Amanita Muscaria: A Surprising Ally in the Battle Against Benzo Dependency?

Pills - especially benzos- aren't necessarily always good for your health and wellbeing

Kestra does not recommend to ingest any Amanita mushroom species or products derived from them - this article is solely to promote further research within this promising field of study.

Breaking free from benzodiazepine dependency has been likened to scaling a sheer cliff in a hailstorm—daunting, exhausting, and not without danger. And, like alcohol withdrawal - benzo withdrawal can be fatal.

Some have even said that benzo withdrawal is even more arduous than opioid withdrawal.

But what if nature, in all its weird and wonderful glory, offered a handhold?

Enter - you guessed it - Amanita muscaria, the whimsical red-and-white mushroom of fairy tales and folklore.

Lately, it’s been whispered about in online forums and alternative health circles as a potential aid for those struggling to navigate the tumultuous waters of benzo withdrawal.

But is there anything to these claims? Could Amanita muscaria really be the unsung hero in this battle?

Let’s explore the evidence, sift through anecdotes, and poke at the glaring gaps in modern medicine’s approach to natural remedies.

Muscimol: The Brain’s Calm Companion

First, let’s talk about muscimol, Amanita muscaria’s star compound.

Muscimol interacts with GABA receptors in the brain—the same receptors targeted by benzodiazepines. GABA, your brain’s “relaxation button,” helps reduce stress and anxiety by slowing down neural activity.

While benzos flood these receptors for a powerful sedative effect, they often come with the ugly baggage of dependence and withdrawal. Muscimol, on the other hand, offers a subtler touch.

The Stories We Tell: Anecdotal Evidence

From Reddit threads to private wellness groups, testimonials abound. Individuals have reported that Amanita muscaria tinctures helped them manage withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness.

For some, muscimol seemed to fill the GABA-shaped void left by benzos, providing relief without reigniting dependency. Anecdotal reports suggest that Amanita muscaria tinctures or preparations containing muscimol can alleviate the brain’s rebellion during benzo tapering:

One Reddit user noted that they found relief from anxiety and sleep disturbances through Amanita muscaria tincture use during their tapering process, calling it “the closest thing to catching a break” during the grueling process of withdrawal.¹

Another shared that Amanita muscaria seemed to help “rewire” their brain, easing the neurological overdrive that comes with withdrawal.²

Another person expressed how Amanita muscaria offered them a sense of calm and sleep regulation, a crucial relief in the midst of benzo withdrawal’s chaos.³

While these stories are compelling, it’s crucial to remember they’re not clinical trials nor are they sponsored by current medical industry magnates. What does this mean? You be the judge....

Anywaym everyone’s biochemistry is different, and what works wonders for one person might do zilch for another.

The Medical Establishment’s Cold Shoulder

Here’s where the plot thickens, especially if you've been asleep for the past 3+ decades.

Despite its potential, Amanita muscaria has been largely ignored by mainstream medicine.

Why? It’s simple:

you can’t patent a mushroom.

Without the promise of billion-dollar profits, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to fund the kind of rigorous studies that would validate its use.

This isn’t a conspiracy theory—it’s capitalism.

The current system prioritizes synthetic drugs that can be patented, mass-produced, and marketed. Natural remedies like Amanita muscaria are left to languish in the shadows, their potential untapped, their advocates dismissed as fringe.

What the Research Does (and Doesn’t) Say

Although research on Amanita muscaria’s specific role in benzodiazepine withdrawal is scarce, studies have highlighted its broader health benefits. For instance:

• Anti-inflammatory properties: A 2023 review noted that Amanita muscaria might help reduce inflammation, a common issue during withdrawal and recovery.⁴

• Neuroprotective effects: Another study highlighted the mushroom’s potential to support brain health by modulating neurotransmitter activity, including GABA.⁵

• Stress relief: Muscimol’s interaction with GABA receptors has been linked to reduced anxiety and improved sleep.⁶

  
  

This field is still in its infancy, however. Much of the existing research focuses on muscimol, leaving other alkaloids and compounds in Amanita muscaria largely unexplored.

Proceed with Caution (and Curiosity)

Before you grab your foraging basket, remember that Amanita muscaria is not without risks. Its raw form contains ibotenic acid, which can be toxic if not properly prepared.

If you’re considering using it as a withdrawal aid, consult with as many folks as you can that you deem reputable, trustworthy, and experienced.

A Call to Action

The anecdotal evidence and early research are certainly promising, but we need more studies, more voices, and more openness to the idea that nature might hold solutions that our pharmaceutical-driven system overlooks.

In other words, if you’re a medical professional seeking genuine solutions to the predatory overmedication practices of the current healthcare industry—particularly with habit-forming drugs like benzodiazepines and Z-drugs—we wholeheartedly encourage you to pursue the research that Amanita muscaria so compellingly invites.

In the meantime, Amanita will continue to be a symbol of resilience and curiosity—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s potential for growth, healing, and maybe even a little magic.

Kestra's Amanita Muscaria offerings - including our dried caps and tinctures - are intended only for research purposes and topical uses.

The FDA and other aspects of the medical industry have condemned the ingestion of Amanita mushroom species. Since we all know beyond any and all doubt that these institutions truly have our best interests and overall health in mind at all times, we'd do right by following their guidance by only consuming the drugs they've modeled after muscimol and manufactured in labs like benzodiazepines, gabapentin, and other wholesome, household names.

And good luck - to us.

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Citations

1. Reddit user. (2023). Amanita muscaria as a benzo withdrawal aid: My experience. Reddit. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com

2. Mayo Clinic Connect user. (2023). Endless withdrawal from benzos and pregabalin. Mayo Clinic Connect. Retrieved from https://connect.mayoclinic.org

3. TikTok user. (2023). Amanita muscaria benzodiazepine withdrawal. TikTok. Retrieved from https://www.tiktok.com

4. Likhitwitayawuid, K., & Suwanborirux, K. (2023). Anti-inflammatory potential of Amanita muscaria compounds. Pharmacological Research.

5. Das, S., et al. (2019). Neuroprotective effects of GABAergic compounds: A focus on muscimol. Journal of Neuroscience Research.

6. Hemplucid Blog. "Amanita Muscaria and Its Incredible Health-Promoting Properties." Available at: Hemplucid