Uncategorized
FDA Restricts Use of Psychoactive Amanita Muscaria Mushroom in Edibles
Dec
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced restrictions on the use of Amanita muscaria, a psychoactive mushroom, in food products due to safety concerns. Commonly known as the fly agaric, this red-and-white-spotted mushroom contains compounds now prohibited in food manufacturing: muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine.
FDA Warnings and Risks
While Amanita muscaria is not illegal, the FDA has prohibited its use in edibles, citing potential risks including hallucinations, drowsiness, delirium, seizures, coma, and, in severe cases, death. The FDA emphasized that food manufacturers must ensure the safety of their products and warned against the use of these compounds in items like candy bars that mimic conventional foods.
Recent Incidents Heighten Concerns
The FDA’s actions follow a troubling year that saw three deaths and 180 illnesses linked to candy containing a blend of psychedelic mushrooms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among the affected individuals, 73 were hospitalized. While muscimol, a compound found in Amanita muscaria, was identified in the products, the CDC noted that it could not account for all reported symptoms.
Limited Overdose Data but Heightened Precautions
Despite being classified as poisonous, Amanita muscaria has minimal documented cases of overdoses or fatalities. However, the FDA’s scientific review highlighted the mushroom’s potential dangers, prompting the prohibition of its psychoactive compounds in food products.
Regulatory and Enforcement Challenges
The FDA’s restrictions raise questions about enforcement. Dr. Mason Marks, a Harvard law professor and expert on psychedelics law, suggested that the FDA could push the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to classify Amanita muscaria as a controlled substance. However, Marks also noted that FDA warnings often lack follow-through.
“The FDA issues a lot of these warning letters,” Marks told NPR. “There’s a possibility that nothing will happen.”
Broader Implications
This move underscores the FDA’s focus on ensuring consumer safety amidst the growing popularity of psychedelic products. While the restrictions target the fly agaric mushroom, they reflect a broader regulatory effort to address the risks associated with psychoactive compounds in food products.
