Polish health authorities consider banning red amanita mushrooms over health risks, as popularity and prices surge.
On November 7, a special advisory group will meet under Poland’s Ministry of Health to discuss red amanita mushrooms (Amanita muscaria), often noted for their hallucinogenic properties. Recently, red amanitas have gained significant popularity, with fresh mushrooms priced at 60 PLN per kilogram and dried mushrooms reaching 1,000 PLN.
Health Risks and Potential Ban
The Main Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) aims to curb trade in red amanitas due to health concerns. GIS spokesperson Marek Waszczewski highlighted the mushroom’s toxicity, advocating for a ban on its sale. The recommendation could lead to regulatory changes to restrict psychoactive substances.
Adverse Effects of Red Amanita
Experts warn that even cooked red amanitas can cause severe reactions, including gastrointestinal distress, hallucinations, and internal organ damage. Toxicologist Dr. Eryk Matuszkiewicz emphasized that the mushrooms contain ibotenic acid and muscimol, which induce dissociative effects, posing substantial risks for users.