Amanita Muscaria

The (red with white dots) Amanita Muscaria can cause a very unpleasant experience and health problems. Potential symptoms of Muscarine, an active alkaloid of Fly Agaric and other Amanita's, followed after ingestion as described by The Merck Index are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and bronchospasm. With larger doses: acrimation, incontinence, bracycardia, hypotension and shock. Ibotanic acid, also an active substance of the Amanita's may cause brain damage as described by various authors on Public Medline. Muscimole is another active alkaloid in Amanita Muscaria. Its symptoms after oral intake are described by Richard Schultzes and Albert Hofmann as confusion, disorientation in situation and time perception, disturbance of visual function and hearing, muscle twitching, weariness, fatigue and sleep. Psychic performance and learning are diminished. Jochem Gartz, a well known mushroom specialist warnes in his book 'Magic Mushrooms around the world' that Amatoxins contained in the Amanita's may be lethal!