When most individuals hear the time period “getrockneter Fliegenpilz” they instantly consider psilocybin, a household of fungi that produce the hallucinogenic compounds psilocin and psilocybin. One other mushroom, nevertheless, additionally has robust psychedelic properties and a historical past of human use going again hundreds of years. Generally known as Amanita muscaria and by its frequent identify, fly agaric, the mushroom is deeply rooted within the shamanic traditions of the Northern Hemisphere. The truth is, a lot of the lore behind the jolly outdated Christmas elf, Santa Claus, could be traced to the ritual use of this whimsical fungus.
Sure, that is proper. The story of the flying reindeer that tow a sleigh for a big man who shoves himself down chimnies to steal cookies, and depart presents for good youngsters and clumps of cole for many who misbehave, was conceived by the magic of the Amanita mushroom. How’s that for the premise of a spiritual vacation?
What’s Amanita Muscaria?
Amanita muscaria is a mushroom that may be discovered rising in forests all through a lot of Europe, Asia, and North America. The simply acknowledged species has a white-flecked crimson cap with white gills, and sits on a white stem. The fungus grows on the base of many species of timber, residing in concord with the roots of the timber in an underground symbiotic soil neighborhood. When the fruiting physique first emerges from the earth, it’s lined with a white movie that breaks and separates into spots because the mushroom grows, revealing the intense crimson hue beneath. A chronic or notably robust rain can generally wash away the ensuing signature white spots fully.
Amanita muscaria comprises the hallucinogenic compounds ibotenic acid and muscimol. Though mushroom gathering area guides generally record Amanita muscaria as toxic, just a few confirmed fatalities have been attributable to the species. Nonetheless, amanitas are simply confused with a associated — however lethal — species that look much like them, so depart the wild mushroom foraging to the specialists and mycologists.