An alkaloid present in some mushrooms.
It is a hallucinogenic drug with properties similar to those of LSD.
It is a hallucinogenic drug with properties similar to those of LSD.
Severe poisoning from ingestion of fungi is very rare, since relatively few species are highly toxic and most species do not contain toxic compounds. The most toxic species are those containing amatoxins such as death cap (Amanita phalloides); this species alone is responsible for about 90 per cent of all mushroom-related deaths. There is a latent period of six hours or more between ingestion and the onset of clinical effects with these more toxic species. The small intestine, LIVER and KIDNEYS may be damaged – therefore, any patient with gastrointestinal effects thought to be due to ingestion of a mushroom should be referred immediately to hospital where GASTRIC LAVAGE and treatment with activated charcoal can be carried out, along with parenteral ?uids and haemodialysis if the victim is severely ill. In most cases where effects occur, these are early-onset gastrointestinal effects due to ingestion of mushrooms containing gastrointestinal irritants.
Muscarine is the poisonous constituent of some species. Within two hours of ingestion, the victim starts salivating and sweating, has visual disturbances, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vertigo, confusion, hallucinations and coma, the severity of symptoms depending on the amount eaten and type of mushroom. Most people recover in 24 hours, with treatment.
‘Magic’ mushrooms are a variety that contains psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance. Children who take such mushrooms may develop a high fever and need medical care. In adults the symptoms usually disappear within six hours.
Treatment If possible, early gastric lavage should be carried out in all cases of suspected poisoning. Identi?cation of the mushroom species is a valuable guide to treatment. For muscarine poisoning, ATROPINE is a speci?c antidote. As stated above, hospital referral is advisable for people who have ingested poisonous fungi.... fungus poisoning
Hallucinogens include certain drugs of abuse, such as LSD, marijuana, mescaline, and psilocybin.
Some prescription drugs, including anticholinergic drugs and levodopa, occasionally cause hallucinations.... hallucinogenic drug
Most fatal cases of mushroom poisoning in the are caused by AMANITA PHALLOIDES (death cap). This mushroom can be confused with the edible field mushroom, although it has white gills instead of pink-brown ones.
The death cap and some related species, such as AMANITA VIROSA (destroying angel), contain poisons called amanitins, which attack cells in the liver, kidneys, and small intestine. Symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea usually develop 8–14 hours after eating the mushrooms. Later, there may be liver enlargement and jaundice, which may lead to death from liver failure. There is no antidote, and treatment consists of supportive measures only. For those people who survive, recovery usually occurs after about 1 week.AMANITA MUSCARIA (fly agaric) has a red cap flecked with white. Symptoms of poisoning appear within 20 minutes to 2 hours, and may include drowsiness, visual disturbances, delirium, muscle tremors, and nausea and vomiting. Treatment of this type of poisoning (and of other types with rapidly developing symptoms) is with gastric lavage (see lavage, gastric) and activated charcoal. Recovery usually occurs within 24 hours.
“Magic” mushrooms contain the hallucinogen psilocybin. These mushrooms may also cause high fever in children. The effects usually last for 4– 6 hours.... mushroom poisoning
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