Toadstool fruiting bodies appear between June and November. This is a type of mushroom that is relatively easy to come across in Polish forests. When we see it, we often wonder - what happens after eating a red toadstool? Is it really as poisonous a mushroom as is commonly believed? If so, how do you distinguish it from other species? Find the answers to these and other questions in the following text. Find out everything you need to know about the Amanita Muscaria species.
Table of Contents:
Amanita muscaria - biology and occurrence
The red toadstool, or Amanita Muscaria, comes from the toadstool family - Amanitaceae. Due to the frequent recurrence of this mushroom in pop culture, it is one of the most widely recognized species. It can be found in many children's stories, books, and even on stained glass windows, paintings or signs for mushrooms in general or poisonous species.
A mature red toadstool has a long white leg and a red hat with white spots, which can reach up to 20 cm in size. Interestingly, the shape of its hat changes with age. In growing individuals, it is circular, then semicircular, and in later years it becomes flat and concave in the center. The mottling is a remnant of the whitish covering in young mushrooms. Its distinctive feature, which often allows it to be distinguished from other toadstools, is its smooth surface. It becomes crimson only in very mature individuals.
The underside of the hat is covered with very densely spaced blades - most often white, but they can also be broken white, cream, or even yellowish. The red toadstool has a leg that reaches up to 3 cm thick and has a bulbous base. It is a very common mushroom in Poland and Central Europe. It is also found in warmer regions, as it has been spread by man and does not need special conditions to survive. It grows in all types of forests found in the northern hemisphere - mixed, deciduous and coniferous. It is not harmful to trees and lives with them in a kind of symbiosis. More often than on its own, it occurs in small groups of several individuals.
What to do to avoid confusing a mushroom like the red toadstool with other species? Pay attention to:
- white spots, which are remnants of the envelope of each fungus from earlier stages of development,
- color, which can take on a hue ranging from intense red to yellow-orange,
- is that Amanita muscaria is quite brittle, mostly odorless, while it is mild in taste,
- Has densely spaced lamellae, small in size,
- does not have a clearly marked vagina, but around the base can be observed thickening, to some resembling a root,
- During and after rain, the surface of the hat becomes sticky and moist,
- Its ring is intensely white or, alternatively, white-yellow.
It is worth remembering that species of toadstools are relatively numerous and easily confused with each other. Moreover, mushrooms differ quite significantly at different stages of development. At different stages, their shape changes, the diameter of the hat, the thickness of the leg, the color or distribution, size and color of the pincers.
A BOOK ON MICRODOSING TOADSTOOLS - HERE!
Amanita muscaria - history
Although Amanita muscaria was first described in 1753, by Charles Linnaeus, the indigenous people of the areas where it was found used it much earlier. The first uses of Amanita muscaria as a hallucinogen can be dated as far back as 7-10,000 B.C., as we can infer from cave paintings found in the Sahara, for example. Information is also available to us that the red toadstool was supposedly used by the Persians and Hindus, as it was probably added to drinks such as soma or haoma.
Later, toadstools were used in our era, especially in the Middle Ages. Siberian peoples used to take toadstool while performing shamanic rituals in order to put themselves into a stronger trance state than during dances and beating drums. It was also a popular custom for shamans to consume urine in order to become intoxicated as well. Then the body of the person who used the toadstool first took in most of the toxins in it. Therefore, the "reuse" of psychoactive substances from the mushroom was much safer each time. One can find information about consuming the urine of reindeer, one of whose dietary ingredients is the red toadstool. These, however, unlike humans, are immune to the alkaloids found in them.
We are familiar with reports that it was taken by Vikings to induce symptoms intended to facilitate combat and mobilize the body before clashes. Later, this rumor was cast into doubt, after a plant was found that better matched the pattern of action with descriptions from legends. In the Middle Ages, the red toadstool was a great trap for insects, which was mainly due to the fact that it was effective in luring them and then drugging and paralyzing them for several days. People, thinking at the time that the insects were dead, threw them away.
Amanita muscaria were also used by the Lithuanians and the Japanese - it was a popular custom to eat them at weddings along with alcohol or add them to dishes in Asian cuisine. Currently, these mushrooms are occasionally used for intoxicating purposes, and even more rarely in the preparation of meals, as a huge number of alternatives can be found, and toadstools do not enjoy a very good reputation in our culture. Their organized cultivation is not possible due to the species' practice of living in symbiosis with certain tree species such as larch and pine.
The necessity of their living in symbiosis is mainly due to the fact that fungi are unable to produce substances on their own to feed on. Therefore, they have to take them from the tree, which they do not harm, because in return they provide it with water and nutritional micronutrients. This type of symbiosis in nature is called mycorrhiza. Since many fungi can only coexist with certain tree species, this is often an important indicator to help identify them. Mycorrhizae prefer at least several different species. Experienced mycologists do not have undue trouble regarding differentiation.
Red toadstool is sometimes available in stores, usually in powdered form. Mostly these are places associated with natural medicine, healthy eating or accessories for today's shamans. Of course, the toadstool is also easily found in the areas of most Polish forests. Due to its classification as poisonous, it is customary among mushroom pickers to trample them so that the next person does not feed on it by mistake.
Etymology of the name - red toadstool
The name "red toadstool" is a noun of the masculine gender. It consists of the two words "mucho" and "mor". This is due to the aforementioned use of this mushroom as a fly poison. "Mor" is an abbreviation for "marzipan," meaning "to kill." The nickname "red," on the other hand, obviously refers to its color. The red fly has nearly 40 different scientific synonyms that are used in the literature. Mycological sources often use names such as common toadstool or red toadstool, which is related to its frequency of occurrence in Polish forests.
What active ingredients does Amanita muscaria contain?
Among the main active ingredients and toxins that the red toadstool contains are muscarinic, ibotenic acid, muscimol, muscagon, tricholomic acid or xanthine. The following will discuss their properties, action and potential use in medicine, for example.
Muscarin is found in Amanita Muscaria in relatively small amounts, but it is considered a poisonous chemical compound found naturally in quite a large percentage of mushrooms, especially toadstools. It is relatively rare to suffer fatal poisoning from this alkaloid, but nevertheless, ingestion of it in excess manifests itself in unpleasant discomforts such as nausea, salivation, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. The substance is soluble in water and ethanol and classified as neurotoxic. The lethal dose of muscarinic is 0.3 to 0.5 grams for an adult. If the patient ends up in the hospital with symptoms of poisoning by this substance within minutes, it is possible to detoxify him with atropine.
The dried red toadstool (respectively) is much less poisonous than fresh specimens, due to the conversion of ibotenic acid into its less toxic form, muscimol. This occurs when it is heated and dried over a long period of time. However, it is important to keep in mind that only about 70% of the toxin can be removed during heat treatment (knowledge from a specialist - no link).
Thus, since ibotenic acid converts relatively easily into musciol, which is a GABA-A receptor agonist, it has a psychoactive effect. It is responsible for the formation of hallucinations in a person who consumes (consciously or not) a species such as red toadstool. These hallucinations for the patient are extremely realistic and relatively often confused with the real world. They are sometimes associated with content that the person has previously encountered, usually in the time preceding the consumption of the mushroom.
In other cases, one speaks of the sensation of conscious dreaming, a phenomenon in which one retains self-awareness and has access to memories - this is a "waking dream." Real naps, during which one can have extremely realistic dreams, are also popular. Muscimol does not metabolize in the body and is excreted unchanged in the urine - it is for this reason that the consumption of shamans' urine by the people of some tribes had an intoxicating effect on humans.
The red toadstool also contains muscagon. This is a toxic substance that also exhibits psychoactive effects, just like the previous one. It also contains xanthine, a substance that has a bronchodilator effect, hence its use in the treatment of asthma was originally planned. However, due to its overly broad spectrum of action, involving more than just the respiratory system, its use has now been virtually abandoned.
If an overdose of xanthine occurs, symptoms such as muscle tremors, nausea, vomiting, accelerated heart rate and abnormal heart rhythm appear. The red toadstool sometimes also contains hydrazine in small amounts, which usually decomposes within a few months if the mushrooms are properly overcooked. It is a corrosive and highly toxic substance that is used to make rocket fuel. Not every individual contains it, and this factor is determined by the parameters of the environment in which the fruiting body matures.
Interestingly, tricholomic acid, which the red toadstool may also contain, has an interesting effect. This one, when added to food, prevents spoilage, extends shelf life, and may be a related product to popular flavor enhancers used in chips or Chinese soups, for example. It has also been used as an insect poison, but has no toxicity to humans.
Is the red toadstool a drug?
Is toadstool a drug? It depends on how we define a drug. It is generally considered that the red toadstool is an entheogen, a substance that was taken to induce mystical experiences and a sense of transcendence. Since it has a psychoactive effect, it can theoretically be considered a mushroom with narcotic effects. Under Polish law, however, the red toadstool is not a drug (as of October 2024). Although it is not particularly popular, This is popular in recent years - on the Internet you can find ads/posts on thematic groups or forums titled, for example, "Amanita muscaria - sell", "Amanita muscaria - powder" or "Amanita muscaria - store". EDIT: as of 2022/23, these types of ads and even stores with ready-made capsules are becoming more and more popular - so much so that on 18.10.24 - the GIS announced that as of November 2024, these sales will be banned by law (probably by listing the active ingredients as "
Red toadstool - lethal dose
Is the red toadstool poisonous? It can be, although this depends primarily on the dose used. Deaths from its consumption are relatively rare. However, due to the enormous recognizability of this species, accidental poisonings are very rare.
Due to the differences associated with the amount of poisonous substances in the chemical composition within each mushroom, it is impossible to give a precise lethal dose. In earlier paragraphs, however, we cited the LD50 of muscarin, a toxin found in Amanita muscaria. The most toxic is generally ibotenic acid, which, as we mentioned, transforms into a less harmful form upon contact with various agents.
According to current data, it is stated that a fruiting body of a mushroom weighing about 60 grams can contain up to 70 mg of ibotenic acid. As is known, the content of toxic substances in a particular individual depends on various issues - including the period of harvesting, the type of soil or the place of occurrence and sunlight.
What is the red toadstool most often confused with?
What can Amanita muscaria be confused with? With the spotted toadstool, the royal toadstool and the scleractinian toadstool. The spotted toadstool (Amanita pantherina) is in the same family as the species discussed in this article. It was classified slightly later than the red toadstool. Its cap reaches a size of up to 12 cm, but the color is usually slightly brown, grayish or brown. Like the title mushroom, it has white spots. It contains the same poisonous compounds as the red toadstool, but in much higher doses. This is the mushroom that most often caused poisoning after it was ingested. These manifested as diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions, hallucinations, and eventually unconsciousness and death.
The scleractinian flytrap, or Amanita excelsa, has a grayish-brownish hue and a hat that reaches up to 15 cm in diameter. It often shows dense white or whitish-gray spots that disappear after rain. Mistaking it for a red toadstool should not bring glaring side effects, as it is a mushroom that can theoretically be consumed, but in very small doses. Unfortunately, it also happens that mushroom hunters confuse it with the spotted toadstool, which was described above.
The royal toadstool (Amanita regalis) can be up to 25 cm in size. Its development is very similar to the species discussed in this article, so at times it can look like a red toadstool. However, its hat has a slightly more brownish hue, and there are yellowish patches on it. It is classified as a poisonous mushroom and occurs in Poland somewhat less frequently than the other species mentioned.
Other related Amanita muscaria toadstools
Other than the previously mentioned related species that share some characteristics with the one in question may include:
- Imperial toadstool - also belongs to the Amanitaceae family, but it would be hard to confuse it with a genus like the red toadstool. It usually has a much thicker leg and a hat that is reddish-orange or orange-brownish in color. It has no pincers, while its blades are yellow or pale yellow. It is edible and quite liked for its interesting flavor.
- Rusty brown toadstool - with an arched shape in the middle period of development. It usually has a smooth surface, on which no mottling remains. It does not have a ring. The cap is light brown, orange-brown in the later stage of development, until it finally becomes red-brown.
- Reddish toadstool - with a hat in slightly softer shades than other toadstools, such as beige, light brown or brownish-reddish. It is mostly covered with yellow-white patches. It reaches a diameter of up to 15 cm. After passing the initial period of development, its blades may be slightly pinkish in color.
- Misty toadstool - otherwise known as grayish toadstool. The name is related to its gray coloration of the hat. Initially it was classified in the Agaricus family, but later it was found to be closer to the Amanitaceae. Its hat reaches up to 10 cm in diameter. It can be gray, gray-brown or yellow-gray in color. It has a stem that tapers upward, which is characteristic of this type of mushroom.
- Sciarid toadstool - otherwise greenish, highly poisonous. After its consumption, even treatment often has poor results and ends in the death of the patient. It was eventually assigned to the Amanitaceae family, but after quite a long debate. It can be greenish-gray, slightly brown or even olive in color. Sometimes it also has yellow tones on the hat. Its color becomes faded over time when exposed to UV light, in which case it is most easily confused with other popular edible species.
- Venomous toadstool - smaller than other mushrooms of this family. It reaches a size of up to 10 cm and has a thinner leg. Its hat is white or with a slight yellowish tint, especially around the center. It may or may not have patches. It has frayed edges. Its characteristic odor is unpleasant. Ingestion is fatal and leads to irreversible liver damage. A little more often than with other toadstools it is sometimes mistaken for mushrooms - this is especially true of young individuals.
Is it possible to eat a toadstool? Is the red toadstool edible?
Is it possible to eat red toadstools? How does amanita muscaria work? In principle, the mushroom can be eaten, since heat treatment largely removes toxic substances from it. According to some sources, it is necessary to cook the mushroom thoroughly and rinse it several times. Others, on the other hand, suggest that the compounds that the red toadstool contains are not as susceptible to high heat as originally assumed. In the situation of accidental ingestion of a particularly fresh mushroom, one can call the Toxicology Information Centers or report to the emergency room, where the affected person will be given the necessary assistance.
The red flytrap and its legality
Nowadays, recreational consumption of Amanita muscaria is becoming increasingly popular. Mostly people use it for microdosing in order to achieve certain "therapeutic" effects. Hence, the question arises about the legality of such conduct. However, it turns out that currently it is not illegal to collect, dry, gather and even consume Amanita muscaria for the purpose of intoxication. However, the Znamens of a crime the act would carry if the mushrooms were given to another person - however, there is no known case of anyone getting into legal trouble over this (for giving poison).
Red toadstool - recipe
How to prepare a red toadstool for consumption? As a general rule, the safest and practiced by the Japanese in traditional cooking, for example, is to dry the mushrooms. This can be done in the oven or in the air. In the first case, it is recommended to do it at 70-80 degrees for a period of 5.5 to 8 hours. In the second, on the other hand, the mushrooms should lie in the sun for at least 3 days. After this procedure, it is worth reheating them to about 70 degrees in order to get rid of the toxic ibotenic acid. Then it is good to overcook them.
An alternative is to boil the mushrooms at least twice for at least 5 minutes. To make them tastier, they can be served with roasted onions, wine and bread. Some people marinate mushrooms cooked this way in jars with vinegar. If you want to create a red toadstool tincture (not for drinking!), you need to dunk the fresh fruiting bodies in spirit, and then set them aside in a dry and dark place for 2-3 months.
Some prefer not to eat the red toadstool itself, but the water decoction of its fruiting body, which is made after boiling it several times. To prepare the toadstool for eating, choose those specimens that are not wormy. In addition, when drying mushrooms in the sun, insects should be prevented from getting to the mushrooms. These often attract them with their smell - hence the idea of using them as fly traps in the Middle Ages.
EMPHASIZE - WE DO NOT RECOMMEND CONSUMING TOADSTOOLS - YOU PROBABLY WON'T DIE FROM IT, BUT THERE IS A LACK OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TO MAKE A FULLY INFORMED DOSE OF THESE SUBSTANCES.
Amanita muscaria - action
Ailments after recreational consumption of toadstool are unpredictable - there is a very strong psychedelic effect, which can be both positive and negative. Typical psychedelic symptoms are characteristic - increased sensation, blurred vision, amplification of viewed colors, increased muscle tension. Some compounds such as muscarin are responsible for linking Amanita muscaria to severe gastrointestinal complaints. Sweating or hand tremors are also common, as is lethargy. Dementia and anxiety and restlessness also sometimes occur. After ingestion of the mushroom, levels of serotonin, dopamine and acetylcholine increase. However, the level of norepinephrine decreases.
Red toadstool - medicinal properties
What does the red toadstool help with? In the Middle Ages, it was used for certain skin problems and ailments such as shaking hands. It was used only in homeopathic doses. Although there are no sources on the medicinal properties of Amanita muscaria, in natural medicine it is attributed to such effects as:
- Reduction of neuropathic pain or such pain of unknown etiology,
- Opening the mind, improving the feeling of emotions, strengthening feelings for loved ones,
- Relieving stress, the ailments caused by it and instilling a sense of euphoria,
- inducing vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating all over the body.
Some sources report soothing and calming effects of Amanita muscaria. However, experts and doctors say that red toadstool, regardless of whether consumed in small or large doses, has no medicinal effect. It can only produce symptoms somewhat reminiscent of those experienced after consuming LSD and other psychedelics. Moreover, a case has been documented in which a person who consumed Amanita suffered from paranoid psychosis. Despite the fact that theoretically the red toadstool should fully disappear from the body within 24 hours after ingestion, the symptoms persisted for several days.
Red toadstool, in the form of a tincture applied externally only, can have medicinal properties. It is attributed with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-edema effects. When applied to the skin, it can help resolve some dermatological problems. It speeds up wound healing and makes life easier for patients suffering from eczema. However, because much better agents are now available, red toadstool is not usually used even in an external administration regimen.
Can red toadstool cause harm? Side effects other than poisoning
Long-term use of these mushrooms is likely to cause brain damage - although studies on rats have shown that small doses can have the opposite effect. Urine excreted by people who have previously consumed a dose that causes hallucinations also contains amounts of hallucinogenic substances. The donor's body then acts as a kind of filter and deprives the fly of toxic substances.
This is probably what gave rise to the tradition of consuming the urine of a shaman after religious rituals using mushrooms such as the red toadstool. The toxic substances that mushrooms contain penetrate the blood-brain barrier, but do not cause damage to organs such as the kidneys or liver - provided, of course, that the fruiting body is not mistaken for another species of the same family.
Red toadstool - dosage
The popularity of search terms such as "Amanita muscaria - microdosing" indicates considerable interest in this substance. Small doses of this specific are known to be used, but other substances, also derived from mushrooms, are much more popular.
In the case of dried food, the matter is much simpler. It is suggested to consume 1-5 g of dried food at a time. In microdosing, 0.5 g of dried is not exceeded. This information, of course, should be considered only as a curiosity, as we do not encourage the use of Amanita muscaria. It is also worth knowing that it is generally claimed that the content of ibotenic acid and muscimol is much higher in the red skin than in other parts of the mushroom.
Amanita muscaria - experiences
This highlights the fact that the effects experienced by people after consuming the mushroom are largely dependent on the sociocultural setting and environment in which the red toadstool is consumed. The term "set&setting" refers to this. The first part of this phrase is related to the attitude of the subject consuming the psychoactive substance, while the second part is related to the stimuli provided by the environment. The psychedelic experience is then the resultant of these - it can be both positive and negative/anxiety.
After ingestion of the species in question, pupil dilation, dry mouth or impaired perception are evident. Interestingly, there was no increase in aggressive behavior, despite reports of Viking use of toadstool. Thus, the hypothesis that perhaps the Vikings used an entirely different substance before their battles is confirmed. Any symptoms after consuming toadstool usually subside within 24 hours. The intoxicated state usually persists between 4 and 12 h, but this depends on the dose taken.
Because the red toadstool contains highly hallucinogenic substances, it has been used in shamanic and religious rituals. It is because of this property that it is also used recreationally by some. Pickled mushrooms, red toadstool tincture or its powdered form are particularly popular. Red toadstool can cause delirious and dissociative disorders. In addition, it significantly distorts the perception of reality and can induce Alice in Wonderland syndrome.
It includes sensory - sensory disturbances and hallucinations. It gives the feeling that one's body is out of proportion to its surroundings, or can make an intoxicated person believe that there have been disturbing changes in his body such as a sudden increase or decrease in height. In addition, among the classic symptoms of the syndrome are disturbances in orientation, perception of distance, balance, perception of textures or sounds. Other experiences that can occur include:
- conscious dreaming - either on waking or during a nap, which is where mushroom-intoxicated people often go,
- colorful perception of the world or synesthesia, that is, the sensation of being able to "smell or touch" colors or almost tangibly "feel" sounds,
- the impression of sharpening the senses, especially touch or hearing - quiet sounds from afar seem as loud as if the noisy subject were right next door,
- A sense of inertia or, much less frequently, a desire to move and motor revival.
Red toadstool and symptoms of poisoning
Amanita muscaria poisoning can be recognized mainly by the fact that it alternates between agitation and drowsiness. During the agitation phase, convulsions are particularly common, while during the drowsiness phase, unconsciousness, which sometimes ends in death. The first symptoms of poisoning can appear between 30 minutes and several hours (usually 2) after ingesting a dose. They include symptoms such as vomiting, malaise and diarrhea. General weakness, headaches, coordination and sensory disturbances also appear.
Serious poisoning affects a handful who consume these mushrooms. Much more often after eating Amanita muscaria Patients die of heart failure or respiratory depression. As we have already mentioned, poisoning also sometimes occurs when a toadstool is mistaken for another species of the same family (this is legally impossible).
Treatment of muscarinic syndrome and Amanita muscaria poisoning
In the case of muscarinic syndrome standard for some Amanita fungi, atropine is administered, which can be an antidote in some cases, but it depends on what exactly (what type of fungus) the patient has ingested. At the same time, phisostigmine (eserine) is administered, which makes the use of atropine safe - this one stabilizes its effect. In other cases, unfortunately, the antidote does not exist and only symptomatic treatment is used. The sooner the patient gets to the hospital, the better his chances of survival.
The basic action with which to start in the ward is to perform gastric lavage. In the case of domestic poisoning, some recommend vomiting the harmful substance (applicable only to fungi - never, for example, to corrosives) or using activated charcoal and going immediately to a doctor. Due to frequent convulsions and motor disturbances, sometimes sedatives such as benzodiazepines are also administered - orally or intravenously. Patients are sent to intensive care, where their vital signs can be better controlled.
Amanita muscaria - Hyperreal
The red toadstool is a mushroom that arouses quite a bit of controversy, so it is common for topics related to it to be raised on various forums. There, people who recreationally consume toadstools share their observations and opinions. They describe their states and the hallucinations they experienced after using Amanita muscaria. They also point out that the effect of the mushroom is influential:
- The time of its collection, the place where it was found and its personal characteristics,
- The process of drying, cooking or other types of processing,
- The way it is taken - smoking is not recommended.
It is worth remembering that the narcotic effect of the mushroom is mainly due to the presence of neurotoxins in its composition. It is not safe and can risk poisoning, among other things. Moreover, this is also pointed out by participants in discussions on forums.
Amanita muscaria - current research
Muscimol derivatives, which the red toadstool contains, have been thoroughly studied. After appropriate processing, it was possible to use them in some drugs for epilepsy. In rodent studies, it was shown that muscimol administered in relatively large doses induced memory lapses and cognitive impairment in rodents. In the case of microdosing (0.01 and 0.05 mg/kg body weight), the pattern was completely different - the substance showed neuroprotective effects.
In the future, attempts are likely to be made to use this substance or its derivatives in drugs for Parkinson's disease. Studies have also been conducted (including on rodents) on the analgesic effects of mousciol. Their results confirmed that microdosing muscimol succeeded in reducing neuropathic pain in animals.
Microdosing psilocybin - read article HERE!
Myths about Amanita muscaria
Recently, a lot of myths about Amanita muscaria have proliferated, which is related to the growing interest around this mushroom. In forums and on the Internet you can find a huge number of statements from people who have tried to consume the specimens they found. Among the most popular myths are that:
- Red toadstool is a deadly poisonous mushroom or that it is perfectly safe to consume,
- Has strong therapeutic properties that can be hoped for with a microdosing regimen (it is possible that it does - but more studies are lacking)
- its consumption for intoxication induces pleasant hallucinations and a state of euphoria - negative experiences are just as likely as positive ones
- The red toadstool is one of the most commonly consumed mushrooms for intoxication in recent times - although the statistics of admissions to toxicology wards certainly don't reflect the scale of the phenomenon, it's probably much more popular, for example. psilocybin mushrooms (which have proven lower toxicity and proven therapeutic effects)
- heat treatment of the mushroom gives 100% certainty related to its safety - unfortunately, this is not the case, because with regard to mushrooms you can never be sure unless you are an expert in recognizing them.
Interesting facts about the species Amanita muscaria
In the literature you can find quite a few references and descriptions of the use of Amanita muscaria among Siberian tribes or other peoples - including those living today. In addition, one comes across interesting facts such as that:
- The red toadstool was one of the oldest mushrooms used to put oneself into a trance and perform religious rituals.
- To this day, some Siberian tribes take decoctions and other forms of Amanita muscaria during traditional shamanic meetings and to treat a variety of ailments.
- The red toadstool is the most easily recognizable, is the symbol of poisonous mushrooms and is probably the most common species in pop culture, as well as ancient legends and paintings.
- Amanita muscaria has now become a new trend on the Polish drug scene thanks to the well-known tiktococcus (2023). This has increased the number of people showing up in toxicology wards with symptoms of poisoning from red toadstools or related species, as doctors confirm.
- it is likely that the growing interest in collecting and consuming the mushrooms in question will soon lead to new legislation that will more closely regulate their marketing or the right to possess them (we will see in November 2024)
- in people who have been poisoned by toadstool, symptoms such as pupil dilation, hallucinations, agitation or drowsiness, vomiting and diarrhea were most often seen on observation in toxicology clinics
In conclusion, in theory, mushrooms such as Amanita muscaria can be eaten, but special attention should be paid to their proper identification and handling. It may sometimes be better to consider other species due to the relatively high risk of poisoning, death or negative experiences. In the event that an intentional or accidental poisoning should occur, it is best to contact the Toxicology Information Center, a doctor or emergency services.
- Great article by a psychologist on toadstool - the best we know: TerapiaNowczesna.pl - about Amanita
NOTE: We have never sold and do not sell red toadstools - or any other toadstools. We only sell approved goods - such as: mycelium, spores, books, mushroom supplements (coming soon)
Sources:
Pilát A., Ušák O., Small atlas of fungi, 1977
Till R.Lohmeyer, Ute Kũnkele, Mushrooms. Recognizing and collecting, 2006
https://hyperreal.info/amanita-muscaria-muchomor-czerwony-chemia-biologia-toksykologia-etnomikologia
Chwaluk P., Przybysz I., Red toadstool intoxication in Poland-new trend on the drug scene or modern adaptation of foreign traditions? Literature review and clinical report, 2015
Łukasik-Głębocka, M., Drużdż, A., Naskręt, M. Clinical picture and circumstances of acute poisoning by red toadstool (Amanita muscaria) and spotted toadstool (Amanita pantherina), 2011
Zarzynski, P. Red toadstool- truth and myths. Las Polski, 2001
Babicki J., Red toadstool-Amanita muscaria, researchgate.net
Satora L., Red fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) English fly agaric