Emerging Risks of Amanita Muscaria: Case Reports on Increasing Consumption and Health Risks.

INTRODUCTION

The increasing popularity of , driven by its hallucinogenic properties, has raised significant public health concerns, particularly as it remains largely unregulated across most European Union countries. The mushroom contains muscimol, a compound that induces euphoria, altered perception, and hallucinations, and its precursor, ibotenic acid, converts to muscimol when dried or heated, reducing toxicity while preserving psychoactive effects. The growing trend in intentional consumption of reflects evolving patterns of intoxication despite its known toxicity risks. The has flagged as an emerging risk, highlighting concerns over its increasing availability and potential for misuse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four cases of consumption and subsequent intoxication have been documented in Lithuania in 2023. To further investigate this topic, a systematic search was conducted using the database with the following keyword combinations: ', ' toxicity', 'muscimol', 'ibotenic acid', 'psilocybin', and 'hallucinogenic fungi'. After screening for relevance and eligibility, a total of 27 publications met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the final analysis.

CASE REPORTS

In 2023, four cases of intentional poisoning were reported in Lithuania, linked to recreational consumption. Symptoms included tremors, respiratory failure, dizziness, and paranoia. All patients were male and required hospitalization, but all were discharged in stable condition.

CONCLUSION

The unregulated status and increasing accessibility of pose significant public health concerns. While remains largely unstudied in medical contexts, its toxicity risks are well-documented. Misleading online information contributes to uninformed consumption, especially among younger individuals. Further research is needed to elucidate its chemical composition, therapeutic potential, and health effects to inform regulatory policies.