A scarlet red cap spotted with white warts: These are the most iconic fungi and the first thing that comes to mind when we think of mushrooms. As young children we watched movies which showcase these unique mushrooms, depicting them as magical and mystical, however, children are not taught about the psychedelic and poisonous characteristics of these mushrooms until they are told: ‘stay away from them, they’re poisonous’ by their parents.
The scientific term for these mushrooms is Amanita Muscara, although they are also more commonly known as fly agaric, this is because it is known to contain ibotenic acid which attracts and kills flies. Ibotenic acid just one of the psychedelic drugs among other substances (muscarine and muscimol) which gives the mushroom its ability to cause its hallucinations as well as death.
These psychedelic drugs are not like your average weed or cocaine as, once exposed to them too much, rather than feeling high, after 30 minutes to 2 hours of ingesting it, symptoms of the exposure include: dizziness, confusion, tiredness and increased sensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli. If further exposed, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may occur. An increase or decrease in heart rate and an increase in blood pressure can be in extreme cases as well as seizures and eventually: death. Oddly enough, there have also been cases of both hypo- and hyperthermia, and conveniently, there is still no antidote so, for any teenagers out there looking for some new drugs to try out, maybe try staying away from your favourite red and white mushrooms, unless you have a death wish.
Although despite all these cons, let's look at the more positive side of things. Fly Agaric has been used medicinally in mostly Siberia as well as Eastern Europe, Russia and parts of Scandinavia. It is used for its inflammatory properties as well as a series of other usages. However, there is little evidence suggesting that this is in fact true and thus allowing room for a lot of doubt in this area. However, with all the medical advancements that are being made in our modern and innovative world, perhaps we’ll finally be able to put this unique mushroom to better use in the health community.
Bibliography:
Foragerchef. foragerchef.com/amanita-muscariafly-agaric/. Accessed 7 Aug. 2023.
Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355127. Accessed 7 Aug. 2023.
Mycelium Inspired. myceliuminspired.com/the-fly-agaric-amanita-muscaria. Accessed 7 Aug. 2023.
National Library of Medicine. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7977045/#:~:text=They%20begin%20as%20a%20state,and%20hyperthermia%20have%20been%20reported. Accessed 7 Aug. 2023.
WoodlandTrust. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/fungi-and-lichens/fly-agaric/. Accessed 7 Aug. 2023.
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