Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 17 hrs ago
Florida mushroom found to contain psychedelic and poisonous compounds
Researchers identified Galerina indica in Florida as the first known mushroom to contain both psilocybin and amatoxins.
Psilocybin can cause psychedelic effects, while amatoxins are poisonous compounds found in some of the world's deadliest mushrooms.
Scientists had thought one species might contain both, but no such fungus had been documented before this discovery.
The tiny brown mushrooms are hard to distinguish from other fungi, even for trained experts.
Researchers suspect horizontal gene transfer may explain the combination, though this is a proposed explanation.
Identifying the mushroom could help protect people and pets by making it easier to recognize potentially poisonous species.
Researchers identified Galerina indica, a Florida mushroom containing both psychedelic psilocybin and poisonous amatoxin.
The researchers describe it as the first known fungus documented with both compounds.
The species was characterized in a study published in Current Biology.
The tiny brown mushrooms were found in Florida swamps and can be difficult to distinguish from other fungi.
Researchers say identifying the species matters because it may pose risks to people or pets.
- Who
- Researchers characterized Galerina indica, with study co-authors including Andrew Kunik, Bryn Dentinger and Matthew Smith.
- What
- The mushroom contains both psilocybin and amatoxin, a combination not previously documented in one fungus.
- When
- The study was published Nov. 11, 2026.
- Where
- Florida, including its swamps.
- Why
- Researchers say identifying the species can help determine whether it poses risks to people or pets.
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- Species
- Galerina indica
- Compounds
- Psilocybin and amatoxin
- Study journal
- Current Biology
- Location
- Florida swamps
- Publication date
- Nov. 11, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
I could hardly believe it. We knew it was possible, but tried not to get too excited until we did a more rigorous analysis
Horizontal gene transfer is like if we shook hands and some of my DNA incorporated into your genome
These mushrooms are really hard to find
So it is important to know what species we have and whether they might cause problems for people or pets.