Amanita Muscaria

The red fly agaric is a medicinal and psychoactive mushroom belonging to the genus Amanita of the Amanitaceae family. It is described differently in various sources, ranging from being edible, inedible, slightly poisonous, to poisonous.

In its raw form, the fly agaric is slightly poisonous; however, when boiled, it becomes completely edible with high nutritional and taste value comparable to mushrooms and aspen mushrooms. It is important to note that a lethal amount of fly agaric for a person starts from 2 kilograms of raw mushrooms. The fly agaric can be found in Europe, Asia, North and South America, and even in Africa. It is most commonly found in the temperate zones of these regions. It forms mycorrhiza primarily with birch and spruce trees and prefers soil with high acidity. It grows in almost all types of forests and fruits from August to November, either individually, in groups, or in rings near trees.

The cap of the fly agaric measures 8-20 centimeters in diameter, initially spherical and later becoming flat-convex. It can range in color from yellow-orange, orange, and orange-red to red and dark red. The cap surface is dotted with white or slightly yellowish spots. The flesh is white, with a yellowish hue under the skin, soft, and odorless. The gills are white, turning yellow with age, and are closely spaced. The stem is cylindrical, measuring 8 to 25 centimeters in length and 1-2.5 centimeters in diameter, with a tuberous-thickened base.

The Amanita alkaloids present in the fly agaric include ibotenic acid, muscimol, muscarine, bufotenine, and muscazone. Ibotenic acid and muscimol are structurally related to the main neurotransmitters of the central nervous system, glutamic acid and GABA, respectively. Muscimol acts as a potent and selective GABA receptor agonist, while ibotenic acid is a non-selective agonist of NMDA glutamate receptors in hippocampal neurons, contributing to overall neuronal activity. These interactions are responsible for the psychoactive and toxic effects of ibotenic acid and muscimol, with muscimol being the main source of psychoactivity.

Both ibotenic acid and muscimol affect the levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain to a similar extent as LSD. However, this action is likely mediated by the GABAergic system of the brain and not direct. Ethnomycological research indicates that the fly agaric has been known and used by humans for thousands of years. There is a persistent myth, unsupported by modern research, that Vikings consumed fly agaric before battles akin to ancient "berserkers." Nonetheless, the mushroom has played a significant role in the medicinal and religious practices of indigenous peoples in Siberia and other northern regions. It holds sacred significance and is an important component of myths and legends among Northen peoples. There is a theory that fly agaric was part of the "soma," an important ritual drink among Indo-Iranians (Aryans). Animals such as elk, deer, roe deer, foxes, hedgehogs, bears, and birds also frequently consume amanitas.

The earliest documented description of fly agaric's use in shamanic practices dates back to the Great Northern Expedition (1733-1743). The expedition members observed the use of fly agaric among the Koryaks, Khanty, Itelmens, and other northern peoples. The members of the expedition documented various methods of consuming fly agaric, including raw, dried, and boiled preparations, as well as "soaking in fireweed must" and drinking urine after consuming the mushroom.

Fly agaric is recognized within limited circles as a psychoactive mushroom, displaying its psychoactive properties in both dried and raw forms. However, it is not advisable to consume it raw due to potential gastrointestinal issues and other side effects. To ensure a pleasant and safe experience, it is recommended to naturally dry the mushroom caps or use an oven at temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius. It is important not to wash the mushrooms before drying, as drying eliminates the toxic ibotenic acid, leaving behind the safe and intriguing muscimol. Excessive heat or moisture during the drying process may lead to the destruction of the desired alkaloids.

Depending on the desired effects, when using dried mushrooms on an empty stomach, a weak dosage typically consists of 1-2 medium-sized caps, an average dosage comprises 3-5 caps, and a strong dosage entails 6-10 caps. Alternatively, one can grind the fly agaric using a coffee grinder, mix the powdered dried caps with warm water, and consume the mixture. Another option is to prepare fly agaric tea, which yields a milder experience but can still induce a subtle journey. To make tea, finely grind the dry caps and simmer them in a kettle with water over low heat. Finally, strain the tea before consumption.

The effects experienced at low to moderate doses may include stimulation, alertness, increased mood and performance, euphoria, sedation, relaxation, alterations in thought patterns, mild ASC (altered states of consciousness), slight dissociation, pleasurable sensations in the body, and modified perception of color and sound. At medium and strong dosages, potential effects may include drowsiness accompanied by vivid dreams, unusual physical sensations, heightened sensitivity to sounds, auditory, visual, and tactile hallucinations, intense ASCs, strong dissociation and depersonalization, shifts in the perception of time and space, and trance-like states. It is important to note that the effects can vary significantly depending on individual tolerance, the season and region in which the mushrooms are harvested, and the consumption of other substances such as food, beverages, or drugs prior to ingesting fly agaric.

Possible side effects may manifest as fever, excessive sweating and salivation, rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, bodily discomfort, impaired coordination, stomach pain, paranoia, and fear. High dosages can lead to challenging experiences commonly referred to as "bad trips."