• Basic Info

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Alternate Title

Amanita muscaria, Fly agaric

Synonyms

AA, Agaricaceae, Agaricales, agaric acid, agaric fungus, Agaric aux mouches (French), agaricinic acid, Agaricus arvensis, Agaric basidiomycete, Agrocybe aegerita, Amanitaceae, Amanita flavivolvata, Amanita formosa, Amanita matamoscas (Spanish), Amanita muscaria, Amanita pantherina, Amanita regalis, Amanita virosa, Amanitaceae, Amanite tue-mouche (French), basidiomycete agaric, bitter fungus, brown fly agaric, Clitocybula dusenii, Coprinus cinereus, Cortinarius orellanus Fr., Crepidotus fulvotomentosus, ectomycorrhizal fungi, falsa oronja (Spanish), fausse oronge (French), Fliegenpilz (German), fly agaric, Hebeloma cylindrosporum, Hypholomafasciculare Fries, ibotenic acid, laricic, magic mushrooms, muchomor czerwony (Polish), muscarine, muscazone, muscimol, ovulo malefico (Italian), pantherina poisoning, Roter fliegenpilz (German), selenium, Soma, toadstool, tufted agaric, uovolaccio (Italian), white agaric (Fomes officinalis Neum.).

Background

Agaric, or Amanita muscaria, is a basidiomycete mushroom. Hallucinogenic effects occur upon consumption of the fungi. Fully grown, the cap is usually around 12cm in diameter (up to 30cm) with a distinctive blood-red color (crimson, fading to yellow with age), scattered with white to yellow, removable flecks (warts). It is often referred to as fly agaric due to European use as an insecticide, and its ability to stun or kill flies.

Agaric has traditionally been used in rituals as a hallucinogen. Religious and ceremonial usage of agaric has been documented in Buddhist, Native American, Japanese, Siberian, ancient Greek, and proto-Hindi texts. Gathering and consuming mushrooms and other plants containing psychoactive substances have become increasingly popular among some people experimenting with drugs.

Agaric is considered poisonous, though rarely fatal. Several studies document the toxicity and neurological effects of taking agaric by mouth. No formal trials regarding agaric toxicity or therapeutic benefit are currently available.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Antipyretic (fever reducer), hallucinogenic, insecticide, sweating, tuberculosis (intestinal).

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)

Safety, efficacy, and dosing have not been systematically studied. However, due to adverse effects, use in adults is not recommended.

Children (younger than 18 years)

Safety, efficacy, and dosing have not been systematically studied. However, due to adverse effects, use in children is not recommended.