The latest iteration of mushroom-based supplements has taken a decidedly more fun form: gummies. These chewable edibles are easy to take (no water required) and deliver a dose of fungus through your digestive system to your bloodstream. But as the lines between food and medicine continue to blur, consumers need to be mindful of the quality of these products, especially in terms of dosage.
The gummies in question are those sold by Australian company Uncle Frog, in the Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane varieties. They claim to boost brain function and offer a natural energy boost, and they’re widely available at convenience stores and vape shops. But lab testing by UVA Health’s Blue Ridge Poison Center has found that these gummies contain the illegal hallucinogen psilocybin and other harmful ingredients not listed on the label. Five people, including a three-year-old child, were sickened when they consumed them, and four of them were hospitalized overnight.
Mushroom Gummy: The Tasty Way to Boost Your Health
In addition to psilocin, the gummies contained the psychoactive compounds muscarine and ibotenic acid, which can produce psychedelic effects on the brain. They also contained caffeine, ephedrine, and kratom, which are stimulants and have opioid-like effects.
These aren’t the first mushrooms to appear in gummies, which join Mushroom Gummy capsules, powders, and extract-based beverages on shelves at grocery stores and wellness and drugstores. But the gummies are perhaps the most convenient, no-fuss way to enjoy this new kind of mushroom experience, which can bring about effects similar to a moderate dose of psilocybin, and is known to promote feelings of calm and well-being.