Amanita muscaria: Ecology, Chemistry, Myths

Abstract

Amanita muscaria is the most emblematic mushroom in the popular representation. It is an ectomycorrhizal fungus endemic to the cold ecosystems of the northern hemisphere. The basidiocarp contains isoxazoles compounds that have specific actions on the central nervous system, including hallucinations. For this reason, it is considered an important entheogenic mushroom in different cultures whose remnants are still visible in some modern-day European traditions. In Siberian civilizations, it has been consumed for religious and recreational purposes for millennia, as it was the only inebriant in this region.

On Forest Entheogen

“…Podívejme se tedy na hlavní látky v houbě obsažené 22,[39][40][41] . Mezi hlavní látky můžeme uvést silně toxický muskarin (LD 50 (myš) 0,23 mg kg -1 ) 42 , který je parasympatomimetikem, zjednodušeně řečeno ovlivňuje hladinu acetylcholinu, působí na muskarinové receptory a způsobuje křeče hladkého svalstva střev, dělohy, močového měchýře a bronchů, pocení, slinění, slzení, bolesti žaludku a nucení na zvracení; nicméně jeho obsah v muchomůrkách je nízký, kolem 0,002-0,02 % suché hmotnosti plodnic.…”

Mycotherapy: Potential of Fungal Bioactives for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders and Morbidities of Chronic Pain

“…A. muscaria contains many biologically active compounds including the psychoactive alkaloids: muscarine, ibotenic acid and muscimol [ 109 ] where ibotenic and muscimol are structurally similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) having effect on glutamate receptors in the CNS [ 110 ] and can cross the BBB. Ibotenic acid is a potent neurotoxin via activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors where muscimol has a strong psychoactivating action [ 111 ].…”

“…Ibotenic acid is a potent neurotoxin via activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors where muscimol has a strong psychoactivating action [ 111 ]. The alkaloid muscarine is an acetylcholine agonist of the parasympathetic nervous system typically negatively impacting the functioning of numerous organs but cannot pass the BBB [ 109 ]. Over stimulation of muscarinic cholinergic system and acetylcholine is associated with the aetiology of depression suggesting that the agonist muscarine will elevate depressive symptoms in patients.…”

Psycholytic dosing or 'microdosing' of Amanita muscaria (red fly agaric) mushrooms—A retrospective case study

“…Wieczorek et al discussed bioactivity of these components (Wieczorek et al, 2015). Carboué et al provided an encyclopedia entry (Carboué and Lopez, 2021). Tsunoda et al investigated changes in ibotenic acid and muscimol contents in Amanita muscaria during drying, storing, or cooking (Tsunoda et al, 1993).…”