Amanita Muscaria

What is Amanita Muscaria?

Amanita muscaria, also known as the fly agaric mushroom, is a species of psychedelic fungi. Amanita muscaria’s red mushroom cap with white dots is a common sight in popular culture, appearing everywhere from Alice in Wonderland to Super Mario.

Whereas better-known psilocybin mushrooms contain the psychoactive chemical psilocybin, Amanita muscaria’s primary psychoactive property is muscimol. The psychoactive effects of Amanita muscaria are described as sedative and dissociative. Distorted perception of objects, including with regard to their size (see “Alice in Wonderland syndrome”), is reportedly common.

Numerous indigenous peoples’ traditional rituals and customs involve consumption of Amanita muscaria, most famously those of Siberian shamans.

Fun fact: Philadelphia-based psych rock band Bardo Pond entitled their 1996 album Amanita (also see 5-MeO-DMT)

Is Amanita Muscaria Legal in Canada?

Yes, Amanita muscaria is legal in Canada. It is classified as a natural health product and subject to applicable regulation.

Amanita muscaria is subject to regulation under the federal Food and Drugs Act. In 2022, Health Canada designated Amanita muscaria a natural health product. Since then, some brands (such as Bloomable) appear to have received approval to sell it to the public.

Medical or Therapeutic Use?

Studies on Amanita muscaria appear to have provided more data on their toxicity rather than their potential medical application (it is technically toxic, but fatalities involving the fungi are very rare and adverse effects circumstance-dependent). Anecdotally, many people report positive physical and psychological experiences and outcomes involving the substance.