Poisonous and Hallucinogenic Fungi

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[[Image:Psil.jpg|thumb|''Psilocybe semilanceata'']] [[Image:Psil.jpg|thumb|''Psilocybe semilanceata'']]
-Psilocybin mushrooms are more commonly known as 'shrooms' or 'magic mushrooms'. These mushrooms are ingested in Western countries for their psychoactive effects, however they have been used since prehistoric times for religious practices. <ref name="Samorini, G. 1992. The oldest representations of hallucinogenic mushrooms in the world (Sahara Desert, 9000-7000 B.P.). Integration 2 (3): 69–78."/> There are approximately 190 documented species of psilocybin mushrooms, with majority falling within the genus ''Psilocybe''<ref>Moncalvo, J.M., Vilgalys, R., Redhead, S.A., Johnson, J.E., James, T.Y., Catherine Aime, M., Hofstetter, V., Verduin, S.J., Larsson, E., Baroni, T.J., Greg Thorn, R., Jacobsson, S., Clémençon, H., and Miller, O.K. Jr. 2002. One hundred and seventeen clades of euagarics. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 23 (3): 357–400.</ref>. However, other genera that contain psilocybin mushrooms include: +Kingdom: Fungi
 +Phylum: Basidiomycota
 +Class: Agaricomycetes
 +Order: Agaricales
 + 
 +Psilocybin mushrooms are more commonly known as 'shrooms' or 'magic mushrooms'. These mushrooms are ingested in Western countries for their psychoactive effects, however they have been used since prehistoric times for religious practices. <ref name="Samorini, G. 1992. The oldest representations of hallucinogenic mushrooms in the world (Sahara Desert, 9000-7000 B.P.). Integration 2 (3): 69–78."/> There are approximately 190 documented species of psilocybin mushrooms, with majority falling within the genus ''Psilocybe''<ref>Moncalvo, J.M., Vilgalys, R., Redhead, S.A., Johnson, J.E., James, T.Y., Catherine Aime, M., Hofstetter, V., Verduin, S.J., Larsson, E., Baroni, T.J., Greg Thorn, R., Jacobsson, S., Clémençon, H., and Miller, O.K. Jr. 2002. One hundred and seventeen clades of euagarics. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 23 (3): 357–400.</ref>. However, other genera that contain psilocybin mushrooms include<ref>Moncalvo, J.M., Vilgalys, R., Redhead, S.A., Johnson, J.E., James, T.Y., Catherine Aime, M., Hofstetter, V., Verduin, S.J., Larsson, E., Baroni, T.J., Greg Thorn, R., Jacobsson, S., Clémençon, H., and Miller, O.K. Jr. 2002. One hundred and seventeen clades of euagarics. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 23 (3): 357–400.</ref>:
*''Agrocybe'' *''Agrocybe''
*''Conocybe'' *''Conocybe''
Line 50: Line 55:
===Edibility=== ===Edibility===
-Although deemed edible, ingestion of these mushrooms is not recommended due to the psychoactive effect of psilocybin, which is a hallucinogen produced by psilocybin mushrooms. There are no documented health benefits from taking these mushrooms, and are ingested solely for the euphoria caused. Use of these mushrooms is usually ingestion; however it may also be stewed into a tea, usually being cooked together with other ingredients because of their very bitter taste. Potency varies throughout species of Psilocybin mushrooms, and therefore dosage determines euphoria. +Although deemed edible, ingestion of these mushrooms is not recommended due to the psychoactive effect of psilocybin, which is a hallucinogen produced by psilocybin mushrooms. There are no documented health benefits from taking these mushrooms, and are ingested solely for the euphoria caused. Use of these mushrooms is usually ingestion; however it may also be stewed into a tea, usually being cooked together with other ingredients because of their very bitter taste<ref>van Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., and van den Brink, W. 2011. Harm potential of magic mushroom use: a review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 59 (3): 423–9. </ref>. Potency varies throughout species of Psilocybin mushrooms, and therefore dosage determines euphoria<ref>van Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., and van den Brink, W. 2011. Harm potential of magic mushroom use: a review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 59 (3): 423–9. </ref>.
===Side Effects=== ===Side Effects===
-Fatal side effects or overdose from use of psilobycin mushrooms is relatively nonexistent; however there are side effects which include:+Fatal side effects or overdose from use of psilobycin mushrooms is relatively nonexistent; however there are side effects which include<ref>van Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., and van den Brink, W. 2011. Harm potential of magic mushroom use: a review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 59 (3): 423–9. e</ref>:
*Nausea *Nausea
*Vomiting *Vomiting
Line 65: Line 70:
*Anxiety *Anxiety
*Psychosis *Psychosis
-There are documented negative effects and experiences which include depression, anxiety, intense fear, disturbing hallucinations, as well as nightmares. These effects subside one the potency of the drug wears off. Long term abuse of these mushrooms can cause hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where hallucinations are seen long after the ingestion of mushrooms, however this is relatively rare in psilocybin users. +There are documented negative effects and experiences which include depression, anxiety, intense fear, disturbing hallucinations, as well as nightmares<ref>van Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., and van den Brink, W. 2011. Harm potential of magic mushroom use: a review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 59 (3): 423–9. </ref>. These effects subside one the potency of the drug wears off<ref>van Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., and van den Brink, W. 2011. Harm potential of magic mushroom use: a review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 59 (3): 423–9. </ref>. Long term abuse of these mushrooms can cause hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where hallucinations are seen long after the ingestion of mushrooms, however this is relatively rare in psilocybin users<ref>van Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., and van den Brink, W. 2011. Harm potential of magic mushroom use: a review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 59 (3): 423–9. </ref>.
===Legality=== ===Legality===
-Although selling spores is allowed, mushrooms are illegal to possess, buy, sell, import or trade in Canada and other countries such as the United States.+Although selling spores is allowed, mushrooms are illegal to possess, buy, sell, import or trade in Canada and other countries such as the United States<ref>Government of Canada Website. From: http://www.canada.gc.ca/home.html. </ref>.
==References == ==References ==
Bonnet, MS and PW Basson. 2004. The toxicology of ''Amanita virosa'': the destroying angel. Homeopathy. 93:216-220 Bonnet, MS and PW Basson. 2004. The toxicology of ''Amanita virosa'': the destroying angel. Homeopathy. 93:216-220

Revision as of 09:17, 21 March 2013

Contents

Introduction

This will be the location for the introduction on our secondary topic.

Amanita virosa “Destroying Angel”

Amanita virosa “Destroying Angel"
Amanita virosa “Destroying Angel"


Amanita virosa is commonly referred to as Destroying Angel belongs to the Phylum Eumycophyta, Class Basidiomycetes, Order Agaricales and Family Amanitaceae. The name ‘amanita’ is derived from the Greek meaning ‘a kind of fungus’, and ‘virosa’ is derived from the Latin ‘virosus’ meaning a ‘fetid’ or ‘poisonous’. [1]

The name Destroying Angel is referred to the fact that A. virosa is pure white like an angel’s veil but it is poisonous. [1] Destroying Angle is white, shinny and has convex cap; Destroying Angle is sticky when it’s wet. Underneath the cap there is lots of that is pure white. Also the stipe is rough but has delicate cotton-like shaggy tufts. [1]

Its cap is a bell-shaped and slimy surface. It has a very strong unpleasant odour. As Destroying Angle matures, it becomes drier with a silky sheen, still white but becomes more tinged with yellow or brown colour in the center of its cap. A. virosa spores are white and about 8-9 mm in diameters with a length-to-width being less than 1.25mm. [1]

Habitat

Destroying Angel is often found in hardwood, mixed or/and leafy woods. It is found in principally in coniferous forests and in hardwood forests. It is also found on poor soil and its characteristic occurrence is sporadic and solitary. Destroying Angle appears in midsummer to autumn and is less common in cold season. [1]

Poisons

The toxic peptide found in ‘’A. virosa’’ is the Virotoxins. Virotoxins are monocyclic heptapeptides, which contains D-serine instead of L-cysteine. [1] Virotoxins has six toxic elements which are: Viroidin, Viroisin, Deoxoviroisin, Ala-viroidin, Ala-desoxoviroidin and Deoxoviroidin. Also another toxin found in A. virosa is Amaninamide. [1] These toxins are very complex polypeptides molecules, which are composed of amino acids. These amino acids cause the breakdown of liver cells. [1]

Symptoms

The affects on these toxins on individuals can be very severe. The symptoms usually start after 12 hours of consumption, such symptoms includes vomiting, nausea, pale skin, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, spasm in legs and fever. When these symptoms return it is due to the action of ‘’A. virosa’’, which starts to concentrate more on blood cells, kidneys and liver. Without treatment coma or death may occur. [1]

Edibility

It is poisonous due to the toxins it contains. Therefore, it is not edible. [1]

Psilocybe cubensis "Magic Mushrooms"

Psilocybe semilanceata
Psilocybe semilanceata

Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Basidiomycota Class: Agaricomycetes Order: Agaricales

Psilocybin mushrooms are more commonly known as 'shrooms' or 'magic mushrooms'. These mushrooms are ingested in Western countries for their psychoactive effects, however they have been used since prehistoric times for religious practices. [2] There are approximately 190 documented species of psilocybin mushrooms, with majority falling within the genus Psilocybe[3]. However, other genera that contain psilocybin mushrooms include[4]:

  • Agrocybe
  • Conocybe
  • Copelandia
  • Galerina
  • Gerronema
  • Gymnopilus
  • Hypholoma
  • Inocybe
  • Mycena
  • Panaeolus
  • Plutes

Edibility

Although deemed edible, ingestion of these mushrooms is not recommended due to the psychoactive effect of psilocybin, which is a hallucinogen produced by psilocybin mushrooms. There are no documented health benefits from taking these mushrooms, and are ingested solely for the euphoria caused. Use of these mushrooms is usually ingestion; however it may also be stewed into a tea, usually being cooked together with other ingredients because of their very bitter taste[5]. Potency varies throughout species of Psilocybin mushrooms, and therefore dosage determines euphoria[6].

Side Effects

Fatal side effects or overdose from use of psilobycin mushrooms is relatively nonexistent; however there are side effects which include[7]:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Lack of coordination
  • Derealisation
  • Hallucination
  • Panic reactions
  • Anxiety
  • Psychosis

There are documented negative effects and experiences which include depression, anxiety, intense fear, disturbing hallucinations, as well as nightmares[8]. These effects subside one the potency of the drug wears off[9]. Long term abuse of these mushrooms can cause hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where hallucinations are seen long after the ingestion of mushrooms, however this is relatively rare in psilocybin users[10].

Legality

Although selling spores is allowed, mushrooms are illegal to possess, buy, sell, import or trade in Canada and other countries such as the United States[11].

References

Bonnet, MS and PW Basson. 2004. The toxicology of Amanita virosa: the destroying angel. Homeopathy. 93:216-220

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