A Closer Look at Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms and Their Effects

Amanita Muscaria - The legacy, & the realm!

From the ancient tales & sacred rituals of Shamans to the extensive feature in game franchise Mario Bros., Amanita Muscaria has been marking its presence across the time-board. A psychoactive wonder, mostly found with vibrant red caps and enchanting white spots, which are the iconic marks for the species. The psychoactive effects have been anecdotally described in a very diversified manner, ranging from sedative-hypnotic and psychedelic to dissociative & paradoxical.

Characteristics of Amanita Muscaria

Appearance - Ranging from Bright Red to Orange along with white 'wart-like' spots and white 'Gills' (the underside of a Mushroom), these Amanitas feature white spores, a stem-ring along with a veil that is torn on cap expansion.

Habitat - Amanita Muscaria is known to grow in the regions of Northern Hemisphere, in areas such as forests, pastures and fields. It is found throughout the temperate and boreal regions.

Toxicity - While the mushroom contains several biological agents known to be toxic and hallucinogenic, no reliable documentation of fatal effects is found to be available. Active psychoactive agents such as Muscimol and its precursor Ibotenic Acid are found in Amanita Muscaria. These active constituents are water-soluble and cooking processes such as boiling partially detoxifies the mushroom. Raw ingestion may lead to symptoms like mild nausea, drowsiness and mood-change etc.

Science behind Amanita Muscaria

Amanita’s Neurochemistry

While Amanita Muscaria contains multiple compounds, Ibotenic Acid and Muscimol are the most profound and carry psychoactive properties.

Muscimol is the principal psychoactive constituent, while Ibotenic Acid is a pro-drug to Muscimol. In simpler terms, a prodrug is like a silent medicine, which turns active once you consume it. Decarboxylation process (such as simmered cooking or drying) leads to conversion of Ibotenic Acid into Muscimol. 

 

The combination of compounds present in Amanita Muscaria when working in combination post ingestion can cause a series of effects, depending upon dose. Ibotenic Acid and Muscimol actively get through the blood-brain barrier, and impact the central nervous system acting as neurotransmitter agonists. These two compounds are the main cause of the psychotropic effects after mushroom ingestion, with muscimol accounting for the greater part.

Muscimol is structurally similar to GABA, making it a potent GABA-A receptor agonist. These receptors are spread throughout the brain and consumption of Muscimol affects neurons functioning.

Psychedelic vs. psychoactive effects

'Magic Mushrooms' or Psychedelic (Psilocybin) mushrooms are known for producing psychedelic effects (such as hallucination and visuals), while Amanita Muscaria is better known for psychoactive effects (such as drowsiness or sleepiness).

Several medicinal benefits have been associated with Amanita Muscaria -

- Stress and anxiety Management

- Pain Management

- Sleep disorders Management

Anecdotal Evidences of associated benefits

Consumption of Amanita Muscaria has been associated with various effects, however 3 key benefits established anecdotally are 1) Sleep Aid, 2) Addiction Support, & 3) Pain Relief.

Microdosing refers to prolonged consumption of a small fraction of a substance which is usually consumed in comparatively larger quantities.In case of Amanita Muscaria, microdosing would refer to intake of about one tenth of an ordinary recreational dose.There have been multiple studies and independent surveys which reflected that microdosing mostly had positive consequences, including improved mood, cognition, and creativity etc.

History of Use

Amanita Muscaria has been used as an intoxicating agent & for religious purposes in several cultures across the millennia, though Siberians are known as primary users. Many Siberian Tribes have been noted as users for achieving trance state.

The ‘Fly Agaric’ name for Amanita Muscaria Mushroom is traced to its traditional usage for catching flies, where it has been hypothesised that flies deliberately seek out the intoxicating compounds.

The usage of Amanita Muscaria has also been noted in feasts and shamanic rituals. Ingestion along with alcohol has also been noted, though unreliably.

Though not common, Culinary usage of Amanita Muscaria post-detoxification through prevalent processes has been noted in Russian & Siberian regions, as well as in Japan (salted/pickled).

Modern Day Consumption

Modern Day labs do the magic by isolating the toxins and creating completely safe to consume Amanita Muscaria products such as powder, infused oils and ready to eat items like gummies and bars.

Dried Amanita Muscaria powder is used in culinary preparations, including teas or simmered soups.

Amanita Muscaria infused oil is said to be used in various applications, particularly as a topical in pain management.

Among the game changers Amanita Muscaria products, ready to eat gummies and chocolate bars top the charts. Amanita Muscaria vapes and other similar products also exist, but are a very rare find.

Amanita Muscaria Gummies

Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms contain Muscimol, the psychoactive compound which gives Muscaria the effects it is known for. Manufacturers are now able to produce Amanita Muscaria Extract Gummies with different strengths, addressing the most common problems of Mushroom Detoxification and accurate dosage control.

Gummies also address the issues pertaining to portability and transportation, and as a convenient 'ready-to-eat' out of the box characteristics, gummies have gained popularity in recent years.

The Legal Question

The legality of Amanita Muscaria is established through the legality of its constituent compounds. The Federal Government of USA does not classify Amanita Muscaria or Muscimol as controlled substance, which projects that cultivation, possession, and distribution aren't regulated by the Federal Government.  On a state level, muscimol might be regulated.

Also, FDA has not classified or approved the Mushroom as Food Additive, making it unclear if the products fall under food regulations.

Please stay updated with local and federal laws as they can change, affecting the legal status of these substances.