In a recent revelation, mushroom gummies marketed for promoting brain function have been found to contain harmful ingredients not listed on their labels, including the illicit hallucinogen psilocybin, experts warn. This discovery has led to several reported cases of illness, including a 3-year-old child.
Five individuals in Virginia, including the young child, fell ill after consuming these gummies, which were supposedly made from the Amanita muscaria mushroom or a proprietary mushroom blend. This specific mushroom, also known as fly agaric, is not classified as a scheduled drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
However, lab analyses conducted by University of Virginia doctors revealed that three out of five different brands of these gummies, bought from local gas stations and smoke shops, contained psilocybin or psilocin—the active compounds in "magic" mushrooms, which are classified as illicit drugs by the FDA.
“While we anticipated finding some undisclosed ingredients, we were surprised to find psilocybin and psilocin, knowing that they are scheduled drugs,” said Lindsay Bazydlo, medical director of UVA Health’s Toxicology Laboratory. “Consumers should be given accurate information about what substances are included in these products.”
The U.S news site reported that in addition to psilocybin and psilocin, the lab tests uncovered other ingredients not listed on the packaging, such as caffeine, ephedrine, and kratom. Kratom, in particular, is an herb known for its opioid-like effects and potential for addiction.
Dr. Avery Michienzi, assistant medical director with UVA’s Blue Ridge Poison Center, emphasized the risks associated with these unregulated products. “People tend to equate ‘legal’ with ‘safe,’ which is not necessarily the case. These products are not regulated and can contain any number of unlabeled substances which, when consumed, can cause undesired symptoms.”
The reported cases included four adults who intentionally consumed the mushroom gummies and sought treatment at the UVA Health Medical Center emergency room in September and November. The child, who accidentally ingested two gummies, was seen in June and required an overnight hospital stay.
This incident has highlighted the dangers of unregulated mushroom gummies. Researchers are warning consumers about the potential risks, noting that buyers have no way of knowing what they are actually ingesting. “Some packages will have QR codes showing that the products were tested in a lab and contain only what they are labeled to contain,” Michienzi said. “These have been found to be inaccurate.”
For their study, researchers purchased three brands claiming to have the same ingredients as the gummies that caused the illnesses. They also bought two other brands labeled as containing “mushroom nootropics,” a trendy term suggesting cognitive and brain health benefits.
Symptoms caused by these contaminated gummies can include hallucinations, a racing heartbeat, upset stomach, and altered mental states. Typical hospital drug screens may not detect the substances found in the gummies, further complicating treatment efforts.
As this situation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regulatory oversight in the supplement market and the potential dangers lurking in seemingly innocuous products.
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