The Other Magic Mushroom: Why a Canadian Startup Is Suddenly Interested in the Fungus From Super Mario

The iconic Super Mario mushrooms can actually help you level up?

As countless companies study the benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, Psyched Wellness is focusing on a different type of magic mushroom. The famous red and white spotted mushrooms are called Aminita muscaria, or fly agaric mushrooms, and they actually contain a psychoactive compound called muscimol.

Muscimol targets GABA-A receptors, whereas psilocybin targets serotonin receptors, so the experience and benefits are a bit different from typical magic mushrooms. While there isn’t much research on muscimol’s benefits, Psyched Wellness is changing this.

Psyched Wellness is in the process of making an Amanita muscaria extract to treat sleep disorders, stress, and physical pain. The company hopes to have an over-the-counter tincture for sale by mid-2022. Amanita muscaria mushrooms are legal in many countries including the US, so it will be much easier and cheaper to study their benefits and bring a product to market.