Turns out, your favorite cartoon-esque, fairytale toadstool is actually medicine.
We’ve been conditioned to think of those adorable little red mushrooms with the white spots (aka Amanita muscaria) as totally toxic. While they are poisonous when ingested like a regular mushroom (it’s no chanterelle sauteed in butter, after all), they contain a much lesser-known compound with some mega advantages.
Enter: muscimol.
Because this discovery is relatively new, sourcing should be done carefully. We reached out to Jeffrey Stevens, the founder of Psyched Wellness, one of the pioneer brands making this compound safe, effective, and available for consumption. He breaks down what muscimol can do for us.
“Muscimol, the active ingredient in the Amanita muscaria mushroom, works in a manner similar to alcohol,” Jeffrey starts.
If you’re thinking that doesn’t sound very medicinal, we’re with you. But keep reading.
“It activates GABA-A receptors, increasing the calming effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, like a chill pill for your brain. This induces relaxation and anxiety reduction without the negative side effects or hangover you would get with alcohol.”
And of course, it’s not toxic the way that alcohol is. This intel infers that it’s just as fast-acting, which is good news for those of us looking to relax, unwind, and fall asleep asap.
The upside, when compared to how alcohol affects us, is that muscimol is much more predictable. Sometimes, a drink can help us to feel relaxed, giggly, and social. Other times, it makes us irritable, sick, or volatile. Not so with muscimol.
“Our patented extract (AME-1) consists mainly of muscimol (although it is a full spectrum Amanita muscaria extract), which allows for a safe, easy, and predictable experience that can be enjoyed by almost anyone,” Jeffrey tells us.
“We’ve removed and converted the naturally occurring toxins, leaving you with mainly muscimol and ultimate relaxation.”
And that’s what it’s meant to do, help us feel deep calm and relaxation. Another differing factor from alcohol? It doesn’t affect inhibitions or behavior.
“Our extract has been reported to help many people with sleep enhancement, stress relief, and relaxation. Once you find the perfect dose that works for you, expect heavy eyes, feelings of drowsiness, and relaxation. No trippy adventures either. Some say they have really interesting or memorable dreams, but all it’ll do is help you drift into dreamland and wake up feeling recharged.”
It’s super important to note that although we may be seeing a lot more info about muscimol trending, not to mention images of those cutesy red Amanita muscaria, there aren’t yet a lot of legal options available. Look for regulated formulas that have been classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS), and if you see Psyched Wellness in Erewhon, you know you can trust it.
Keep your eyes peeled for this new discovery because we think everyone will be talking about it very soon!
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