Amanita Muscaria Extract: Discover the Benefits and Uses of Muscimol

Psychonauts and mycophiles forage Amanita muscaria mushrooms for their psychoactive properties, often drying the mushroom whole to be later powdered and blended into tea. Others parboil the iconic scarlet and white mushroom then eat it. While these methods of consumption represent some of the more popular ways to ingest Amanita muscaria, there is another method: Amanita muscaria extract. 

Well-prepared extracts can concentrate and magnify the desirable therapeutic effects of Amanita muscaria mushrooms while leaving out unpleasant, unwanted side effects. Bottled liquid extracts, or extracts blended into edible delivery formats like gummies can make dosing and consuming the mushroom extremely straightforward, and easy to integrate into daily routines.

Although Amanita muscaria hasn’t traditionally been consumed as an extract, extracts are growing in popularity for modern consumers of the mushroom thanks to their potency and simplicity. In this article, we’ll dive into the science and benefits of Amanita muscaria extracts.

What is Amanita Muscaria Extract?

Amanita muscaria extract is a concentrated product that is derived from the mushroom. In general, extracts are made by processing raw material to isolate their psychoactive compounds. Solvents, such as water, are often used to help extract the desired compounds. Extracts can be integrated into a variety of oral delivery formats, including edible products like gummies, capsules, tinctures, and more.

In the case of Amanita muscaria, raw mushrooms are processed to isolate and concentrate the main psychoactive compound, muscimol. Muscimol reduces nervous system activity and is responsible for the mushroom’s therapeutic effects of physical relaxation, sleepiness, and tranquility. When people experience a dream-like, lightly euphoric state after consuming Amanita muscaria, muscimol is very likely the major contributing factor.

Extracts also allow for the manipulation of unwanted compounds, such as ibotenic acid, which is another fundamental compound found in Amanita muscaria. Ibotenic acid is known to contribute to nausea and vomiting, which can be experienced by those who consume Amanita muscaria mushrooms whole. Through extraction, however,  ibotenic acid can be isolated and subjected to a chemical process known as decarboxylation which converts the acid into muscimol. This allows a greater concentration of muscimol extract and extra potency for those seeking the therapeutic effects of this beneficial psychoactive compound. Extracts additionally allow for more controlled and precise dosing of the psychoactive compounds in comparison to consuming whole mushrooms, or powders derived from whole mushrooms.

Benefits of Amanita Muscaria Extract

Muscimol, the main psychoactive compound found in Amanita muscaria mushrooms, interacts with the body’s GABA receptors. GABA is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in reducing central nervous system activity. The effects of muscimol on the GABA receptors leads to feelings of drowsiness, calmness, relaxation, and deep sleep, which can set in as quickly as 30 minutes after ingestion. 

High doses of muscimol can contribute to a more psychedelic range of effects such as a profound sense of tranquility, altered perception and a dream-like state of mind, as described in this study :

“As I sat watching [my son] splash in the tub I had the most peculiar visual experience . . . As I watched him, say laying belly down, my mind captured this image so it remained in my perception, till another motion, say my son sitting upright, caught my attention, of which the new image would appear. The whole effect was sort of a still frame slideshow, where an image would remain in perception till a new one burst from the center of the old one.”

The profoundly calming and introspective qualities that accompany muscimol render it helpful in reducing stress, easing anxiety and promoting creative thinking. In fact, there are a number of full-length books that explore people’s experiences in harnessing the therapeutic potential of muscimol in Amanita muscaria to address mental health issues and boost wellness. For many individuals who experiment with Amanita muscaria extract, a microdose is sufficient to invoke subtle but meaningful change.

According to a recent 2023 survey of Amanita muscaria users, people turn to the mushroom to help with causes as diverse as stress reduction, pain reduction, insomnia, depressive symptoms, skin problems, and even intestinal issues. As the principal psychoactive compound present in Amanita muscaria extract, muscimol likely plays a significant part in all of these effects.

Other scientific literature highlights the anti-inflammatory potential of muscimol. Researchers point out that Amanita muscaria has been ingested as a treatment for ailments related to the central nervous system, such as neuroinflammation. This study, which used AME-1, a potent Amanita muscaria extract developed by Psyched Wellness, found that the extract contained compounds that supported the reduction of neuroinflammation.

How to Use Amanita Muscaria Extract

Amanita muscaria extracts deliver the active components of the mushroom in a range of formats, such as tinctures, capsules, powders, and even edibles. These diverse delivery methods can act on a number of pathways in the body and take effect at different times. It therefore makes sense that different delivery methods require different dosages.

One popular and common way to consume Amanita muscaria extract is through tinctures. Tinctures are bottled liquid extracts that contain concentrates of active compounds. Tinctures usually come with dropper caps that make measuring exact dosages super simple. A single dropper may contain 1 ml, which makes it easy for dosing on a daily basis.

According to ACS Laboratory, which carries out quality testing and compliance on Amanita muscaria products, Amanita muscaria tincture dosages can be categorized in the following way:

• Microdose: An Amanita muscaria tincture microdose typically ranges from 0.1 ml to 0.5 ml to achieve a very subtle psychoactive effect. People often experiment with microdosing as a way to work Amanita muscaria into their daily routine.

• Low Dose: A low dose may range from 0.5 ml to 1 ml, with the intention of producing mild effects such as relaxation or mood enhancement.

• Moderate Dose: A moderate dose might range from 1 ml to 2 ml, producing more psychoactive effects or drowsiness.

• High Dose: A high dose could be 2 ml or even more. This dosage is likely to produce significantly stronger psychoactive effects, and is not recommended for beginners.

Similar to many psychoactive products, low Amanita muscaria dosages may help to ease anxiety while higher doses can be more stimulating, creating effects similar to a classical psychedelic trip. 

In one case study of a young man with trauma-related social anxiety, the author reported that low doses of muscimol helped to remove fear and anxiety and promote a feeling of calmness in social situations. These therapeutic effects allowed him to function in social settings that had previously triggered panic attacks. In general, the adage with dosing is to “start low and go slow’. Start with a low dose, wait and observe the effects, and gradually increase until you reach your desired state.

There are also other things to think about when it comes to Amanita muscaria dosage. Both body weight and tolerance can impact on how your body handles Amanita muscaria extract. For example, people with higher body weight may need larger Amanita doses to achieve the same effects as those with lower body weight. 

Similarly, tolerance can play a significant role in how the body responds to a standard dose. Tolerance means experiencing a reduced response to a substance over time and requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. People who regularly consume Amanita muscaria or other psychoactive substances may require larger doses to experience its effects compared to those who are completely new to it.

Amanita Muscaria Extract vs. Whole Mushrooms

Amanita muscaria mushrooms can cause toxic, harmful effects when they’re consumed raw because of their chemical composition. Raw mushrooms contain higher levels of ibotenic acid, which has neurotoxic properties. People who consume raw Amanita muscaria mushrooms sometimes experience unpleasant side effects like hallucinations, confusion, vomiting, nausea, muscle spasms, cramps, diarrhea, and loss of balance– all of which are largely caused by ibotenic acid. Whole mushrooms also carry another potential risk: They have to be sourced from environments where they’re not in close proximity to pollution or contamination, and they need to be gathered by someone with a nuanced awareness of mushroom foraging. Amanita muscaria looks similar in appearance to other mushrooms, some of which are highly toxic and potentially fatal if accidentally consumed.

Extracts, on the other hand, allow the desirable and therapeutic elements of the mushroom to be concentrated into an easy-to-use-format while leaving the undesirable elements out. There is also another fundamental benefit to Amanita muscaria extract: It’s super easy to use and discreet.

Overall, it’s advisable to steer clear of raw, whole mushrooms and focus instead on Amanita muscaria extracts that have undergone rigorous testing for safety and quality. It also pays to remember that dosage significantly determines the outcome and experience, so be mindful when dosing–start with a very low dose, and gradually increase if needed.

Risks and Safety Considerations

Amanita muscaria extract is largely safe and well-tolerated, particularly when it’s consumed in small doses. However, this is only true of high-quality extracts that have undergone testing and formulation by experts who have removed or reduced the concentration of ibotenic acid, which have been linked to unpleasant gastrointestinal and neurological side effects.

Improperly processed Amanita muscaria extracts may be contaminated with other substances, yield unpredictable psychoactive effects, or cause illness due to extremely high levels of muscimol.  It’s therefore essential to seek out high-quality Amanita muscaria extract. High-quality products will have labels that convey safety information, such as the exact amount of Amanita extract per serving, including the amount of muscimol and ibotenic acid present within that serving. They’ll also recommend the dosage size based on the desired result, and provide evidence of lab testing to demonstrate the presence of helpful psychoactive compounds, and the absence of unwanted contaminants or harmful substances.

Look for extracts created by reputable brands. Psyched Wellness Calm Amanita muscaria tincture  contains AME-1 extract, which has undergone extensive safety and quality testing by a panel of experts. AME-1 has been used by scientists undertaking scholarly research, who have found that the extract can positively modulate brain health. 

By focusing on laboratory-formulated Amanita muscaria extracts such as AME-1 used in Psyched Wellness products, you can harness the diverse potential benefits of this iconic mushroom and avoid the pitfalls associated with untested, improperly formulated extracts.

Amanita muscaria extract offers a potent method of enjoying the beneficial compounds within this unique mushroom. Extracts largely focus on muscimol, a psychoactive compound that has been linked to diverse therapeutic effects such as a sense of calm, relaxation, tranquility, and deep sleep support.

Extracts can amplify the desirable psychoactive components of the mushroom, like muscimol, while subduing or even erasing the unwanted substances that have traditionally caused side effects such as nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting. 

Amanita muscaria extracts produced by reputable brands additionally represent a straightforward method of enjoying Amanita muscaria on a daily basis. Products containing Amanita muscaria extract, such as Psyched Wellness Calm Tincture, provide a dropper so doses can be easily and discreetly measured out. By integrating Amanita muscaria extract into your everyday life, you can harness the myriad benefits that have been associated with this iconic mushroom with ease.