Scientists Discovered a Mushroom That's Both Toxic and Trippy

Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have identified a mushroom that contains both psilocybin, a naturally occurring Schedule I controlled substance, and amatoxins, which are responsible for fatal mushroom poisonings, according to The University of Utah. The study, published in Current Biology, found that the species, Galerina indica, has been dubbed the "dark magic mushroom". The team, led by professor Matthew E. Smith, was interested in the genus Galerina to see if there were species of mushrooms in Florida that contain amatoxins, which had not been documented. As The University of Utah reported, the mushroom was discovered by Andrew Kunik, an undergraduate student working in Smith's lab, while documenting fungi at the UF/IFAS Ordway Swisher Biological Station.

The University of Utah reported that the mushroom's evolutionary history may be as unusual as its chemistry, with the genes responsible for producing psilocybin and amatoxins likely entering the genus Galerina through at least two separate instances of horizontal gene transfer. Bryn Dentinger, a mycologist at the University of Utah, said "Horizontal gene transfer is like if we shook hands and some of my DNA incorporated into your genome". The discovery sets up possibilities for future experiments to help figure out how mushrooms benefit from making amatoxins, psilocybin, or both.

According to The University of Utah, the species has only been documented a handful of times worldwide, making the preservation of specimens especially valuable. The University of Utah also reported that the mushrooms used in the research are now part of the Natural History Museum of Utah's collection, where they are available for future study. As Smith, senior author of the study, said "What's exciting is that there are small, seemingly uninteresting fungi that can conceal extraordinary chemistry that we're only beginning to understand".

Live Science reported that Florida's 'dark magic' mushrooms have a deadly combination of chemicals never seen before. Science News also reported that this magic mushroom can kill. The University of Florida reported that UF students discovered the 'dark magic mushroom'. Gizmodo reported that scientists discovered a mushroom that's both toxic and trippy.

UA.NEWS reported that a psilocybin- and amatoxin-containing mushroom was found in Florida. The discovery of the "dark magic mushroom" is significant, as it may help researchers understand the ecological role of psilocybin and amatoxins in mushrooms. As Kunik said "We still don't fully understand why mushrooms produce psilocybin... Amatoxins may help protect mushrooms from animals that eat them, but their precise ecological role isn't entirely clear either".

The University of Utah reported that the team's collaborative effort, including Ben Lemmond, Michael Christopher, Timothy Garrett, Bryn Dentinger, and Jason Slot, found that the "dark magic mushroom" contains a unique chemical cocktail. The study's findings have implications for the field of mycology and may lead to further research on the properties and potential uses of the "dark magic mushroom".

In summary, the discovery of the "dark magic mushroom" is a significant finding that may help researchers understand the ecological role of psilocybin and amatoxins in mushrooms. The study's findings have implications for the field of mycology and may lead to further research on the properties and potential uses of the "dark magic mushroom".