The Amanita Muscaria mushroom has long fascinated us in the pages of literature as well as on both the small and big screens. In addition to charming us with its distinct appearance, the Amanita Muscaria mushroom can also unlock powerful experiences in our minds when it is consumed.
Read on to learn more about the history and uses of this truly wondrous mushroom.
Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms: A Brief History
As far back as the 13th century, the Amanita Muscaria was sprinkled in milk to kill flies, earning it the name "Fly Agaric," which is still used today. The mushroom was native to the Northern Hemisphere but also eventually made its way to the Southern Hemisphere with deciduous and coniferous trees.
The mushroom still grows in association with trees, so you will spot them in the woods, nestled among the birches and the pines. However, eating an Amanita Muscaria mushroom raw remains ill-advised as they are poisonous; in order to consume them safely, they must be boiled or go through a drying process.
The first to discover and use Amanita mushrooms likely learned some lessons the hard way by ingesting them and then becoming mildly or violently ill. Death from Amanita mushroom poisoning is extremely rare, but the raw mushroom can certainly do a number on one's digestive system (so it is not a mistake many people would make twice!)
It is easy to see how people were quickly captivated by this particular mushroom, thanks to its reddish cap and white spots.
Among the earliest civilizations to utilize the Amanita Muscaria mushroom were Siberian shamans, who incorporated them into ritual drinks. Over time, as their mind-altering effects were discovered, these fungi became prized for acting as a bridge to a transcendental experience.
Amanita's Active Ingredients
The chemical makeup of the Amanita Muscaria mushroom is important both in terms of its toxicity when ingested raw as well as its ability to generate psychoactive effects when consumed safely after it is detoxified.
The combination of muscimol and ibotenic acid found in Amanita mushrooms is what creates their effects, and boiling them (and discarding the cooking liquid) is what at least partially detoxifies them. Muscimol is a psychoactive, which is similar (but not identical) to a psychedelic.
Most people who refer to "magic mushrooms" mean the type that are psychedelic, with psilocybin as their main active ingredient. Amanita Muscaria mushrooms do not contain psilocybin.
Mushrooms with psilocybin are those typically associated with "shrooming" or tripping on mushrooms. They can cause visual or auditory hallucinations, flashbacks and altered perceptions of reality, as well as physical reactions, including dilated pupils and rapid heartbeat. In some cases, there may be unpleasant bouts of nausea or vomiting after consuming psychedelic mushrooms.
Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms are available in gummy form, with users describing a wide variety of effects based on dosage. In smaller amounts, Amanita Muscaria mushrooms may provide a gentle mood lift, and in larger doses, they create effects similar to psychedelic mushrooms, with what may described as spiritual or transcendental experiences.
Are Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms Legal?
Both psychedelic and psychoactive mushrooms are still "writing their history," so to speak, as researchers work to uncover all the ways they may be useful in mental health treatments. There has been promising evidence in early studies showing that beyond their recreational use, mushrooms may provide a new tool for those battling certain mental health conditions, such as depression or PTSD.
For now, however, psychedelic mushrooms (those containing psilocybin) are illegal in most cases. Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Muscimol, the active ingredient in Amanita mushrooms, is not classified in the same way, meaning Amanita Mushroom gummies are legal in many places. Louisiana is the only state with a law on the books prohibiting the sale of Amanita Muscaria mushrooms.
Amanita Muscaria's history is lesser known than that of psychedelic mushrooms, which means they have been under less intense scrutiny. The legal landscape for Amanita mushrooms may change in the future, and some legislative efforts may be geared in favor of these fungi as we continue to see how they might be used along with psychedelics for mental health treatments.
Road Trip Gummies and the Amanita Muscaria Difference
Amanita Mushroom gummies are perfect for everyone from the first-timer to a seasoned mushroom user. If you are new to mushroom gummies, be sure to start out with the smallest recommended dose to see how your body reacts. A half-gummy will give you a gentle boost and allow you a small taste of the effects as you ease your way into the experience.
Seasoned users who opt to start out with several gummies will enjoy the transcendental effects of Amanita Muscaria; our gummies are designed to enhance all of life's adventures, and we are confident you will love having us along for the ride.
Check out our delicious flavors to find the discreet and portably gummy you can take with you everywhere, from the campground to the music festival.
