Artsy Shot: Fly with Me
A contribution by Kate
Executive Summary
Looks stunning, brings good luck, can help with anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, and addiction – what could it be? The fly agaric mushroom. Join us on a mystical journey through its history. Starting with Santa Claus, reindeer, and shamanic traditions, all the way to the latest health studies and microdosing experiences with Amanita muscaria. Here you will learn everything about the effects of the fly agaric!
Intro to Fly Agaric and its Effects
The fly agaric, also known by its fancy name Amanita muscaria, is one of the most fascinating and probably best-known mushrooms in the world – simply due to its striking appearance. With its bright red cap and white spots, it is not only a symbol of luck and magic but also a central element of many myths and traditions. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the history of the fly agaric, explore its use in shamanic rituals, and learn about the enormous healing potential of the fly agaric’s effects. Finally, we will learn more about the modern practice of microdosing with this wonder mushroom.
To make the delightful discovery of a glowing fly agaric in the wild, you don't have to travel to the other side of the world as you would for other magic mushrooms – you might stumble upon it quite by chance during an attentive hike. But it is not only found in the local European forests. It also grows wild in the forests of Asia. It has clearly defined the specific conditions it needs to thrive (we'll take a leaf out of its book!) – which is why it only exists in the wild and not commercially in grow kits or greenhouses.
But it is not only in symbiosis with selected trees such as birches, spruces, and pines; it is also deeply rooted in the stories and customs of many cultures. That's where we'll start right away. But before that, you might ask yourself: Where have you encountered the fly agaric before? Do you perhaps know something about its connection to Santa Claus? Is it a lucky charm or a poisonous mushroom? You could probably fill a whole library with information about the fly agaric. We'll start now with the most important information about the effects of the fly agaric, and perhaps one day it will personally reveal more of its secrets to you...
☝🏻 Disclaimer: Please be sure to observe our risk warnings. Additionally, we point out that the fly agaric powder available in our shop is not intended for human consumption. We only sell this as incense!
The Fly Agaric and its Effects Introduce Themselves
Origins and Myths Surrounding the Effects of Fly Agaric
The fly agaric has a long history in the myths and legends of various cultures. In Northern European folklore, it is often associated with elves and fairies, who are said to dance and celebrate under its caps. In Siberia and Northern Scandinavia, the fly agaric has been an integral part of shamanic rituals for millennia. Shamans believed that consuming the mushroom gave them access to spiritual worlds and divine wisdom.
One of the best-known stories – warning, it gets a bit bizarre! – is that of the reindeer shamans in Siberia: the reindeer nibbled on the fly agaric and the shamans then drank their urine to utilize the psychoactive compounds of the mushroom. This practice was developed to minimize the toxic side effects of the mushroom. Muscimol, the main psychoactive compound, remained in the urine, while some of the toxic components, including ibotenic acid, which is found in raw fly agaric, were broken down. A little tip: drying it might have done the trick too, because that also converts most of the ibotenic acid into the psychoactive muscimol.
But that's not even the oldest tradition of the fly agaric. Cave paintings in North Africa, dated to around 10,000 BC, suggest that the magical fly agaric was already used in the Stone Age.
The Lucky Mushroom and Santa Claus
But what is actually associated with the fly agaric? Our first answer would have been that of a good luck charm – a quite common attribution here in Europe. This image of the "lucky mushroom" probably originates from Old Norse mythology, where the mushroom was considered a gift from the gods. During Christmas time and around the New Year, depictions of the fly agaric are often seen as decorations, a custom that may go back to the legends of shamanic winter rituals in which the fly agaric played a central role.
According to tradition, these rituals often took place at the winter solstice, a time closely associated with today's Christmas customs. Shamans, dressed in red and white robes, collected fly agaric mushrooms and distributed them as gifts, so it's perhaps no coincidence that Santa Claus is depicted in red and white clothing. And now imagine the tripping reindeer, perhaps looking like they are flying after you yourself have nibbled on the mushroom – the perfect picture for a storybook.
And Saint Nicholas could also be linked to these shamanic practices. He, too, is known to be dressed in the same colors as the shamans (and mushrooms). We now boldly ask the question: Was it Saint Nicholas and Knecht Ruprecht who made you reflect at the end of the year, or was it perhaps a magical journey with the fly agaric that held up a mirror to people?
And why "Fliegenpilz" (Fly Mushroom) anyway?
The name "Fliegenpilz" (fly mushroom) initially sounds mysterious – one might think of the "flying" reindeer – but its origin is rather unspectacular. In the 16th century, the botanist Adam Lonitzer recommended boiling red fly agarics in milk and placing this mixture in a room to stun flies and mosquitoes. This method did not kill the insects directly but made it much easier to catch the pesky insects, as they too were (slightly) dazed by the effects of the fly agaric. In some areas, a paste made from fly agarics was even spread on house walls to keep insects away. This is how the fly agaric got its unusual name, although the reason for its popularity is not due to its effect on flies, but on humans, as we are now about to learn.
Fly Agaric as a Bridge Between Psyche and Body
In addition to its well-known shamanic applications and modern microdosing practices, the fly agaric is increasingly gaining attention as a holistic means of connecting body and mind. It is particularly exciting that the effects of the fly agaric can influence not only the psyche but also the autonomic nervous system. Users report that even with microdosing fly agaric, physical tension, muscle tremors, or the feeling of "releasing blockages" can occur. These somatic effects are often described as "bodywork" and can be related to the relaxing, GABAergic effect of muscimol, which can relieve not only mental but also muscular tension. At the same time, some people experience increased mindfulness of their own body, which is particularly evident in meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises. The fly agaric can thus serve as a tool for conscious body and self-perception. This aspect makes it particularly interesting in the microdosing field, where gentle effects and sustainable integration are paramount. So, if you're wondering if the fly agaric only "lets you dream," you'll quickly realize: there's a lot to discover physically too.
🍄 Note: The content described here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation for consumption or an instruction. Safety and personal responsibility are paramount!
A Traditional (Healing) Mushroom: Fly Agaric's Effects are Convincing
A Shamanic Journey Between Worlds
Shamans in Siberia and Northern Scandinavia have used the fly agaric for millennia as a tool to enter altered states of consciousness and embark on spiritual journeys. These rituals, often held at the winter solstice and other significant seasonal transitions, strengthened people's connection to nature and its cycles – a connection that has unfortunately been increasingly lost in our society. The fly agaric served as a catalyst, helping shamans enter trance states in which they gained spiritual insights, performed healings, and predicted the future.
The shamans dried the mushroom and consumed it in both small and large quantities to induce visions and make contact with the spirit world. It is reported that they often gave between 10 and 15 grams of the dried mushroom to participants in their ceremonies, which led to intense, visionary experiences. Another traditional use was also smoking the mushroom: dried parts of the fly agaric were placed on hot coals or in special incense burners, and the smoke was inhaled to promote visionary states and deep meditative experiences.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, another practice, probably rather questionable for most of us, was that shamans drank the urine of reindeer that had eaten fly agaric. This method filtered out some of the toxic elements and enhanced the psychoactive effects. By consuming the mushroom, they could come into contact with the spirit of the plant, which appeared to them as small mushrooms with eyes, arms, and legs.
Generally, shamans believe in the existence of three worlds: the underworld, the middle world, and the upper world, connected by the world tree or the tree of life. Through trance and spiritual journeys, they can enter these worlds, with the fly agaric and its effects serving as a key to open the "gate between worlds." These spiritual journeys help them bring about healings and maintain the balance between the worlds. Sounds almost worth a trip, doesn't it?
Medicine from Mother Earth: Diverse Effects of Fly Agaric
In addition to its spiritual use, the fly agaric has also been traditionally used as medicine. In various cultures, it was used to treat physical ailments such as pain and inflammation, as it contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. For such use, tinctures, teas, oils, and ointments were often made from the fly agaric and used in various ways.
🧿 Attention: An instruction for making a pain-relieving ointment will soon follow on Instagram, so join the club and follow us there too!
In addition to this use for alleviating physical pain, modern studies indicate an enormous healing potential of the fly agaric for psychological ailments. Studies include topics such as the reduction of anxiety and improvement of sleep 1, as well as the alleviation of chronic and neurological pain 2. But the potential and effects of the fly agaric are far from exhausted.
Muscimol, the active ingredient responsible for these positive effects, also shows significant influence on conditions such as depression and addiction. The improvement in the treatment of depression is attributed to an increase in serotonin and dopamine levels, both neurotransmitters that play a central role in mood regulation. Additionally, muscimol has an antidepressant effect through its action on the GABA-A receptor. By enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission, muscimol is thought to reduce the activity of neuronal circuits involved in depression, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.
This effect on the GABA-A receptor also makes muscimol effective in addiction studies, as it appears to reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Particularly in studies on alcohol and cocaine addiction, the results have been promising. Here, too, muscimol influences the neural circuits associated with addiction, such as the prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens 3.
At this point, it is important to emphasize that many of these studies have so far been conducted mainly on animals. (Long-term) studies with humans are often still in their infancy – once again, the image of the substance stands in the way of its enormous healing potential. We are all too familiar with this situation from conventional psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA. It's time for a change, don't you agree?!
Fly Agaric Effects: The Chemistry is Right.
Now a mini-chemistry excursion before we turn to the topic of fly agaric microdosing: The fly agaric contains several bioactive compounds – the most well-known among them are ibotenic acid and muscimol. Ibotenic acid is toxic in high doses and can lead to a number of unpleasant and potentially dangerous symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, and hallucinations. This toxicity is based on the effect of ibotenic acid on the central nervous system.
A traditional and effective way to reduce the mushroom's toxicity is to dry it. When drying, a large part of the ibotenic acid is converted into muscimol, which is the main psychoactive substance. This decarboxylation process reduces toxicity and makes the fly agaric safer for consumption. To ensure that the mushroom is well dried, it is recommended to spread it out in a well-ventilated area and let it dry completely.
Another common detoxification process is boiling the mushroom. Boiling in water removes water-soluble toxins, including ibotenic acid. It is recommended to boil the mushrooms for at least 15 to 20 minutes. The water is then discarded to get rid of the extracted toxins. Some users repeat this process to ensure that as many toxins as possible are removed.
Besides ibotenic acid and muscimol, the fly agaric contains other interesting compounds. One of them is muscazone, which also forms during the decarboxylation (drying) of ibotenic acid. Muscazone has similar psychoactive properties to muscimol but is less potent. Furthermore, the fly agaric also contains beta-carbolines, which are alkaloids with MAO-inhibiting properties. This inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) can prolong the effects of other psychoactive substances in the body. In addition, traces of tryptophan and its derivatives are present in the mushroom, which serve as precursors for neurotransmitters such as serotonin. These and many other diverse chemical compounds contribute to the complex effects of the fly agaric, making it a fascinating object of both traditional and modern research.
Modern Practice of Fly Agaric Microdosing
Micro-what?
A quick refresher for you: Microdosing refers to the practice of consuming very small amounts of a psychoactive substance. The aim is for the effect to be subtle, yet still achieve positive effects without experiencing the full psychoactive impact. This method has gained popularity in recent years, especially with substances like LSD and psilocybin. But the fly agaric has also found its place in the world of microdosing – more on that now.
If you are interested in microdosing with LSD or psilocybin, we highly recommend our Microdosing 101 – it's worth reading!
Microdosing with Fly Agaric
According to the highly recommended book “Microdosing with Amanita Muscaria: Creativity, Healing, and Recovery with the Sacred Mushroom” by Baba Masha, users report positive effects such as increased creativity, reduced stress, enhanced concentration, and emotional balance. The recommended fly agaric doses are significantly lower than the amounts traditionally used in shamanic rituals. Typically, the dose for microdosing fly agaric is between 0.3 and 0.5 grams. Sometimes it can be up to 1 gram of the dried mushroom – everyone has to discover their own sweet spot. The best way to do this is by slowly titrating upwards.
The duration of the fly agaric's effects is a subtle six to eight hours; if one is particularly sensitive, perhaps up to ten. Its protocol resembles common other protocols, such as Jim Fadiman's. It recommends taking it every three days. This is intended to alternate between one day under influence, one day under a so-called afterglow (aka the positive lingering effects of the substance), and one day of sobriety.
In the study conducted for the book, Baba Masha documented how over 3,000 volunteers experienced positive outcomes for a variety of health conditions. In addition to the previously mentioned effects, microdosing with fly agaric showed, among other things, help and healing for hormonal dysfunctions, allergies, gum inflammation, heartburn, eczema, psoriasis, depression, epilepsy, high blood pressure, insomnia, and migraines. It also revealed that even these small fly agaric dosages are effective in pain relief. Likewise, they can help break addictions to alcohol, opiates, nicotine, caffeine, and other narcotics. This thus confirms the results of previously mentioned studies.
The nearly 800 personal reports contained in the book describe positive, as well as negative and neutral, effects of microdosing with Amanita muscaria 4. We always find such personal information particularly interesting!
Fly Agaric Effects: Safety first – always!
As with all other substances, it is important to be careful and precise when microdosing with fly agaric. Too high a fly agaric dosage can cause unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects. It is recommended to start with a very small amount and observe the fly agaric's effects before gradually increasing the dose. As always, the motto is: Start low, go slow!
Overall, microdosing with Amanita muscaria offers a wonderful way to experience the positive effects of this traditional medicinal mushroom without undergoing the full psychoactive fly agaric trip. Because this definitely carries its risks and should therefore only be undertaken under professional guidance or with an experienced tripsitter.
Outro on Fly Agaric Effects
If, after this article, you still couldn't get excited about fly agaric, then we're at our wit's end – despite our extensive Latin knowledge. We at the team are delighted to finally have this European wonder mushroom in our assortment and are actively experimenting and burning it ourselves. The possibilities for use are as versatile as you are, wonderful person. Therefore, we invite you to bring a little more magic and happiness into your everyday life with the help of fly agaric. We welcome any kind of feedback and personal reports, whether on Instagram or directly by email to mail@psychedelika.club 🍄
FAQ on Fly Agaric Effects
What risks are relevant with fly agaric effects?
When used incorrectly, fly agaric effects include poisoning, delirium, and severe physical reactions. Raw consumption is particularly dangerous due to the high ibotenic acid content, which can be neurotoxic. To reduce the risk, proper preparation such as drying or boiling is necessary.
Is fly agaric still used as a drug today?
In certain circles, fly agaric is used as a drug with spiritual or experimental aims. The term fly agaric drug is highly context-dependent – medically toxic, yet culturally deeply rooted in shamanic rituals. In modern subculture, consumption is usually very conscious and focuses on set and setting.
How does microdosing with fly agaric differ from other methods?
Microdosing with fly agaric primarily affects the nervous system in a body-centered, relaxing, and regulating way. Fly agaric microdosing mainly influences GABA receptors, leading to calming and balancing effects. Sleep, mindfulness, and emotional balance are possible. The effect differs from LSD's effect in microdosing.
What amount is suitable as a typical fly agaric dosage for beginners?
Typical starting amounts for microdosing are 0.3 to 0.5 grams of dried fly agaric. This fly agaric dosage allows for initial effects to be perceived without entering an altered state of consciousness. If deeper experiences with a visionary component are desired, significantly higher doses are relevant.
How does a typical fly agaric trip compare to other psychedelics?
A typical fly agaric trip is usually dreamlike, physically intense, and has a strong introspective depth. During a fly agaric trip, states such as time distortion, trance, emotional cleansing, and spiritual symbolism dominate. The effect sets in more slowly and is often described by individuals as "out-of-body." Doses greater than 3 grams should only be taken under professional supervision, as fly agaric affects the central nervous system and this can be dangerous alone.
Endnotes
[1] Karim MR. A Method to Quantify Drosophila Behavioral Activities Induced by GABAA Agonist Muscimol. Bio Protoc. 2021 Apr 20;11(8):e3982. doi: 10.21769/BioProtoc.3982. PMID: 34124286; PMCID: PMC8160546.
[2] Hosseini M, Karami Z, Janzadenh A, Jameie SB, Haji Mashhadi Z, Yousefifard M, Nasirinezhad F. The Effect of Intrathecal Administration of Muscimol on Modulation of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Resulting from Spinal Cord Injury. An Experimental Study. Emerg (Tehran). 2014 Fall;2(4):151-7. PMID: 26495371; PMCID: PMC4614567.
[3] Del Pippo, P. Therapeutic effects of muscimol on various conditions including anxiety. Medium. 2023. Available at: https://medium.com/@delpippo/therapeutic-effects-of-muscimol-on-various-conditions-including-anxiety-eb599f6f293c.
[4 ] Masha B. Microdosing with Amanita Muscaria: Creativity, Healing, and Recovery with the Sacred Mushroom. 2022. Inner Traditions. ISBN: 978-1644113840.
4)
4)
4)
4)