Amanita Muscaria
The world’s most recognized mushroom with a rich history of use. At first glance with a bright red cap and white spots it demands attention. Often having conflicting stories of being toxic, psychoactive, inebriating, or just a plain delicacy toasted over a fire. Here we will dive a little bit deeper into some history and use both traditional and modern.
The word Amanita muscaria comes from Greek amanítēs meaning fungus and from Latin musca meaning fly, in reference to the name fly agaric often referred to due to its ability to kill flies that land on it. Amanita muscaria was also used historically as a fly repellent. The mushroom was crushed and mixed with milk or water and placed in saucers around homes to keep flies away. Popping up on almost every continent Amanita has one of the oldest and widest expanse of use with man and animal kind. Paintings of Amanita have been found in Aboriginal caves of Australia and polychromatic rock paintings in the Sahara dating back to atleast 50,000 years.
What first gained my attention were the stories surrounding this fungus of little brightly colored presents found under a tree, to little gifts hanging in a stocking over a fire to dry. To a man wearing a red and white cloak coming down a chimney (often the best way into a house during heavy snow fall) to share this mushroom during the darkest and coldest times of the year. Then accounts of reindeer consuming them occumpanied by the feeling of flight. I knew at that point there was much more to learn about.
Often found among the spruce, fir, pine along with birch and a few other trees during the cool wet seasons. Being ectomycorrhizal it forms a symbiotic relationship with these trees. The trees make organic molecules such as sugars by photosynthesis and supplies them to the fungus, while the fungus supplies the plant with water and mineral nutrients taken from the soil.
The use of Amanita mushrooms varies and each person might have completely different reasons why they might choose to indulge in a relationship with this fungi. Wether for creativity, healing, pain management, athletics, or a deeper connection to themselves and what is here in this realm.
Amanita muscaria has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including headaches, fever, arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorders. The mushroom was also used as a pain reliever and anesthetic in some cultures.
In some cultures, Amanita muscaria was used for its psychoactive properties, which could induce euphoria, altered perception, and hallucinations. However, due to some of the mushroom's undesired effects, its recreational use was limited and often reserved for spiritual or ceremonial purposes such as indigenous peoples of Siberia, northern Europe, and North America in shamanic practices. The mushroom was believed to have mystical and transformative properties and was used to induce altered states of consciousness during spiritual ceremonies.
The chemical constituents of Amanita muscaria have been thoroughly investigated. Ibotenic acid, muscimol, muscarine, and muscazone are the most studied compounds. These four chemicals are found in cer-tain species of Amanita muscaria throughout the world.
Ibotenic acid (a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-isoxazoloacetic acid 1) is an analog of the neurotransmitter glutamate which acts as a non-selective glutamate receptor agonist. Ibotenic acid water-soluble. Any attempt to at dehydration leads to decarboxylation of ibotenic acid, turning it to muscimol. Ibotenic acid is decarboxylated to muscimol in the body. The molecular formula is C⁶H⁶N²O⁴
Muscimol (3-hydroxy-5-aminomethyl-isoxazole) is a GABA analog,a specific agonist of the GABAA receptor. Muscimol is also water-soluble. The molecular formula is C⁴H⁶N²O².
Muscarine 4-hydroxy-5-methyloxolan-2-ylmethyl-trimcthylazanium) is the first parasympathomimetic substance ever studied. Muscarine mimics the function ofthe natural neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the muscarinic part of the cholinergic nervous system. Muscarine is only a trace compound in the Amanita muscaria.
Muscazone (a-amino-2,3-dihydro-2-ox0-5-oxazoleoacetic acid 3) Is heterocyclic glycine derivative found only Amanita muscaria. The structure was confirmed by synthesis. The molecular formula is C⁵H⁶N²O⁴. Other active constituents detected in Amanita muscaria are only in trace amounts.
Compounds found in Amanita muscaria, such as muscimol and ibotenic acid, can bind to receptors in the brain that are involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters like GABA and glutamate.
One area of research has focused on the mushroom's neuroprotective effects. Studies have suggested that compounds found in Amanita muscaria may have the potential to protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Another area of interest is the mushroom's anti-inflammatory and anti tumors properties. Research has shown that extracts from Amanita muscaria can reduce inflammation and may have potential applications in treating conditions such as arthritis and other autoimmune disorders.
There is limited research on the effects of Amanita muscaria on neurogenesis, which is the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain. However, some studies have suggested that certain compounds found in Amanita muscaria may have neuroprotective effects that could promote neurogenesis.
One study published in the journal Neurochemistry International found that muscimol, the primary psychoactive compound in Amanita muscaria, was able to stimulate the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus of adult rats. The hippocampus is a region of the brain that plays an important role in learning and memory.
Another study published in the journal Toxins found that a protein extract from Amanita muscaria was able to protect neurons against oxidative stress, which can lead to cell damage and death. The extract was also able to promote the growth and differentiation of new neurons in a laboratory setting.
While these studies suggest that certain compounds in Amanita muscaria may have neuroprotective effects and could potentially promote neurogenesis, more research is needed to fully understand these effects and their potential therapeutic applications.