What Does Amanita Muscaria Do To The Brain?
The red-and-white fly agaric mushroom of the species Amanita muscaria is a commonly seen sight from July to October in continental Europe and the UK. Characterized by its red or orange cap and small white plaques, this mushroom is often considered poisonous due to its toxic peculiarities. It has long been used for its insect-killing properties and still holds a place in folklore and culture around the world.
However, accidental poisoning is uncommon due to its distinct appearance. In recent years, its consumption by young people has risen, as it is known to possess hallucinogenic properties. Despite its popularity, the prevalence of its use is still lower than that of marijuana and hashish. Nevertheless, it is expected that in the future, there will be more patients suffering from mushroom poisoning as a result of hallucinogenic mushrooms.
The Amanita Mushrooms And Their Compounds
Amanita muscaria is a fungus that belongs to the Basidiomycete family and is popularly known as the classic toadstool. Its cap is usually bright red or orange with white spots splattered on it, which makes it easily recognizable. When dried, its color changes to a shade of orange-brown, but the white spots remain visible. As such, these mushrooms are often sold as whole basidia, which are contained in bags.
A variety of toxic species reside within the Amanita genus, from the panther (Amanita pantherina) to the death cap (Amanita phalloides) and the rather whimsically named destroying angel (Amanita verna). All of these mushrooms are incredibly toxic and can cause a range of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in some cases, even death. For this reason, it is highly recommended to avoid any mushroom within the Amanita genus unless you are absolutely certain of its identity and safety.
Fly agaric, with its distinctive red-capped appearance, has been used for centuries as a sedative and psychoactive material by various cultures around the world. It is thought that the main active compounds within this species are analogs of the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid, namely muscimol and ibotenic acid respectively.
These compounds are believed to act as potent sedatives and their effects are thought to be similar to those experienced when taking a GABAergic drug. Furthermore, they are thought to influence the brain's glutamate receptors, thus providing an increased sense of relaxation and euphoria.
As such, fly agaric has traditionally been used to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from insomnia to anxiety and depression. It has also been used in traditional medicine as a muscle relaxant and as a remedy for headaches and migraines. The effects of consuming fly agaric can range from mild sedation to intense hallucinogenic experiences, and it is not recommended that these species be consumed without the supervision of an experienced practitioner.
The active compounds within fly agaric can produce a range of physical and mental effects, including visual and auditory hallucinations, feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and altered states of consciousness. However, it is important to note that these effects can vary from person to person, and there is a risk of serious adverse reactions, including seizures and respiratory depression. Therefore, fly agaric should not be consumed without the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Muscimol and ibotenic acid are both isoxazole alkaloids, and they bear some structural resemblance to GABA. Both chemicals act on various portions of the GABA receptor. Muscimol is developed from ibotenic acid by means of decarboxylation. At one point, it was thought that muscarine, a cholinergic agonist, might be a factor in the overall psychoactivity of Amanita muscaria. However, further investigation determined that the mushroom only contains a trace amount of muscarine, and thus it is unlikely to be the cause of the psychoactive effect.
What Happens When You Eat The Amanita Muscaria?
Consuming Amanita muscaria can lead to a range of effects, from feelings of elation and hallucinations to muscle jerks, sweating, pupil dilation, and an increase in body temperature. These results are typically experienced 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion, with the most intense effects coming two or three hours later. Following the peak of the high, many people report that they fall into a deep sleep. Many compare the effects of eating Amanita muscaria to being intoxicated by alcohol, although the exact degree of similarity is not known.
Psilocybin and psilocin both have a chemical structure similar to serotonin, a neurotransmitter. As a result, the primary action of psilocin is to act on the serotonin receptors. What's more, research indicates that psilocybin can reduce the rate at which serotonin is reabsorbed by neurons in the brain, offering this chemical messenger a longer period to operate in the synapse.
Muscimol and ibotenic acid are isoxazole alkaloids that have a similar structure to GABA and both of these compounds act on different parts of the GABA receptor. Ibotenic acid is the precursor of muscimol, which is formed by the decarboxylation of ibotenic acid.
Initially, it was believed that the psychoactive effects of the mushroom Amanita muscaria were due to the presence of muscarine, which is a cholinergic agonist. However, subsequent research revealed that the mushroom only contained a trace amount of muscarine, so it is highly unlikely that this compound is responsible for its psychoactive effects.
The Consumption Of Amanita Muscaria And Its Symptoms
Fly agaric, an iconic mushroom that has been used throughout history, is believed to be the same as Soma, the vedic drug consumed by Indo-Iranians. Unfortunately, its effects can be poisonous, a syndrome called 'pantherina-muscaria', which is similar to atropine.
This can happen anywhere between 30 minutes and two hours after consumption and can cause dizziness, confusion, fatigue, and an increase in sensitivity to sound and sight. Other symptoms can include a dry mouth, dilated pupils, drowsiness, deep sleep, hallucinations, incoherent speech, vomiting, convulsions, and a persistent headache. The effects of this mushroom have been compared to alcohol but with more extreme side effects.
The management of poisoning due to A. muscarina requires gut decontamination to expunge the toxin from the body. In extreme circumstances, benzodiazepines may be prescribed. Furthermore, some experts advise the utilization of a cholinesterase inhibitor, such as physostigmine, in the most severe cases.
The consumption of fly agaric as a foodstuff has been documented in some countries, but the mushroom is typically soaked or boiled to remove its red skin and the resulting water is discarded. This process would likely reduce the concentration of isoxazoles, which are known to have psychotropic effects, and thus reduce the risk of any adverse reactions. However, there have been a few reported case studies that suggest otherwise.
The Use Of Amanita Muscaria
Amanita muscaria, a member of the ibotenic acid subgroup, has been used for centuries in Central Asia as a hallucinogenic drug. This mushroom contains ibotenic acid, which is similar in structure to the main excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, as well as muscimol, which is similar to the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). People consume hallucinogenic mushrooms to experience the psychoactive effects that they can produce.
The ingestion of certain mushrooms can lead to a range of symptoms within two hours, including the GABAergic effects of drowsiness, hallucinations, dysphoria, dizziness, and delirium, as well as the glutaminergic effects of hyperactivity, ataxia, hallucinations, myoclonus, and seizures.
Since several mushrooms contain both muscimol and ibotenic acid, the presentation may involve a combination of excitatory and inhibitory symptoms. Tachycardia may be observed and is usually a result of hypovolemia or hypoxia, whereas other adverse cardiac effects are rare. Treatment should focus on supportive measures such as IV fluid administration and benzodiazepine use. Antipyretics should generally be avoided, as fever is likely due to increased motor activity.
Should You Take The Amanita Muscaria Considering Its Effects?
Fly agaric mushrooms have been used for centuries as a hallucinogen, with some cultures believing they can bring spiritual enlightenment and even immortality. The mushroom's active ingredient, muscimol, can cause hallucinations and other perceptual changes. Depending on the dose, users may experience altered states of consciousness or even out-of-body experiences. Fly agaric mushrooms can also bring about a feeling of euphoria, increased energy, and heightened senses.
The effects of fly agaric mushrooms are notoriously unpredictable, and their toxicity makes them particularly dangerous. Overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, and even death in rare cases. The mushroom's active compounds can also interact in unpredictable ways with other drugs or medications. Those with existing mental health issues should avoid fly agaric mushrooms entirely.
The effects of muscimol start to be noticeable roughly one hour after ingestion, reaching its peak around 3 hours later and lasting for a period of 10–24 hours. People often report feelings of euphoria and a dream-like state of consciousness, as well as out-of-body experiences and synesthesia.
Fly agaric mushrooms are an ancient hallucinogenic, used for spiritual and medicinal purposes for centuries. The mushroom's active ingredients cause perceptual disturbances and altered states of consciousness. However, the mushroom's toxicity makes it risky to use, and it can interact unpredictably with other substances. Those with mental health issues should avoid fly agaric mushrooms entirely.