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Whether it’s your first time trying amanita mushrooms or you’re well experienced with psychedelics, it’s important to understand the effects of amanita mushrooms and how to optimize your experience.
In today’s article, we’ll be covering exactly that and more. Take a seat, grab a coffee, and get ready to learn all about the effects of amanita muscaria!
What are Amanita Mushrooms?
Amanita mushrooms, also known as Amanita muscaria or fly agaric/fly amanita mushrooms, belong to the basidiomycetes of the genus Amanita. These mushrooms are native to the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere and have spread unintentionally to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, often associated with pine and birch plantations. They can be found in association with various deciduous and coniferous trees, making them a true cosmopolitan species.
The fly agaric is arguably the most iconic toadstool species due to its distinctive appearance. It is a large, white-gilled mushroom with white spots and a usually red cap. It is widely encountered in popular culture, including in video games like Super Mario. Despite its cultural significance, it is important to remember that Amanita mushrooms can be toxic and cause serious health effects if ingested. Therefore, it is best to consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
Measuring up to seven inches wide and eleven inches tall, these beautiful, robust mushrooms are sure hard to miss in nature, so if you come across one, be sure to take a picture!
Now that we’ve covered the basics and discussed what amanita mushrooms are, let’s explore how they work, their effects, and more!
How Do Amanita Mushrooms Work with the Mind and Body?
The primary active chemicals in amanita mushrooms are muscimol and ibotenic acid (which converts to muscimol in the body through decarboxylation. Unlike psilocybin, the active chemical in magic mushrooms, which works by affecting serotonin receptors primarily in the prefrontal cortex, muscimol interacts with the body’s GABA receptors.
What are the Effects of Amanita Mushrooms?
By interacting with the GABA receptors, amanita mushrooms are able to induce a wide range of psychotropic effects, which may include (and may vary depending on a variety of factors):
- Increased Energy and Stimulation
- Tranquility and Peacefulness
- Blissful sensations and awareness of non-ordinary realities
- Visual and auditory distortions
- Experience of a dream-like sensation
- Altered perception of size and distance
Additionally, side effects of amanita mushrooms include:
- Loss of balance
- Nausea and/or dizziness
- Visual and/or auditory impairment
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle spasms
That said, it’s important to note that, while consuming amanita mushrooms or amanita mushroom extract may induce positive effects, there are also known side effects and you should approach this mushroom with a hint of caution (and perhaps a sense of adventure).
Are Amanita Mushrooms Psychedelic?
Psychedelics are a group of substances that change or enhance sensory perceptions, thought processes, and energy levels.
Based on this definition, amanita mushrooms are most definitely psychedelic, although their psychedelic effects differ from those induced by psilocybin mushrooms.
While the psychedelic effects of psilocybin can be quite intense, the psychedelic effects of amanita are definitely going to be milder in terms of visual hallucinations.
When taken in moderate amounts, Amanita mushrooms can induce feelings of relaxation throughout the body, promote internal reflection, and sometimes even cause auditory hallucinations. In higher doses, some people have reported experiencing visual hallucinations, feeling disoriented in space, and even changes in their perception of time.
When it comes to psychedelics, there are different levels of intensity. With that framing, I would consider amanita mushrooms to be a level 4 to 6 out of 10 level of psychedelic effects, while psilocybin would be a level 8 to 10.
Are Amanita Mushrooms Hallucinogenic?
Similarly to the section above, amanita mushrooms are certainly hallucinogenic; however, not in the same level you’d expect from psilocybin.
While amanita muscaria can certainly alter your mood and perception of reality, its hallucinogenic effects will be much milder than those of psilocybin and, in my opinion, will act more as a vehicle for the mushroom’s relaxing and uplifting effects.
Are Amanita Mushrooms Dangerous To Take?
Similarly to mushrooms that contain psilocybin, amanita mushrooms are considered “poisonous”; however, in most cases, they aren’t deadly. When consumed raw or in large doses; however, amanita mushrooms can definitely cause one to feel inebriated or sick.
The amount of muscimol and ibotenic acid in amanita mushrooms can differ depending on the species, and the impact can vary depending on various personal factors. Experts suggest starting with a small dosage and never consuming an excessive amount – some suggest that the maximum limit is 15-20 caps or the equivalent extract.
Anything in excess can be considered dangerous to take; however, in most cases, amanita mushrooms will not pose a threat to one’s health.
It is important to note that individual effects may vary based on a variety of factors and you should always consult with your doctor before trying any new type of product.
What is an Amanita Muscaria Trip Like?
Young woman having psychedelic trip with hallucinations after drug abuse
When most people think of a psychedelic trip, they imagine intensely bright colors, distorted visuals, auditory hallucinations, and even loss of memory. This type of trip is generally associated with psilocybin.
While amanita mushrooms will likely send you off on a psychedelic experience, the trip will typically be much milder and will include effects like saturated colors, relaxation, increased mood, and blissful sensations.
In most cases, you shouldn’t experience full-on, face-melting hallucinations. In other words, if your mom or dad were to call you up to check on the grandkids or plan the next family get-together, you should be cool, but again, the effects will vary from person to person.
How Long Does It Take for an Amanita Muscaria Trip to Kick In?
According to our research, it will generally take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for the effects of amanita mushrooms to kick in. In my personal experience, it took about 45 minutes, and the effects crept in about an hour and a half in before peaking. Throughout the experience, I was in a relaxed, giggly state where I felt much more open to being social and expressing myself.
Like most other state-altering products, the consumption method, your weight, and when you last ate will definitely play a role.
How Long Does an Amanita Muscaria Trip Last?
According to Galaxy Treats, a brand that offers a collection of amanita mushroom gummies called “Moon Shroms”, the effects of amanita muscaria can last anywhere from 4-6 hours. While friends who’ve also taken amanita mushrooms have told me the trip time was about within that time frame, in my personal experience, the peak trip lasted about 2-3 hours, and the mood-boosting, relaxing effects prolonged mildly for another couple of hours or so.
I’m 5’9 and weigh 195 pounds with a semi-muscular build, so that may definitely have an impact on how long the trip lasted, but in general, it definitely lasted a good amount of time and offered some very enjoyable moments.
Tips for First-Time Amanita Mushroom Users
If you’re considering trying amanita mushrooms for the first time, it’s always a good idea to be somewhat cautious. This would be an entirely new chemical you’re introducing to your body and you don’t know how it’ll affect you specifically. That said, here are a few quick tips to consider when trying amanita muscaria for the first time:
- First of all, you definitely are going to want to make sure that you’re trying a product from a trustworthy and credible source. If a friend of a friend gave you some unlabeled gummies and said you should try em’, you should definitely steer clear. And this really goes for newbies and veterans alike. Always be sure to check for lab reports and ingredients, do your due diligence and look into the company, and read reviews from previous customers.
- Get comfortable and make sure you’re in a safe environment where you won’t need to handle any arduous tasks or responsibilities. Amanita Mushrooms may alter your perception, so you’ll wanna make sure you won’t run into any issues.
- This is an important one. Start with a smaller dose and gradually increase based on how the amanita mushrooms affect you. See more about doses here.
Wrapping it Up
To wrap things up, here are some quick highlights from this article:
- Amanita Mushrooms are a legal psychedelic that can induce a range of effects and potential benefits including experiencing a dream-like state, relaxation, energy, mood enhancement, and slight visual and auditory hallucinations
- The effects of amanita muscaria can vary wildly based on the source of the product, the amount of muscimol and ibotenic acid, the quality of the product, the consumption method, and your body’s chemical composition
- An amanita trip generally takes 30-60 minutes to kick in and can last from 4-6 hours
- If you’re a first-time user, you should only use a trustworthy product, make sure you’re in a safe space when trying amanita mushrooms, and be sure to start with a minimal dosage.
Thanks for learning about the effects of amanita mushrooms with us! We hope this guide helped to shed some light on this somewhat complex topic. Amanita Mushrooms are an exciting way to experiment with psychedelics and can definitely offer some pleasure experiences!
If you have any questions, or comments, or would like to share how amanita mushrooms affected you, we’d love to hear from you! Drop a message in the comments and we’d love to engage!
