How do Amanita muscaria-containing gummies cause their effects?
Recently, supplements containing Amanita muscaria extracts have been used for their psychedelic effects. The main psychoactive components from these mushrooms are muscimol and ibotenic acid. Ibotenic acid and muscimol are derivatives of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), respectively, and act as false neurotransmitters. Muscimol is a GABA-B receptor blocker, while ibotenic acid is a NMDA receptor agonist. Due to the opposing effects of these toxins, intoxicated patients may present with lethargy or hyperactivity, visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as psychomotor agitation.
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