The Rise of Microdosing Mushrooms: Benefits, Risks, and Growing Poison Control Cases

In recent years, the trend of microdosing psychedelic and non-psychedelic mushrooms has gained popularity, with many individuals seeking mental health benefits, enhanced mood, increased creativity, and improved concentration. Microdosing involves consuming small amounts of mushrooms—less than a typical psychoactive dose—to avoid hallucinogenic effects while purportedly boosting cognitive function.

This cultural shift is partly driven by legislative changes in some regions that decriminalize possession of psilocybin mushrooms, along with burgeoning scientific research exploring their potential therapeutic uses. Psilocybin and psilocin, compounds found in traditional "magic" mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus, are considered to have a high therapeutic index. This means they are generally not toxic in humans, and the lethal dose is far above the effective dose.

However, the increased demand has led to a diversification in mushroom sourcing. Manufacturers now produce edible products, such as gummies and chocolates, containing various mushroom species, including non-psychoactive and potentially more toxic varieties such as Amanita mushrooms. These products are often purchased online, in herbal shops, or vape stores, with limited ingredient transparency due to proprietary blend protections.

Recent reports highlight rising adverse effects associated with these products. Poison control centers across the U.S. have documented a surge in calls related to mushroom poisoning following the popularity of nootropic mushroom products. For example, a case study from Virginia involved five individuals hospitalized after consuming gummies that contained compounds from Amanita mushrooms, such as muscarine and ibotenic acid—substances known to be toxic.

Further investigations uncovered that some products falsely label ingredients, including psilocybin, caffeine, and other stimulants or painkillers, which are not disclosed on labels. The lack of regulation, coupled with misidentification of mushroom species—since many mushrooms look similar but vary greatly in toxicity—poses significant health risks.

The U.S. has seen a rise in mushroom-related poisonings, with over 6,400 cases reported in 2016 alone. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing decriminalization efforts for psilocybin, which have increased calls to poison centers due to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, seizures, and cardiovascular distress after ingesting edible mushroom products.

Authorities, including the FDA, have issued warnings about unapproved and potentially dangerous mushrooms like Amanita, which do not meet safety standards. Nevertheless, these products remain on the market, often with inadequate ingredient disclosure, risking accidental consumption of toxic species. Consumers need to be aware of the dangers posed by improperly labeled or misidentified mushroom products, emphasizing the importance of regulation and accurate identification.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-fad-microdosing-mushrooms-uptick-poison.html