Gummies advertised as brain boosters were found to be laced with an illegal psychedelic drug, sending several people to hospital.
Researchers from the CDC tested six packages of nootropic gummies from five brands sold at tobacco stores and gas stations in Virginia that reportedly contained a “proprietary blend of mushrooms.”
But they found that four of the pills contained psilocybin, a Schedule I substance similar to heroin and LSD that is illegal to sell in the U.S. and was not listed on the label.
Officials launched the investigation after five people, including a three-year-old child, went to the emergency room after consuming the products and experienced confusion, anxiety and a rapid heartbeat.
The CDC warned: “Healthcare providers and the public should be aware that edible products marketed as mushroom nootropics may contain unknown ingredients and have been linked to serious illness.”
Officials launched the investigation after five patients were admitted to their ER with problems from eating mushroom gummies. Some of the products were found to contain psilocybin
Medical toxicologist Avery Michienzi, who led the study, and others wrote in the report: “People who think they are purchasing gummies containing A. muscaria or other mushroom gummies marketed as psychedelics or nootropics should be aware that these products may contain unknown and potentially harmful substances.
‘Physicians should be aware that adults who consume these gummies may experience symptoms such as hallucinations, altered mental status… and gastrointestinal symptoms.’
More and more Americans are buying mushroom gummies to experience “microdosing,” a phenomenon that has become increasingly popular in the US in recent years.
This involves taking a small amount of a substance to experience its psychedelic effects without the risk of possible side effects.
Many brands that people buy claim to contain a “proprietary blend of mushroom nootropic preparations” but provide little detail about what is contained.
In many cases, these products do not need to be tested and approved by the FDA because they are sold as “dietary supplements.”
Above you can see some of the products that have been recalled due to the illnesses associated with Diamond Shruumz products used for microdosing
The names of the brands and the stores where they were sold were not disclosed in the report, which was published in the CDC publication. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
Psilocybin causes hallucinations in many people at low doses, but can also cause panic attacks and disorientation, or an altered perception of space and time.
Users may also experience nausea, vomiting, paranoia, and sometimes vivid and disturbing flashbacks that can last for weeks.
Researchers from the Blue Ridge Poison Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, launched the investigation after a series of illness outbreaks in the state.
From September 2023 to June 2024, five patients, including a three-year-old child, were seen in the emergency room after ingesting mushroom gummies.
All patients except the child had intentionally eaten the gummies and were kept in the hospital for at least 12 hours until their symptoms resolved.
In adults, there was increased heart rate, anxiety, confusion, nausea and chest pain.
They were given medications for nausea and anxiety, as well as intravenous fluids.
The child experienced drowsiness and vomiting. No interventions were given and they were discharged from the hospital the next day.
All brands mentioned by patients contained muscimol, ibotenic acid and muscarine.
A number of people also reported that their gummies contained the mushroom Amanita muscaria. This mushroom can have similar psychedelic effects to psilocybin, but is less commonly used due to its side effects, which include agitation and seizures.
Before the tests, some of the brands patients mentioned were not available in local stores, forcing researchers to purchase three brands with the same ingredients.
This comes after federal officials announced they were investigating the death of a person who consumed “microdosing” candies that have now been recalled across the US.
According to the FDA, the fatality was “possibly related” to the Diamond Shruumz products, which are sold in vape shops across the US.
At least 48 people have fallen ill after eating the company’s chocolates, cones and sweets, while 27 people have been hospitalised with seizures, loss of consciousness and abnormal heartbeats.