Red toadstool (Amanita muscaria) i psilocybin mushrooms - known as hallucinogens - are objects of interest for their psychoactive properties, but their effects, active substances and risks of consumption vary considerably.
Directory
1. Active substances
- Red toadstool: It mainly contains muscimol and ibotenic acid. Ibotenic acid is partially converted into muscymol, which is responsible for its psychoactive effects. Muscymol acts on GABA receptors, leading to sedative effects, hallucinations and altered perception of reality.
- Psilocybin mushrooms: The active substance is psilocybin, which is converted in the body to psilocin, which binds to serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors. Psilocin produces intense hallucinogenic effects, as well as perceptual and emotional changes.
2. Effects and course of action macrodaw
- Red toadstool: Effects begin about 45 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. Drowsiness, dream-like effects, distorted perception and a feeling of "lightness" or "difficulty" in the body are often observed. The effects tend to be less intense than with psilocybin and last about 4-6 hours.
- Psilocybin mushrooms: The effects are much more intense and complex. Experiencers can see patterns, feel a deep connection with nature or their own self, and the perception of time is also altered. The effect begins after 20-40 minutes, and usually lasts from 4 to 6 hours.
3. Safety and toxicity
- Red toadstool: Widely considered toxic, but its toxicity is not as high as that of some other poisonous mushrooms. Muscimol and ibotenic acid can cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea, excessive sweating and even unconsciousness, especially at higher doses.
- Psilocybin mushrooms: They are relatively safe at controlled doses, although they can lead to strong psychological experiences that can be unpleasant, especially under unsuitable conditions (the so-called "bad trip"). The physical risks themselves are relatively low (negligible even), but excessive consumption can lead to psychological discomfort.
4. Application across cultures
- Red toadstool: It was used in some cultures of Siberia, where shamans used it for ritual and medicinal purposes. In Scandinavia and some European cultures, it was attributed magical properties.
- Psilocybin mushrooms: These mushrooms have been used for centuries by indigenous peoples of Central and South America in religious and spiritual ceremonies, where they act as a tool for contacting spirits or obtaining visions.
5. Legal status
Both types of mushrooms are regulated by law in many countries, including Poland, where their possession or consumption is prohibited. [as for toadstool is updated Nov. 24)
1. Research on psilocybin mushrooms
- Number of tests: Dozens of clinical trials for psilocybin have been underway in recent years, and many of them are already completed or in advanced stages of analysis. Psilocybin is currently being studied as a potential treatment for depression, PTSD, terminal illness anxiety, addiction and other mental disorders.
- Scale of research: According to medical databases such as ClinicalTrials.gov, there are currently more than 50 registered clinical trials on psilocybin, some of which have been completed and many still ongoing at various stages (Phases I, II and III).
2. Research on red toadstool
No clinical trials: The red flytrap is not the subject of many clinical trials related to potential therapeutic use.
Limited number of studies: The red fly is much less studied in a scientific context. Studies on muscimol and ibotenic acid mainly focus on toxicological aspects and mechanisms of action on the nervous system, but their number is much smaller than studies on psilocybin.
3. The toadstool is not a psychedelic
Red toadstool (the substances it contains) is not a classic psychedelic, but is classified as a dissociative substance. This difference is important because it affects how the substances contained in the toadstool affect the brain and what effects they produce. The main active substances of red toadstool - muscimol and ibotenic acid - act primarily on GABA receptors, producing sedative effects, a sense of detachment from the body and altered perception, but without the classic visual and emotional hallucinations that psychedelics cause.
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, act on serotonin receptors (especially 5-HT2A), leading to profound changes in perception, mood and consciousness. These effects are more introspective and often include intense visual experiences and feelings of oneness with the environment. As a dissociative, red flies induce more dreamlike visions, often compared to semi-conscious states, as well as feelings of disorientation and "separation" from reality. These effects can give the impression of a dream or trance, without the intense visual sensations characteristic of classic psychedelics.
Comparison table
| Features | Red Flytrap (Amanita muscaria) | Psylocybin mushrooms (Psilocybe) |
|---|---|---|
| Active substances | Muscymol, ibotenic acid and others | Psylocybin, psilocin and others |
| Mechanism of action | Acts on GABA receptors | Acts on serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors |
| Effects | Sedation, changes in perception, drowsiness | Intense hallucinations, changes in perception and emotions - dose-dependent and S&S-dependent. |
| Toxicity | Moderate, can cause nausea and dizziness. Cases of poisoning requiring intensive care are known. | Very low, but strong psychological effects |
| Security | Requires caution; unpleasant effects at higher doses. There is talk of possible brain damage. | Relatively safe in controlled doses. . |
| Cultural application | Traditional Siberian rituals | Spiritual ceremonies in Central and South America |
| Status of research | Limited research; some preliminary studies on therapeutic potential | Intensively researched (more than 50 clinical trials) |
| Therapeutic potential | Preliminary studies on use in anxiety and pain | Research on depression, PTSD, addiction and more |
Bibliography
- Muscimol and ibotenic acid: effects on the central nervous system. (2020). Neuroscience Letters.
- Research on the effects of muscimol and ibotenic acid on the nervous system and their potential therapeutic applications.
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin. (2021). New England Journal of Medicine.
- A review of clinical trials of psilocybin in the context of depression and PTSD treatment.
- Psychedelics in Psychiatry. (2021). The American Journal of Psychiatry.
- An article discussing the use of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, in psychiatry.
- Amanita muscaria: A review of its ethnobotany, pharmacology and toxicology. (2019). Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
- A review of studies on the ethnobotany, pharmacology, and toxicology of red toadstool.
- Psilocybin for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2022). Journal of Psychopharmacology.
- A systematic review of studies on psilocybin as a treatment for depression.
- ClinicalTrials.gov. National Library of Medicine.
- A clinical trials database with information on ongoing and completed studies of psilocybin and other substances.
- The Safety and Efficacy of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy.. (2021). Lancet Psychiatry.