Fly agaric, or Amanita muscaria, is a fascinating psychoactive mushroom known for its hallucinogenic properties. However, its consumption should not be taken lightly. If you're curious to explore this mushroomit's important to understand how to consume it correctly to minimize the risks.
Drying: the most common method
Drying is the most common method of consuming fly agaric. It preserves its active ingredients, facilitates dosage and preserves the mushroom for several months.
How to dry fly agaric?
Start by thoroughly cleaning the mushrooms to remove all debris and dirt. Avoid running them under water to avoid accelerating the degradation of the active compounds. Then cut your mushrooms into thin slices and leave them to air-dry in a dry, well-ventilated place away from light. If you want to speed up the process, you can also use a dehumidifier or place your mushrooms near a source of gentle heat, such as a radiator or stove, without direct contact.
Drying can take anywhere from a few days to a week depending on external conditions and the diameter of the lamellae. Note also that the stalk of this mushroom is often worm-eaten and contains few active ingredients. It is therefore advisable to remove it before eating the mushroom.
Recommended dosage
If you're new to fly agaric, an initial dose of around 5 g is generally recommended. Moderate consumption is between 5 and 10 g, while a more intense dose can be as much as 30 g. Psychoactive effects appear on average 30 minutes after ingestion, and can last from 4 to 10 hours. Bear in mind that the active ingredients degrade over time: dosage must therefore be adjusted according to the freshness and shelf-life of the mushroom.
Decoction: the quickest method
Decoction involves boiling the mushrooms to extract the active compounds in a liquid. This technique reduces the bitter taste of fly agaric, eliminates some of the water-soluble toxins and limits the risk of side effects associated with direct consumption.
How to proceed?
Boil dried mushrooms (whole or in pieces) in a saucepan filled with water. If you wish to retain all the active compounds, boil the mixture for at least 45 minutes before filtering the water. If you wish to further detoxify your liquid, first boil your mixture for 15 minutes, then discard the cooking water and repeat the process 1-2 times with fresh water.
Once cooked, strain the liquid to remove any solid bits. Leave to cool and drink in small quantities. Always start with a low dose, especially if this is your first experience.
Infusion: the gentlest method
Infusion allows the psychoactive compounds in fly agaric to be released more slowly, so consumption is gentler and more gradual. This technique is therefore particularly suitable for those seeking moderate effects or who are first-time users.
How to infuse fly agaric?
Start by cutting your mushrooms into small slices, then place them in a bowl of hot water. Make sure the water doesn't boil, to avoid destroying too many active compounds. Leave to infuse for 20-30 minutes, then strain the water to remove any solid bits. You can then sip your infusion.
Note thatbetween 68 and 74°C, part of the ibotenic acid contained in fly agaric decarboxylates into muscimolthe main psychoactive compound inAmanita muscaria. Above this temperature, the active ingredients degrade; below, decarboxylation does not occur.
Direct consumption: the riskiest method
Some people choose to consume fly agaric directly, without preparation. Although this is the quickest method, it does entail significant risks.
The ibotenic acid present in the mushroom can cause serious side effects, such as vomiting, dizziness, mental confusion and intense hallucinations. What's more, the concentration of ibotenic acid can vary greatly depending on factors such as the age of the mushroom, the nature of the soil and climatic conditions. This unpredictability increases the risk of adverse effects, and makes it impossible to prevent the risk of intoxication.
How to explore the effects of fly agaric with care?
If thefly agaric has interesting psychoactive effects, it is important to take certain precautions before consuming it.
- If you've never eaten this mushroom before, start with small doses to see how your body reacts.
- The effects of fly agaric generally appear between 30 minutes and one hour after ingestion. To avoid the risks of overdosing, we recommend waiting before taking another dose.
- Make sure the mushrooms come from a reliable source to avoid contamination by harmful substances.
- Never consume alone and always in a safe place.
- If you suffer from a particular pathology or are taking medication, askyour doctor's advice before consuming fly agaric.
Whether you're curious about the effects of fly agaric or simply interested in this fascinating mushroom, bear in mind that each preparation technique modifies the chemical profile of the mushroom, making the effects difficult to predict. Caution is therefore advised.