What are Amanita Pantherina Mushrooms?

Amanita mushrooms are nothing new – they’re a naturally occurring mushroom that has grown in the wild for thousands of years, all over the world. Back in July, we covered what they were, and specifically Amanita muscaria. Today we’re going to cover amanita pantherine, the close relative of muscaria. Mainly, what it is, its overall effects, and even how to take these mushrooms.

Getting to Know Amanita Pantherina Mushrooms

Amanita pantherina, commonly known as the “panther cap” or “false blusher”, is a species of mushroom found in Europe and Western Asia. It's closely related to the infamous Amanita muscaria (the fly agaric), both belonging to the Amanita genus. It's commonly found in deciduous and coniferous forests, often forming symbiotic relationships with trees. The mushroom appears in late summer to late autumn.

Amanita pantherina typically features a brownish cap that’s typically 5 to 10 cm in diameter with white or yellowish warts, which’re remnants of the universal veil that encloses the mushroom when it's young. These warts may also wash away with heavy rain. The gills are white, free from the stem, and quite crowded. The cap is usually domed and can flatten with age. The stem is white with a ring and a bulbous base.

Speaking of the Amanita pantherina’s stem, it is white and measures about 5 to 15 cm in height and 1 to 2 cm in thickness. It's adorned with a persistent white ring (annulus) and a bulbous base, often surrounded by a cup-like structure known as a volva. The flesh of the mushroom is white and doesn't change color when cut or bruised.

Understanding the Cultural and Historical Aspects Pantherina Mushrooms

While not as famous or culturally significant as Amanita muscaria, Amanita pantherina has been used in some traditional practices, though its use is far less common due to its toxicity and potent psychoactive effects. However, in the history of mycology (the study of fungi), Amanita pantherina has been a subject of interest due to its distinctive features (like the panther-spotted cap) and its classification within the Amanita genus, which includes both edible and highly toxic species.

In contemporary times, there is a growing interest in the study and use of psychoactive fungi, including Amanita pantherina, for their potential therapeutic properties. Still, due to its toxic nature, it’s not widely used and is often subject to legal restrictions in many countries.

What Effects and Potential Benefits Do Amanita Pantherina Mushrooms Have?

Muscimol happens to be a GABA agonist, meaning that it interacts with the nervous system to support healthy levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter associated with calm. Because of this, all amanita mushrooms are generally considered more sedative-like than mushrooms that contain psilocybin. GABA is also associated with improved sleep, and helps aid in neuroplasticity, which can play an important role in helping a person heal from post-traumatic stress.

Muscimol is also intoxicating, and thus, is psychedelic. Hence, the high has the potential to cause hallucinations, depending on the dosage you take. The hallucination associated with muscimol seem to be mostly visual. Otherwise, the high is said to be euphoric, yet relaxing, and people often describe gaining spiritual insight from the experience, as well as enhanced creativity, due to its perception-changing and introspective nature.

There is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic applications of the compounds found in Amanita pantherina, although this is a very early and experimental field. Some studies are exploring their use in treating neurological disorders, but this is not yet a mainstream medical practice.

Are Amanita Pantherina Mushrooms Dangerous?

Believe it or not, it can be mistaken for edible species by inexperienced foragers, which poses a risk of accidental poisoning, more on that in a second. Proper identification by an expert is crucial when dealing with wild mushrooms.

Now, this mushroom is toxic and should not be consumed by itself. It contains psychoactive compounds such as muscimol and ibotenic acid, similar to those found in Amanita pantherina. These substances can cause hallucinations, confusion, agitation, and in severe cases, seizures or coma.

Are Amanita Pantherina Mushrooms Legal?

Amanita pantherina mushrooms are, in fact, legal under federal law. In fact, they were never illegal. For now, they are only banned in one state: Louisiana. Keep in mind that as amanita products become more widely available, more states may begin to outlaw them, so you’ll need to keep yourself updated on state laws as time goes on, to make sure that you can still buy these products legally. The Calm Leaf will not ship products to states in which amanita mushrooms in general are banned.

What Kinds of Amanita Pantherina Products are Available?

Similar to muscaria, pantherina can be found in the following forms:

• Edibles: Easily, edibles are the most in-demand choice for amanita mushroom products. This includes gummies, chocolate bars, and other tasty snacks. They contain an equal amount of this mushroom extract, making dosing quite simple.
• Capsules: The same applies to capsules, which also contain an equal amount of the mushroom, and are taken like any ordinary capsule.
• Tinctures: These are sublingual oils taken below the tongue, which come in a variety of strength options.

Amanita Panterina Mushrooms Have Arrived at The Calm Leaf!

At The Calm Leaf, you will find Amanita panterina mushroom products, since these mushrooms are legal in the United States. But even better, they supply an intoxicating high that feels euphoric, calming, and creativity-enhancing. In fact, all of the mushroom products we carry have undergone extensive lab-testing and are made with mushrooms that’re known to be safe for human consumption.