Why do people eat fly agarics and how to do it correctly

What is worth knowing about fly agaric?

If you study the varieties of this mushroom, you can find out an interesting fact: there are both poisonous and edible subspecies. Thus, it is in vain that some mushroom pickers bypass such an interesting object.

What does a fly agaric look like? From children's pictures it is also known that the mushroom cap is dotted with white spots. Under the skin of the fly agaric you can find light-colored pulp. It has no smell, but has a sweet taste. You can meet the mushroom:

• In acidic soils;
• Near the fir trees;
• Near the birches;
• Near other trees and bushes.

This species can grow alone or in whole groups. Now it’s worth taking a closer look at the subspecies of fly agarics.

1. Red fly agaric. The most dangerous in the fly agaric family. It looks quite attractive due to its bright color. Very poisonous. It contains the poison muscarine. And if you answer the question “ Can you eat red fly agarics ?”, then the answer will be negative. Four caps eaten are fatal.
2. White fly agaric. This mushroom has a smell, and it is very unpleasant. The taste is also not as sweet as its other counterparts. Eating three mushrooms will be enough to cause death.
3. Stinky fly agaric. The smell of this mushroom is the most disgusting among all the others. It resembles a white fly agaric, but the leg of this specimen is hollow and more toxic.
4. Panther fly agaric. Unlike its relatives, it is dark green or brown in color with white spots. When consumed, it causes hallucinations and negatively affects the human psyche. Sometimes the symptoms from eating panther fly agaric are similar to delirium tremens.
5. Toadstool fly agaric. Considered one of the most toxic mushrooms. The danger is that it is very similar to edible. But the difference between the toadstool fly agaric is the presence of teardrop-shaped warts. Can be used for food.
6. Gray-pink fly agaric. This mushroom has dark spots on its cap. The taste of the specimen is spicy, and the aroma is barely perceptible. Conventionally, fly agaric is considered edible, but not many people risk eating it.
7. Fat fly agaric. It does not taste very pleasant, but quite often the product can be found in cooking.
8. Caesar's fly agaric. The mushroom has a smooth cap and a light yellow stalk. It is considered edible and is often eaten, but it is not possible to find it in Russia.

The last three listed fly agaric mushrooms can be called edible ; below is their photo . But not every person dares to try such an extravagant delicacy.

Chemical components of fly agarics

A review of the scientific literature showed that 17 species of fly agarics have been studied by chemists, resulting in more than 70 compounds described. The most interesting in composition are the red and panther fly agarics.

Pigments

Muscarufin

- an orange-red pigment that gives the fly agaric its color. In the Russian-language segment of the Internet and translations from Russian into English, it is credited with anti-cancer and antibiotic properties, but in the scientific literature it was not possible to find any mention of muscafurin in this context.

Muskaflavin

- a yellow pigment isolated from red fly agarics. Because of the fly agaric species “Red Fly Agaric”, the yellow color of the caps is often found. Muscaflavine has been screened for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-analgesic and wound healing activities. Studies of the pharmacological activity of muscaflavine have shown that its action against most known pathogenic bacteria and fungi is similar to existing drugs.

Betalains

are classes of red and yellow indole pigments. Contained in the red fly agaric. The name “betalain” comes from the Latin name of beetroot (Beta vulgaris), from which it was first isolated. It is also found in buckwheat, rhubarb, spinach, and sorrel.

Betalain reduces the content of a toxic amino acid (homocysteine) in the body, which leads to cardiovascular diseases. For antioxidant support for the body, we recommend that you first take a closer look at the main source of betalains - table beets, and if you want something exotic - at the Opuntia cactus, Swiss chard and amaranth leaves. The latter are also rich in betalain.

Polysaccharides

Amanita muscaria bodies contain beta-1,3-D-glucan AM-ASN and alpha-1,3-D-glucan AM-APP, which have antitumor activity against sarcoma 180 in mice. Of course, this is encouraging news, but there is no need to rush to extrapolate the results to people. The animal body is structured differently, and much more research is needed before drawing conclusions.

Metals

Red fly agaric accumulates high levels of concentrations of cadmium, copper, mercury, and manganese in its caps. The content of these metals is strongly influenced by ecology, but the ability to accumulate heavy metals (and poison tinctures with them) is pronounced compared to other mushrooms. And not just mushrooms.

Red and brown fly agarics contain vanadium in their fruiting bodies in the form of a compound called amavadin. The concentration of vanadium taken up from the soil in these fly agaric species is often hundreds of times higher than in nearby plants. There are 38-169 mg of vanadium per 1 kg of dry fruiting bodies. For comparison, the average person (body weight 70 kg) has only 0.11 mg of vanadium in the body.

Bufotenin

The panther fly agaric contains the prohibited bufotenin. The name of the substance is a reference to the Latin word "Bufo", which means "toad". Bufotenine is found in the skin of almost all toads. Structurally close to the hallucinogen psilocybin and the “happiness hormone” neurotransmitter serotonin. The legends about the witch's brew of toads and fly agarics can be considered historically reliable. Toad venom was used by traditional healers, although for a different reason (it contains adrenaline and steroids).

Separately, it is worth noting that in case of poisoning with panther fly agaric, bufotenine syndrome is not observed, since it pales against the background of poisoning with other severe toxins, including toxins such as henbane and datura. Hallucinosis and delirium only accompany convulsions, drooling and involuntary bowel movements in mushroom eaters.

The administration of bufotenin in large doses leads to the development of psychosis. There are no placebo crossover studies using low doses of butophenine as a psychotherapeutic agent. However, there is data from American scientists testing microdosing of psilocybin (an analogue of bufotenine) in the treatment of PTSD and depression.

The results obtained indicate that in the long term, emotional instability and neurotic state only intensify.

Psilocybin replaces serotonin in the brain and nervous system, leading to dementia if used systematically.

Important!

Panther fly agaric contains more toxic substances and in larger dosages than red fly agaric, but is also available in an assortment for sale. An indicative case occurred in the spring of 1973 in the Seattle area. 20 people were hospitalized due to panther fly agaric poisoning. The tragedy was preceded by the publication of letters from the 18th century prose writer Oliver Goldsmith, which contained ethnographic observations about the use of red fly agaric by shamans in Siberia. Northern shamans took an infusion of fly agaric to fall into a kind of narcotic trance, which, as it seemed to them, allowed them to foresee the future. Some of the Seattleites who tried to repeat the shamanic ritual will never see the future.

Isoxazoles

Red and brown (royal) fly agaric mushrooms, contrary to popular misconceptions, do not contain bufotenin. Only isoxazoles are responsible for their psychoactive effects: ibotenic acid, as well as its metabolites muscimol and muscazole. However, ibotenic acid is not only a neuronal stimulant, but also a neurotoxin. The different ratio of isoxazoles in different types of fly agarics explains the different clinical picture of poisoning:

• brown fly agaric:
  intoxication with immersion in a state of half-asleep;
• panther fly agaric:
  intoxication with deep sleep;
• fly agaric:
  something between brown and panther.

In France, fly agarics are used to produce sedatives and sleeping pills. Manufacturers of dietary supplements dry fly agaric mushrooms using special equipment precisely in order to minimize the content of isoxazoles: in the structure of red fly agaric poisons, isoxazoles occupy almost 100%.

What can happen if you eat a poisonous mushroom?

Many people wonder what will happen if you eat a fly agaric ? If you eat red fly agaric, the consequences will be very difficult to predict. In any case, they will be negative and will affect the condition of the body. So, for example, believing that the red fly agaric is edible , for the sake of experiment they risk tasting it. Intoxication occurs within half an hour after consumption and is expressed as:

• Vomiting;
• Pain in the abdomen and stomach, reaching the point of cutting;
• Cramps.

Abnormalities in the central nervous system may also occur. That is why the victim additionally experiences hallucinations - visual or auditory. Sometimes this condition can lead to vision loss. The degree of complications that can result from intoxication depends on how much toxic substances the fly agaric contains.

Many are convinced that when properly prepared, any fly agaric becomes edible. For example, there is an opinion that a mushroom that has been soaked for a long time and boiled can be eaten. However, even during heat treatment, there is a possibility that the poison will not disappear from the mushroom. Its amount will noticeably decrease, and a person is unlikely to die after eating it. But in any case, the poison is capable of causing stomach upset. If, after consuming the tincture or any other dish prepared from fly agaric, the face, neck and chest become red, we can talk about intoxication. Other symptoms include incoordination and delirium.

History of the use of fly agaric

Researchers find traces of the red fly agaric in different parts of the world. For example, one of the African tribes specially grows fly agaric for food, and the mythical Indo-Aryan drink of the gods, Soma, was most likely prepared from fly agaric.

Rock painting “Man-Fly Agaric” found in Chukotka

Rock paintings of mushroom people were found in Pegtymel in Chukotka. Northern shamans used red fly agaric in their ceremonies to enter a special state of consciousness under the trance rhythm of a tambourine. The ancients knew about the property of the fly agaric to restore and increase physical and spiritual strength. Their visions allowed them to peer into the depths of the world.

Siberian shamans used a unique method of purification and distillation, using their body as a filter. So the first person to consume fly agaric took all the consequences of the side effects on himself, while others drank his urine, which already contained entheogens in their pure form. It is difficult to imagine how long this chain could continue.

How is fly agaric harmful to humans?

As already mentioned, if you prepare the mushroom incorrectly, you can achieve maximum intoxication of the body and cause death. Usually the poison begins to act 2-3 hours after consumption, and can last for a week, slowly affecting the body.

Interesting: recently the so-called fly agaric powder for smoking has become popular. It is smoked to induce hallucinations.

If symptoms of poisoning are noted, you must call an ambulance as quickly as possible and, while waiting for the doctor to arrive, take the following measures yourself:

1. Rinse the stomach. If vomiting does not start naturally, it must be induced artificially.
2. After gastric lavage, it is necessary to clean the gastrointestinal tract. This can be done with laxatives or an enema.
3. Finally, the poisoned person will need to drink any sorbent. A prime example is activated carbon.

It is worth remembering that first aid will only delay the effect of the poison and reduce its amount in the body. In any case, a person needs the help of experienced doctors.

First aid

If mushroom poisoning occurs, you must urgently call an ambulance. The person will be immediately taken to the hospital to provide first aid. Before the brigade arrives, you can take the following measures:

1. 
   To rid the body of a toxic toxin, you need to rinse the stomach several times with a special solution. To do this, dilute 3 tbsp in a five-liter jar of water. tablespoons of salt (one less for children).

2. The intestines are washed with 2 liters of boiled water. It is administered through an enema into the rectum.
3. It is necessary to take a diuretic tablet, and if there is no diarrhea, a laxative. After approximately 10 minutes, you should drink any sorbent, such as activated carbon, at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight.
4. It is important to drink a lot of water.
5. You cannot leave someone who has been poisoned alone.
6. If loss of consciousness occurs, you need to turn the person on his side, and then make sure that no vomit gets into the respiratory tract.
7. In severe cases, plasmapheresis, hemosorption and hemodialysis are used. If the victim is aggressive and agitated, the doctor will prescribe sedatives such as droperidol, haloperidol, sodium hydroxybutyrate, seduxen.
8. If breathing is difficult or absent, artificial (hardware) ventilation is used.

Where does Psilocybe semilanceata or semilanceta grow?

To avoid shipment, it is important to carefully review the contents of the basket after collecting mushrooms. The state of his health and even his life will depend on what mushrooms the mushroom picker gets.

How can fly agaric be useful?

Despite all its poisonous properties, fly agaric is useful and is often used in medicine. Some medicines contain substances contained in fly agaric, and with their help, a particular disease is eliminated. For example, the action of the mushroom can be useful for:

• Sclerosis;
• Epileptic seizures;
• Problems in the nervous system. Usually this is excessive excitability.

Additionally, with the help of special medications, sleep disorders and inflammatory processes of working organs are treated. The fact is that many ingredients of fly agaric have antibiotic properties. Thus, with their help, bacteria are fought and blood clots are eliminated.

Mushroom extract can relieve sick people from diseases of the central nervous system, cure neuralgia and alleviate suffering from osteochondrosis. With the help of tinctures, the respiratory system is treated. Thus, patients are cured of tuberculosis, bronchitis and get rid of phlegm.

Is fly agaric useful for animals, and if so, in what ways?

Many animals, attracted by the bright color of the mushroom, do not miss the opportunity to taste it. Among the most frequently encountered curious forest inhabitants are:

• Protein;
• Moose;
• Bears;
• Deer.

Fortunately, the poison of the fly agaric does not have a serious effect on them, and some of the components contained in its composition allow you to get rid of worms or other harmful parasites that live in the body of animals.

Fact: Animals are also at risk of drug intoxication, which happens quite often to them.

But despite the fact that drug intoxication is possible for them, many still avoid such a fate. The fact is that the metabolism of forest inhabitants is different from that of humans. Thanks to this difference, the animal body does not absorb the poison contained in the fly agaric and removes it from the body. Therefore, for animals, the mushroom is more likely a medicine than a potentially dangerous product.

Who is definitely not recommended to eat fly agaric?

Of course, many subspecies of fly agarics can be prepared so that they are edible and can be served. But in any case, you should avoid using:

• Children;
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• People with digestive tract problems;
• People with stomach diseases;
• People who have pancreatic pathologies or liver problems.

If a tincture has been prepared from fly agaric, you should definitely consult a doctor before using it.

Use of fly agaric in medicine

The mushroom has found wide use in the treatment of a variety of diseases. It is used both in the creation of drugs in pharmacology and in folk medicine.

Treatment of skin diseases with fly agaric

Fly agaric helps to establish metabolic processes in the body both when used externally and internally. An alcoholic tincture of this mushroom has been used as an anesthetic since ancient times. This remedy also helps speed up the process of regeneration of the skin during inflammation. This medicine is widely used in the following pathological processes:

• psoriasis;
• eczema;
• seborrhea;
• atopic dermatitis;
• allergic reactions on the skin;
• burns and frostbite.

Most often, medicines based on fly agaric are used as part of complex therapy, but good results can be achieved when used alone. Tinctures based on fly agaric are used to treat affected areas 2-3 times a day. And if you supplement the treatment with the use of nutritional supplements based on medicinal mushrooms, the healing process can be accelerated.

Fly agaric also helps to quickly deal with warts. When such a defect appears on the skin, it is necessary to apply lotions in the morning and evening. It will be possible to completely get rid of the problem within two to three weeks. If the affected area is extensive and the skin does not recover completely within 21 days, after the course of treatment it is recommended to take a break for a week, then the therapy can be repeated.

Use of fly agaric for cancer

Oncological diseases require timely consultation with a specialist and proper treatment in order to avoid the development of dangerous complications. An integrated approach, which involves the use of not only traditional medicines, but also traditional medicine, helps to increase the chances of a full recovery. Medicines based on fly agaric show a good effect on leukemia and malignant neoplasms. They are used for:

• cancer of the stomach and duodenum;
• breast cancer;
• cervical cancer;
• lung cancer;
• melanoma, etc.

The substances that make up the medicinal mushroom help strengthen the body's defenses. It becomes easier for the immune system to cope with foreign cells, which contributes to a speedy recovery. It is recommended to use food supplements based on fly agaric even after complete recovery. After all, it has been proven that harmful cells remaining after removal of a malignant tumor continue to multiply in the body, which can lead to relapse of the disease. If you start prevention in a timely manner, problems can be avoided.

Fly agaric for diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is associated with impaired insulin production in the body. The pathology is chronic and cannot be treated. But if the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations and leads a healthy lifestyle, dangerous complications can be avoided.

Fly agaric for diabetes mellitus can also be used as part of complex therapy. For example, an alcohol tincture based on this mushroom helps to heal purulent wounds faster. And diabetics have to deal with this problem quite often; even a small scratch can fester. To avoid extensive infection, the wound should be treated with an alcoholic tincture based on the mushroom several times a day.

Food supplements based on fly agaric have a positive effect on people who develop arterial complications due to diabetes. Such remedies help normalize blood pressure and effectively fight chronic hypertension.

Use of fly agaric for brain disorders

Food supplements based on fly agaric act on the body as a nootropic. Therefore, fly agaric microdosing is widely used in the treatment of diseases associated with impaired brain function. These include:

• stroke;
• Alzheimer's disease;
• Parkinson's disease;

Such pathologies are associated with constant dizziness, tinnitus, and cerebrovascular accidents. The patient complains of forgetfulness and has problems absorbing information. As a result, a person cannot fully exist in society. Medicines based on fly agaric, used as part of complex therapy, help stop the degenerative processes of the brain and return the patient to their normal lifestyle.

It has been observed that with long-term use of nutritional supplements that include fly agaric, patients experience better sleep, headaches disappear, mental activity improves, and symptoms associated with cerebrovascular accidents disappear. The person can lead a normal life and be physically active as before the disease.

Fly agarics for stress and depression

Minor stressful situations happen to everyone almost every day. Some people know how to control themselves and easily cope with troubles, while others accumulate negative emotions, which leads to neuroses and the development of depression. The situation may worsen to such an extent that drug treatment will be necessary. But if you start taking biological supplements based on fly agaric in a timely manner, complications can be avoided.

Amanita microdosing helps:

• cope with chronic fatigue;
• start looking at problems with optimism;
• relieve headaches associated with overwork;
• increase productivity;
• improve brain function.

It was noticed that when using products based on fly agaric, a person gets a surge of energy, he begins to set goals for himself and do everything to quickly achieve them.

Amanita microdosing is actively practiced by show business stars. This allows them to feel great despite a busy schedule and cope with stressful situations more easily. The use of such remedies allows people to feel cheerful even if they cannot fully rest at night.

Fly agaric microdosing can be practiced as part of complex therapy and for serious depressive conditions caused by psychological trauma. Biological supplements based on medicinal mushrooms help improve mood and change a person’s worldview for the better. He begins to understand that there is no need to dwell on the problem, that the world around him plays with bright colors and it is worth continuing to live a full life.

Fly agaric in the treatment of addictions

Alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling addiction - all these diseases ruin thousands of destinies every day. However, traditional treatment methods do not always give positive results. After all, it is important that the patient himself wants to get rid of the pathological condition. Actions alone on the part of relatives or doctors will not achieve success.

A way to force a person to reconsider his attitude to the problem can be fly agaric microdosing. Thanks to its antidepressant and calming effect, the medicinal mushroom helps to cope with a variety of addictions.

Alcohol tinctures of fly agaric were used to treat alcoholism back in ancient times, when there was no talk of traditional narcotic medications. Today there is no need to prepare such a tincture yourself. Ready-made nutritional supplements show good results. If you use them regularly, you will be able to:

• reduce cravings for alcohol and drugs;
• normalize sleep;
• eliminate intoxication associated with alcohol or drug use;
• restore the patient’s psychological state;
• improve patient productivity.

It also helps to remove fly agaric from the negative consequences associated with prolonged alcohol consumption. With the help of this medicine it is possible to normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system and improve metabolic processes in the body. As a result, the patient’s unpleasant symptoms associated with prolonged intoxication of the body disappear, blood pressure is restored and a surge of strength appears.

Relatives of patients are also recommended to take medicines based on fly agaric. Treating an alcoholic or drug addict is a serious stress, and with the help of fly agaric microdosing you can restore a normal psychological state.

You can also take medications based on fly agaric in case of one-time alcohol poisoning. Such nutritional supplements help to quickly restore well-being during a hangover.

Strengthening the immune system with fly agaric

Frequent stress, illness, poor diet and poor quality sleep - all this negatively affects the body's defenses. As a result, a person begins to get sick often, he loses the desire to communicate with friends and relatives, and his performance decreases.

This situation can be avoided if you take care of your immunity in a timely manner. An excellent way to strengthen the body's defenses will be food supplements based on the healing fly agaric. It is recommended to start using them towards the end of autumn, when the air temperature drops. If you take such supplements throughout the winter, you will be able to forget about poor health and colds.

You can restore immunity with the help of fly agaric even after a long illness. The medicinal mushroom helps increase hemoglobin levels and gives a burst of energy.

Fly agaric is a truly universal medicine that can come to the aid of a wide variety of pathological conditions. And if you take biological supplements based on this fungus for prevention, you will be able to forget about diseases altogether.

How to cook fly agaric so that it becomes edible?

Human curiosity knows no bounds, and even in ancient Rus', people tried to find a way to prepare a poisonous mushroom in such a way that it could be eaten without the risk of death. Below are the basic rules for choosing a suitable fly agaric, as well as the process of preparing it.

1. You only need to collect those mushrooms that have a lot of white spots on their caps. Mushroom stems should not be collected, as they contain a higher concentration of toxic substances.
2. After collection, the fly agarics must be dried and stored. The best option is to thread the samples onto a rope.
3. If it is necessary to prepare a tincture, decoction or any other dish from fly agaric, then it is necessary to carry out thorough heat treatment for a long time. During preparation, it is best to ask for advice from someone who has experience in carrying out a similar process and who, after processing, will tell you for sure whether the mushroom is poisonous or not.

Removing the mushroom from toxic components allows you to eat fly agaric and use it to treat various disorders and diseases. With the help of prepared fly agaric tincture, diseases such as tuberculosis or cancer can be cured. To treat skin damage, you can use freshly squeezed juice or an ointment prepared based on mushroom components.

Preparation

There are no poisonous plants in nature, including mushrooms, only improperly prepared ones. Below are some recipes:

• Fly agaric tincture is used both externally and internally. It is prepared in this way: the mushrooms are placed in a glass container and placed in a dark place; you can press them on top with a press. The juice collected in the jar is diluted with vodka or alcohol in a 1:1 ratio. Leave for at least a month in a dark, dry and cool place, then filter. The dosage of the tincture is purely individual, from a few drops to 30.
• Fly agaric ointment is good for joint pain. A fresh mushroom cap is ground well and mixed with sour cream, then in gauze and applied to the sore joint. Or dried fly agaric caps are ground into powder and mixed with petroleum jelly, natural fat or oil.