Hey friend,

Amanita muscaria and psilocybin mushrooms are both mushrooms of the magic type, but these fungi couldn’t be more different.

Their history, chemistry, effects, and mechanisms of action are worlds apart.

After countless psilocybin journeys, I thought I had a handle on what to expect from psychoactive fungi. But nothing prepared me for the surreal, dreamlike, and sometimes disorienting effects of Amanita—think visual size distortion, body heaviness, and a sedative, almost lucid dream state.

With a wave of new Amanita products hitting the market and rising interest in its use, it’s more important than ever to be informed.

So here’s a clear breakdown of the key differences between these two entheogenic mushrooms—so you can journey wisely.

Ethnobotanical Use

Amanita muscaria

Amanita muscaria, also known as the Fly Agaric, is a psychoactive mushroom native to the Northern Hemisphere and has a long history of traditional use, especially in Siberian shamanism, where it was taken for vision quests and as a tonic.

Some scholars believe Amanita may be humanity’s oldest entheogen. Its use can be traced linguistically as far back as 4,000–6,000 B.C. [1], and archaeologically to 4700 BCE, with one of the earliest depictions appearing in an Algerian cave painting—showing a human-like figure (nicknamed “Tassili”) with mushrooms sprouting from its body and surrounded by fractal-like patterns. [2]

This mushroom is deeply woven into cultural memory: it appears in European fairy tales like those of Baba Yaga, and modern pop culture, from Alice in Wonderland to Super Mario Bros.

Theories also connect it to the origin of Santa Claus and the mystical Soma described in the ancient Hindu RgVeda.

Few fungi are wrapped in as much myth, mystery, and historical lore as Amanita muscaria.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin mushrooms, in contrast, grow all over the world and have a deeply rooted history of ceremonial use in Mesoamerica, particularly for healing and divination.

The Aztecs referred to them as teonanácatl, meaning “flesh of the gods.”

Much of the traditional knowledge around their use was lost or deliberately erased after Spanish missionaries arrived in the 1500s. Under Christian rule, entheogens were condemned as tools of the devil, and records of their use were systematically destroyed.

Yet, fragments of this wisdom endured. A 16th-century Spanish Franciscan friar, Bernardino de Sahagún, documented teonanácatl in his extensive writings, sparking curiosity centuries later and helping researchers identify the Aztecs’ sacred mushroom.

Though Mesoamerican cultures didn’t leave detailed written records, the archaeological evidence is compelling.

For instance:

• Mushroom stones dating from 3,000 BC are believed to have been used in rituals—possibly for grinding mushrooms or other sacraments. [3]

• The Tepantitla mural (500 CE) in Teotihuacán depicts the Toltec rain god Tlaloc, with priest-like figures bearing hallucinogenic mushrooms springing up where his raindrops fall.
• Xōchipilli, the Aztec god of flowers, feasting, and sacred intoxication, is often shown surrounded by images of entheogens like psilocybin mushrooms, morning glory, and tobacco.
• The Codex Magliabechiano (16th century CE) features depictions of mushroom use in sacred ceremonies.

While Amanita muscaria is usually tied to Eurasian traditions, there’s speculation it may have also been known in the Americas, hinting at a deeper, more connected global history of sacred fungi.

Chemistry, Effects, Duration & Experience

Amanita muscaria

The primary effects of amanitas come from ibotenic acid and muscimol. Muscimol affects the GABA system, while ibotenic acid stimulates glutamate in the brain. [4]

The result?

A sedative, dreamlike, sometimes dissociative experience that can last 6–8 hours.

Common effects of Amanita mushrooms include:

• Sensation of flying (hence the name “Fly Agaric)
• Euphoria
• Lucidity and dreamlike haziness
• Altered visual perception (objects appearing bigger or smaller than they are)
• Pain relief
• Relaxation (musculoskeletal and nervous system)
• Internal focus (attention shifts from the outer world to imagination, imagery, or daydreams)
• Aphrodisiac qualities
• Sleepiness, grogginess, or lethargy

The trajectory of a medium-to-high-dose experience typically includes:

Onset: 30 - 120 minutes

Peak: 1 - 2 hours

Duration: 6 - 8+ hours (higher doses tend to last longer)

After Effects: 1 - 5 hours

Psilocybin

Psilocybin mushrooms contain psilocybin, psilocin, and other alkaloids that act on serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors [5], leading to vivid hallucinations, emotional release, and mystical states that last 4–6 hours.

Common effects of psilocybin mushrooms include:

• Euphoria, mood enhancement, or emotional sensitivity
• Increased laughter, giggling
• Idea flow (creative, philosophical, or deep thinking)
• Increased interest, enjoyment, or enthusiasm
• Feelings of awe and wonder
• Enhanced sensory experience (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell)
• Open- and closed-eye visuals (common at medium or stronger doses)
• Time perception alteration/distortion
• Sleepiness, lethargy
• Reliving memories

The trajectory of a medium-to-high-dose experience typically includes:

Onset: 20—60 minutes

Peak: 1 - 2 hrs

Duration: 4 - 6+ hr

After Effects: 8+ hr

Dose

Amanita muscaria

The standard psychoactive dose includes approximately 10–15 mg of muscimol and 50–100 mg of ibotenic acid. [6]

This typically translates to about three medium-sized dried caps or one and a half large ones. (Fresh caps weigh significantly more due to water content.)

However, potency is highly variable. The levels of muscimol and ibotenic acid can fluctuate depending on where and when the mushrooms are harvested—seasonal and regional factors have a big impact.

Because of this, accurately dosing Amanita muscaria without lab testing is difficult, so always start with a low dose and approach cautiously.

General dosage range for dried Amanita muscaria mushrooms:

• Microdose: <1g (less than 1 medium cap)
• Threshold Dose: 1–3g (1 medium cap)
• Psychoactive Dose: 3–10g (1–3 medium caps)
• Heroic Dose: 10–30g (2–6 medium caps)

Psilocybin

Psilocybin mushrooms generally offer more reliable dosing thanks to their ability to be cultivated in controlled environments. That said, potency can still vary widely between species and strains.

The most common species you’ll encounter is Psilocybe cubensis, often in the popular Golden Teacher strain.

But remember, dosage guidelines are just that—guidelines, not guarantees.

General dosage range for dried psilocybin mushrooms:

• Microdose: 0.1–0.5g
• Threshold Dose: 0.5–2g
• Psychoactive Dose: 2–5g
• Heroic Dose: 5g+

Plus, here are some different ways you can prepare psilocybin mushrooms for ease of consumption (and reduced GI upset).

Safety

Amanita muscaria

Amanita mushrooms must be decarboxylated (dried or boiled) to reduce toxicity and uncomfortable side effects, which Amanitas can be notorious for.

Side effects include:

• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach discomfort/cramps
• Loss of muscle coordination
• Muscle twitching and trembling
• Increased salivation, urination, and perspiration
• Delirium and/or dissociation at high doses

Sourcing is another major safety concern.

Amanita muscaria isn’t farmed—it must be foraged in the wild. While its red cap makes it easy to recognize, it can still be mistaken for lookalikes like A. regalis or A. caesarea, which aren’t psychoactive.

Worse, some Amanitas are deadly, including the Destroying Angel (A. virosa) and the Death Cap (A. phalloides). These toxic varieties often have white or greenish caps and are found in North America.

Bottom line: Foraging for wild mushrooms without expert knowledge is extremely risky and not recommended.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin is generally safe and well-tolerated.

But it can still produce side effects, including:

• Anxiety and overwhelm
• Feelings of fear or confusion
• Nausea, vomiting, and digestive upset
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders

Therapeutic Applications

Today, Amanita’s active compounds (ibotenic acid and muscimol) are gaining attention for anxiety [7], sleep, inflammation [8], and pain relief [9].

Psilocybin is being studied for a vast array of both psychiatric conditions like depression [10], anxiety in life-threatening illness [11], PTSD [12], addiction [13], OCD [14], and neurological conditions like migraines/cluster headaches [15], Alzheimer’s/dementia [16], and much more.

Legality

Amanita muscaria is legal in most places, while psilocybin mushrooms remain illegal in many countries, though psychedelic reform is rapidly growing.

Amanita and psilocybin are two very different types of magic mushrooms, with distinct effects, chemistry, and histories.

Both can be used for therapeutic, recreational, and spiritual purposes.

But if I had to recommend one to start with, it would be psilocybin.

Every time.

Its effects are far more consistent and predictable, making it a safer entry point for anyone new to psychoactive fungi.

Amanita, while still magical, can be much more unpredictable. So if you’re just starting, dip your toes in with psilocybin first… then explore Amanita if curiosity calls.

I would love to hear from you—have you tried either? Which one do you feel called to explore?

Hit reply and let me know.

Happy dosing,

Onjae

P.S. I’ve just updated my Psychedelic Sourcing Master List—featuring 20 trusted psilocybin vendors and 10 amanita suppliers that ship to the US, Canada, UK, EU, and beyond.

It’s your go-to guide for sourcing psychedelics (everything from psilocybin, LSD, DMT, mescaline, research chems, and other plant medicines) safely and reliably.