Bolete mushroom in China causes tiny people hallucinations
8 reported
A single-source report from The Guardian describes a bolete mushroom called Lanmaoa asiatica, which is popular in Yunnan province, China, for its taste but also causes hallucinations of tiny people. The hallucinations reportedly feature lots of small figures about 2cm tall wearing brightly colored clothes, who appear playful in a normal, real-world setting. The mushroom is unrelated to Psilocybes, or “magic mushrooms,” which use the chemical psilocybin. The hallucinogenic substance in Lanmaoa remains unknown, though Colin Domnauer at the University of Utah is researching it. The visions always involve tiny people and can last for days, but the hallucinogen can be destroyed by cooking the mushroom for 15 minutes before eating. Aside from Yunnan, the mushroom has only been found in the Philippines.
What’s reported
Lanmaoa asiatica is a bolete mushroom found in Yunnan province, China, growing with pine trees.
It is prized for its taste and causes hallucinations of tiny people about 2cm tall in brightly colored clothes.
The hallucinations are reminiscent of the BBC series Small Prophets but without psychic powers.
Lanmaoa is unrelated to Psilocybes, which cause hallucinations via psilocybin.
The hallucinogenic substance in Lanmaoa is unknown; Colin Domnauer at the University of Utah is researching it.
The visions always feature tiny people and can last for days.
Cooking the mushroom for 15 minutes destroys the hallucinogen.
The mushroom has only been found in Yunnan, China, and the Philippines.
Key figures
Colin Domnauer, researcher at the University of Utah
Sources: The Guardian
