Amanita muscaria mushrooms have important pharmacological properties. They contain muscimol, which is psychotropic, and ibotenic acid, which is not psychotropic. However, both compounds are toxic and can be fatal in high doses.
However, none of them are included in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 in the United States or similar laws in other countries.
Recent American Journal of Preventive Medicine The study discussed its legal status, safety and availability Amanita muscaria, to improve its regulation.
Study: Need for a public health response to illegal sales of Amanita muscaria mushrooms. Image credit: ON-Photography Germany/Shutterstock.com
Its history and current availability Amanita muscaria
Amanita muscaria it can be found widely on many continents in the northern hemisphere. Their use in Siberia by Old World shamans predates the crossing of the Bering Straits into North America. After that, the shamans of the new world preferred its use Psilocybe spp. Mushrooms and their use Amanita muscaria was weakening.
Online access to Amanita muscaria and muscimol products are a relatively new phenomenon. Muscimol products include dessert-flavored vapors, caramel-flavored gum, and pre-rolls infused with muscimol and cannabis flower.
Online demand seems to be increasing, as evidenced by the increase in the number of online advertisements. For example, between 2022 and 2023, the number of Amanita muscaria Google searches increased by 114%.
Safety issues related to its use Amanita muscaria
As mentioned above, muscimol, ibotenic acid and muscarine are contained in Amanita muscaria they are toxic and can be fatal in high doses.
Regarding the acute toxicities of ibotenic acid and muscimol, research has shown that these are higher than the most commonly used psychotropic drugs, such as cocaine, fentanyl, and phencyclidine.
Human studies have analyzed the effects of raw Amanita muscaria intake of mushrooms. While death is rare, effects include agitation, disorientation, visual hallucinations, dizziness, seizures, malaise, muscle confusion, and coma.
Amanita muscaria’s The psychotropic properties are due to muscimol and not ibotenic acid. Muscimol mainly affects the forebrain regions, leading to nausea, dizziness, fatigue, weightlessness, space distortion, visual and auditory hypersensitivity, hallucinations, etc.
“Classic psychedelics” like psilocybin could also lead to similar effects, but the main difference is that, unlike classic psychedelics, muscimol does not engage with serotonin 5-HT2A receptors.
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 dried mushroom daily for two weeks.
The goal was to reduce anxiety by inducing psychotropic properties. The lady had bought the mushroom through social media. Such cases highlight the easy availability of the mushroom and the need for proper regulation.
Current regulatory regime and consumer protection
The Netherlands and some other countries recognize Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina as controlled substances. Here, websites often contain interpretations of controlled substance laws to provide legal guidance to consumers.
Within the United States, Amanita muscaria and muscimol are on a list of banned hallucinogens only in the state of Louisiana.
Sevaral muscimol and Amanita muscaria products are disguised and sold as food products. There are no NDI (New Dietary Ingredient) or GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) notices for these ingredients.
It could be that the manufacturers have self-certified GRAS, but this seems inconsistent with the safety data reported in the current study. Based on this, muscimol and Amanita muscaria products on the market violate Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.
Consumer protection is the key issue, which can be jeopardized in the way Amanita muscaria products are sold. The current regulatory approach has no age restriction or mandatory child protection.
Marketing using media aimed at children (eg cartoons) should be banned. Currently, manufacturers claim to test for amounts of active ingredients and contaminants, but there are no universally accepted testing standards for muscimol for potency, leading to mislabeled products.
conclusions
Considering its easy availability and safety concerns regarding its use Amanita muscaria, a new regulatory approach must be developed.
A clear stance by regulatory authorities is necessary regarding the legality of the manufacture and distribution of such products. If legal, more information on age and marketing restrictions, maximum dosage and child protection should be provided.
More training is needed for mental health professionals to effectively guide their patients and explain the differences between toxic substances such as Amanita muscaria, and psilocybin, which is being investigated for its potential role in treating depression.
A public health response should come immediately because delayed enforcement is profitable for manufacturers in this “buyer beware” market.
