Amanita muscaria

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Amanita muscaria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi Subkingdom: Dikarya Phylum: Basidiomycota Subphylum: Agaricomycotina Class: Agaricomycetes Subclass: Agaricomycetidae Order: Agaricales Family: Amanitaceae Genus: Amanita Species: A. muscaria
Binomial name
Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam.

Description and significance

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric, is a psychoactive fungus. Known as the fly agaric for its ability to kill houseflies when combined with milk. The common hallucinogenic compounds found in Amanita muscaria are ibotenic acid (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-isoxazoleacetic acid) and muscimol (5-(aminomethyl)-3-hydroxyisox-azole).

It is a fairly large mushroom with a bright red cap that ranges from 8-20 cm in diameter. The white spots on the cap are remains of the [universal veil]], a membrane that covers the mushroom at a young age. A partial veil usually forms a skirt like ring on the upper region of the stalk. The stalk or stipe is white or cream in color ranging from 5-20 cm high and 1-2 cm wide. The gills are free or slightly attached and are white in color.

Distribution and habitat

The fly agaric mushroom grows in symbiosis with birch, pine, and fir. It can be found in regions of both hemispheres (Alaska, Siberia, Scandinavia, central Europe, North America, Australia, Mexico, the Philippines) and in other regions where the aforementioned trees are located. The fly agaric is also found in the form of fairy rings.

Pharmacology

The two psychoactive agents fount in Amanita Muscaria are Ibotenic acid and Muscimol. Muscarine was originally thought to be the active hallucinogenic ingredient in A. muscaria. It was later found by researchers in the mid 20th century that these effects were caused by Ibotenic acid and Muscimol. There is a much larger amount of Ibotenic acid than Muscimol in the fly agaric, however the Ibotenic acid is decarboxylated when dried out turning it into Muscimol, this provides the psychoactive effect. Other agents found in A. muscaria are Muscarine, Muscazone, Bufotenin (5-OH-DMT), l-hyoscayamine, stizolobinic acid, stizolobic acid, methyltetrahydrocarboline carboxylic acid.