Friday, August 16
Beware the mushroom gummies: German state agency issues warning
With its brightly-coloured red cap and white spots, the fly agaric is one of the most recognisable mushrooms in the world (in Super Mario, it gives you a growth boost). However, a German federal agency has now issued a warning for Berlin against sweets containing the psychoactive substance muscimol, which is extracted from the fungus of the fly agaric. Apparently, these innocent looking sweets may have a “profound” psychological influence and lead to symptoms of poisoning.
In particular, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection is warning against a product from Berlin-based company Deutschen Cannabis Manufaktur (DCM), available from the website ilovepot.de. These “muscimol gummies” are sold in a package of two. The description on the back of the package reads: “First, you take a trip in the forest, then the forest takes you on a trip…” and advises customers “One gummy. Great trip! Two gummies. Serious stuff. Only for experienced users.”
Their listing on the state website lebensmittelwarnung.de does not mean the product is banned, only that users should be aware of potentially serious negative consequences. Under possible effects, the warning states that these mushrooms gummies are “harmful to health and are particularly dangerous for children, as the product can be confused with normal sweets.”
