Buying fly agarics online? What you should know

Is it legal to buy fly agaric / amanita muscaria?


What does the law say?

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) is not itself classified as a drug, which means that there is no specific Swedish legislation that prohibits the purchase or sale of this particular mushroom. However, it is still important to be aware of the following:

  • Unregulated products : Even if the mushroom itself is not classified as a drug, processed products or extracts may fall into a gray area depending on the content.
  • Mixing with other substances : Some sellers mix fly agaric with other, potentially illegal substances. This can make the sale illegal.
  • Liability issue : Although fly agaric in raw form is not prohibited, you take a risk when you buy products where the content is not reviewed or controlled.

Fly agaric products on Swedish and European markets

Recently, a variety of products have appeared that claim to contain fly agaric, including:

  • Gummy bears : Usually small, edible candy pieces that are said to be “infused” with substances from fly agaric.
  • Vapes and e-juices : E-cigarettes or e-liquids that are said to contain fly agaric extract.
  • Imported goods : Much of this comes from foreign suppliers, without clear quality or safety checks.

What might these products actually contain?

  1. Illegal substances
    • Some products have been found to contain banned drugs or synthetic substances instead of natural fly agaric.
  2. No active ingredients at all
    • Some tests show that the products are a scam and do not contain any active substances from Amanita muscaria.
  3. Synthetic muscimol
    • There are reports that some products contain a synthetic version of muscimol (sometimes called “ muscimol hybromade ”), which is not intended for human consumption and may be associated with significant health risks.

Risks and precautions

Purchasing fly agaric or fly agaric-based products can potentially be associated with several risks, including:

  • Toxic effect at the wrong dose
    Fly agaric contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, where incorrect dosage can cause severe stomach and nervous symptoms.

  • Undeclared or incorrectly declared substances
    Some products may contain ingredients other than Amanita muscaria, or have higher/lower muscimol content than stated.

  • No official quality control
    Because the products are not regulated by the authorities, purity, potency, and safety can vary greatly between different suppliers.

  • Species and batch variation
    Naturally picked fly agaric differs in chemical composition depending on growing location, season, and drying method, making consistent dosing difficult.

Closing thoughts

The market for fly agaric-based products is currently unregulated and can therefore be associated with risks . Improper handling, unknown additives and synthetic variants of muscimol are just a few examples of what you may encounter if you choose to purchase fly agaric.

  • For those with mushroom knowledge : If you have knowledge in mushroom identification and safe handling, it may be more reliable to pick and dry your fly agaric yourself, so you know exactly what you are getting.
  • Be aware of the risks : Incorrect dosage of fly agaric can lead to unwanted effects, and synthetic products may contain substances not intended for human consumption.
  • Check the source : If you still choose to buy fly agaric, read up on the seller's process and product content.