Legal Alternatives to Psychedelics: Safe, Natural Wellness Solutions

Although certain psychedelic substances like psilocybin are becoming more accessible to Americans thanks to state legislative reforms, the vast majority remain illegal at a federal level. While psychedelic consumption may hold appeal to those on a wellness journey, the legal ambiguity and potential ramifications can be off-putting. 

It’s little wonder, then, that there’s rapidly expanding interest in legal psychedelic alternatives. Beyond the world of psilocybin mushrooms, LSD and MDMA, lies a diverse range of non-psychedelic mood boosters and legal mind-altering substances. 

Amanita muscaria mushrooms represent one such example of a legal alternative to psychedelics. For people who wish to stay well within the confines of the law but still experiment with natural psychedelic alternatives, Amanita muscaria can be an ideal option. This mind-altering mushroom can offer a psychoactive experience–rather than a psychedelic experience– that can uplift mental health and support wellness. Amanita muscaria users often find that the mushroom can offer deep relaxation, ease tension and anxiety, and promote deep slumber, among other varied benefits.

What Are Legal Alternatives to Psychedelics?

Legal alternatives to psychedelics are legal substances that can trigger a change in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings or behaviors. These substances are often psychoactive, because they impact one’s mental and physical state. 

Amanita muscaria represents an example of a legal psychoactive fungus that affects the body and mind. Amanita muscaria mushrooms are not considered psychedelic.  Psychedelic substances are those that can cause consciousness-expanding experiences, which may include temporary ego loss. Amanita muscaria mushrooms are considered deliriants, fostering an experience that can be described as ethereal, dreamlike and sedative. 

Both deliriants and psychedelics produce hallucinogenic effects but deliriants enact these effects at a more subdued intensity than psychedelics or dissociative drugs. People who consume Amanita muscaria mushrooms often enjoy feelings of quietness, relaxation and sleepiness, rather than the soaring euphoric high that is more commonly associated with traditional psychedelic substances. 

Amanita muscaria is not included in the DEA’s list of controlled substances so is legal throughout the United States and Canada, with the exception of the state of Louisiana. For people seeking a pathway into a natural psychedelic experience, without a full-blown journey or the potential concerns associated with illegality, Amanita muscaria represents a legal non-psychedelic mood booster. This iconic red and white mushroom allows you to enjoy the benefits of altered awareness without feeling incapacitated or experiencing total ego loss.

Popular Legal Alternatives

When people think about magic mushrooms, psilocybin mushrooms (also known as shrooms) often come to mind. Thanks to the psychedelic renaissance taking place at the moment, there’s a wealth of information circulating about the diverse psychological, physical, and even spiritual benefits associated with shroom use. However, even though shrooms have captured the public eye at the moment, they’re still largely illegal throughout the US. While a handful of states such as Oregon and Colorado have legalized psilocybin medical treatments, shrooms remain illegal throughout the majority of US states and illegal at a federal level. 

However, there are other mushrooms loaded with psychoactive properties that are legal. Amanita muscaria mushrooms contain muscimol, a psychoactive chemical compound that has sedating, calming and relaxing effects. Muscimol has become associated with the dream-like state of mind and sense of tranquility that users experience after consuming Amanita muscaria mushrooms. 

With respect to legality at a federal level, Amanita muscaria mushrooms are not specifically listed as controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). These iconic mushrooms are also omitted from being mentioned in any state laws, with the exception of Louisiana, where it is illegal to grow, sell, possess Amanita muscaria under Louisiana State Act 159. If you’re seeking a legal psychoactive experience from a mushroom, (and you don’t live in Louisiana), Amanita muscaria offers a clear advantage over psilocybin mushrooms. 

With respect to Amanita muscaria alternatives, there are an array of other legal psychoactive substances that can offer mind-altering, mood-shifting experiences. 

Kava, CBD, and adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha, and coffee are all good examples of these legal substances. Coffee is psychoactive because it changes how we think and feel, and it also accelerates our breathing, heart rate, actions, and certain cognitive processes. These legal psychoactive plants will not necessarily impart an earth-shattering psychedelic experience, but they can bear subtle yet impactful effects to our perception and feelings. People often lean on substances such as CBD or ashwagandha for their potential health and wellbeing benefits in managing stress and anxiety.

Why Consider Legal Alternatives?

For many of us, the idea of transgressing the law–even in pursuit of personal wellbeing–can understandably bring about feelings of fear and anxiety. For those who hold jobs where drug testing is routinely carried out, consuming any kind of illegal substance can feel off-putting. 

Although psychedelic substances such as shrooms are generally not included on 5,8, 10 or 12 panel drug tests, there are specialized tests available designed to detect whether mushrooms have been used. It’s also possible that some psychedelic substances are contaminated with other drugs. Reports have identified cases where people have bought psilocybin mushrooms laced with other drugs, including PCP, which is commonly detected by many panel tests. Consuming illegal psychedelic substances can therefore be risky in multiple ways.

Furthermore, it can be challenging to safely source illegal psychedelic substances. As mentioned above, many illegal psychedelic substances can be contaminated with other drugs, or produced in settings where they have come into contact with harmful substances. Illegal substances are unregulated and therefore far more likely to be produced without regard for good manufacturing processes to ensure they are safe, effective and of good quality. 

With all of this in mind, it’s not surprising that legal alternatives to psychedelics hold significant appeal. Legal alternatives can be easily purchased through mainstream purchasing platforms such as online or in storefronts, and it’s usually easier to carry out checks to ensure they have been tested for safety and produced in a regulated environment. 

Given that legal alternatives to psychedelics are often aligned with more subtle or nuanced effects, they may be safer to use on a more regular basis (provided they have been subject to safety testing and are produced according to good manufacturing practices). Drinking a cup of coffee each day, or consuming a few drops of CBD tincture before bed can become a part of a daily ritual because these substances are unlikely to incapacitate the user or profoundly affect their cognitive function.

Risks and Safety Considerations

Despite the fact that legal alternatives to psychedelics may induce more nuanced effects, it’s still vital to acknowledge that they are not without risk.

One of the major risks associated with these products is a lack of compliance or regulation in their creation. In particular, legal mind-altering substances that are produced in settings that are GMP-compliant and subjected to expert scrutiny represent a far safer option to products that are produced by cowboys. With respect to Amanita muscaria mushrooms, for example, although it is possible to manufacture, distribute, sell, and even obtain a federal trademark for products created using these mushrooms, manufacturers must evaluate the safety and labeling of their products to ensure they meet all the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as informed by DSHEA and FDA regulations. 

At present, there’s a number of Amanita muscaria manufacturers selling products in an unregulated manner, which may pose risks to those who consume them. These products may also contain other chemical compounds present in the mushrooms, such as ibotenic acid, that can cause harmful side effects in users.

Psyched Wellness Amanita Muscaria products, in contrast, are all produced in GMP-certified manufacturing facilities, which means you can be assured that each dose has the same amount of active ingredients. Psyched Wellness AME-1 extract, which represents the active ingredient in our CALM products, has achieved GRAS status (Generally Recognised As Safe). 

GRAS is a designation that means that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts under the conditions of its intended use. It’s highly advisable to opt for Amanita muscaria products that have undergone rigorous expert testing and conform to proper manufacturing processes to ensure you’re consuming a safe legal alternative to psychedelics.

Wellness is a hot concept right now, and natural substances that can ease stress, uplift mood, and shift perspective are trending. As people increasingly seek to take charge of their own physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, the popularity of psychedelic substances will likely grow. 

However, in the case of most psychedelic products, legality lags behind the scientific research supporting their use. Psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin are illegal in most states in the US and at a federal level too. The widespread illegality of these substances means those who use them may face criminal repercussions and have difficulty sourcing them safely. 

As a result, legal alternatives to psychedelics are increasingly appealing to people seeking ways to enhance wellness while remaining within the confines of the law. Amanita muscaria is an example of a legal psychoactive mushroom that can enhance wellness thanks to the therapeutic effects of muscimol, one of its active compounds. If you’re thinking about trying Amanita muscaria, make sure you seek out trusted brands like Psyched Wellness. Psyched Wellness is the first (and only) legal extract from Amanita muscaria mushrooms in the US.