Amanita Muscaria vs. Psilocybin: : A Comparison of Psychoactive Mechanisms and Effects

Omg Mushrooms!

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric mushroom, and psilocybin mushrooms are both renowned for their psychoactive properties, but they operate through distinct mechanisms in the brain, leading to different effects and experiences.

While psilocybin has become widely recognized as a classical psychedelic due to its interaction with the serotonin system, Amanita muscaria affects the GABA system, producing unique and often misunderstood experiences.

This article will explore the differences between these two substances, emphasizing their distinct actions on brain chemistry.

Chemical Composition and Mechanism of Action

Amanita Muscaria

The primary active compounds in Amanita muscaria are muscimol and ibotenic acid.

Muscimol, the more desirable of the two, acts primarily on the GABA-A receptors in the brain.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, and muscimol, as a GABA-A receptor agonist, enhances the inhibitory effect of GABA, leading to sedative, relaxing, and introspective experiences.

This GABAergic activity can cause altered perception, relaxation, and at higher doses, confusion or delirium. Muscimol’s action on GABA receptors is thought to mimic the effects of benzodiazepines, contributing to its calming and sometimes dissociative effects 1.

The conversion of ibotenic acid to muscimol occurs during drying, reducing its neurotoxic properties and enhancing its psychoactive potential. However, freshly picked Amanita muscaria contains significant amounts of ibotenic acid, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and other adverse effects when consumed without proper preparation.

The GABAergic action is one reason why Amanita muscaria has been associated with dream-like states, mild euphoria, and physical relaxation 2.

Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psilocybin, the active compound in "magic" mushrooms, is classified as a classical psychedelic.

Upon ingestion, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which primarily affects the serotonin system by binding to 5-HT2A receptors in the brain. Psilocin’s interaction with serotonin receptors leads to altered perception, visual hallucinations, and profound changes in thought and emotion, characteristics commonly associated with traditional psychedelics.

Psilocybin is renowned for its ability to induce intense, often mystical or spiritual experiences, and its action on serotonin is considered central to its euphoric and mind-expanding effects 3.

Psychological Effects and Experience

Amanita Muscaria Experience

The psychoactive effects of Amanita muscaria can vary widely depending on the dosage and preparation method.

At low to moderate doses, users often report feelings of relaxation, mild euphoria, and dream-like states.

At higher doses, however, the experience can become more unpredictable, with users sometimes encountering delirium, confusion, dissociation, heightened body awareness, and even out-of-body experiences 5.

Because of its GABAergic action, Amanita muscaria's effects tend to be more sedative than those of psilocybin, which makes it less likely to produce the intense visual hallucinations and altered states of consciousness typically associated with classical psychedelics.

Psilocybin Experience

The effects of psilocybin are typically characterized by a distortion of sensory perception (e.g., intensified colors, altered sounds), synesthesia (mixing of senses), and visual hallucinations.

Users often report profound emotional shifts, ranging from euphoria to deep introspection and even spiritual or mystical experiences. At high doses, psilocybin can cause a complete dissolution of the ego, often leading to the sensation of oneness with the universe, which is considered by many as a central feature of the psychedelic experience6.

Unlike Amanita muscaria, which can have a sedative quality due to its GABAergic activity, psilocybin’s action on the serotonin system tends to produce a more energizing and expansive experience, often leading to cognitive and emotional breakthroughs.

Safety, Toxicity, and Legal Status

Amanita Muscaria

Amanita muscaria has a reputation for toxicity, but when properly prepared (i.e., dried), its risks are significantly reduced.

While fresh Amanita muscaria contains high levels of ibotenic acid, drying the mushroom converts much of the ibotenic acid into muscimol, which is safe (and psychoactive). The conversion process is essential to mitigate the mushroom's toxicity.

Despite this, Amanita muscaria can still cause unpleasant experiences if not properly dosed or prepared. There have been reports of poisoning due to improper preparation or mistaken identification with other toxic Amanita species7.

Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms are generally considered safe when used in a controlled environment with proper dosages. However, their effects can be overwhelming, and in rare cases, psychological distress or bad trips can occur.

Psilocybin is not physically addictive, and the body has a low potential for developing tolerance.

While psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in many parts of the world, recent research has led to increasing efforts to decriminalize and legalize psilocybin for therapeutic uses, particularly for mental health treatment8.

Conclusion

While Amanita muscaria and psilocybin both have rich historical and cultural significance as psychoactive substances, they operate on different neurotransmitter systems and induce distinct psychological effects.

Amanita muscaria, with its GABAergic action, tends to produce more sedative, euphoric, and introspective states, whereas psilocybin, which acts on the serotonin system, leads to more intense perceptual shifts.

Both substances have unique qualities and risks, and anyone interested in exploring their effects should approach them with caution, respect, and thorough research.

As always, the experience of each individual with these substances can vary, and safety and moderation should be prioritized.

In other words, "Go Slow!"

References

1. Räisänen, M. (2003). The Amanita muscaria: A neurotoxin with remarkable psychoactive properties. Neuropsychopharmacology Research Journal. ↩

2. Pollan, M. (2018). How to Change Your Mind: The New Science of Psychedelics. Penguin Press. ↩

3. Vollenweider, F. X., & Kometer, M. (2010). The Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs: Implications for the Treatment of Mood Disorders. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. ↩

4. Halpern, J. H. (2004). The Psychedelic Effects of Psilocybin and the Serotonin System. Journal of Psychopharmacology. ↩

5. Niemelä, T. (2005). Mushrooms and Toadstools: A Guide to the World of Mushrooms and Toadstools. Oxford University Press. ↩

6. Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., & Richards, W. A. (2006). Psilocybin, a Classic Psychedelic, and Its Effects on Perception. Journal of Psychopharmacology. ↩

7. Green, L. J. (2011). Toxicological Risks of Amanita Muscaria. Journal of Mycology and Toxinology. ↩

8. Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2017). Psilocybin and its Role in Treating Mental Health Disorders. Psychedelic Research Journal. ↩