Amanita Muscaria Dosage Guide: Extracts

• Understanding Amanita Mushrooms
• Amanita Muscaria Extract Dosage
• Amanita Tinctures Dosage
• Individual Considerations for Dosage
• FAQ

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Amanita muscaria, also known as the Fly Agaric, is one of the world’s most recognizable fungi, featuring a bright red cap covered in white spots. The mushroom is gaining popularity today thanks to its psychoactive properties and federally unscheduled status. 

Amanita's effects range from therapeutic and relaxing to hallucinogenic and potentially harmful. Lab-tested, high-quality Amanita products are safe to consume, but dosage significantly determines the outcome and experience. 

This article explores Amanita mushroom potency and dosing best practices in Amanita muscaria extracts and tinctures.. 

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Understanding Amanita Mushrooms

Amanita muscaria mushrooms are different from “magic mushrooms.” Typical magic mushroom species contain psilocybin, a psychoactive compound that interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. Fly Agaric mushrooms, on the other hand, have muscimol as their main psychoactive compound, along with ibotenic acid and muscarine.  

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Amanita muscaria active ingredients

Muscimol is the principal psychoactive compound that gives Amanita muscaria its psychoactive effects. Muscimol is structurally similar to GABAa, the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. It reduces central nervous system activity and causes the mushroom’s characteristic effects of physical relaxation, euphoria, and tranquility. 

Muscimol also enhances the quantity and quality of NREM sleep, which is the deep, restorative part of the sleep cycle. It extends the duration of NREM and intensifies the deep sleep stage, as indicated by increased Slow Wave Activity (SWA). This activity is crucial for physical recovery and memory consolidation during sleep [2].

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Ibotenic acid

Ibotenic acid is the primary active compound in raw Amanita muscaria mushrooms. It has a similar molecular shape to the neurotransmitter glutamate, which has stimulatory effects on the central nervous system. Ibotenic acid also has neurotoxic properties and, in high doses, can cause hallucinations, confusion, vomiting, and nausea. Ibotenic acid is also a prodrug to muscimol, meaning Amanita’s ibotenic acid content converts to muscimol when someone dries, boils, or ingests it. Most dehydrated Amanita mushrooms contain minimal ibotenic acid. But to be safe, manufacturers convert or eliminate as much as possible when formulating products for consumption.

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Muscarine

Muscarine is an active psychoactive compound in Amanita mushrooms with therapeutic and potencially toxic properties at varying doses. Research indicates that 0.1% muscarine concentration may produce clinically adverse effects, like excessive sweating, crying, salivation, and abdominal cramps. However, Amanita muscaria mushrooms generally contain about 0.0003% muscarine, so the threat is slim to none. Beyond dose-dependent risks, muscarine engages with muscarinic receptors, hinting at potential medicinal benefits, such as cognitive enhancement and improved neuromuscular function. 

Most Amanita products filter out muscarine content. However, it's unclear whether that's necessary.

Reputable brands test products for muscarine potency and display the results for consumers to see via a Certificate of Analysis. 

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Risks of consuming raw mushrooms

Raw A. muscaria mushrooms can cause mildly toxic effects because they generally contain higher levels of ibotenic acid and muscarine and lower levels of muscimol. No fatalities have been connected directly to consuming Amanita muscaria; however, raw, unprocessed mushrooms can cause adverse effects and physical discomfort, such as: 

• Nausea and vomiting
• Cramps and diarrhea
• Loss of balance
• Muscle spasms

For this reason, consumers should avoid raw mushrooms and focus on lab-tested Amanita extracts. 

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Amanita Muscaria Extract Dosage

Amanita muscaria extract is a concentrated substance derived from the mushroom. Manufacturers create it by processing the mushroom to isolate its psychoactive compounds, primarily ibotenic acid and muscimol. The extract allows more controlled dosing of these compounds than consuming the mushrooms directly. 

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Psychoactive dosage and effects

The muscimol and ibotenic acid in Amanita extracts trigger psychoactive effects at different doses. 

• For muscimol, 5 to 7 mg can induce a calming effect and alleviate anxiety. When the dose increases to around between 10 and 15 mg, users may experience euphoria and vivid dreams.[1] 

• Ibotenic acid's psychoactive effects start at 50 mg and peak at around 100 mg.

Amanita muscaria's psychotropic properties can induce altered states of consciousness, vivid dreams, and euphoria, along with potential disorientation and confusion.

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Microdosing dosage & effects

Anecdotal reports and research suggest that microdosing Amanita extracts is the most pleasant way to achieve the mushroom’s therapeutic effects, including pain relief, mood elevation, and sleep support. Resources indicate that 1 to 5 mg of a muscimol extract can provide these effects.  

Reported microdosing benefits include: 

• Relaxing euphoria 
• Warm body sensations
• Analgesia (pain relief)
• Sense of calm and tranquility

One Amanita microdoser said, I’ve had good success with Amanita as a daily tonic for wintertime blues. (ID13)

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Additionally, three recent books discuss Amanita microdosing regimens and their benefits. 

Baba Masha's "Microdosing with A. Muscaria" - This book is the first to formally explore A. muscaria microdosing through over 800 experience reports. Masha compares it to Psilocybe mushrooms, suggesting that A. muscaria has a wider range of effects on various pathologies. The book discusses how microdoses can modulate wakefulness, with morning doses promoting energy and evening doses aiding in relaxation and sleep. It also notes that some participants experienced withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing their microdosing regimen, indicating potential misuse.

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Bil Harret and Anastasia V. Sasha's "A. Muscaria Microdosing" - Written soon after Masha's publication, this book takes a more self-help approach. It summarizes and builds upon Masha's findings, discussing microdosing techniques and providing recipes. It mentions Harret's personal use of A. muscaria microdosing for polyarthritis but does not delve deeply into the therapeutic effects of the mushroom.

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‍Amanita Dreamer's "Dosing A. muscaria" - Dreamer's book offers a unique blend of information, workbook, and journal, focusing on mental and emotional health, particularly relating to trauma. It discusses broader dosing strategies, including macrodoses and high doses, and emphasizes the importance of supervision during more intense experiences. Dreamer shares her personal journey of healing through A. muscaria, suggesting that the mushroom played a significant role in her recovery from trauma and anxiety.

Amanita Tinctures Dosage

Amanita muscaria tinctures are bottled extracts designed to deliver the mushroom’s effects in a concentrated, easy-to-use liquid form. Tinctures generally come in small bottles with droppers measured in milliliters (ml). This functionality makes tinctures popular for microdosing or topical use. ​​

Calculating the precise active ingredient dosage in milligrams per dropper is complex. This is because the muscimol and ibotenic acid strength depends on the natural potency of the mushrooms and the method used to extract these compounds into the tincture.

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Generally, speaking:

• Microdose: An Amanita tincture microdose typically involves just a few drops of the solution to achieve a subtle, non-psychoactive effect. Depending on the potency, this could range from 0.1 ml to 0.5 ml.
• Low Dose: A low dose might range from 0.5 ml to 1 ml. This dosage is intended to produce mild effects, like relaxation or mood enhancement.
• Moderate Dose: A moderate dose, which could be more intense, might range from 1 ml to 2 ml. At this level, users may experience more pronounced psychoactive effects.
• High Dose: A high dose could be 2 ml or much more. This level is likely to produce strong psychoactive effects and should be approached with caution, especially by those with less experience.

Generally, manufacturers recommend starting with a minimal dose of one to three drops and gradually increasing it to reach the desired effect.

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Individual Considerations for Dosage

Tolerance levels

Tolerance refers to a reduced response to a substance over time, necessitating higher doses to achieve the same effects. In the context of Amanita muscaria, this means that someone who regularly consumes it may require larger doses to experience its psychoactive or therapeutic effects compared to a new user.  

This variance means consumers must carefully consider their tolerance levels when determining Amanita dosages. Acknowledging and adjusting for tolerance differences is essential to prevent adverse effects and achieve the desired psychoactive or therapeutic experience.

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Pre-existing medical conditions and drug interactions

People with pre-existing medical conditions or taking prescription medications should consult with a healthcare specialist before consuming Amanita muscaria. Fly Agaric interacts with the brain’s NMDA and GABAa receptors, so combining Amanita mushroom extracts with similar compounds could amplify their effects or cause unpredictable reactions.

Some of the most unpredictable and potentially dangerous drug interactions include:

• Ketamine
• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines
• Barbiturates

Amanita muscaria mushrooms can also cause alterations in heart rate and blood pressure and gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. As a result, they could interact with medicines used to treat those conditions.

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Safety

Amanita muscaria products are generally safe and well-tolerated, especially in small doses. Additionally, extracts that remove or reduce ibotenic acid and muscarine are usually safe to consume. Muscimol is the safest compound, so most products focus on this compound. 

High-quality Amanita product labels will include safety information like

• The exact amount of Amanita extract per gummy or serving, including the amount of muscimol and/or ibotenic acid.
• Recommended dosage based on the desired result.
• Lab test results to verify the presence and absence of psychoactive compounds. 

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FAQ

What is the recommended dosage for Amanita muscaria for beginners?

The appropriate dosage of Amanita muscaria for beginners depends on several factors, such as the product type and a person’s body weight, metabolism, and tolerance. Most experts suggest that consumers start with a microdose or low dosage, typically less than 400 mg of Amanita muscaria extract, and gradually increase it.

How does body weight affect the dosage of Amanita muscaria?

Body weight affects a person’s metabolism and tolerance level. Generally, people with higher body weight may require larger Amanita doses to achieve the same effects as those with lower body weight. This variation occurs because a larger body mass can dilute the concentration of the substance.

What are the potential effects of taking too high of a dosage of Amanita muscaria?

High Amanita muscaria doses can result in intense psychoactive effects, such as vivid dreams and hallucinations. Consuming too high a dose for a person’s tolerance level could also cause some adverse effects, such as:

• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Tiredness
• Increased sensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli

‍Start testing your Amanita muscaria extracts and tinctures with ACS Laboratory today. 

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Additional References:

1. Tamminga, Carol A., John W. Crayton, and Thomas N. Chase. "Muscimol: GABA agonist therapy in schizophrenia." The American journal of psychiatry (1978).

2. Faulhaber, Johannes, Axel Steiger, and Marike Lancel. "The GABAA agonist THIP produces slow wave sleep and reduces spindling activity in NREM sleep in humans." Psychopharmacology 130 (1997): 285-291.

3. Feinberg, Irwin, Evan de Bie, Nicole M. Davis, and Ian G. Campbell. "Topographic differences in the adolescent maturation of the slow wave EEG during NREM sleep." Sleep 34, no. 3 (2011): 325-333.

4. Schmitt, Bernhard. "Sleep and epilepsy syndromes." Neuropediatrics 46, no. 03 (2015): 171-180.

5. Lucey, Brendan P., Austin McCullough, Eric C. Landsness, Cristina D. Toedebusch, Jennifer S. McLeland, Aiad M. Zaza, Anne M. Fagan et al. "Reduced non–rapid eye movement sleep is associated with tau pathology in early Alzheimer’s disease." Science translational medicine 11, no. 474 (2019): eaau6550.

6. Priano, Lorenzo, Matteo Bigoni, Giovanni Albani, Luigi Sellitti, Emanuela Giacomotti, Roberto Picconi, Riccardo Cremascoli, Maurizio Zibetti, Leonardo Lopiano, and Alessandro Mauro. "Sleep microstructure in Parkinson's disease: cycling alternating pattern (CAP) as a sensitive marker of early NREM sleep instability." Sleep Medicine 61 (2019): 57-62.

7. Rochette, Annie‐Claude, Isabelle Soulières, Claude Berthiaume, and Roger Godbout. "NREM sleep EEG activity and procedural memory: A comparison between young neurotypical and autistic adults without sleep complaints." Autism Research 11, no. 4 (2018): 613-623.

8. Zhang, Dr. Yanbing from BJ science, Muscimol review.