Muscimol from the red amanita: Effects and Risks

What is muscimol and what are its effects? Everything you need to know 🍄

What is muscimol 🍄 and how does it differ from "classic psychedelics"?

Muscimol is a natural hallucinogenic substance (the main psychotropic alkaloid) found in the fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) and the related panther cap mushroom.

🧪 Chemically speaking, muscimol is actually a neurotoxin, a substance that can depress the central nervous system.

Fresh fly agaric mushrooms contain mainly ibotenic acid, which is converted to muscimol when the mushroom is dried or heated. This reduces the acute toxicity of the mushroom while retaining its psychoactive effects.

Psilocybin or LSD acts on serotonin receptors, while muscimol mimics the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and acts mainly through GABA-A receptors → the overall effect is more sedative-hypnotic and "dreamlike" than distinctly visually psychedelic.

What are the effects of muscimol and why are they so variable?

Users most often describe states that resemble a dream world on the border between wakefulness and sleep.

Some talk about a feeling of lightness, "floating" through space or a strange slowing down of time. At other times, vivid hallucinations, a feeling of disconnection from the body or a complete loss of time and place occur.

 The process usually occurs in two stages 👇:

  • First wave: slight elation, sometimes a slightly euphoric mood, changes in perception, sounds and lights seem different.
  • Sedation phase: drowsiness sets in, the body feels heavy, the user may fall into a deep sleep with intense dreams that seem almost supernatural.

Illustrations of fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) and colorful mushrooms, hallucinogenic effects associated with the substance muscimol, supplemented with the budsforbuddies logo

⚠️ On the other hand, there is often a downside: malaise, severe drowsiness, nausea, impaired coordination (falls are not uncommon), severe memory loss or confusion.

Effects according to dose

The effects of muscimol also depend on the size of the dose, with the line between "mild chill" and "total chaos" being quite narrow 🤯.

Low doses (up to approx. 10 mg of muscimol) 👇:

  • a slight "intoxication" reminiscent of alcohol—greater relaxation, fewer inhibitions
  • cheerfulness, laughter, elevated mood
  • feeling of lightness in the body, sometimes even dreamlike perception

Medium doses (10–15 mg) 👇:

  • noticeable disturbances in attention, thinking and speech
  • problems with orientation in time and space
  • Strange phenomena: echoes of sounds, déjà vu or bizarre illusions

High doses (15+ mg) 👇:

  • delirium: vivid hallucinations and a completely different perception of reality
  • severe confusion and restlessness
  • muscle twitching, uncoordinated movements, risk of injury

Muscimol often causes amnesia, especially in higher doses. This means that after the "trip", the person does not remember entire sections of what happened. In this respect, it differs fundamentally from classic "serotonin" psychedelics, where the experience is usually consistently stored in the memory.

Factors that influence the variability of effects

  • Mushroom chemistry 👉: Fly agaric contains not only muscimol, but also ibotenic acid and other substances. Their ratio varies depending on whether the mushroom is fresh, dried or heat-treated.
  • Active ingredient content 👉: the composition varies from piece to piece. One fly agaric mushroom may contain several times more muscimol than another. This means that even if you take the "same amount", the effect can be completely different.
  • Individual differences 👉: metabolism, body weight, how full a person is, fatigue, mental state—all of these play a role. What one person describes as a "mystical experience" may be perceived by another as unpleasant delirium.
  • Dosage 👉: doses are not standardised, and the effects are difficult to predict. A small change in quantity can mean the difference between a "light dreamy trip" and deep unconsciousness.
  • Combination with other substances 👉: Alcohol, sleeping pills or other drugs can multiply the effects and send them in a very dangerous direction.

User experiences and online community 💬🍄

There is an active community of people on the internet who are interested in Amanita muscaria and muscimol and share their experiences 🌐. Reddit runs the r/AmanitaMuscaria forum, where everything from trip reports and recipes for preparing fly agaric mushrooms to advice for complete beginners is discussed.

🔍 An analysis of nearly 1,000 posts and 9,500 comments from this subreddit showed that while experiences vary greatly, most people describe them positively.

What users mention most often 👇:

  • states of euphoria, introspection, and spiritual interest
  • less intense than LSD, but still a noticeable change in consciousness
  • Vivid dreams and a feeling of purification or relaxation after waking up are common

Negative experiences👇 :

  • primarily nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache (usually at the beginning)
  • a small number of people reported really bad trips with anxiety or panic

Why should experiences from the internet be taken with a grain of salt? 🤔

Experts point out that internet communities can be subject to selection bias. Those who had a "good evening" are usually the ones who participate in forums, while those who ended up in hospital don't write much about their experience on Reddit.

In addition, myths and misleading information also appear there, such as 👇:

  • Instructions for "safe preparation" of mushrooms → however, these procedures cannot guarantee that the mushroom will not be toxic.
  • Claims that mushrooms from a clean environment are not poisonous → this is nonsense!
  • Assurances about the legality and availability of muscimol → this may motivate other people to try it too.

Illustrations warning against experiences with fly agaric – picking, cooking, and eating mushrooms, comments and reports from online communities such as Reddit

💬 Online trip reports are fine for getting an idea of how people feel, but they are no substitute for scientific knowledge about the risks. With muscimol, it is doubly true that what is a pleasant dreamy evening for one person may end in another running around the streets in confusion and being taken to hospital.

High risk of overdose and poisoning ⚠️

Muscimol is a toxic substance that can cause poisoning if used improperly. The fly agaric is classified as a poisonous mushroom in mycology, and although it is not usually fatal, it can still cause serious health complications.

Fatal poisoning is rare. If those affected receive medical attention in time, most will survive the poisoning, but the course of the illness can be very unpleasant and dangerous.

Symptoms: poisoning from the fly agaric ☠️

When there is too much muscimol (or ibotenic acid), severe intoxication can occur👇 :

  • uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea
  • profuse sweating, tremors, twitching or convulsions
  • alternating aggression, delirium and deep sleep
  • in extreme cases, even unconsciousness and life-threatening conditions

Illustrations of the risks of fly agaric poisoning – skull symbol, poisonous mushrooms, and a frightened person, accompanied by the budsforbuddies logo

⚠️ There is no antidote. Doctors can only provide supportive care—monitoring breathing, heart activity, hydration and trying to manage the symptoms. Therefore, do not hesitate to call the emergency services if serious symptoms appear 🚑.

Toxicity in numbers

Muscimol has a treacherous line between efficacy and toxicity.

  • LD_50 (Lethal Dose): the dose at which half the population experiences adverse effects: estimated at around65 mg/kg body weight.
  • LD_50 (Lethal Dose): lethal dose for 50% of the population: approx. 8 mg/kg (data from tests on mice).

For comparison 👉: one dried fly agaric mushroom may contain about 6–10 mg of muscimol, but the content can vary significantly from piece to piece. That's the problem: you never know how much of the substance you are actually ingesting.

For an adult weighing 70 kg, a life-threatening amount would theoretically be as little as 30–60 mg of pure muscimol.

Risks beyond toxicity

  • Delirium and behaviour under the influence: a person may become confused, run around outside, injure themselves or get into dangerous situations.
  • Combination with other substances: alcohol, sleeping pills or opiates = high risk of fatal respiratory and cardiac depression.
  • Confusion with other mushrooms: after rain, the red cap can be washed away, making the mushroom resemble edible species → easy to confuse.

⚠️ Although modern medicine can treat most cases of intoxication, muscimol remains a treacherous and unpredictable substance. The risk lies not only in its toxicity, but also in the behaviour of people under its influence, which can be just as dangerous as the poison itself.

Why are "muscimol gummies" and "magic muscimol gummies" dangerous?

In recent years, sweets containing muscimol have appeared on the market, most often under the names "muscimol gummies" or "magic muscimol gummies".

The main risk with these gummies is that it is not known exactly how much muscimol they contain. Each batch, and even each sweet, can be of different strength, so there is a high risk of overdose.

These products usually do not undergo any serious quality control, and in addition to muscimol, other substances such as 4-AcO-DMT (a synthetic psychedelic similar to psilocybin), pregabalin and others have been found in the products.

⚠️ Cases have been reported in the Czech Republic, the EU and the USA where people ended up in hospital after consuming muscimol sweets. The relevant authorities have issued official warnings and some batches have been withdrawn from the market. In the USA, there have even been reports of deaths associated with the consumption of these "magic mushroom gummies".

Overall, poisoning is associated with serious symptoms 👇:

  • seizures
  • hallucinations
  • nausea
  • confusion
  • abnormal heart rhythm
  • significant increase or decrease in blood pressure

Illustrations warning of the dangers of "muscimol gummies" and "magic muscimol gummies" – red fly agaric mushrooms, poison bottles with skulls, hallucinations, and warnings of high risk of poisoning

Therapeutic potential: Does muscimol have any benefits?

Although muscimol is mainly discussed in relation to poisoning and risks, scientists are also investigating its potential therapeutic benefits.

What has research revealed so far? 👇

  • Mechanism of action: Muscimol acts as a potent GABA-A receptor agonist → meaning it can suppress nervous system activity. This is why scientists are wondering whether it could be used in conditions where the nervous system is "overstimulated".
  • Preclinical studies (animals, cells):
    • Its possible use in treating convulsions and epileptic seizures is being tested.
    • Its analgesic (pain-relieving) and neuroprotective effects are also being investigated, i.e. whether it can protect nerve cells from damage.
  • Clinical studies in humans: There are no reliable clinical studies What the community describes (relaxation, vivid dreams and introspective states) is not scientific evidence.

Muscimol may offer some potential benefits, particularly in the areas of epilepsy or neuroprotection, but in practical terms, the science is still in its infancy. There are no approved medicines or supplements based on muscimol.

Conclusion

Muscimol may be appealing due to its reputation as a "dream hallucinogen," but the reality is somewhat more complex. Although it can induce feelings of lightness and vivid dreams, it also carries with it negative experiences such as malaise, disorientation, nausea and, in worse cases, severe poisoning. The transition from an interesting experience to an "ambulance ride" can be rapid and unpredictable.

Muscimol is fascinating from a scientific point of view, but in practice it remains a toxic and unpredictable neurotoxin. And what makes it even more risky? The fact that you never know how much of the active ingredient is in a particular mushroom or sweet.

Although people describe the use of fly agaric to relieve chronic pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia in discussions, there are currently no clinical studies proving the effectiveness of muscimol for such conditions.

FAQ

1. How long does it take for muscimol to take effect?

The first effects usually begin to appear 30–90 minutes after ingestion (e.g., tea/decoction of fly agaric or extract). The peak of the experience occurs after about 2-3 hours, and overall intoxication can last around 6–8 hours.

The duration and intensity may vary depending on individual factors (metabolism, active ingredient content in the mushroom, whether the person has eaten, etc.).

2. What are the common side effects?

Common side effects, which occur mainly at the beginning, include 👇:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • excessive salivation and sweating
  • malaise and severe drowsiness
  • headaches
  • fatigue

Studies and user surveys also suggest interesting differences between the sexes. Women are more likely to report headaches after taking muscimol, while men are more likely to report gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps) and significant drowsiness.

3. Can muscimol cause a "bad trip"?

Yes. Although some describe their experience as dreamlike and peaceful, others report anxiety, confusion, severe nausea or complete loss of control, which is called a "bad trip" and is quite common with muscimol.

4. Is muscimol legal?

The legal status of muscimol (and therefore also fly agaric) varies from country to country 🌍. It usually falls somewhere in the grey area between food legislation and the regulation of psychoactive substances.

👉 Unlike psilocybin or THC, muscimol is not explicitly listed as a prohibited narcotic or psychotropic substance in most countries.

👉 The European Union does not yet have uniform regulations. At the EU level, Amanita muscaria and muscimol are not listed as controlled substances, so the status of this mushroom and substance is handled differently by each country, and in most European countries it falls into a grey area.

👉 In the US, muscimol is not listed as a controlled substance at the federal level, and the possession of fly agaric mushrooms is legal. However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has banned their sale for human consumption.

👉 In Australia, muscimol is classified in the strictest category, Schedule 9 (Prohibited Substances), according to the Poisons Standard. This means that the possession and use of fly agaric is de facto illegal, with the exception of approved research.

5. What are muscimol tablets?

Muscimol tablets are products containing extract from the fly agaric mushroom or related species. They are produced in the form of capsules or tablets containing either a standardised extract or dried and ground mushroom material.

👉 Effect: similar to the decoction: sedative, dreamlike and hypnotic.

👉 Risks: unpredictable dosage, toxicity and no quality control.

6. What is a muscimol shot?

A muscimol shot is a drink (small bottle) containing an extract of fly agaric mushrooms with muscimol. It is mainly sold online as a "legal psychedelic" or "relaxation drink". A shot is essentially a liquid form of the same risk as tablets or gummies.

7. Can muscimol be addictive?

According to available sources, there are currently no studies proving the development of physical dependence on muscimol.

Unlike alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines or kratom (which contains the alkaloid mitragynine, which poses a risk of addiction), muscimol shows no signs of physical dependence.

Neither studies nor reviews to date indicate that it causes withdrawal symptoms or the need to increase doses.

However, some user reports mention a desire to repeat the experience, which can be understood as psychological dependence (craving).

8. What is the dosage of muscimol?

There is no official safe dosage, as muscimol is not an approved medicine or dietary supplement. In addition, the content of active substances varies dramatically from piece to piece (mushroom, extract, gummies, tablet and shot).

It is reported that:

  • low doses can have a mildly relaxing effect.
  • medium doses lead to attention disorders, disorientation and dreamlike states.
  • High doses carry the risk of delirium, hallucinations, muscle twitching, and severe poisoning.

The problem is that what starts as a fascinating experience can easily turn into poisoning. Therefore, experts agree that no "safe dose" of muscimol can be recommended.

The dosage of muscimol (and red fly agaric) is unpredictable, depending on individual sensitivity and the content of the substance in a particular product. Experimentation is therefore always associated with great risk.

9. What is the difference between muscimol and psilocybin?

  • Muscimol acts mainly on GABA receptors (primarily via GABA-A receptors) → it has a more sedative, hypnotic and dreamlike effect.
  • Psilocybin acts on serotonin receptors (specifically 5-HT2A and partially others) → induces classic psychedelic hallucinations and changes in consciousness (already in clinical trials for depression).

 

Sources:

  

Author: Patricie Mikolášová

  

  

Photo: AI

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