Hallucinogenic Bolete Mushroom Found in China and Philippines
Lanmaoa asiatica, a bolete mushroom prized for its delicious taste and hugely popular in Yunnan province, China, where it grows in a symbiotic relationship with pine trees, induces powerful hallucinations of tiny people. Anyone eating the mushroom must be cautious because it causes visions of lots of small individuals about 2cm tall wearing brightly coloured clothes, all jumping, running, climbing, and being generally playful, but in a normal, real-world setting.
Hallucinations Resemble BBC Series but Last for Days
The hallucinations are reminiscent of the small people in the hit BBC series Small Prophets, although without their psychic powers. Despite the powerful visions it brings, Lanmaoa is completely unrelated to Psilocybes, or “magic mushrooms”, which give wide-ranging hallucinations for a few hours triggered by the chemical psilocybin.
Unknown Hallucinogen Destroyed by Cooking
The hallucinogenic substance in Lanmaoa remains unknown, although Colin Domnauer at the University of Utah is researching it. What is known is that the visions always feature tiny people and can last for days, and that the hallucinogen can be destroyed by cooking the mushroom for 15 minutes before eating. Aside from Yunnan in China, Lanmaoa asiatica has only ever been found in one other location: the Philippines.
