The unregulated sale of Amanita muscaria mushrooms needs a public health response

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Food,Medicine,Mushroom

The legal status, safety, and availability of Amanita muscaria.

By Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D.Jun 12 2024Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM Amanita muscaria mushrooms have significant pharmacological properties. They contain muscimol, which is psychotropic, and ibotenic acid, which is not psychotropic. However, both compounds are toxic and can be fatal at high doses.

History and current availability of Amanita muscaria Amanita muscaria can be widely found in multiple continents within the Northern Hemisphere. Their use in Siberia by the old-world shamans predates crossing the Bering Straits into North America. Post this, the new world shamans preferred the use of Psilocybe spp. Mushrooms and the use of Amanita muscaria waned off.

Concerning the acute toxicities of ibotenic acid and muscimol, research showed that these are higher than most commonly used psychotropic drugs, such as cocaine, fentanyl, and phencyclidine. In the United Kingdom, the first reported hospitalization was in 2023 when a 46-year-old woman, following a “microdosing” regimen, consumed 0.5 grams of the dried mushroom daily for two weeks.

Sevaral muscimol and Amanita muscaria products are disguised and sold as food products. No NDI or GRAS notifications exist for these ingredients.

 

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