Products
With the exception of alternative medicine therapeutics, no medicines containing preparations from fly agaric are commercially available. Toadstools have great cultural significance. They are considered an iconic example of a mushroom, are believed to bring good luck, are used for decorations (e.g., Christmas), and appear in literature and popular culture (e.g., Super Mario, the Smurfs).
Mushroom
The fruiting body of the fly agaric from the Amanitaceae family occurs mainly in summer and autumn under conifers and birch trees. It also grows in many countries, for example in the Alps. Due to its orange or red cap with white spots and white stalk, it is usually easy to recognize.
Ingredients
Relevant toxic constituents include in particular the isoxazole derivatives ibotenic acid and muscimol, which are structurally related to the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate. Muscimol is formed during heating and in the body by decarboxylation of ibotenic acid. The well-known muscarinic, on the other hand, occurs only in very small amounts and plays an insignificant role in the poisonous effect.
Effects
Fly agaric has hallucinogenic, psychoactive, and toxic properties. The effects are based on the interaction of the ingredients with neurotransmitter systems. They usually occur after half an hour to two hours and last for about 8 to 24 hours.
Indications for use
Fly agaric is used as a hallucinogen, as an intoxicant, as an entheogen, and, after cooking, as a food in some regions. From our point of view, hallucinogenic experiments are not recommended due to the possible adverse effects. Very rarely, its use can be life-threatening.
Poisoning
Accidental poisoning is rather rare because the mushroom is well known and can hardly be confused with other mushrooms. This with the exception of the young mushrooms and the emperor mushroom. However, children are at risk. Poisoning is usually the result of experimentation. Possible symptoms of poisoning include:
- Digestive tract: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, salivation or dry mouth.
- Central nervous system: confusion, dizziness, ataxia, intoxication, hallucinations, euphoria, weakness, fatigue, sleep, dreams, seizures, unconsciousness, coma
- Eyes: pupil dilation
- Skin: flushing, fever, dry skin.
- Cardiovascular: tachycardia, bradycardia, cardiovascular depression, low blood pressure.
- Respiratory: respiratory depression
Hallucinations usually occur first, followed by fatigue and sleep with vivid dreams. Intoxication can very rarely have a fatal outcome. Treatment is provided in the intensive care unit of a hospital.
