A mushroom that makes one see “Lilliputians”: scientists are studying the mysterious Lanmaoa asiatica

Rare Asian mushroom Lanmaoa asiatica capable of causing unusual visual hallucinations: after consuming it, some people see miniature people, elves or tiny moving figures.

This phenomenon is called Lilliputian hallucinations – by analogy with the inhabitants of Lilliput from Gulliver’s Travels.

The mushroom grows primarily in the forests of southwestern China, especially in Yunnan province, and is also found in the northern Philippines. It belongs to the boletus mushrooms and is closer in appearance to boletus mushrooms than to the usual “magic mushrooms” with psilocybin.

At the same time Lanmaoa asiatica is not considered a safe psychedelic product. Scientific publications have linked it to poisoning, neuropsychiatric symptoms, irritability, dizziness, weakness, nausea and visual hallucinations, especially after eating raw or undercooked mushrooms.

Not “colored patterns”, but tiny shapes

The peculiarity of Lanmaoa asiatica is that people often describe not abstract distortions of color or space, but detailed miniature figureswhich seem to exist in a real room.

In published medical observations, patients reported “little people” or “elves” who danced, moved along walls, hid under doors, or appeared on objects around them. A study on symptoms after eating this mushroom was published in the journal Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Medical term “Lilliputian hallucinations” has existed for a long time and is not associated only with mushrooms. In psychiatry, it is called visual hallucinations in which a person sees very small people, animals or fantastic creatures. A systematic review of such cases was published in PubMed.

Why does this particular mushroom cause such an effect?

The exact mechanism of action remains unknown. Researchers from the University of Utah and the Utah Museum of Natural History are studying Lanmaoa asiatica, trying to identify the chemical that causes these specific visual effects.

According to experts, analyzes have not yet revealed in the mushroom any known psychoactive compounds characteristic of psilocybin mushrooms or fly agaric mushrooms. This means that the effect may be due to an unknown substance or a combination of several substances.

Researcher Colin Domnauer, who studies this species, noted that some patients experience not just brief visual images, but detailed scenes with miniature figures that seem to move and interact with the surrounding space. The progress of the research was reported Natural History Museum of Utah.

Symptoms may not appear immediately

According to toxicological observations, after consuming Lanmaoa asiatica, gastrointestinal symptoms may first appear: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. Neuropsychiatric manifestations, including visual hallucinations, sometimes occur later – after 12–24 hours.

In some cases, people have also reported headache, lack of coordination, weakness, anxiety and irritability. Symptoms can last from several hours to several days, and if the poisoning is severe, a person may require medical attention.

A metabolomic study of patients with Lanmaoa asiatica poisoning highlights that the mechanism of toxicity is not fully understood and there is no specific antidote yet. The work was published in PubMed.

Why do they keep eating it?

In Yunnan, this mushroom is known as a local product with a rich umami flavor. It is sold in markets and prepared at home or in restaurants during the season, which is usually during the summer months.

Local residents often know about its unusual properties and warn that the mushroom should be cook thoroughly. However, scientific sources do not allow us to name a universal safe cooking time that is guaranteed to eliminate the toxic effect.

Therefore, phrases like “just fry the mushroom for 15 minutes and everything will be safe” are better taken as local practice, and not as a medical guarantee. Species differences, the amount of mushroom, the method of preparation and the individual reaction of the body can greatly change the consequences.

This is not a reason to experiment

The story of Lanmaoa asiatica sounds almost like folklore, but from a medical point of view it is about potential mushroom poisoningrather than a controlled experience.

It is especially important for people who collect mushrooms on their own to remember: outwardly similar species can have completely different properties, and the exact identification of mushrooms from a photograph or description is unreliable. In Europe and Greece, if you suspect mushroom poisoning, you should seek medical help immediately.

Main conclusion: Lanmaoa asiatica is indeed associated with rare “Lilliputian” hallucinations, but the substance causing the effect has not yet been found. Scientists are studying the mushroom as an unusual toxicological phenomenon, and not as an exotic way to have fun and meet imaginary miniature neighbors.

Source link