Fly Agaric
Fly Agaric with the Latin name Amanita muscaria is a beautiful and literally fabulous ornament of our forests. This iconic mushroom , with its bright scarlet-red cap dotted with white spots, was probably the oldest and most widespread etheogen ever known to mankind. It is usually found in temperate coniferous forests of the northern hemisphere, primarily in northern Europe and Asia, but also in North America. It forms a mycorrhiza (i.e. symbiotic coexistence of fungi with the roots of higher plants) with birch and conifers, and for this reason it has still not been domesticated for domestic or laboratory cultivation.
Amanita Muscaria and other species of the genus Amanita can be toxic when eaten raw. Several lethally poisonous species are also related to the genus, including Amanita phalloides (known as the Green Toadflax).
HISTORY
Its fascinating history goes deep into the shamanic traditions of Siberia, Scandinavia and other cultures where it was used for its psychoactive effects in religious and ritual ceremonies. Fly Agaric is associated with mysticism and the fairy tale world. Its visual form has inspired countless myths, fairy tales and folklore stories, and to this day it remains a symbol of the magical connection between man and nature. In the local traditions of Central Europe, mushroom was seen as a gateway to the world of nymphs, fairies and dwarves, and was also associated with the afterlife.
Records of the use of Amanita in ritual drinks date back to 4,000 years ago. The indigenous peoples of northern and eastern European countries believed that mushroom had healing properties and used it to relieve pain, inflammation and anxiety, among other things. It also served as a stimulant - Siberian reindeer herders of the Khanty and Koryak tribes used dried toadstool to gain more energy to keep up with the herd and as a sleeping aid. Koryak shamans reportedly revered Toadstool for its ability to connect with the spirit realm and used it in divination. In Slovenia, mushroom has been used for centuries to kill insects - Slovenians dipped it in milk or water to release substances that attract and kill flies (hence the name toadstool, or the English name Fly agaric). In Lithuania, mushroom is said to have been soaked in vodka, which was consumed at wedding receptions. According to ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson, it was used to make a divine drink called somaknown from the hymns of the ancient Hindu Vedas, which had the power to lead its worshippers into ecstatic states "between heaven and earth". The toadstool is also associated with the legend of Santa Claus, not only because of the colour of his clothes, but also because of the flying reindeer. These animals literally love toadstools. After ingesting them, they behave like drunks, making strange noises and running around aimlessly. This has led indigenous peoples to collect and ingest their urine as a safer way of using the fungus as a hallucinogen.
CHEMISTRY
Mushroom Amanita muscaria is known for its content of active substances, which are alkaloids muscarinic, muscimol and ibotenic acid. Most of these substances are found in the red skin on the top of the cap and in the yellow tissue underneath, so the mushrooms are peeled and then flaked before consumption.
Muscarine is a potent stimulant of the acetylcholine receptors of the parasympathetic nervous system. Depending on the dose, it causes watery eyes, salivation, excessive sweating, slow heart rate, blurred vision, vomiting and abdominal pain. It is found in trace amounts (0.02% of dry weight) in the Fly Agaric mushroom and is the weakest psychoactive compound. Muscarine also has effects on smooth muscle (respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract), has effects on the bladder and circulatory system, and is also associated with sexual arousal.
Muscimol is a substance that depresses the central nervous system by binding to GABA(a) receptors. When interacting with these receptors, muscimol can cause changes in perception of reality and thinking. Mild hallucinations, distortion of the senses and deeper emotional experiences may occur. However, muscimol is primarily a sedative alkaloid, which is responsible for the relaxing effects of toadstool.
Ibotenic acid interacts with glutamate receptors, which makes it more stimulating and energizing compared to muscimol. When mushrooms contain more ibotenic acid than muscimol, users typically report confusion, agitation and euphoria.
EFFECTS
In folk medicine, Fly Agaric was used as an antidote for poisonous snake bites and joint diseases. Due to its content of substances such as ibotenic acid and muscimol, the mushroom has been used medicinally by tribal communities in northern and eastern Europe and Russia for hundreds of years for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic (reducing tension, fear, anxiety, fatigue or choking imbalances) and stimulant effects. These two substances affect the nervous system and can induce altered states of consciousness. When properly processed, ibotenic acid is converted to muscimol, which has relaxing and hypnotic effects and can promote deep, restorative sleep. Thus, muscimol extracts have recently often been presented as an effective treatment for insomnia.
Studies in recent years have also looked at microdosing of Amanita. It appears that this method of application may have therapeutic potential for a wide range of ailments - treatment of depression, insomnia, migraines, allergies, gingivitis, heartburn, eczema, psoriasis, epilepsy, hypertension and hormonal dysfunction. Participants also reported pain relief and successful discontinuation of addiction to alcohol, nicotine, opiates, caffeine and other narcotics.
PSYCHOACTIVE EFFECTS OF AMANITA
Experts consider toadstool to be psychoactive, but not a traditional psychedelic. The substances contained in the brain act differently, primarily on receptors that can induce an ethereal, dreamlike and sedative state. People often fall into a deep sleep after Amanita intoxication, with visions and insights commonly occurring in dreams.
The psychoactive effects of Amanita generally include physical relaxation or sedation, euphoria and a dream-like state, blurred vision, and loss of motor skills. In addition, some users may experience mild to extreme nausea or convulsions. In extreme cases, temporary insanity or coma has occurred, making Toadstool one of the most mysterious mushroom species. Symptoms appear 30 to 90 minutes after consuming this mushroom and are most intense after 2 to 3 hours.
CONTRAINDICATIONS, SAFETY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE USE OF AMANITA
Despite its toxicity, Fly Agaric is not lethally toxic, but unprofessional use can lead to adverse (aforementioned) effects. If Fly Agaric is used, it is essential that its drying, preparation (ibotenic acid decarboxylation process) and safe dosage are properly carried out.
DOSAGE AND PREPARATION
Amanita is safe to use for microdosing in quantities of 0.5 - 1g of dried mushroom. It is ideal to simmer it for 20-30 minutes in boiling water with a squeeze of lemon to decarboxylate ibotenic acid, which is toxic in higher concentrations.
Extracts with Muscimol are safe to dose at 5-10mg per dose to promote relaxation and quality sleep.
SYNERGISTIC COMBINATIONS
Reishi
It promotes relaxation and may reduce over-excitement and agitation when the toadstool is insufficiently decarboxylated.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
It promotes sedative effects and harmonizes digestion, which can help against the nausea that sometimes occurs after eating toadstools.
CBD
It promotes relaxation and may reduce over-excitement and agitation when the toadstool is insufficiently decarboxylated.
Blue lotus
It promotes relaxation and complements the meditative and contemplative effect of toadstool.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
It promotes relaxation and may reduce over-excitement and agitation when the toadstool is insufficiently decarboxylated.
RESOURCES USED:
Baba Masha, M.D., Microdosing with Amanita Muscaria. Creativity, Healing, and Recovery with the Sacred Mushroom, 2022.
Hobbs Christopher, Christopher Hobbs's Medicinal Mushrooms. The Essential Guide, 2020.
Wolf-Dieter Storl, Herbal Traditions of Wise Women and Men or a Deeper Look into the World of Herbs. Prague 2011.
https://www.califarms.cz/rubriky/blog/muchomurka-cervena-a-psychedelicke-houby-psilocybin-jaky-je-rozdil/
https://www.acslab.com/mushrooms/amanita-muscaria-vs-psychedelic-mushrooms#5
https://www.acslab.com/mushrooms/amanita-muscaria-history-toxicology
https://animamundiherbals.com/blogs/blog/5-poisonous-plants-used-since-ancient-times
