Amanita Muscaria Basics
Amanita muscaria, also referred to as as the fly Amanita or fly Agaric, is one of the most common psychoactive Amanita mushrooms. Unlike psilocybin "magic" mushrooms, which contain psylocybin/psylocin as the active compound, the Fly Agaric contains two different compounds - ibotenic acid and muscimol - which bring about a completely different experience.
Amanita Muscaria's cap is usually deep red in colour with white spots and white gills. This mushroom is one of the most recognisable and widely encountered in popular culture - the archetypal "toadstool". As such, it is found in many places throughout the world; native to the boreal and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and unintentionally conveyed to many regions of the Southern Hemisphere. For more information on the cultural and historical uses of Amanita Muscaria, see our Amanita Muscaria History article.
Effects
Effects from fly Agaric can be many and varied. These include euphoria & feelings of wellbeing, mental clarity, physical relaxation & dream-like states, increased social interaction and some users even report enhanced sexual feelings. Amanita Muscaria would probably be considered more of a sedative and relaxant rather than a true hallucinogen, such as their illegal psylocybin-containing cousins.
Negative effects can include the nausea/cramps usually associated with many other hallucinogenic plants, increased sweating, muscle twitching and delerium at high doses.
The experience has been described by some people as being in three stages. The first stage describes the nausea and other effects on the body. The second is when the sedative and relaxing effects are felt before stage three; the active psychedelic experience.
Dose
The correct dose for dried Amanita Muscaria is between 3-10g of dried mushroom. This will depend on the person and on the potency of the mushroom itself. The latter can vary depending on regional variation and season. As with all drugs, start out with a low dose and increase if necessary.
Chemistry
Fresh fly Agaric contains two compounds: muscimol and ibotenic acid. During the drying process, the latter transforms into the more potent former. Muscimol affects the GABA system of the brain, associated with relaxation, anti-anxiety and anti-convulsive effects. Another compound, muscarine, which has been linked with some of the negative side effects (such as increased sweating), is also present in smaller quantities.