Can Amanita muscaria be used to combat anxiety?

The Amanita muscaria, usually called the fly agaric in German-speaking countries, has long been shrouded in cultural and historical mystery. In the past, it was used for various purposes in certain cultures, for example for shamanic and spiritual rituals. Yet countless people claim that fly agaric microdosing works better against their anxiety than many other supplements on the market - and even better than traditional medicines. How can this be?

Understanding the fly agaric

The question of whether fly agarics can be successfully used to relieve anxiety, stress and discomfort is currently a major topic of discussion. This article attempts to provide a well-informed viewpoint on this fascinating subject.

Ibotenic acid, muscimol and muscarine are among the most important chemicals found in Amanita muscaria. Originally, scientists thought that muscarine was responsible for most of the mushroom's effects. Although the chemical is present in Amanita, it is not present in sufficient quantities to actually have a significant effect.

Muscimol and ibotenic acid are the most important active ingredients in Amanita. The latter is associated with stimulating effects, while the former is better known for its relaxing effects.

The fly agaric is one of the most misunderstood mushrooms. Unlike 'magic' mushrooms, i.e. mushrooms containing psylocybin such as the Golden Teacher, the Amanita muscaria is NOT psychedelic. This is because it does not contain psilocybin, which is associated with hallucinogenic effects.

However, this does not mean that you can just start eating fly agarics as soon as you feel bad! It's important to know the correct processing and dosages to understand its benefits and potential, as well as possible side effects. Eating raw or insufficiently dried fly agarics can cause adverse effects such as nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting in consumers.

Why should you check out eating Amanita muscaria anyway?

It turns out that although this mushroom is not 'magical', it has some fantastic benefits to offer.

The fact that Amanita muscaria has been used medicinally for centuries in various parts of the world is likely to play some part. It is known that people in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia consumed the fly agaric hundreds of years ago for its apparent relaxing and balancing effects.

Nevertheless, for a long time the fly agaric was wrongly classified as poisonous and thus overlooked as a medicinal plant. Only now has research begun in earnest to look more closely at its mode of action. In view of the obvious increase in popularity of this mushroom, this is an urgently needed development.

Furthermore, the lack of alternatives to addictive opioid painkillers is absolutely worrying. The situation is not helped by the fact that pharmaceutical companies are doing everything they can to maintain their position in the treatment of mental and psychological stress disorders.

Woman fighting fears with amanita muscaria

Analyzing the potential to reduce anxiety

The ability of fly agaric to alleviate anxiety, stress and even trauma is not yet supported by extensive scientific literature. However, there are a very large number of informative user reports stating that Amanita muscaria relieves anxiety and promotes relaxation and sleep when taken in microdoses.

The reason for this is that the ingredients of the fly agaric act on the GABAA receptors in the brain: they suppress the transmission of negative feelings, which leads to relaxation, improved mood and, last but not least, a reduction in anxiety.

The multi-year study by an American doctor is exceptionally helpful in this context: she spent four years researching the versatile application possibilities of a few micrograms of fly agaric per day and thousands of volunteers recorded in detail how the microdosing affected them. Their analyses also focused on the title question: Can Amanita muscaria be used to combat anxiety? The evaluation of the questionnaires showed quite astonishing results. The vast majority, namely a good 80% of the study participants, perceived the following effects on the psyche, among others:

a new zest for life
Balance and harmony
Calm joy in being
Strengthening of inner observation
Increase in the pace of life
Reduction of criticism and envy
Reduction of aggression towards oneself, the environment and fellow human beings
Reassessment of priorities
Disappearance of fears
Coming to terms with and rethinking psychological trauma
Normalization of criticism and control
Paradigm shift
Rethinking ideological attitudes
Change of thinking style
Exit from the mental crisis
Increasing self-interest
Improved communication
Reduced sense of inflated ego and self-importance
Disappearance of sadness and feelings of guilt, regardless of where they came from
Increased self-esteem and self-confidence
Good and respectful attitude towards yourself and your own existence

According to these survey results, fly agaric microdosing has already clearly proven to be a useful method for treating symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress. The positive results are also confirmed in a number of online forums, where microdosers discuss the possible uses of fly agaric up and down the internet. It is particularly noteworthy that the very small amounts of dried fly agaric consumed using this method can neither trigger an addiction nor cause any significant or even long-term side effects!