For centuries, A muscaria has been consumed in central Asia as a hallucinogen. Some Siberian tribes report that 3 fresh A muscaria mushrooms can be lethal, whereas others claim that eating as many as 21 of these mushrooms is safe. Various hallucinogenic mushrooms containing ibotenic acid and muscimol or psilocybin are found in the New World. The timing of symptom onset is important for distinguishing life-threatening or severe mushroom poisonings from less serious poisonings (eg, those involving hallucinogenic mushrooms), which typically have an onset of symptoms well within 5 hours of ingestion. If symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain begin 5 hours or more after ingestion, mushrooms that can cause potentially life-threatening or severe toxicity should be considered. No particular diagnostic procedures are available or needed for most patients. Laboratory studies can be helpful in identifying complications of hallucinogenic mushroom abuse. Care is primarily supportive. Symptoms usually subside in 6-8 hours, though some may take as long as several days to resolve fully. Benzodiazepines may be used for sedation and treatment of panic attacks, hallucinations, and seizures. Psychiatric consultation and evaluation may be needed in some cases. Although Amanita muscaria is generally considered poisonous by mushroom authorities, there is little physical danger in
For centuries, A muscaria has been consumed in central Asia as a hallucinogen. Some Siberian tribes report that 3 fresh A muscaria mushrooms can be lethal, whereas others claim that eating as many as 21 of these mushrooms is safe. Various hallucinogenic mushrooms containing ibotenic acid and muscimol or psilocybin are found in the New World. The timing of symptom onset is important for distinguishing life-threatening or severe mushroom poisonings from less serious poisonings (eg, those involving hallucinogenic mushrooms), which typically have an onset of symptoms well within 5 hours of ingestion. If symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain begin 5 hours or more after ingestion, mushrooms that can cause potentially life-threatening or severe toxicity should be considered. No particular diagnostic procedures are available or needed for most patients. Laboratory studies can be helpful in identifying complications of hallucinogenic mushroom abuse. Care is primarily supportive. Symptoms usually subside in 6-8 hours, though some may take as long as several days to resolve fully. Benzodiazepines may be used for sedation and treatment of panic attacks, hallucinations, and seizures. Psychiatric consultation and evaluation may be needed in some cases. Although Amanita muscaria is generally considered poisonous by mushroom authorities, there is little physical danger in