FDA Restricts Psychoactive Mushroom in Edibles

LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding the use of Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) mushrooms and their psychoactive compounds—muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine—in food products. The FDA has determined that these substances are not approved for use in conventional foods and may pose health risks to consumers.

This action follows reports of adverse health events, including illnesses and fatalities, linked to the consumption of edibles containing these compounds. Notably, products marketed as “psychedelic edibles” or “legal psychedelics,” which often resemble conventional snacks, have been associated with serious health issues such as seizures, confusion, and abnormal heart rates.

The FDA’s assessment concluded that Amanita muscaria and its constituents do not meet the safety standards for use in food. Consequently, the agency has advised food manufacturers to refrain from using these ingredients and recommends that consumers avoid products containing them.

This development underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in the burgeoning market of psychoactive edibles. The FDA continues to monitor the situation and may take further action to ensure public health and safety.