The chemistry of amanita and how it affects humans
Muscimol is one of the two main psychoactive compounds found in the red fly agaric, and it is this that causes all those positive effects when microdosing with a fly agaric.
The precursor of muscimol is ibotenic acid. In freshly picked fly agaric, the amount of ibotenic acid exceeds the amount of muscimol by 60 times. Only during the drying process does ibotenic acid turn into muscimol.
Muscimol and sleep
Muscimol promotes deep sleep, helps to overcome anxiety, creates calmness, promotes rejection of fears, improves thinking and memory, reduces the desire to smoke and drink alcohol.
Muscimol actively interacts with GABA (1) receptors and stimulates their function. GABA is a neurotransmitter that transmits signals between neurons in the parasympathetic nervous system.
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the control of organs in a state of rest and relaxation. When GABA binds to receptors, this leads to a decrease in the excitation of neurons and a decrease in the activity of the nervous system. Thanks to the stimulation of GABA, you become calmer. Therefore, muscimol calms the nervous system.
In a German study in 1996 (3), the effect of muscimol on sleep was shown. Muscimol increased the phase of deep sleep several times.
The phase of deep sleep is one of the stages of slow sleep. During deep sleep, important processes take place: necessary substances for the full functioning of the body are accumulated, amino acids are synthesized, regeneration processes are carried out, and somatotropic hormone (growth hormone) is produced.
Muscimol affects the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin hormones. This is manifested in an uplifted mood, confidence and courage appear, and the anxiety effect is removed.
Muscimol improves mood
In 1989, a study (2) showed that muscimol reduces the activity of MAO.
MAO is an enzyme responsible for breaking down dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Stopping MAO increases the amount of these hormones. These hormones are responsible for feelings of happiness, satisfaction, motivation, attention, etc. The more of them, the better your mood.
Clarity of thinking and muscimol
In the same 1989 study, it was demonstrated (2) that muscimol decreases the activity of acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is a substance that facilitates the transmission of signals from one nerve to another. The more acetylcholine, the better thinking.
Thanks to this, the effect of clarity of thinking is created and, combined with calmness, we begin to see many solutions to our problems.
Muscimol improves memory
Several studies have indicated an effect of muscimol on memory. Muscimol protected the hippocampus from natural cell death, preventing impairment in learning and memory (4). Small doses of muscimol have been shown to significantly improve memory and learning ability in rats (
But at the same time, a large amount of muscimol caused the opposite effect (6).
Muscimol and smoking
In a 2010 study, it was shown that injecting muscimol into the insula reduced activity in that part due to the inhibitory effects of muscimol, which in turn reduced the urge to smoke (8).
Muscimol and alcohol
Muscimol and alcohol interact with the same neurotransmitter - GABA. During the introduction of muscimol, alcohol simply has nothing to interact with, because muscimol takes its place.
Find out how it can benefit your health:
1.Amanita muscaria capsules
2.Amanita muscaria Premium (small mushrooms)
3.Amanita muscaria Grade A (flat mushrooms)
4.Amanita muscaria powder
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