Amanita Muscaria
Also known as: Fly Agaric, Soma, Panther Cap (related species)
Category: Deliriant / Oneirogen / GABAergic psychoactive (not a classic psychedelic)
Amanita muscaria, or fly agaric, is a striking red-capped mushroom with white spots, rooted in folklore and traditional use as a sedative. Unlike psilocybin species, it contains muscimol and ibotenic acid, which act on GABA and glutamate receptors, producing dreamlike, dissociative, or euphoric states. Effects may include dizziness, heightened sensory perception, confusion, and visual distortions. Though rarely fatal, the mushroom demands deep caution and cultural respect. Its mythic image often belies its complex and disorienting nature.
History & Culture
Used for centuries in Siberian shamanic rituals, often to induce trance states or spiritual journeys.
Believed by some scholars to be the legendary Soma described in ancient Vedic texts, though this remains debated.
Mark A. Hoffman writes in Toxicology in Antiquity in chapter 25: “The psychoactive Amanita mushrooms, specifically Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina, have a well-attested entheogenic use among Siberian, European, and Pan-American shamanic peoples and are specifically implicated in the Mysteries of ancient Greece (especially the Mysteries of Dionysus), Rome (Mithraic Mysteries) (Ruck et al., 2011), and as the original Vedic plant-god soma (Wasson, 1968), and Avestan haoma among the gnostic Manicheans and early and mystically inclined Christians of later periods (Hoffman et al., 2000).”
A. muscaria appeared on rock paintings, dating back to 3500 BC, in a cave in the present Algeria.
Its iconic red-and-white appearance inspired countless myths, fairy tales, and folklore, including associations with Christmas symbolism (e.g., Santa’s colors, reindeer behavior).
Once widely dismissed as toxic or dangerous, but now undergoing a modern revival—particularly in microdosing, lucid dreaming, and neo-shamanic circles.
Revered in some Indigenous traditions as a “spirit teacher,” though traditional knowledge is fragmented due to colonization and taboo.
Its influence persists in pop culture and visual art, often symbolizing the mysterious or enchanted.
While there are no registered clinical trials specifically investigating Amanita muscaria in humans to date, the substance is occasionally explored in preclinical and small-scale studies.
Between 1977–1982, several small phase I studies evaluated muscimol’s efficacy in neurological disorders like schizophrenia, Huntington’s disease, and tardive dyskinesia—but they were ultimately halted due to lack of efficacy.
In 2021, Psyched Wellness announced that its muscimol extract (AME‑1) cleared toxicity screening and passed preclinical animal testing, moving closer toward potential human studies.
A 2023 clinical trial (phase I) testing intracerebral muscimol infusions for Parkinson’s disease symptoms was registered with the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, though it was later discontinued.
A 2024 scientific review confirms that Amanita muscaria’s psychoactive effects stem from muscimol and ibotenic acid, which act on GABA and NMDA receptors—distinct from serotonin psychedelics. While modern interest in microdosing and tinctures is rising, clinical research remains minimal, and toxicity risks—especially from ibotenic acid—warrant caution.
Effects
Amanita muscaria typically begins to take effect 1 to 4 hours after ingestion, starting with sensations of body heat, tingling, and lightness, often followed by an urge to move.
Movement quickly becomes disoriented or uncoordinated—limbs may feel intangible or floaty, with sensations of flying or dizziness. Muscle weakness and difficulty grasping objects are common.
As the experience progresses, users may experience:
Color distortions (e.g., black-and-white or vivid blue, yellow, purple)
Objects appearing closer or unusually plastic
Auditory hallucinations or speech repetition
Facial grimacing, twitching, or motor agitation
Mood tends to rise into excitation or confusion, before gradually dropping into sleep, trance, or temporary disconnection from surroundings.
Risks & Side Effects
Fresh mushrooms contain high levels of ibotenic acid, which can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, delirium, sweating, muscle spasms, and at high doses, seizures or coma. Proper drying or boiling converts ibotenic acid into muscimol, which is less toxic but still produces psychoactive effects.
Unpredictable psychoactive profile, meaning effects range from sedation and mild inebriation to intense disorientation, involuntary movements, dreamlike states, or confusion.
Less commonly, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, tachycardia, bradycardia and hypertension may occur.
Toxic lookalikes or improper handling can cause poisoning—fatalities are rare but documented.
Users commonly report blackouts, memory loss, and impaired coordination.
No reliable studies evaluate cumulative toxicity or chronic effects; regular use may carry unknown risks.
Microdosing
Involves taking very small amounts of decarboxylated Amanita muscaria extract, typically in the range of 100–300 mg of dried cap or equivalent tincture
Reported effects include reduced anxiety, improved sleep, mood stabilization, pain relief, and enhanced somatic awareness
Unlike psilocybin, it acts on GABA and glutamate systems — experiences are more sedative, grounding, or dreamlike
Gaining popularity in online wellness and recovery circles, especially among those seeking alternatives to stimulants or antidepressants
Scientific research is minimal, though case studies and qualitative analyses show promising anecdotal benefits
Long-term safety and optimal dosing remain unclear; ibotenic acid must be carefully neutralized to avoid toxicity
Not advised for people with psychiatric conditions, liver impairment, or without proper sourcing and preparation
If exploring, use a low, standardized dose, ensure proper drying or decarboxylation, and seek guidance from experienced facilitators or health professionals
Duration & Onset
Onset: 30–90 min (faster if parboiled)
Peak: 1–3 hours
Total: 6–10 hours (lingering aftereffects vary)
Dosage
Microdose (dried cap): 0.1–0.5 g
Common: 1–3 g (dried)
High: 5+ g (not recommended without guidance)
Interactions
Combining Amanita muscaria with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other GABAergic substances can dangerously depress the central nervous system, increasing the risk of blackouts, respiratory suppression, or coma. Due to the mushroom’s complex pharmacology and potential toxicity, only individuals with proper training in mycology or ethnobotany should forage or prepare it. Misidentification or improper processing can result in serious poisoning.
If you’re taking prescription medications or have a diagnosed mental health condition, always consult a medical professional or qualified psychedelic-informed therapist before use. Drug interactions can be complex, and set, setting, and personal health history all matter.
Therapeutic & Cultural Resonance
Unlike psilocybin or LSD, Amanita muscaria is legal in most countries, including the U.S., which makes it more accessible for personal exploration and integration into emerging wellness practices. While not widely studied in clinical settings, it has been traditionally used in shamanic healing rituals across Siberia and Northern Europe to support spiritual insight, emotional clearing, and dreamwork.
It has been increasingly explored for anxiety, trauma grounding, and “restorative” microdosing. Embraced by some as a psycho-somatic teacher mushroom.
Integration Tips
Amanita works in layers—often through dream states, body awareness, and subtle energetic shifts. Insights may arise over several days or weeks. Give yourself space to notice these changes. Dream journaling is highly recommended, especially in the nights following a session. Many report symbolic or ancestral themes surfacing during sleep.
Gentle embodiment practices (like walking, yin yoga, or stretching) help integrate the physical and nervous system effects. This is especially useful after larger doses, which can cause muscular release or trembling. The mushroom can be dehydrating and sedating. Prioritize sleep and replenish your body.
