What began as a Hollywood-backed wellness trend is now raising serious health concerns. Microdosing mushrooms—taking small amounts of psychedelic fungi to enhance mood, creativity, or focus—has surged in popularity. Stars like Miley Cyrus and Seth Rogen have praised the practice, and shifting local policies have fueled its mainstream acceptance. But with that rise has come an alarming spike in poison control calls and hospital visits.
The active compounds in “magic” mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are classified as Schedule I drugs and remain illegal federally. While these substances are considered relatively nontoxic at typical doses, demand for mushroom products has opened the door for alternatives—some far more dangerous. Retailers now market mushroom gummies, chocolates, and supplements under “nootropic” or “smart drug” labels, often found in gas stations and vape shops.
Investigations have uncovered troubling results. A University of Virginia study tested five mushroom gummy brands: three contained psilocybin or psilocin, several listed Amanita mushrooms—known to carry more toxic compounds like ibotenic acid—and many included undeclared additives such as caffeine, ephedrine, kratom derivatives, and even DMT. These hidden ingredients have led to nausea, seizures, cardiovascular issues, and hospitalizations.
National Poison Data System figures reflect the risks: between 2018 and 2022, psilocybin-related calls tripled among teens and more than doubled in young adults. In 2023, a multistate investigation tied more than 180 poisoning cases in 34 states to mushroom-based edibles, prompting recalls and an FDA warning that Amanita products are unsafe.
Experts warn that lack of labeling standards and mushroom misidentification only add to the danger. With little oversight, consumers are left guessing what they are actually ingesting. What seems like a harmless wellness boost could, in reality, deliver a toxic cocktail.
