Scientists have identified a rare mushroom that causes a unique type of hallucination in which people report seeing tiny people, according to a study published in the journal Mycologia.
Researchers say the mushroom, Lanmaoa asiatica, is unlike typical psychedelic mushrooms because it does not contain psilocybin or psilocin, the compounds responsible for the effects of most magic mushrooms. Instead of producing common psychedelic experiences, people who consume the mushroom often appear sober while reporting vivid visions of tiny people interacting with their surroundings.
According to University of Utah researcher Colin Domnauer, the hallucinations usually begin between 12 and 24 hours after eating the mushroom and can last for several days. Those affected describe highly detailed tiny people crawling on furniture, walking through doorways, and interacting with real-world objects.
Lanmaoa asiatica grows naturally in pine forests in southwestern China and the northern Philippines. It is commonly sold in local markets as an edible mushroom, but reports of hallucinations are typically linked to eating it raw or undercooked.
Scientists say the mushroom has been known locally for decades because of its unusual effects, but it was only formally identified about 10 years ago. Researchers are now working to determine which compound is responsible for the hallucinations.
Unlike traditional psychedelic mushrooms, genetic testing found none of the known genes that produce common hallucinogenic compounds. Researchers believe the mushroom may contain a previously unknown psychoactive substance.
Laboratory testing has narrowed the search to several possible compounds, but scientists have not yet determined which one causes the hallucinations or whether it affects humans differently than animals.
Domnauer said his goal is to sequence the genomes of all mushrooms in the Lanmaoa group to better understand how the species creates its unusual effects. While he studies the mushroom, he said he has no plans to eat it raw himself, preferring the fully cooked version, which he described as having a good flavor.