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Exploring User Experiences with Amanita muscaria: A Thematic Analysis of Reddit Online Forum Discussions.

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Title: Exploring User Experiences with Amanita muscaria: A Thematic Analysis of Reddit Online Forum Discussions.
Authors: Hartwig, Jadyn (AUTHOR), Kendrick, Jared (AUTHOR), Ahmad, Ghonwa (AUTHOR), Cook, James (AUTHOR), Matthews, Douglas B. (AUTHOR), Sharma, Pravesh (AUTHOR)
Source: Substance Use & Misuse. 2025, Vol. 60 Issue 7, p952-961. 10p.
Subjects: Mycotoxins, Pharmacology, Social media, Food consumption, Patient safety, Research funding, Consumer attitudes, Content analysis, Thematic analysis, Mushrooms, Psychiatric drugs, Well-being
Abstract: Background: Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, is a mushroom renowned for its distinctive appearance and psychoactive properties attributed to its compounds, ibotenic acid, and muscimol. Contemporary interest in Amanita muscaria has surged, driven by anecdotal reports of perceived psychological and medicinal benefits. Objectives: However, no clinical studies exist thus far. This study employs thematic analysis of discussions from the "r/AmanitaMuscaria" subreddit on Reddit to explore users' reasons for its consumption and the positive and negative experiences associated with this mushroom. A total of 998 principal posts and their associated 9,542 comments were analyzed, revealing thematic trends in adverse effects, perceived positive (not adverse) outcomes, reasons for use, modes of consumption, and thought perceptions. Conclusions: Findings highlight that users experienced more positive than adverse effects, and adverse effects experienced were minimal and primarily self-limiting. These findings may be particularly salient in clinical settings, as medical providers might find it challenging to uncover Amanita muscaria use among their patients unless presented with severe adverse effects. Future research is recommended to investigate Amanita muscaria's pharmacology further to inform patients and medical providers of safe practices. Finally, an innovative methodological strategy is warranted to examine Reddit posts in-depth to understand users' perceptions and attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Substance Use & Misuse is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Exploring User Experiences with Amanita muscaria: A Thematic Analysis of Reddit Online Forum Discussions.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Substance+Use+%26+Misuse%22">Substance Use & Misuse</searchLink>. 2025, Vol. 60 Issue 7, p952-961. 10p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mycotoxins%22">Mycotoxins</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pharmacology%22">Pharmacology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+media%22">Social media</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Food+consumption%22">Food consumption</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Patient+safety%22">Patient safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+funding%22">Research funding</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Consumer+attitudes%22">Consumer attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Content+analysis%22">Content analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thematic+analysis%22">Thematic analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mushrooms%22">Mushrooms</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychiatric+drugs%22">Psychiatric drugs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well-being%22">Well-being</searchLink>
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  Data: Background: Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, is a mushroom renowned for its distinctive appearance and psychoactive properties attributed to its compounds, ibotenic acid, and muscimol. Contemporary interest in Amanita muscaria has surged, driven by anecdotal reports of perceived psychological and medicinal benefits. Objectives: However, no clinical studies exist thus far. This study employs thematic analysis of discussions from the "r/AmanitaMuscaria" subreddit on Reddit to explore users' reasons for its consumption and the positive and negative experiences associated with this mushroom. A total of 998 principal posts and their associated 9,542 comments were analyzed, revealing thematic trends in adverse effects, perceived positive (not adverse) outcomes, reasons for use, modes of consumption, and thought perceptions. Conclusions: Findings highlight that users experienced more positive than adverse effects, and adverse effects experienced were minimal and primarily self-limiting. These findings may be particularly salient in clinical settings, as medical providers might find it challenging to uncover Amanita muscaria use among their patients unless presented with severe adverse effects. Future research is recommended to investigate Amanita muscaria's pharmacology further to inform patients and medical providers of safe practices. Finally, an innovative methodological strategy is warranted to examine Reddit posts in-depth to understand users' perceptions and attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Substance Use & Misuse is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=184519064
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        Value: 10.1080/10826084.2025.2476141
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        Text: English
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        PageCount: 10
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      – SubjectFull: Mycotoxins
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pharmacology
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      – SubjectFull: Social media
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      – SubjectFull: Food consumption
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      – SubjectFull: Patient safety
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      – SubjectFull: Research funding
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      – SubjectFull: Consumer attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Content analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Mushrooms
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      – SubjectFull: Psychiatric drugs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Well-being
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Exploring User Experiences with Amanita muscaria: A Thematic Analysis of Reddit Online Forum Discussions.
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              Text: 2025
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