Amanita Muscaria Vs. Psilocybin Mushrooms: What's The Difference?

Are you interested in exploring the world of mind-altering substances but not sure how to start the research process? You’ve come to the right place!

That’s one of the reasons why we put together this guide - so that you can know more about the differences between muscimol and psilocybin. 

Ready to get started?

Key Takeaways

• Muscimol and psilocybin are both psychedelic compounds.
• Muscimol and ibotenic acid are found in the Amanita muscaria mushroom, though ibotenic acid can produce unwanted and unpleasant reactions.
• The effects of these two psychedelic substances can be similar, but they each have a few defining characteristics.
• Both muscimol and psilocybin mushrooms can have both positive and negative effects.
• Muscimol and psilocybin fall into different substance categories, and they also can bring about different effects.

See Related: Is Marijuana Legal In Ohio?

What Is Amanita Muscaria?

Both muscimol and psilocybin are compounds that naturally occur in psychedelic mushrooms. However, there are a few key differences between them that are important to understand.

Muscimol comes from the Amanita muscaria mushroom, also known as the fly agaric mushroom. The Amanita muscaria mushroom has scarlet red caps and significant historical roots in multiple cultures, as shamans have used it in spiritual and religious rituals for hundreds of years.

While fly agaric mushrooms may not be the most well-known mind-altering substance, it’s one that you should be familiar with!

What Is Muscimol?

Many people think that muscimol falls within the psychedelic category, but that’s not the case.

Though this substance acts very similarly to psychedelics, it’s actually a deliriant. This classification is due to the various biological receptors that this substance acts on, which are different from the receptors responsible for psychedelic effects.

Muscimol is a potent partial agonist of GABA receptors. When ingested, muscimol can produce feelings ranging from anywhere to euphoria, tranquility, altered hearing and taste, and more.

This has made the Amanita mushroom a highly sought-after commodity in the world of modern psychedelics. And, in fact, muscimol itself has been defined as a psychotropic drug.

Many people have nicknamed amanita mushrooms "the Delta 8 of the psychedelics world." While Delta 8 can certainly produce a high, it is reported to produce a milder high than Delta 9.

In this instance, one could view Amanita mushrooms as Delta 8 and psilocybin mushrooms as Delta 9. All of this is to say the effects of both differ greatly. So, if you've ever experienced psilocybin for yourself, don't expect the same results from muscimol.

Throughout history, this active compound has been used to relieve pain, calm inflammation, and reduce anxiety.

What Is Ibotenic Acid?

However, muscimol isn't the only compound found in Amanita muscaria. Amanita muscaria mushrooms also contain ibotenic acid, a compound that may produce unwanted and unpleasant reactions. The problem is that both muscimol and ibotenic acid are found in Amanita muscaria mushrooms.

When the mushroom has not been processed thoroughly and ibotenic acid fails to convert to muscimol, this can produce negative effects such as sweating, nausea, loss of balance, and other involuntary body movements.

That's why it is extremely important for consumers of Amanita mushrooms to make sure their products have been thoroughly vetted.

At Clean Remedies, our Amanita muscaria products are void of ibotenic acid, meaning you can enjoy a safe and legal trip without those unwanted side effects. Our Amanita muscaria mushroom products don't contain harmful or dangerous ingredients, and we third-party test everything for safety, purity, and potency.

Here are just a few of our favs:

• Amanita Muscaria Fruit Tarts - These naturally flavored mushroom gummies are ideal if you want to microdose Amanita muscaria mushrooms.
• Amanita Muscaria Chocolate Bar with Delta 9 THC - A creamy indulgence made with 5,000mg of Amanita muscaria and 50mg of Delta 9 THC per bar.
• Amanita Muscaria Drink Mix with Delta 9 THC - An Arnold Palmer-flavored drink mix, perfect for a spring day!
• Amanita Muscaria Tincture with Delta 9 THC - We have a variety of THC tinctures, but this one features Amanita muscaria.

Amanita Muscaria Effects 

There may not be an overwhelming amount of research available about muscimol and Amanita muscaria, but there’s still plenty to learn.

Many people report that fly agaric mushrooms make them feel euphoric. Others compare its effects to feeling like they’re in a dream. 

However, muscimol doesn’t agree well with everyone. Everyone’s reaction to this substance is different, so it’s not possible to predict the way that you’ll react to it.

Because of this, you should do your research before consuming this substance and make sure that you’re aware of its details.

The Psychotropic Effects Of Muscimol

As we said earlier, the effects of muscimol vary greatly from the effects of psilocybin. But first, it's important to understand why.

Psilocybin works by activating the serotonin receptors in the brain. This part of the brain can affect mood, cognition, and perception.

But muscimol, on the other hand, affects the GABA receptors of the brain, not the serotonin receptors. GABA receptors have more to do with the central nervous system, making muscimol a less threatening psychedelic, at least in the eyes of the law.

Research into the psychotropic effects of muscimol is still ongoing. But here's what researchers know about muscimol as a potent agonist to GABAa receptors.

The Role Of GABA Receptors

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is the chief inhibitory compound that exists within the central nervous system. A GABA receptor, in turn, responds to the acid however it gets stimulated.

As a potent GABA agonist, muscimol tends to produce sedative effects, similar to a muscle relaxant. It also inhibits and alters neuronal activity in multiple regions of the brain.

As only a partial agonist, medicinal chemistry is finding that muscimol may affect various mental and physical properties, potentially influencing issues like sleep, insomnia, addiction, and pain. 

Still, the question remains: does muscimol have any therapeutic potential? Simply put, the answer is maybe. 

Does Muscimol Have Any Therapeutic Potential?

While Amanita mushrooms are only now becoming popular within mainstream media, their use has been documented throughout time. In the "old world," this psychoactive mushroom was often associated with northern European and Asiatic shamans for their spiritual rituals.

In fact, even anecdotal evidence from this time suggests that muscimol may have a hand in reducing stress and pain and perhaps even increasing longevity.

Psychedelics are making some major strides in terms of both research and legalization. So, what clinical evidence is there of muscimol's potential therapeutic effects?

What Researchers Are Now Discovering

A 2022 animal study indicated muscimol's potential to protect against systemic inflammatory responses, independent of GABA receptor stimulation. While the connection to inflammatory responses remains unclear, it's significant to note that muscimol effectively protected against such responses, likely highlighting the compound's potential anti-inflammatory effects.

Additionally, Psyched Wellness is conducting a study on the potential antioxidant properties of muscimol, finding substantial evidence to support the potential therapeutic benefits of this special compound.

Muscimol is also currently being researched for its potential to treat symptoms associated with Huntington's Disease as well as Alzheimer's.

Suffice it to say that there are plenty of ways researchers are interested in utilizing this compound's potential therapeutic effects.

Using muscimol can be a transformative experience. With that being said, dosage is an important factor to consider, as well as your individual metabolism and any past reactions that you’ve had to substances.

What Are Psilocybin Mushrooms (Magic Mushrooms)?

If you've heard of Amanita muscaria, odds are that you have probably heard of psilocybin mushrooms. Unlike muscimol, psilocybin exists in many different kinds of hallucinogenic mushrooms, including Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe semilanceata.

This compound falls within the psychedelic category. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are often referred to as “magic mushrooms.” Magic mushrooms are typically very versatile and can grow in many different types of environments.

This is one of the reasons why they’re so popular within the psychedelic community!

When it comes to psilocybin-containing mushrooms, it’s important to think about the type of mushroom you’re consuming. Each mushroom will have other chemicals in it besides psilocybin.

These additional chemicals can impact the effects that you experience. Because of this, it’s best to be mindful and knowledgeable about your psychedelic options before you dive into this substance category.

Effects of Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psilocybin works with the brain's serotonin receptors, which results in the effects that many people associate with tripping. The brain works differently while under the influence of psilocybin, so this substance should be taken seriously and used cautiously.

Many people report that they see things differently or feel things differently while under the influence of this compound.

Some people prefer to physically eat psilocybin mushrooms, while others prefer concentrated options. For most, the effects of this compound are felt within 30-60 minutes. Overall, the total effects should last for about 4-6 hours.

However, this can depend on a variety of different factors, including your metabolism, overall health, substance use history, and more.

Taking psilocybin mushrooms at high doses could lead to unwanted effects, which is something to seriously consider if you’re not sure which dosage is right for you. Taking some time to think about the right dosage of psilocybin is essential, so give it some thought before your first (or next) magic mushroom experience.

What to Keep in Mind When Using Psychedelic Mushrooms

Both Amanita muscaria mushrooms and magic mushrooms fall within the mind-altering substance category. This means that they’re substances that can have a variety of different effects, including altering someone’s perception of reality and their overall mental state. 

If you’re considering ingesting hallucinogenic mushrooms, one of the best things you can do is research them and learn more about these compounds themselves (including psilocybin, muscimol, and ibotenic acid.)

Safety

As with all hallucinogenic drugs, there are many different safety concerns to think about (remember that this includes both muscimol and psilocybin).

It’s a good idea to have someone with you while you’re using psychedelics or hallucinogenic mushrooms. Often referred to as a “trip sitter,” this person can be extremely helpful if you experience undesired effects or need some additional support.

If you don’t have someone who can physically be with you, consider asking someone if they can text or call you to check-in.

If you’ve used substances (especially hallucinogenic mushrooms) in the past and had a negative reaction, you may want to pay attention to that warning. A negative previous reaction could point to the same thing happening again in the future, so it may be best for you to avoid hallucinogenic mushrooms if that’s something you’ve experienced before.

Bonus: Understanding The Different Types Of Psychedelic Mushrooms

Dosage

One of the most important things to think about when it comes to muscimol or psilocybin mushrooms is the dosage that you’re going to be taking. 

It’s typically recommended to remain conservative with dosages and start small. If you’re an experienced enthusiast of hallucinogenic mushrooms, you may be able to increase your dosage to get the effects that you’re looking for.

However, if you’re new to the world of mind-altering substances, you might want to consider dipping your toe in the water before you jump to a higher dosage.

Keep in mind that different dosages will bring about different effects. If you’re looking for a more intense experience, then you will most likely want to opt for a slightly higher dose. With that being said, you should proceed with caution and only take an amount that you feel comfortable with.

When it comes to mind-altering substances and hallucinogenic mushrooms, one of the biggest mistakes that you can make is taking too much because you haven’t felt the desired impacts yet. This could lead to uncomfortable effects. If you’ve already taken muscimol or psilocybin mushrooms and you’re not experiencing the effects that you are looking for, it may be best to wait for another day and try again.

Before you start using mind-altering substances, it’s best to research the specific substance and its potential negative effects. This can help you make sure that you’re aware of what could potentially happen and that you can prepare yourself for a variety of possibilities.

Keep in mind that the right dosage for someone else may not be the right choice for you, so it’s best to use your own personal judgment and make sure that you feel comfortable with what you’re taking.

Wrapping Up: Muscimol Vs. Psilocybin

If you’re looking for a spiritual or emotional transformation, then magic mushrooms could be right for you. It’s generally recommended that you only use one substance at a time, as combining them could be complicated and is a lot for your brain to process.

Staying safe is important when it comes to using mind-altering substances or hallucinogenic mushrooms, so consider the best practices that we mentioned earlier (having a trip sitter, being mindful of your dosage, etc.).

Don’t hesitate to do your own research and learn more about these incredible compounds. As always, make sure to reach out to your doctor if you have questions about your own individual health or what options are right for you.

Keep Reading: How to Make Cannabutter: A Starter Guide

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People Also Ask

What drug is similar to muscimol?

GABA is structurally similar to muscimol, which is why muscimol is able to bind to the body's GABA receptors. While muscimol is a depressant and binds to the GABA receptors, psilocybin is an antidepressant and binds to the serotonin receptors.

What does muscimol do to the body?

Muscimol, a compound in the Amanita muscaria mushroom, is able to calm and soothe the mind and body. It's a depressant and binds to the GABA receptors, which can produce sedative-hypnotic, depressant, and hallucinogenic psychoactivity.

Is muscimol legal in the US?

Amanita muscaria, including the compounds it contains, such as muscimol and ibotenic acid, is not a controlled substance in the United States. It is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The cultivation, possession, and distribution are not regulated by the federal government.

How much muscimol is psychoactive?

Everyone's experience with Amanita muscaria will be different. However, studies show that between 8 to 15mg of muscimol is enough to produce psychoactive effects.

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