Who is Amanita muscaria?
Scientific Name
Amanita muscaria
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Other Names
Fly Agaric, The Mario Mushroom, The Wonderland Mushroom, Toadstool
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Introduction
Amanita muscaria is one of the most commonly known mushrooms in the world, appearing in myth, folklore, art and entheogenic ceremonies spanning the entire globe. From fairy tales and Baba Yaga lore to Alice in Wonderland and The Smurfs, these large, white-gilled, red capped mushrooms with white spots have enchanted (and frightened) humans for centuries! Amanita can be found in a variety of folk medicine traditions as well as modern herbal practices.
Myths & Misunderstandings
Myth: Amanita is deadly
There are over 600 species within the Amanita genus. A very few are deadly (such as Death Cap). However, Amanita muscaria is NOT deadly. It is toxic when eaten raw and could cause intense and unpleasant experiences until fully digested. There are easy ways to prepare Amanita muscaria as a food, tea or medicine that make it safe to consume.​​
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Misunderstanding: Amanita muscaria causes bad "trips" and psychosis
Certain doses of Amanita muscaria can open drastically different altered states of consciousness and reality. Many people have euphoric, healing and mystical experiences. Sometimes those experiences include challenging or hard moments, memories or emotions. However, "bad” experiences are usually due to poor set and setting, too high a dose, or inadequate preparation.
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Misunderstanding: Amanita muscaria is illegal
Unlike psilocybin, Amanita muscaria is NOT a federally regulated mushroom. However, Louisiana does have laws prohibiting the consumption of it.
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Misunderstanding: Amanita muscaria is a good alternative to psilocybin
While some reported benefits of microdosing and journeys overlap, these two mushrooms are very different, from compounds and dosage ranges to how to prepare and experiences people report. It is best to work with whichever is calling to you or is in best alignment with your healing goals.
Sacred Medicine: Microdosing
Microdosing involves taking a very small dose of Amanita muscaria on a schedule over a period of time. For most people, a microdose falls between 0.2g and 1g of dried mushroom caps.​
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Ingestion methods: Tea (water extract) or eating dried caps
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Reported Benefits: deep reconnection with self, revelations related to shadow work and trauma healing, profound dreams, subtle mystical experiences such as increased synchronicities and intuitive wisdom, renewed curiosity or energy, alleviation of anxiety or depression, physical pain relief, nervous system healing, support while tapering off of benzodiazepines and extraordinary sleep support
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Preparation, ritual, and integration support are topics to explore if you decide to microdose.
Sacred Medicine: Rituals & Ceremony
Macro or Ceremony dosing with involves taking a dose above the microdose range. Experiences vary greatly depending on the dose, the person and the circumstances surrounding the ceremony.​
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Reported Experiences: Addiction recovery, elimination of depression or anxiety, a fresh start after suicidal ideations, trauma healing, grief support, deep self-understanding and self-love, spiritual awakenings, new relationship with space and time, "indescribable" mystical experiences that are treasured as holy or very significant.
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"Bad" Trips: most scary experiences result from poor attention to set and setting, careless use of the mushroom, combining the mushroom with other psychoactives or alcohol, and/or consuming an extremely high dose without a sitter. Please approach these experiences with intention, respect and care.
Compounds of Interest
Ibotenic acid and Muscimol are the two most studied compounds within Amanita muscaria. ​Both Ibotenic acid and Muscimol are believed to play important roles in the mushroom's effects, however too much Ibotenic acid can lead to unpleasant experiences. Understanding dosage and proper preparation minimizes this risk.
Ibotenic Acid
Effects Glutamate receptors
Psychoactive/Neurotoxin
Stimulating/Overstimulating
Can be quickly intoxicating
Highest Solubility: Water
Ibotenic acid is hypothesized to work alongside muscimol for some of the medicinal and/or therapeutic effects, however may result in very unpleasant experiences if dose is too high.
Muscimol
Effects GABA receptors
Psychoactive/Hallucinogenic
Depressive/slows things down
Often causes a sleepy or dreamy state
Highest Solubility: Water
Many of the therapeutic and mystical experiences people report are attributed to muscimol. It can have a significant impact on the nervous system, anxiety and sleep.
Amanita Muscaria Downloads
Amanita Muscaria Videos
VIDEOS FROM THE MUSHROOM CAVE with Dr. MICHELLE RIGLING
Preparing Amanita Muscaria Microdosing Tea
So Many Amanitas!
Amanita Muscaria and Integration
Book Excerpt: "Time"
Read by Michelle Rigling
FAQs: Amanita Tea Kit vs. "Tincture" Extract
Microdosing Highlights
Book Excerpt: "Early Effects"
Read by Michelle Rigling
Book Excerpt: "Ritual vs Rigidity"
Read by Michelle Rigling
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS FROM OUTSIDE THE CAVE
Healing, Mushrooms and Integration: Amanita and Psilocybin
Amanita Muscaria and Rituals with Rael Amanita Warrior
Microdosing Amanita Muscaria with Baba Masha
The Fly Agaric: Facts, Myth and Experiences with Dr. Kevin Feeney
A Benzodiazepines Story from Amanita Dreamer
Trauma Healing Story with Amanita Muscaria
Amanita Muscaria Resources
Books | Podcasts | Medicine Sources
QUICK LINKS
The information on this page is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The practice of microdosing and the substances mentioned have not been approved to prevent, treat or cure any disease. The Cavewoman Way does not offer medical or legal advice nor do we support illegal activity of any kind.