The “Delta-8 of Hallucinogens”? A Closer Look at Amanita Muscaria in Today’s Market
Written By: Officer Jermaine Galloway, the Tall Cop
April 2026
It is time for an Amanita muscaria update. For those who are not aware, let’s roll the clock back a bit.
Around early 2023, during several environmental scans in various states, I noticed something new emerging on store shelves. The product is Amanita muscaria, being sold and marketed as a “legal” form of mushrooms. In higher doses, it can produce effects that some users compare to psilocybin mushrooms, but it is not typically flagged in standard drug tests or common field test kits. Because of this, it is often positioned as an alternative that skirts state laws and remains largely unfamiliar to the everyday professional. Amanita has even been referred to as the “Delta-8 of the hallucinogen world.” What does that mean? In short, it’s a relatively underrecognized substance that is widely available over the counter found in gas stations, smoke shops, some shopping malls, and online marketplaces.
Amanita muscaria (also known as fly agaric) is native to regions across the Northern Hemisphere and has existed for centuries. While it has a long history of ceremonial use in some cultures, it is also known to be toxic and potentially dangerous if misused.
In recent years, I have also encountered products combining Amanita (and sometimes psilocybin) with Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, and other cannabinoids. These combinations can create a more intense or euphoric experience for users, which helps explain their growing popularity. Some products go even further, blending Amanita with functional mushrooms like cordyceps, lion’s mane, and turkey tail. There is a perception among some users that stacking these substances especially at higher doses enhances the overall effect. This aligns with what I’ve seen during my “boots on the ground” community scans, where these blends are increasingly present in shops that actively promote drug-oriented culture.
Another notable shift is in product labeling. Some items that were previously clearly branded as Amanita muscaria no longer display the name prominently on the packaging. In some cases, it’s missing entirely even on the back label, replaced instead with vague terms like “proprietary blend.” This lack of transparency can make it difficult to know exactly what a product contains and raises concerns about consumer awareness and safety.
Despite the growth in availability and variety, price points have remained relatively low, making these products accessible to a wide range of consumers. The forms have also stayed consistent, most commonly appearing as gummies, candy bars, and vape products, with varying milligram strengths and dosing recommendations.
In 2018, the CDC published a report on Amanita muscaria highlighting cases of illness and adverse effects associated with its consumption. The article underscores that, despite its legal gray area and retail availability, Amanita is not a benign substance. Reported symptoms included confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and in some cases more severe neurological effects requiring medical attention. The takeaway is straightforward: this is a substance that can pose real health risks, particularly when dosing is unclear, products are mislabeled, or it is combined with other compounds.
You can read the full CDC report here:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6821a4.htm
Remember, You Can’t Stop What You Don’t Know!