Research2 sources
This little brown mushroom is laced with a hallucinogen — and lethal toxins
Nature ·
The Brief · written from 2 sources
- A Florida mushroom may contain both the psychedelic compound psilocybin and deadly amatoxins.
- Phys.org reports it is the first mushroom found to contain both kinds of compounds.
- Nature reports the fungus may use this chemical mix to defend itself against hungry animals.
Why it matters
The finding challenges the common split between 'magic' psychedelic mushrooms and poisonous mushrooms, which matters for anyone trying to identify or handle wild fungi.
Who’s affected
- mycologists and fungal researchers
- foragers and anyone who handles wild mushrooms
- #mushrooms
- #psilocybin
- #amatoxins
- #mycology
- #fungi
Nature, Published online: 12 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-03639-2 A Florida fungus might combine the psychedelic compound psilocybin with deadly chemicals to defend itself against hungry animals.
Timeline
Findings on the Florida mushroom reported by Nature and Phys.org
nature.com
This little brown mushroom is laced with a hallucinogen — and lethal toxins
Biology News - Evolution, Cell theory, Gene theory, Microbiology, Biotechnology
Dark magic mushroom is first to contain both psychedelic and toxic compounds
Full coverage · 2 sources
- 6h ago ↗
Biology News - Evolution, Cell theory, Gene theory, Microbiology, Biotechnology
Dark magic mushroom is first to contain both psychedelic and toxic compounds - 20h ago ↗
nature.com
This little brown mushroom is laced with a hallucinogen — and lethal toxins