Let’s Learn about Amanita muscaria with our FAQ
Amanita muscaria, or Fly Agaric, is legal to possess, sell, grow, and consume in the United States.
However, Louisiana is the exception — here, it may only be used for ornamental purposes.
Decarboxylation transforms ibotenic acid into muscimol, the primary compound responsible for the mushroom’s effects.
This process is important because muscimol is gentler, more consistent, and easier on the body than ibotenic acid.
Cracker Drying (115°F): Converts ~35% of ibotenic acid.
Water Bath (pH 2.8, 190°F for 3 hrs): Achieves full conversion.
Awakening Roots offers a fully decarboxylated Amanita Slurry for ease and consistency.
Effects vary, but common experiences include:
Deep relaxation
Vivid dreams or better sleep
Clearer thoughts
A grounded or energized state
Occasional spiritual visions or alignment
However, the FDA classifies Amanita muscaria as poisonous. Therefore, approach it with research, care, and respect.
The three Amanita species we offer—Muscaria, Regalis, and Pantherina—differ in their natural potency, traditional uses, and recommended dosages. Additionally, there is a key difference between dried mushrooms and our Slurry:
Dried Mushrooms: These are only 35% decarboxylated, meaning they still contain a mix of ibotenic acid and muscimol. This makes them a great choice for those who prefer to work with mushrooms in their raw form or process them further at home.
Slurry: Our Slurry is fully decarboxylated, meaning all the ibotenic acid has been converted into muscimol, the active compound responsible for Amanita’s effects. This eliminates any guesswork and ensures a consistent experience every time.
Here’s how the species compare:
Muscaria (Fly Agaric):
Known for its gentle potency, Muscaria is a great starting point for beginners. The recommended dosage for dried Muscaria mushrooms ranges from 7–15 grams, depending on the desired effect. This variety is popular for its calming, grounding energy, and subtle mindset-shifting properties.
Regalis (The Royal Fly Agaric):
With a higher natural muscimol concentration, Regalis offers more pronounced effects at lower doses. The recommended dosage for dried Regalis is 2–6 grams. It is favored by those seeking a balance between mental clarity, focus, and relaxation.
Pantherina (Panther Cap):
The most potent of the three, Pantherina has the highest concentration of muscimol. For dried mushrooms, the effective dose is much smaller, ranging from 1–3 grams. Pantherina is best suited for experienced users or those seeking deeper, more transformative effects.
While Slurry eliminates the species-specific differences in muscimol-to-ibotenic acid ratios, some individuals still enjoy working with specific species for their traditional and energetic characteristics. For whole mushrooms or capsules, the species you choose can depend on your goals:
Amanita muscaria has been used for centuries in various cultures, including:
Smoking Chips: In some practices, dried Amanita chips were smoked for relaxation or ceremonial purposes.
These traditions highlight Amanita’s versatility and its role in ancient healing practices.
The Amanita genus contains over 600 identified species, ranging from edible and medicinal mushrooms to toxic and deadly varieties. Among these, several stand out due to their popularity, potency, or danger:
Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric): This is the iconic red-capped mushroom, widely recognized for its traditional, spiritual, and ceremonial uses.
Amanita regalis (Royal Fly Agaric): A darker, more potent cousin of Muscaria. While similar, it often provides stronger effects with lower doses.
Amanita pantherina (Panther Cap): Considered the most potent among the commonly used varieties. Therefore, it is generally recommended for experienced users.
Amanita caesarea (Caesar’s Mushroom): A highly prized edible species, especially in Mediterranean cuisine. Unlike others, this one is widely celebrated for its flavor.
Amanita jacksonii: A North American edible variety related to Caesar’s Mushroom. In contrast to toxic species, it’s safe and valued in culinary circles.
Amanita phalloides (Death Cap): One of the deadliest mushrooms on Earth. As a result, it is responsible for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide.
Amanita bisporigera (Destroying Angel): Another lethal species, commonly found in North America. Due to its appearance, it is often mistaken for edible varieties — with tragic consequences.
Because some Amanita mushrooms are highly toxic, it’s critical to correctly identify any species before use. For that reason, always source Amanita from trusted providers to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
Research Chemicals (RCs) are synthetic compounds created to mimic the effects of natural substances. Although they may seem similar, RCs are often unregulated, poorly studied, and can carry significant risks to both physical and mental health.
In many cases, these additives are found in Amanita-infused gummies and chocolates sold by less reputable sources. For this reason, it’s essential to choose products from trusted providers who prioritize purity, transparency, and safety — like Awakening Roots.
By making informed choices, you protect not only your experience but your well-being. Ultimately, staying aware of what you consume helps deepen your relationship with plant and mushroom medicine in an intentional, respectful way.
Despite their incredible diversity and ecological importance, mushrooms are often overlooked due to longstanding myths and widespread misinformation. For generations, many have viewed mushrooms as either culinary ingredients or dangerous fungi, completely dismissing their potential for wellness, healing, and scientific discovery.
However, mushrooms — including species like Amanita — play vital roles in both ecosystems and human health. As ongoing research continues to unfold, the mushroom kingdom is finally gaining the recognition it deserves for its medicinal, spiritual, and environmental contributions.
In other words, mushrooms are not just misunderstood — they’re underestimated. By shifting our perspective, we open the door to deeper respect and integration of fungi into modern life.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric mushroom, has been the subject of various scientific studies due to its unique psychoactive compounds — primarily muscimol and ibotenic acid. Over time, researchers have uncovered several key insights, highlighting its value across multiple fields.
Muscimol, a potent psychoactive compound found in Amanita muscaria, has been extensively studied for its role as a selective agonist at ionotropic GABA receptors. As a result, this research has significantly advanced our understanding of inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. [PubMed]
In addition, further studies show that muscimol acts preferentially on extrasynaptic δ-GABA<sub>A</sub> receptors. This finding has provided new insight into the heterogeneity and distribution of GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor subtypes throughout the brain. [PMC]
Recent research suggests that muscimol, as a GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor agonist, may significantly alleviate pain at its peak effect. Therefore, it holds promising potential for therapeutic applications. [Wikipedia]
However, the unregulated sale of Amanita muscaria has raised serious public health concerns due to its toxic and hallucinogenic properties. Consequently, multiple reports have emphasized the need for improved regulation to prevent adverse outcomes. [AJP Monline]
Together, these studies underscore the importance of Amanita muscaria in advancing scientific knowledge — particularly in the fields of neuropharmacology, receptor biology, and public health.
Unfortunately, the rise of commercial gummies and chocolates has negatively impacted Amanita’s reputation. Many of these mass-produced products contain Research Chemicals (RCs) — synthetic compounds intended to mimic natural substances, but they often come with serious risks and unpredictable effects.
In contrast, our Amanita offerings are pure, natural, and carefully crafted to ensure both safety and efficacy. Because quality matters, we take pride in maintaining integrity from harvest to packaging.
👉 To understand why this matters, explore our article: Why Source Matters — and discover how trusted sourcing protects your body, mind, and spirit.
Absolutely! We love hosting Amanita experiences tailored to your needs.
Whether it’s for a personal journey, a group setting, or a spiritual retreat, we can guide you through an intentional Amanita experience.
Reach out to us to discuss how we can design an event just for you.
Let’s awaken the roots of your journey together!
Awakening Roots began in 2019 with a mission to offer handcrafted, toxin-free products such as soap, essential oils, nail polish, mouthwash, and toothpaste. Over time, as our journey evolved, we expanded into the world of mushrooms. This included introducing respected brands like Paul Stamets’ Four Sigmatic and Host Defense.
However, after learning about concerns surrounding transparency and the use of mycelium over fruiting bodies, we made a pivotal shift. We transitioned to Real Mushrooms, a family-owned company focused on high-quality products made exclusively from fruiting bodies. Although we no longer carry Real Mushrooms, this experience reshaped our values and deepened our commitment to sourcing only the purest, most effective offerings.
During this chapter, we discovered Amanita muscaria—a mushroom that would profoundly impact our lives. For our family, Amanita brought restorative sleep to my husband, peace during my perimenopause journey, and significant support for central nervous system (CNS) regulation during hormonal shifts. More importantly, it helped us transform our marriage by fostering open, honest conversations free from fear and judgment.
This clarity didn’t stay confined to our personal growth—it began to ripple through every part of our lives. As a result, we found ourselves parenting with more patience, love, and intention. Our friendships began to reflect our evolving values, drawing in kindred spirits who shared our vision.
Ultimately, the clarity and balance Amanita brought became the foundation of something larger. It didn’t just support a healthier body—it inspired a healthier mindset and way of living. What started as a toxin-free lifestyle blossomed into a mission: to empower others to embrace honesty, health, and radical transformation in their own lives.
At Awakening Roots, we pride ourselves on being more than just a business — we’re a small, passionate team devoted to quality, education, and creating meaningful experiences. What truly sets us apart is the love, care, and attention to detail we pour into every part of our work.
Unlike factories that mass-produce goods and settle for grade B or lower mushrooms, we are committed to excellence. That’s why we only source Grade A+, top-quality mushrooms. In fact, we never use powdered mushrooms, as this process severely reduces potency and effectiveness.
Instead, everything we offer is handcrafted with care and intention. Our Amanita Slurries are brewed to order, ensuring maximum freshness and potency. Our Micro-Capsules are hand-pressed using freshly blended fruit bodies. Moreover, our mushrooms are wild-foraged by a second-generation family in the Carpathian Mountains, supporting their traditional practices and way of life.
Once the mushrooms arrive, we don’t just rely on outside processing — we hand-sort every batch ourselves into caps, pieces, and shake. This level of attention guarantees unmatched quality control from start to finish.
Even the smallest details matter to us. Our packaging reflects that — from vibrant red mylar bags with clear viewing windows to handwritten notes that remind you just how valued you are. Ultimately, we aren’t just creating products — we’re building connections. Each order is a reminder that you’re supporting real people who deeply care about what they do.
Customer service is the beating heart of our mission. Beyond offering products, we aim to educate and raise awareness about Amanita mushrooms, empowering you to make informed decisions about your wellness path. To deepen that mission, we travel across the country to share Amanita in person — offering hands-on guidance and meaningful experiences to those seeking transformation.
When you choose Awakening Roots, you’re not just buying a product. You’re supporting a family-run business that values quality, education, and personal connection. We’re honored to share the magic of Amanita with you in a way that’s intentional, thoughtful, and truly one-of-a-kind.
Once upon a time, we welcomed in-store shopping at our established business location in New Jersey. However, in 2020, we felt called to share Amanita Experiences Across America, which led us to transition away from in-person visits.
We understand this may be an inconvenience for some, and we truly appreciate your flexibility as we’ve shifted into a fully mobile and online format. That said, we’ve worked hard to make the online ordering process as smooth, personal, and seamless as possible.
If you’re feeling bummed and crave that hands-on connection, don’t worry — we’ve got you. We’d love nothing more than to cater to your personal needs and share the magic of Amanita face-to-face. Just reach out for more info, and we’ll do our best to create a meaningful experience, wherever you are.
Books:
•Fly Agaric: A Compendium of History, Pharmacology, Mythology, & Exploration (covering many aspects of psychoactive Amanita mushrooms)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578714426
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1140608186
•Amanitas of North America (coffee table book for learning about a selection of North American Amanita species)
https://www.fungimag.com/store.htm
Websites:
•http://amanitaceae.org/
(database of all known Amanita species)
(for documenting finds, mobile app also available)
•https://mushroomobserver.org/
(for documenting finds)
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