Amanita muscaria at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Species
- Amanita muscaria (fly agaric)
- Active compounds
- Muscimol (GABA-A agonist) and ibotenic acid (glutamate agonist)
- Drug class
- Sedative-hallucinogenic (deliriant)
- US legal status
- Not federally controlled; not authorized for use in food (FDA, 2024); banned in Louisiana
- Forms
- Dried caps, gummies, chocolates, tinctures, vapes
- Onset
- 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Not the same as
- Psilocybin ('magic') mushrooms
What is amanita muscaria?
Amanita muscaria has a long history of use in parts of Siberia and appears in folklore. Since 2022, products containing it or its extracts have been sold widely as 'legal mushroom' gummies.[1]
In 2024, Diamond Shruumz products sickened about 180 people across the country, with three deaths investigated. Testing found muscimol along with other substances. In December 2024 the FDA told industry that Amanita muscaria and its compounds muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine are not authorized for use in food.[1]
Amanita muscaria effects and how long they last
Effects include drowsiness, dream-like states, confusion, distorted perception, euphoria or agitation, muscle twitching, and nausea. They are closer to a sedative or deliriant state than to a psilocybin trip.[1]
Amanita muscaria side effects and risks
Poisoning: vomiting, confusion, agitation, seizures, low blood pressure, and coma, especially in children and with large amounts.[1]
Mislabeled products: gummies marketed as 'magic' or 'legal' mushrooms have contained undisclosed or synthetic substances.[1]
Misidentification: foragers can confuse Amanita species, including the deadly death cap (Amanita phalloides), which causes liver failure.
Warning: Do not forage wild Amanita mushrooms. Several Amanita species are deadly, and look-alikes are easy to confuse.
Amanita muscaria interactions: what is dangerous to mix with it
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Deeper sedation and confusion | Avoid |
| Benzodiazepines, sleep medicines, opioids | Profound sedation | High risk |
| Other hallucinogens | Unpredictable delirium | High risk |
This is not a full list. Combining substances raises the risk of harm, especially when the contents of street drugs are unknown.
Amanita muscaria overdose: signs and what to do
Amanita poisoning causes vomiting, confusion, hallucinations, muscle jerking, seizures, and coma. Children are especially at risk. Call Poison Help or 911.[1]
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, hard to wake, or breathing slowly.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US, free, 24 hours).
- If opioids could be involved, including pills not from a pharmacy, give naloxone if you have it. Naloxone does not reverse amanita muscaria, but it will not harm the person.
- Stay with the person and place them on their side if they are drowsy or vomiting.
Is Amanita muscaria addictive?
Little is known. Muscimol acts on GABA receptors like sedatives, so frequent use could plausibly cause tolerance, but no clear withdrawal syndrome has been described.[1]
- Next dayAfter-effectsGrogginess, headache, and fatigue.
- DaysUnknownEffects of regular use are poorly studied.
- If worriedGet supportA clinician or SAMHSA's helpline can help.
Is amanita muscaria legal in the US? Schedule and legal status
Amanita muscaria, muscimol, and ibotenic acid are not federally controlled substances. The FDA has said they are not authorized for use in conventional food.[1]
- State law: Louisiana banned Amanita muscaria in 2024, and other states have proposed restrictions.
Where can someone get help with amanita muscaria use?
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish. It gives referrals to local treatment and support.[2]
- FindTreatment.gov: a federal locator for state-licensed treatment programs, searchable by location, payment, and type of care.[3]
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for a mental health or substance use crisis.
- Your own clinician: a primary care doctor can screen, treat, and refer, and can discuss medicines that support recovery where they exist.
Amanita muscaria legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| International | Not under UN control; controlled in a few countries |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[4]
Common questions about amanita muscaria
Is Amanita muscaria the same as magic mushrooms?
No. Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin; Amanita muscaria contains muscimol and ibotenic acid, with very different effects and risks.
Are Amanita gummies legal?
They are not federally controlled, but the FDA says the mushroom is not authorized for food, and some states ban it.
Can Amanita muscaria kill you?
Deaths are rare but poisoning can be serious, and confusing it with other Amanita species can be fatal.
What happened with Diamond Shruumz?
In 2024 these gummies were linked to about 180 illnesses and investigated deaths, leading to a recall.
Does Amanita show up on drug tests?
Standard drug tests do not detect muscimol.
Sources
- FDA Alerts Industry and Consumers About the Use of Amanita muscaria or its Constituents in Food. US Food and Drug Administration, December 2024.
- National Helpline. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
