Muscimol is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound with a history as rich and diverse as the mushrooms from which it is derived. Most notably found in the Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, muscimol is responsible for the characteristic psychoactive effects associated with this iconic red-and-white mushroom. When ingested, muscimol effects can vary greatly, from sedation and muscle relaxation to euphoria and hallucinations.

It is important to note that recent attention on muscimol has been driven by a resurgence of interest in the Amanita species, particularly in the United States. This renewed interest has resulted in the emergence of various muscimol products, including Muscimol gummies, Muscimol isolate, tinctures, Amanita powder, Amanita chocolates and many alternative forms of muscimol consumption.

It’s important to approach new muscimol products with caution due to potential variations in safety, quality, and legality. While they offer alternative forms of consumption and exciting possibilities for exploration, it is crucial to prioritize safety and responsibility when considering these products.

Muscimol Effects Revealed: Exploring the Potential Uses of the Psychoactive Compound

Chemistry and Mechanism of Action of Muscimol

Muscimol is an isoxazole, a class of organic compounds characterized by a five-membered heterocyclic ring structure. Its chemical structure is similar to that of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), allowing it to bind with high affinity to the GABA A receptors in the brain.

The GABA A receptors are the primary inhibitory receptors in the brain, meaning they reduce neuronal excitability. When muscimol binds to these receptors, it mimics the action of GABA, leading to increased inhibition of neuronal activity. This action is not uniform across the brain but rather varies depending on the region. For instance, in the hippocampus, a region involved in learning and memory, muscimol can lead to amnesic effects, while in other areas, it might induce sedative or hallucinogenic effects.

Muscimol in Nature

Muscimol is primarily found in the mushrooms of the Amanita genus, most notably the Amanita muscaria and Amanita pantherina. These species are widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. They typically grow in symbiosis with various tree species in forested environments which makes growing them in a lab a very complicated problem.

Within the mushroom, the concentration of muscimol varies, typically with higher levels found in the mushroom cap compared to the stem. It’s important to note that muscimol is not the sole psychoactive compound present in these mushrooms. Another compound known as ibotenic acid acts as a prodrug to muscimol, meaning it is metabolized into muscimol in the body, contributing to the overall psychoactive effect.

However, it is worth mentioning that ibotenic acid can have undesirable side effects. To mitigate these effects, it is recommended to properly prepare the mushrooms before consumption. This involves drying and heating them to convert the ibotenic acid into muscimol, thereby enhancing the desired psychoactive properties while minimizing potential adverse reactions.

Muscimol Effects

Understanding the effects of Muscimol can be complex as they vary between individuals. Additionally, these effects are dose-dependent, ranging from mild sedative and hypnotic effects at lower doses to more intense hallucinations and delirium at higher doses. Due to the variability in potency among individual mushrooms and even within different parts of the same mushroom, determining an accurate dose can be quite challenging.

It is important to note that the effects of muscimol can be unpredictable and vary from person to person. Here is an overview of muscimol’s effects and dosage considerations.

Effects of Muscimol:

1. Sedation and Muscle Relaxation: Muscimol has been reported to induce a sedative effect, leading to relaxation and a sense of calmness.
2. Euphoria: Some individuals may experience a state of euphoria, characterized by feelings of happiness and well-being.
3. Hallucinations: Higher doses of muscimol can lead to hallucinations, including visual distortions and vivid sensory experiences.
4. Altered Perception: Muscimol can alter perception and enhance sensory experiences, resulting in a different perception of reality.
5. Amnesic Effects: In certain brain regions, such as the hippocampus involved in learning and memory, muscimol may induce amnesic effects.

Dosage of Muscimol: Determining an accurate dosage of muscimol can be challenging due to variations in potency among different mushrooms and even within different parts of the same mushroom. It is crucial to approach muscimol dosage with caution and start with lower doses to assess individual sensitivity.

As always, follow the golden rule of Start Low and Grow Slow, and if possible, consider microdosing first.

Here are some general dosage considerations:

1. Threshold Dose: The threshold dose of muscimol, where subtle effects may be noticeable, is reported to be around 5-10 milligrams (mg).
2. Mild to Moderate Effects: To experience mild to moderate effects, a dosage range of 10-15 mg of muscimol is often suggested.
3. Higher Doses: Higher doses of muscimol, typically above 15 mg, can potentially lead to more intense hallucinatory experiences. However, these doses also come with an increased risk of side effects and a more profound impact on consciousness.

It is important to remember that individual reactions to muscimol can vary significantly, and responsible use is essential. Due to the risks and potential uncertainties associated with consuming wild mushrooms, it is recommended to approach muscimol use with caution and consider consulting with experts or mycologists for guidance on safe and appropriate dosages.

Potential Therapeutic Uses of Muscimol

Here are some of the potential therapeutic uses of muscimol:

• Anti-epileptic
• Anxiolytic
• Muscle relaxant
• Promoter of restorative sleep

Muscimol is a GABA A receptor agonist, which means it binds to and activates these receptors. GABA A receptors are involved in a variety of functions, including sleep, anxiety, and movement. Muscimol has been shown to have anti-epileptic, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant effects in animal studies. There have been a few small clinical trials of muscimol in humans, but more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the therapeutic uses, optimal dose and even safety of muscimol for human use…

So for now, we can only say that the above are potential benefits. We will continue to monitor the advance of research and let know once we learn more.

The Historical and Cultural Context of Muscimol Use

The use of Amanita muscaria as an entheogen, a substance used for spiritual or ritualistic purposes, dates back centuries, if not millennia. Its use is particularly notable in Siberian shamanic traditions, where the mushroom was consumed in religious ceremonies. The shamanic rituals involving Amanita muscaria were believed to facilitate communication with spirits and induce altered states of consciousness. Remarkably, due to the unique excretion pattern of muscimol, the urine of individuals who had consumed the mushroom was also ingested, as it still contained significant amounts of the active compound. This practice demonstrates the cultural significance and reverence attributed to muscimol and the mushrooms that contain it.

Beyond these traditional uses, Amanita muscaria and its active compound muscimol have held a captivating place in popular culture, symbolizing the psychedelic experience and playing a role in various folklore and fairy tales. The distinct appearance of the red-and-white fly agaric mushroom has made it an enduring symbol in art, literature, and mythology, further solidifying its cultural significance.

Safety Considerations and Potential Risks

While muscimol’s effects may intrigue some, it is crucial to emphasize the potential risks and safety considerations associated with its use. Side effects can include nausea, sweating, decreased motor coordination, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Moreover, given the high variability in potency between individual mushrooms and the potential presence of other compounds, such as ibotenic acid, there is a significant risk of accidental overdose.

Additionally, Amanita mushrooms can contain compounds that are toxic in high doses. Ibotenic acid, for example, can lead to neurotoxic effects when consumed in excessive amounts. Therefore, consuming these mushrooms, even for the purpose of experiencing the effects of muscimol, poses substantial risks. It is essential to exercise caution, educate oneself about mushroom identification and safety measures, and consider consulting with experts or mycologists before attempting to consume wild mushrooms.

One tip you should always follow is that Amanita mushrooms should be carefully dried and heated so that most of the Ibotenic acid will be converted into Muscimol. While you can eat raw mushrooms, and many do, too much Ibotenic acid will make you feel very bad, so stick with the dried powder if you are only taking your first steps with these mushrooms.

Legality and Regulation of Muscimol

The legal status of muscimol varies considerably across countries and states. In some jurisdictions, it is considered a controlled substance, while in others, it is legal to possess and consume. However, even where it is legal, the sale of Amanita mushrooms may be regulated in some countries due to their potential for misuse and the health risks associated with their consumption. It is important for anyone considering the use of muscimol to familiarize themselves with the local laws and regulations pertaining to this substance.

Generally speaking, in the US, most states allow the use of Amanita mushrooms as they are not a scheduled product.

Muscimol Effects – Conclusion

The effects of muscimol are a fascinating subject of exploration. From its sedative and hypnotic properties to the potential for hallucinations and altered reality, muscimol offers a diverse range of experiences. The dose-dependent nature of muscimol further adds to its complexity, requiring caution and responsible use.

Understanding muscimol and its interaction with the GABA A receptors provides valuable insights into the complexities of brain chemistry and the potential for novel therapeutic interventions. As our knowledge of muscimol continues to evolve, further research and scientific investigation will shed light on its full potential and expand our understanding of its effects and applications.

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Salem is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in our nation. First settled in the early 1600s, it was the second official community in Massachusetts, following Plymouth a few years prior. Perhaps one of the most infamous (and disturbing) points in the town’s history was the witch trials of 1692 in which at least 25 people were murdered and hundreds more were imprisoned. 

Interestingly, a longstanding theory exists that the unconventional behavior of the accused was not caused by witchcraft, but rather, experimentation with hallucinogenic drugs. Whether this is true or not is hard to say, but it’s a plausible idea as psychedelics can make people more open to different spiritual concepts and practices. And the natural element of most of the drugs fits in well with many Pagan beliefs and rituals.  

Over the years, Massachusetts has become rather liberal, and the community of Salem is no exception as they recently became the sixth locale in the state to move towards decriminalization of psychedelic mushrooms. Let’s take a closer look at the recent measure, as well as dive into some of Salem’s colorful history.  

What’s the news? 

On May 11^th, the city of Salem made the official move toward ending arrests for magic mushrooms when the city council unanimously (9-0) passed a measure that calls for the decriminalization of psilocybin products. The bill specifically asks the Essex County District Attorney to abstain from prosecuting people for possession of magic mushrooms and other items containing psilocybin.  

“It makes me a better father, it makes me more productive in a mindful way,” said Councilman Andy Varela, chair of the Public Health, Safety and Environmental Committee. 

The measure had an interesting and unlikely supporter, Salem’s chief of police, Lucas Miller. “The indications that psilocybin could be helpful for opiate addiction is something that should not be ignored. We lose about 20 people in Salem a year to opioid overdose.” 

The move was largely backed by, Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, a group that advocates for decriminalizing plant-derived medicines. “Our communities deserve access to these plant medicines. From parents to veterans to law enforcement, many different types of people are working through trauma with these gifts of nature,” remarked James Davis, a co-founder of Bay Staters. “They are becoming more conscientious and compassionate versions of themselves. It’s beautiful.” 

Although the bill hasn’t been enacted into law yet, it’s expected to pass with a second unanimous vote and get sent to the mayor’s desk in the upcoming weeks. And to clarify, this measure does not make psilocybin mushrooms completely legal, nor does it authorize the purchase, sale, or distribution of any such products. 

Some history about Salem 

Salem was one of the earliest settlements in North America, and the second established community in Massachusetts. It was founded in 1626 by a group of immigrants from Cape Ann led by colonist Roger Conant. The community was originally name Naumkeag belonged to a Native American tribe by the same name, but the settlers decided to rename it Salem, which is derived from the Hebrew word for “peace”.  

Salem is an important town in our nation’s culture and history. As a matter of fact, during the Revolutionary war, a party of Salem-area patriots became the first armed resistance to British rule. They made a stance on February 26^th, 1775 when they raised the North Bridge drawbridge preventing Col. Leslie and his British forces from commandeering their ammunition and army supplies stores.  

But all that aside, what the town is perhaps best known for, are the Salem witch trials that began in 1692. In just a few short months, at least 25 innocent people were accused of witchcraft and killed either by hanging, drowning, or pressing/crushing, and countless more were imprisoned awaiting execution. Ironically, the trials ended when the Governor William Phipps wife was accused, at which point he disbanded the court, pardoned all the prisoners, and ceased all trials.  

An interesting theory surrounding the trials, is that the erratic behavior exhibited by those believed to be practicing witchcraft, where in fact caused by use of psychedelic drugs (whether intentional or accidental is up for debate), including rye ergot/LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. Over 300 years after people were possibly persecuted and killed for using magic mushrooms, and now Salem is on the list of early locales to decriminalize them 

Where else in Massachusetts are magic mushrooms decriminalized? 

Previous communities to adopt similar measures are Cambridge, Somerville, Northampton, Easthampton and Amherst. Somerville was the first location to make the move, back in 2021, and it all started with a 31-year-old resident, Alex Karasik, who was looking for a way to treat his post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I was nearly killed in a robbery in Chicago four years ago, and I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result. And a lot of my life plans were derailed,” Karasick testified during a council meeting. “I wasn’t able to sleep, and I was in a really dark place mentally. Through a combination of therapy and psilocybin mushrooms, over time I have overcome my experience, and I’m happy to say that I’m in a much better place mentally.” 

Following his testimony, the council voted unanimously to decriminalize entheogenic plants. As per the resolution, “Somerville agencies and employees, including police, should not use city resources to assist in enforcing laws against the use and possession of entheogenic plants by adults.” Paving the way to eventual decriminalization throughout all of Massachusetts.  

“This is just another tool in the tool box in terms of what we have available to help with many of the afflictions that are affecting society today,” said Councilor Jesse Clingan, one of the sponsors of the resolution. 

Final thoughts 

Although it doesn’t sound like a huge deal, being the sixth city to decriminalize mushrooms… it most certainly is. Not only are they sixth out of 351 cities and towns in the state, but it sets a certain precedent that eventually, more regions will follow.  

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Loopholes are fun. They provide a way to get around a law, without really breaking it; by taking advantage of inconsistencies or gaps in specifics. Sometimes they really exist, and sometimes they’re ideas that are simply not worth fighting by regulators. The most recent loophole to rock the cannabis world, is surrounding the use of THC precursor, THCA. What’s this loophole all about? Read on for more info.

What is THCA?

We’re all at least somewhat familiar with the cannabis plant. At least enough to know that it goes by the names ‘marijuana’ and ‘hemp’ as well, and that there are some plants more geared toward THC, and some toward CBD. The former group is legally identified as ‘marijuana,’ while the 2018 Farm Bill specified the lower-THC grouping as ‘hemp.’ And this designations leads to the THCA loophole.

These terms are related to THC amount in the plants, with a .3% cutoff between the two categories. But this distinction undermines something important: that realistically, no growing cannabis plants have a lot of THC. They’re all low-THC, because THC barely exists in the growing plants. THC is a product of heating weed, which means if a cannabis plant is taken and used raw, there will always be negligible amounts of THC involved. It requires heat to turn the precursor acid – known as THCA – into the THC that makes us high.

THCA, aka tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is what really exists in high amounts in the cannabis plant. But the thing about THCA? It doesn’t get you high, and thus can be used from a raw plant, without psychoactive effects. By itself it has the chemical formula C₂₂H₃₀O₄. When heated, it decarboxylates to C₂₁H₃₀O₂, meaning it changes in the presence of heat. As you can tell by the formulas, they are closely related, but not the same thing. Decarboxylation is done through smoking, vaping, or leaching out active compounds using heat, like in cooking.

In a raw cannabis plant, decarboxylation does take place, but at slow rates and in low amounts. If you find some really old, dried-out weed, it’s likely to have decarboxylated a little. But if you see a nice fresh plant, still in the ground or just recently harvested, it’s likely to have almost no THC. In either case, the amounts are small enough to not cause any effects.

Is THCA legal?

Depends where it’s from. Marijuana is defined like this: “all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin.” According to this definition, a precursor acid is still technically a part of the plant, and therefore illegal.

But that only refers to high-THC marijuana. The last US Farm Bill made a legal distinction for hemp plants, giving them this definition: “…the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”

So now we have the situation wherein identical compounds are legal when taken from one place, and illegal when taken from another. This resembles another loophole related to delta-8 THC, which operates similarly. The main difference is that the production of delta-8 requires synthetic processes, which takes it out of the definition of hemp; since the definition never allowed for synthetics. In the case of THCA, it doesn’t require synthetic processing, making it difficult to use the same argument if its place of origin, is within legal limits.

This is the THCA loophole. Whereas delta-8 cannot be extracted in high-enough amounts from either hemp or marijuana for direct product manufacturing (it occurs in amounts far too small), there is a huge amount of THCA in marijuana plants, and at least some in hemp plants. Way more than delta-8 anyway, and enough for extraction.

Since the legal application is based on the decarboxylated compound, and not the one found in the plant, selling hemp flowers as THCA flowers, isn’t technically incorrect. The THCA loophole exists by defining the plants by their THC amount, rather than their THCA amount. While its really a case of semantics, ‘THCA’ flower is any cannabis plant with below .3% THC, with no stipulation for THCA quantity.

How the THCA loophole causes problems for the government

The government likes to apply hefty taxes on any cannabis product, and its not into products sold which aren’t regulated, and therefore not able to carry this tax. Sin taxes put on cannabis products by every state, are the primary source of revenue for regulating bodies. Sin taxes are excise taxes that span a large range, some as low as 10%, and some well over 30%. Though they’re supposed to be put on dangerous products that pose personal or societal harm, the application on cannabis products means applying this tax in places where cannabis is a sanctioned medication. Massive contradiction.

The government has already had a bad time with the cannabinoids market, since it can’t get a handle on it, and that means lost tax revenue. In an effort to turn people’s opinions against the compounds, and the black market operators who sell them, the DEA and FDA have made different statements and warnings; though they’re not really backed by a death toll. I always find that part funny considering that the same governments (state and federal) support opioids through regulation; which killed close to 100,000 people in the US alone in both 2021, and 2022.

The only real ability the federal government has, is to backhandedly go after these companies by trying to ruin business. When Shopify dropped all cannabinoid sellers last year, it wasn’t stated that the move was from government pressure, but its also unlikely Shopify would reduce its own income with a ban it didn’t need to do. What the US government can do is go after internet platforms that sell the products, or mess with banking, or credit unions of those who work with sellers.

This won’t get the products out of corner shops, or even stop the internet sales; but it can cause a bit of a kink for companies, and keep them on the move to find different sales venues. Realistically, the industry exists in large numbers both on and off-line, and if it were that easy to stamp out, it would’ve been done already.

Where the federal government runs into an extra issue with THCA, is that it can’t ban it. If it put a federal ban on it, this would undermine its own definition of ‘hemp.’ If THCA is illegal, then so is all cannabis. And it wouldn’t matter at that point if it was from hemp or marijuana. Unlike delta-8 THC which comes with the issue of the need for synthetic processes, THCA extraction, does not.

How does the government deal with THCA loophole?

Governments don’t like to bring things up if it makes them look bad, or backs them into a corner. For all the strife in the cannabis industry now, you’d think the governments in question would do whatever they had to. Just to preserve a consistent tax revenue line, even if just in small amounts like standard income tax. Instead, they ignore the issue of sin taxes, as if the subject isn’t pertinent. As if the taxes must exist to facilitate the industry. In fact, when California finally updated cannabis tax laws last year, it did nothing to do away with these high taxes, which increase prices. And it didn’t improve its market issues either.

Likewise, the government doesn’t want to mention THCA because it doesn’t have an argument against it. Instead, it focuses on what it does have an argument against – delta-8 THC, and other synthetically-made cannabinoids. And it works to lump THCA into that category, so it doesn’t have to answer for the difference. New possible plan? A delta-8 ban, and lowering the THC limit for hemp to attempt to exclude cannabinoids like THCA. Realistically, neither is a probable answer to get rid of lower-priced black market products. We know this from the existence of black markets in general.

The big looming question now? How do governments so completely not learn? US governments (state and federal) have been fighting these black market sellers for several years, and with no real progress. Cannabis legalizations in general are an attempt to divert from already existent black markets, which have been around as long as prohibition. And no government actions have worked, except creating the legal industries, which diverted a certain amount. This most recent THCA loophole is just a showing that the black market will always prevail in the face of bad regulatory moves.

Conclusion

What will the federal government do about all this? Probably nothing. Maybe it’ll update definitions in the next Farm Bill. Maybe it’ll try to go after illegal sellers online. So far, history indicates that it has very little power to do much at this point, which means the sale of THCA flowers through the loophole, is likely to continue. And this offers yet another avenue for the black market to dominate the legal one; simply because of poor and ongoing judgement in regulation.

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