Amanita Muscaria

Amanita isn't well known in the west, but it has a long history in places like Siberia, where shamans have used it to invoke introspection and healing - something closer to what we'd recognize as a psilocybin experience. It has been reported to help with sleep, pain management and altered states of consciousness at higher doses, though every journey is its own.

Two compounds drive the amanita experience. Ibotenic acid - neurotoxic at high doses, but a euphoric stimulant at low ones - converts into muscimol both in the body and through drying (decarboxylation). Our amanitas are dried, converting roughly half the ibotenic acid into muscimol: safe to consume, while keeping enough ibotenic acid for the buzz and euphoria it's known for. Muscimol itself is the calm one - relaxing, introspective, and at high doses, intensely psychedelic.

Unlike psilocybin mushrooms, amanita binds to GABA-A receptors - the same receptors affected by alcohol and benzodiazepines. It isn't considered addictive, and it's classified as a natural health product in Canada, making it completely legal.

The amanita experience ranges from incredibly cozy to genuinely frightening to profoundly spiritual, depending on dose and set and setting. High doses can be very scary if you're unprepared - we only recommend them for experienced or very well-read Psychonauts.

Yes - amanita is considered a natural health product by Canada and is completely legal. It's also not considered addictive, which is part of why some people explore it as an alternative path away from alcohol or benzos.

Three ways, similar to psilocybin mushrooms. Steep it as a tea at 160°F for 30 minutes to an hour. Grind it up and fill capsules - probably the best method if you have a capsule filler. Or eat it straight, though it will likely taste pretty bad and you'd need to eat a lot for a bigger dose.

At high doses ibotenic acid can be neurotoxic, which is why the west has historically treated amanita with suspicion. Drying decarboxylates around 50% of the ibotenic acid into muscimol, making dried amanita safe for consumption - while the remaining ibotenic acid provides the stimulating buzz and euphoria at low doses.

Out of direct sunlight, at room temperature - ideally in a glass jar with a desiccant pack. A plastic bag works too, as long as you keep temperature and oxygen exposure to a minimum.