-8-THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid, was sold legally despite not being explicitly regulated. The Amanita muscaria market similarly exploits legal gaps, with products often lacking childproofing or clear warnings.