Amanitaphobia and the myth of suicide by fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) mushroom ingestion

Abstract Background and aims In the past 10 years, several publications have made the dubious assertion that Amanita muscaria is commonly used for suicidal purposes, though no primary sources are cited. Despite scientific advances in understanding A. muscaria 's pharmacology, discussion of this psychoactive mushroom in academic publications continues to be shrouded in bias and myth. The present review investigates assertions of the mushroom's use in suicide and aims to illuminate the origins of these claims.

Methods: An extensive review of the English and German literature was conducted to identify possible trends or instances of the use of this mushroom for suicidal purposes. In addition to a review of popular field guides, mycological texts, and ethnographic accounts, searches for relevant publications were conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Zobodat.

Results: The present review found insufficient data to suggest any historical or contemporary trends that warrant claims that A. muscaria is commonly or effectively used as a suicide agent, nor did it find evidence that A. muscaria is sufficiently and reliably lethal to warrant its use in suicide. Instead, the review found a pattern of bias in the literature, in the form of Amanitaphobia, when the dangers of A. muscaria ingestion are addressed.

Conclusions: Claims that A . muscaria is commonly consumed for purposes of committing suicide are not supported by verifiable or documented trends in the English or German literature, instead such claims appear to be supported by Amanitaphobia; a bias against A. muscaria based on its perceived dangers and deadliness.