Whether you have enjoyed shrooming for decades or are new to jumping on the mushroom bandwagon, you have likely heard the warnings associated with accidental mushroom poisoning. This is not a fear you need to entertain in the produce section of your neighborhood grocery store, but it is one you need to consider in the world of medicinal and recreational mushrooms.
If you are intrigued by the idea of eating Amanita Muscaria mushrooms, read on to learn what you can expect after consuming them.
What Are Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms?
If there is one particular mushroom that lives in our collective imagination, it is certainly the Amanita Muscaria. Few people recognize it by name, but its distinct appearance is unforgettable.
The Amanita Muscaria mushroom is the one you have seen in the pages of books and on TV and movie screens since early childhood: it is the reddish-capped shroom covered in white dots (warts) that plays "home" to the Smurfs and even pops up in Super Mario Brothers. Many people will forever associate this vivid mushroom with Alice in Wonderland as well.
These mushrooms have been used since ancient times in a variety of ways—they were incorporated into ritual drinks in some cultures and given as gifts by Shamans in Siberia. The Amanita Muscaria has also been particularly useful in practical applications. For example, the caps have been crumbled into small bowls of milk to attract and kill flies, making it an easy and natural insecticide.
Amanita Muscaria mushrooms are also known as "fly agaric" (thanks to their ability to kill pests) and are a part of the toadstool species. It is native to the Northern Hemisphere and has also been transported to the Southern Hemisphere with pine seedlings.
Are Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms Poisonous?
Don't let this scare you off, but technically, these mushrooms are indeed poisonous. Stay tuned, and we will tell you how to consume them safely!
Fatal poisoning from an Amanita Muscaria mushroom is extremely rare, and there have been no documented cases for the past century. However, the Amanita mushroom still presents a high toxicity risk if ingested raw.
The presence of muscimol, muscarine, and other toxic elements in the mushroom will cause a number of symptoms to occur, usually within hours. Eating Amanita Muscaria mushrooms in the wild can result in vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, confusion, perspiration, and difficulty breathing.
Seek medical attention if you experience these or other troubling symptoms that may indicate poisoning.
To avoid experiencing the toxicity associated with eating amanita mushrooms, it's as simple as boiling them. This process removes the water-soluble chemicals and makes them safe for consumption.
However, suppose you want to consume them and still experience the psychoactive effects. In that case, you can dry the mushrooms or simmer them so that they end up containing muscimol and only trace amounts of ibotenic acid.
What Happens if I Eat Amanita Muscaria?
If you are eating Amanita Muscaria that has been prepared for recreational use (such as in the form of a gummy), you will be able to experience the mind-altering effects of this natural wonder.
Amanita Muscaria mushrooms are close to "magic mushrooms" in terms of their effects (although technically, they are not psychedelic; more on this below). These mushrooms can offer you an experience that could be everything from relaxing to euphoric. They might help you unwind after a tough day at work, or they might be the key to unlocking a transcendental and spiritual awakening.
Amanita Mushrooms are growing in popularity for recreational use, and it is also possible we will see them used to treat some mental health conditions effectively in the future. There is growing evidence that mushrooms may present a unique treatment model for certain mental health disorders. Always speak to your doctor first if you want to use mushroom gummies or other natural remedies to treat mental health conditions.
Are Amanita Muscaria Gummies Safe?
Amanita Muscaria gummies are generally well tolerated and safe to use for most healthy adults. If you purchase Amanita Muscaria gummies from a reputable brand like Road Trip, you can count on receiving the highest quality ingredients and delicious flavors in a product that has been lab-tested.
If you are new to mushroom gummies, start with the smallest recommended dose to see how your body reacts and to ensure you do not experience negative side effects (such as mild nausea).
Anyone who is allergic to mushrooms should avoid using mushroom gummies. If you suspect you are experiencing an allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately.
Are All Mushroom Gummies Psychedelic?
Perhaps the biggest misconception about mushroom gummies is that they are all psychedelic. The incredibly versatile mushroom is not just for mind-altering adventures: it is used everywhere these days to help with everything from inflammation to cognitive function.
If you have spent any time in the health and wellness space over the past year, you have no doubt seen mushroom products of all kinds popping up everywhere. From gummies to coffees and powders, mushroom products are one of the latest trends to take hold of the health and wellness market in a big way.
While there are many different gummies available, for our purposes, we will distinguish them as functional, psychedelic, and psychoactive.
Functional Mushroom Gummies
Gummies touting the health benefits of mushrooms without psilocybin or muscimol are known as functional gummies.
These products are not intended for recreational use or used to "trip" or "shroom," as you might with psychedelic mushrooms. Instead, they are used for their overall health benefits.
Functional mushroom gummies are usually made from the following fungi
- Lion's Mane
- Reishi
- Cordyceps
- Chaga
These mushrooms are known for their incredible healing properties and are prized for benefits such as reduced inflammation, increased energy and focus, and enhanced cognitive function.
People use functional mushroom gummies (and other supplements made using these mushrooms) to boost their mood, improve the quality of their sleep, and manage stress and anxiety. Functional mushroom gummies can be a great addition to your overall daily health practices.
Psychedelic Mushroom Gummies
Psychedelic mushrooms are also known as magic mushrooms, and gummies made with this fungo contain psilocybin, which is classified as a psychedelic drug.
These gummies are used to alter your reality and send you into a new dimension; they are not used in the same way a functional gummy is (i.e., taken daily) in that they can be disruptive to your normal routine.
Psychedelic mushrooms cannot be sold legally in most places because of their classification in the Controlled Substances Act.
Psychoactive Mushroom Gummies
A popular alternative to psychedelic mushrooms, Amanita Muscaria mushrooms are psychoactive, so they produce similar effects but are not classified as Schedule I drugs.
Eating Amanita Muscaria mushrooms in gummy form can provide effects that range from blissful relaxation to mind-bending euphoria. Road Trip gummies harness the incredible natural power of Amanita Muscaria mushrooms for an unforgettable experience.
We want to enhance all of your adventures with delicious, discreet, and portable gummies you can take anywhere. Our delicious flavors are sure to win you ever, and the exhilarating effects will leave you feeling a sense of connectedness beyond your wildest dreams. Try Road Trip today to discover the Amanita Muscaria difference.