This Week’s Focus: Psilocybin and Amanita Muscaria

This week, for the NDEWS Weekly Briefing, we turn our attention to evolving trends of psilocybin use, microdosing, and the Amanita muscaria mushroom. 

Our focus is prompted by a report centered around the 2025 RAND Psychedelics Survey. The report brings attention to the use of psychedelic substances by adults living in the US and includes detailed information on microdosing, which is described as taking a small fraction of a full dose on an intermediate schedule.

In response, this briefing brings together new data from our latest NDEWS Special Report, NDEWS Web Monitoring Report, and various studies on emerging trend signals.

As public interest grows and nonmedical products continue to diversify, from psilocybin microdosing regimens to Amanita muscaria use, it is increasingly important to provide a grounded, data‑driven look at these substances.

As always, we welcome your input.

Out of 630 EMS encounters for nonfatal drug-related overdoses involving psilocybin and Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) from January 1, 2024, to January 31, 2026, only ten counties had sufficient counts (≥ 10 encounters) to be reported; all other counties were suppressed (<10 encounters). The ten counties were primarily located in the Western region, with one county in the Southern region. NDEWS will continue to monitor overdoses involving these substances. To view the entire Special Report from the weekly briefing, click here.

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Why are we reporting on this? Amanita muscaria mushrooms are a topic of ongoing discussion regarding their presence in the US market and their reported effects among commenters. While traditionally recognized for their iconic red-and-white appearance, these mushrooms are increasingly marketed in commercial forms—such as gummies, tablets, and tinctures—available at gas stations, smoke shops, and online retailers. Reddit discussions highlight a growing trend of using these products as alternatives to psilocybin or alcohol, alongside significant concerns regarding inconsistent potency, mislabeling, and the lack of regulatory oversight for products sold in retail environments.

What is Amanita Muscaria? Amanita muscaria is a psychoactive mushroom containing the primary active compounds muscimol and ibotenic acid. Unlike "magic mushrooms" that contain psilocybin, Amanita muscaria acts primarily on the GABA and glutamate systems. It is widely available in dried cap form or as processed commercial products including gummies, chocolates, and extracts.

Public Health Impacts:Reddit discussants report a range of physical and psychological effects, frequently noting that the experience is unpredictable and highly dependent on the "preparation" of the mushroom. In these discussions, preparation refers to decarboxylation—a process where commenters apply heat and acidic liquids (such as lemon juice or vinegar) to convert ibotenic acid into muscimol. Multiple commenters suggest that improper preparation, such as consuming raw or under-processed caps, increases the presence of ibotenic acid, which they associate with "agitated" states, "thought loops," and severe nausea. Conversely, even with preparation intended to maximize muscimol, discussants describe "extreme sedation" that can lead to blackouts or periods of amnesia. Several commenters describe a state of disorientation where they lose the ability to distinguish between reality and a "dream-like" state, leading to reports of accidental self-injury or dangerous behaviors, such as attempting to exit windows. Furthermore, multiple discussants report lingering effects following the use of Amanita products, including "nightmarish" dreams, depersonalization, and sensory changes consistent with hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), such as visual after-images or "stop-motion" perception.

How is it Being Discussed? Reddit commenters believe that Amanita muscaria occupies a unique category between a sedative-hypnotic and a dissociative, often comparing high-dose effects to a "dreamlike" or "delirious" state. There is frequent discussion regarding the "decarbing" process—the chemical conversion of ibotenic acid to muscimol via heat and acid—which commenters believe is necessary to reduce toxicity and nausea. Many discussants express frustration with "gas station gummies," claiming they are often mislabeled, under-dosed, or potentially adulterated with research chemicals or other substances. The mushroom is frequently discussed as a tool for microdosing to manage anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from pharmaceutical medications like benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids. Additionally, Amanita muscaria is often mentioned in "stacking" protocols, where discussants combine it with psilocybin, LSD, or cannabis to alter or enhance the effects of those substances.

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A recently published report in RAND by Priest et al. reviews the 2025 RAND Psychedelics Survey, which was fielded in September 2025. The top five psychedelic/hallucinogenic substances estimated to be used by adults in the US were psilocybin, MDMA, Amanita muscaria mushrooms, ketamine and LSD. Psilocybin was the most consumed as approximately 11 million adults in the US were estimated to have used in 2025, while 69 percent of the adults microdosed psilocybin at least once during that same time period. Read the full report here.

A recently published study in Substance Use & Misuse by Hartwig et al. examined reported experiences of Amanita muscaria among Reddit commenters. It was noted that interest in the mushroom appears to be driven largely by the perceived functional benefits. Reddit commentors reported that the mushrooms are consumed as tea. Overall, the findings highlight growing nontraditional use patterns and emphasize the need for clinical awareness. Read the full study here.

A recently published study in Clinical Toxicology by Jorgenson et al. analyzed 362 psychoactive mushroom edible exposures reported to the US National Poison Data System® in 2023-2024. Psilocybin coded products accounted for 56% of cases and 44% for Amanita-coded products. Common clinical effects included tachycardia (21.8%), agitation (21.3%), hallucinations/delusions (20.7%), and central nervous system depression (23.2%). Polysubstance exposure, confusion, and CNS depression were significantly associated with hospital admission and with moderate to major toxicity. No deaths were reported. However, findings indicate unpredictable toxicity and increased severity when edibles are combined with other substances. Read the full study here.

A recently published study in JAMA Psychiatry by Hutchison et al. examined public health challenges linked to rising, unregulated psilocybin use in the US. The authors report that psilocybin use has increased among adults aged 19-50, with more than an estimated 7 million people having engaged psychedelic use in the past-year. National poison center calls involving psilocybin have also risen since 2019. Testing from decriminalized jurisdictions shows more than 20‑fold variability in psilocybin potency and inconsistent levels of additional tryptamines, which are absent in clinical‑grade psilocybin. Read the full study here.