By Kenny Berman
– Family: Agaricea
– Genus: Amanita
– Species: muscaria
-Common names: Fly Agaric, Fly Amanita, Fly fungus, “Fairytale” mushroom and Toadstool. Note: “Toadstool” is more of a generic term to describe any unknown, gilled mushroom.
– Description: The Agarics are the gilled fungus (mushrooms). The Amanita genus start their growth in an “egg-like” volva from which the fruiting body breaks through before the characteristics of the typical mushroom shape become apparent. These mushrooms are white stalked, with typical red or orange, white spotted caps. They may range in color though, from white to dark brown. There is an annulus (ring) on the stalk and the white specs on the cap are remnants of the veil (from the volva). Their size can range from 7” in height with caps up to 10” in diameter. They are generally half that size.
-Habitat and distribution: The mushroom can be found fruiting in organic debris underneath birch and pine trees. Its mycelium forms a mutual, symbiotic relationship with the roots of these types of trees. It is found wherever there are native pine forests- Therefore its distribution is almost worldwide. It can be solitary or gregarious (grouped) in fruiting and sometimes grows in circles or “fairy rings”. Note: There has been little or no success in the cultivation of these mushrooms.
– Active alkaloids: Ibotenic acid and muscimol. Note: The true psychoactive component is muscimol. Although the mushroom contains only a small percentage of muscimol, it is in the decomposition of the ibotenic acid, in the drying process, that the muscimol is formed through loss of carbon dioxide.
– Toxicology classification: Hypnotic- hallucinogen, delirient.
– Legality: 100% legal worldwide except in the state of Louisiana and in the Netherlands.
– Traditional applications: Considered a sacred plant by the Siberian shamans and many other cultures in the world including people from N. America, C. America, Europe and Asia. It has generally been applied for healing, divination and communion with spirits.
-Preparation and dosage: Traditionally the Siberian shaman dried the mushrooms over a fire. The women then prepared the mushrooms for ingestion by chewing the mushroom first. It was then given to the men in small “pre-chewed” balls. It has also been known to be mixed with reindeer’s milk.
-Parts of mushroom applied: The whole mushroom is utilized.
-Effects: In smaller dosages (1-2 dried grams) it is a mild hallucinogenic with gregarious qualities. It can produce feelings of euphoric sociability accompanied by moments of jolliness, generosity and humor all intermingled with a contemplative introspection. In larger doses (3-7 dried grams) it can produce a lethargic, dreamy, euphoric visionary state. This is said to be the “true” Amanita mystical experience.
– Side effects: Although the active components are non-addictive they are still rather strong mind-altering agents. Therefore there can be fatigue after the experience or a general feeling of energy depletion probably due to some serotonin depletion. This tends to be rare and/or mild with a social dose and variable in higher doses, depending on each individual’s body chemistry.
– Contradictions: The active component is muscimol. This is a by-product of the decarboxylation of Ibotenic acid -which is TOXIC! It is NOT considered “deadly” and there have been NO REPORTED DEATHS of Amanita mucaria. Note: This IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED with OTHER Amanitas. The Genus Amanita DOES ALSO contain the DEADLIEST species of mushrooms known to man- Amanita virosa, “The Destroying Angel” and A. phalloides, ‘The Death Cap”. It would take eating two thirds of your body weight in fresh Amanita muscaria to possibly kill you. Fresh A. muscaria is much more toxic than dried due to a higher percentage of the Ibotenic acid. Note: Because the more toxic Ibotenic acid looses a cabon molecule (decarboxylation) in the drying process and converts to the more psychoactive Muscimol one CAN NOT CONSUME ANY CARBONATED BEVERAGES WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AMANITA MUSCARIA!! This will re-convert the Muscimol back into Ibotenic acid and one’s experience will take a very fast turn from pleasure to delirious nausea. A BIG NO! NO!
– Contemporary applications: Used only in Homeopathy generally for nervous disorders. There have been some reports of it containing anti-biotic qualities. Used also in neo-shamanic ritual and modern Dionysian style celebration.