Let’s talk about a common experience in the Amanita muscaria world: microdosing without results.
By definition, microdosing refers to taking a sub-perceptual dose — one that does not produce noticeable psychoactive effects but may support mood, clarity, or nervous system function over time. That said, sub-perceptual doesn’t mean ineffective — but it also doesn’t mean entirely unfelt.
Here’s where it gets tricky: if the preparation is poor (low in muscimol or improperly decarbed), it might not even be delivering enough active compound to achieve subtle effects. So, while microdosing shouldn’t feel like a full experience, it should still do something — over time you may notice better sleep, calmer, and reduced stress reactivity. If you’re not noticing even those gentle shifts, it’s likely the preparation itself is the issue.
If you’ve tried tinctures or capsules and felt nothing, you’re not alone. This happens often — and not because Amanita isn’t working, but because of how it’s being prepared.
Many commercial tinctures are alcohol-based, and that presents a problem. Muscimol — the active compound in Amanita muscaria, regalis and pantherina — is water-soluble, not alcohol-soluble. Ibotenic acid, which is also present in the mushroom, must be decarboxylated (heat-converted) into muscimol to become bioavailable. Ethanol doesn’t facilitate this transformation well, meaning you may be left with a product that’s not only ineffective but potentially misleading.
Alcohol itself is psychoactive, and some users may confuse the subtle sedation of the alcohol with the effects of Amanita. Combine this with the fact that many capsules on the market are filled with degraded or unidentifiable bulk powders, and it becomes clear: you’re often not feeling Amanita — you’re feeling filler, placebo or nothing at all.
Alcohol Tinctures: Why They Often Miss the Mark
In herbalism, alcohol tinctures are often effective — but their success depends on the chemistry of the plant or mushroom being extracted. Alcohol is excellent at pulling out alkaloids, terpenes, and resins — which is why it’s the go-to for herbs like valerian, echinacea, and skullcap.
However, in the case of Amanita muscaria, the key active compound — muscimol — is not one of those alcohol-soluble constituents. It’s a polar, water-soluble molecule, and it requires heat decarboxylation to be active (transforming from ibotenic acid). Alcohol neither extracts it well nor facilitates that conversion.
So, in the case of Amanita, they’re more likely to be ineffective — or worse, misleading — unless they include a decarbed water extract component.
Some alchemists do use a more effective method
If you’re a great alchemist, as they do exist, they create a water-based extract to decarb and draw out muscimol, and only then add a small amount of alcohol to preserve it. This hybrid approach can be effective — but it’s rare, and not what most commercial tinctures offer.
We used to make our own Amanita extract this way as well — a carefully decarbed, water-based preparation with alcohol added afterward for shelf stability. While this method can work, we found that the extract lost some of its potency over time, particularly during the transition and preservation phase. Additionally, many of our clients and community members were specifically seeking a non-alcoholic option for nervous system support, spiritual practice, or trauma recovery. That need pushed us to evolve beyond the alcohol-preserved model entirely.
Unfortunately, most tinctures on the market skip this step. They rely solely on ethanol as a solvent, which is where the problem begins.
There’s growing evidence that alcohol tinctures are not only ineffective for Amanita muscaria — they may be giving a false impression of effects altogether. Muscimol, the key compound responsible for Amanita’s sedative and calming properties, is poorly soluble in alcohol (Wikipedia). Likewise, ibotenic acid — its precursor — is also water-soluble and requires heat to convert, something ethanol does not reliably provide.
A study on Amanita tinctures made with 80-proof vodka found low concentrations of muscimol and ibotenic acid, further proving that alcohol alone is a poor solvent for this mushroom’s unique chemistry (PMC10574166).
In short, many users are either feeling nothing — or mistaking the mild sedative effects of alcohol itself for the mushroom’s medicine. This creates a placebo trap and a misunderstanding of what Amanita is capable of.
Why We Make Slurry
If you’re genuinely looking to feel Amanita — especially its calming, sedative, and grounding effects — you need a preparation that honors the mushroom’s chemistry. That’s why we make slurry.
A slurry is a water-based, fully decarboxylated extract. It’s created by gently simmering the mushroom at a specific temperature and pH to convert ibotenic acid into muscimol while preserving other beneficial compounds. This approach maximizes muscimol concentration, minimizes ibotenic acid, and delivers the full-body experience Amanita is meant to provide.
Scientific literature supports this method. According to patent data (WO2022187974A1), even dried caps can contain ibotenic acid concentrations as high as 1800 ppm, with muscimol levels remaining low unless actively decarbed through heat and acidified water. In many commercial preparations, the ratio of ibotenic acid to muscimol remains heavily skewed — sometimes as high as 9:1 — making the extract stimulating or ineffective rather than relaxing.
In contrast, a properly prepared slurry is:
- ✅ Water-soluble and bioavailable
- ✅ High in muscimol, low in ibotenic acid
- ✅ Free from alcohol interference
- ✅ Aligned with traditional and modern extraction science
My Experience With Slurry
After five years working with Amanita, I’ve tried every form. Slurry wins. I’ve used small amounts for clarity and large doses for deep work. One macro session left me so disoriented that integration became essential. I was lucky to have support.
Set and setting matter. If you’re going deep, make sure you’re in a safe, quiet space. Healing can get loud. You don’t want to unpack your nervous system while someone’s asking what’s for dinner.
Most People Just Want to Feel Better
You don’t need to unravel your entire self. Most people just want better sleep, less anxiety, or a grounded reset. Amanita can help — when it’s done right.
It’s not a psychedelic. It’s not here to show you visuals. It works gently with the GABA system — more whisper than roar. That’s why when people finally try a well-made slurry, they often say, “Oh… now I get it.”
If that’s the experience you’re seeking — calm, sedation, clarity — I encourage you to try Amanita as a slurry. This is the way it wants to be worked with.
Additional Insight from Patent Research
Amanita muscaria extract, when properly prepared through water-based decarboxylation methods, has multiple applications for human health. According to patent literature, it may reduce pain, address inflammatory disorders, benefit immunity, and support symptoms of autoimmune conditions. It’s also indicated for general wellness — promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving sleep. These claims reinforce what many have experienced anecdotally: that Amanita is more than folklore — it’s a physiological ally when prepared with care and understanding.
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