PlantFunFly agaric Toxic?
Ibotenic acid, a core toxic compound, converts to 5-6x more potent psychoactive muscimol when the mushroom is cooked or dried
Symptom onset occurs 30 minutes to 2 hours post-ingestion, with effects lasting multiple hours and including hallucinations and severe abdominal pain
Atropine is contraindicated for treatment as it may worsen symptoms, and prognosis is generally good with prompt, appropriate care
FAQ
Is Fly agaric toxic to Humans?
Onset 30 minutes to 2 hours post-ingestion, effects last multiple hours. Symptoms include salivation, sweating, lacrimation, bradycardia or tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, myoclonus, cardiac arrhythmias, dyspnea, apathy followed by hyperactivity, hallucinations, deep sleep, and potential multi-day psychosis (High)
Is Fly agaric toxic to Cats?
Mydriasis (dilated pupils) with cholinergic effects, miosis (constricted pupils) with anticholinergic effects, plus general gastrointestinal distress, disorientation, and hallucinations consistent with human symptoms (High)
Is Fly agaric toxic to Dogs?
Miosis (constricted pupils) with cholinergic effects, mydriasis (dilated pupils) with anticholinergic effects, plus vomiting, abdominal pain, ataxia, and neurological changes like hallucinations or hyperactivity (High)
Is Fly agaric toxic to Horses?
No species-specific data on file, but ingestion is expected to cause severe gastrointestinal distress, abnormal heart rate, and neurological impairment; emergency veterinary care is required immediately if ingestion is suspected (High)
Toxicity Details
Onset 30 minutes to 2 hours post-ingestion, effects last multiple hours. Symptoms include salivation, sweating, lacrimation, bradycardia or tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, myoclonus, cardiac arrhythmias, dyspnea, apathy followed by hyperactivity, hallucinations, deep sleep, and potential multi-day psychosis
Mydriasis (dilated pupils) with cholinergic effects, miosis (constricted pupils) with anticholinergic effects, plus general gastrointestinal distress, disorientation, and hallucinations consistent with human symptoms
Miosis (constricted pupils) with cholinergic effects, mydriasis (dilated pupils) with anticholinergic effects, plus vomiting, abdominal pain, ataxia, and neurological changes like hallucinations or hyperactivity
No species-specific data on file, but ingestion is expected to cause severe gastrointestinal distress, abnormal heart rate, and neurological impairment; emergency veterinary care is required immediately if ingestion is suspected
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Induce vomiting only if the exposed person/animal is fully conscious and ingestion occurred within the last 60 minutes
- • Administer activated charcoal to bind remaining toxic compounds and reduce gastrointestinal absorption
- • Collect any remaining mushroom samples for formal identification to guide targeted treatment
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of Amanita muscaria, even in small quantities
- • Presence of severe symptoms including difficulty breathing, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- • Development of hallucinations, extreme lethargy, or unmanageable gastrointestinal distress
Prevention
- • Avoid foraging wild mushrooms for consumption unless you are a trained, experienced mycologist able to distinguish toxic Amanita species from edible lookalikes
- • Keep wild mushrooms out of reach of children, pets, and livestock in areas where Amanita muscaria is known to grow
- • Avoid intentional consumption of this mushroom for recreational use due to unpredictable toxicity and risk of severe adverse effects
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Perform rapid decontamination (emesis, activated charcoal, gastric lavage if clinically indicated) as soon as possible post-ingestion
- • Administer physostigmine only in cases of severe, unmanaged anticholinergic symptoms
- • Provide supportive care including IV fluids, cardiac and respiratory monitoring, and symptom management as needed; atropine is contraindicated as it may worsen symptoms
Professional Toxicology
• Ibotenic acid, a primary toxic compound, decarboxylates to 5-6x more psychoactive muscimol when the mushroom is cooked or dried, acting on central nervous system GABA receptors to trigger neurological effects
• Small quantities of thermostable muscarin act on peripheral cholinergic receptors to produce characteristic cholinergic symptoms including salivation, sweating, and bradycardia
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.