Mushrooms
     When it comes to mushrooms there are many myths out there, some of which can be dangerous.  One of the largest myths about mushrooms is that they are dangerous but most are not.  You should never eat any herb, fungi, or flower before doing adequate research though. 
       First, you cannot cook a mushroom with a silver spoon beside it and go by if the area of the spoon by the mushroom turns black on if the mushroom is poisionus.  This is dangerous and doesn't work.  It may be true for some species of mushroom but I'd advise against going by this myth.  Out of all the thousands of mushroom species only a few are "deadly" and are linked to human deaths.  Many are toxice to a certain degree.  The idea of "if the bugs and other animals eat it, I can eat it"  is untrue for many reasons.  One is because we as humans do
not have the same tolerance to toxins as these other animals.  Also, unless you observed the animal very closely for a long peroid of time, you don't know that the mushroom didn't kill that animal.  Just because someone else is picking them does not mean they're good either; keep in mind you don't know why he or she is gathering mushrooms they could be not to eat at all.  Another popular misconception is that if mushroom A looks like mushroom B, and mushroom B is ediable, so too is mushroom A.  The Amanita phalloides, or Death Cap, is often mistaken for the Orient grown Paddy Straw mushroom; the Amanita pantherina is also often reported but this is most commonly (though illegally) used for recreation drug use as a halluciongene.  All Amanita mushrooms emerge as a button that is easily mistaken for a small puffball; the way to tell if it is a puffball or an Amanita is by slicing it open from top to bottom.  In a puffball it will be pure white all the way through.  It's recommended not to eat ANY  Amanita's in North America, despite that some are edible they are too easily mistaken for the deadly variety.  There is a comman belife that toadstools are poisonus, but mushrooms are edible.  This is a horrible way of thinking unless you know for sure what a toadstool is and exactly what defines a mushroom; and how to tell the difference between the two.  Until you are absolutely positive about it's genus and species always, always, always assume it is poisonus.  The old folk tale "if you can peel it ithen the mushroom is good to eat" is also incorrect.  Do not go by this, it often has fatal consequences.  Keep in mind just because your best friends can eat it does not mean you can either.  Different people react differently to mushrooms.  However, mushrooms who are in this mildly toxic group will cause discomfort or sickness, if a mushroom is deadly then everyone who eats it will have fatal results or much harm, not just some people. 
       Once you have identified your mushroom and have 100% proof that it is edible you should start with a small serving of it.  Then, wait a few days to see if there are any side affects you noticed before you eat the species again.  You must do this to see if you are allergic to this particular mushroom species.  People react differntly to the different active chemicals in mushrooms and it would be a lot better idea to eat a little and be mildly uncomfortable than to eat a large meal and be violently ill.  It is also important to be sure you know about how to prepare your mushrooms and what chemicals they may react with.  There are some mushrooms who are edible while cooked but poisonous when raw.  A few examples are Amanita muscaria, Fly Agaric, and Amanita pantherina; after cooking however you cannot say they are not poisonous anymore but the poisons they contain are convereted for comsumption.  Never experiment with mushrooms you don't know, or are not entirely sure about.

       The first mushroom I feel I should cover is the Amanita phalloides.  The Amanita genus is the most poisionus, and deadly, mushrooms grouped.  Deaths from ingestion of this genus makes up 95% of deaths due to fungi poisioning.  Please, NEVER experiment with these mushrooms.  This mushroom is also known as The Death Cap is adequately named.  Most of cases of poisioning of this sort are due to ignorance.  There is a harmless mushroom called the Paddy Straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) and they look increadably similar.  This first easily distinguishable difference between these too is that the Death Cap has a ring on it's stem, unlike the Paddy Straw.  However, this is not adequate information to go by because sometimes the ring may not be present on the Death Cap.  All Amanita's spores are white or off white, whil the spore's of the Paddy Straw are pinkish.  If you live in North America, it is an Amanita because the Paddy Staw does not grow in the wild.  The Amanita phalloides however, is spreading throughout North America and was first sighted in British Columbia in 1999.  They are found under Oak trees and Conifers during the summer and fall months.  It can grow to six inches in width and height.  Usually, it is a lith yellowish green to a darker brownish tan colour; the stems are always white.  The Death Cap has a neutral odor but is rather nauseating after dehydration.  Not all poisonous mushrooms are bad tasting, for people who have eatten this mushroom and lived to tell say it has a rather savory and pleasant taste.  The active chemicals in this mushroom are Amatoxins and Phallotoxins.  Amatoxins cause the liver to stop specific protein production and this will slowly destory the liver and not allow it to repair itself.  Phallotoxins lead to damage to the liver cell membraine and kills the liver totally.  Two grams of this mushroom is leathal and there are no hallucinogenic properties of this mushroom.  Also, I do not know of any ritual use of this mushroom.  The Amanita genus is a genus to be avoided, but if you do decided for some foolish reason to experinment please take all the time neccessary to get to know it very will.  The Amanita pantherina with it's scales washed off and the Amanita phallodies is a deadly, and easy to make, mistake.  Checking your local government environmental agency can be misleading, for just because it stays the species isn't present does not mean they aren't there only that none have been confirmed.  Please be careful!
      The Amanita pantherina is commonly called the Panther Agaric and is a close reliative of the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) mushroom, but more potent.  This mushroom is connected with religions and religious ceremonies, and has been for ages.  While it's cousin the Fly Agaric is posionus, the Panther Agaric is deadly.  In North America this mushroom is usually found in the Nothern Pacific mountainous regions under conifers; but is native to many other places.  The "fruiting season" is spring; June to early July and in Autumn.  It usually grows upwards of six inches in height with a cap about six inches.  The colour varies from a golden tan that is semi green to a dark brown with lighter edges on its cap.  On the cap there are light, off white scales and a ring can be found somewhere on the stem; however both these features can easily be washed off in rain storms.  After dehydration the smell is nauseating but a fresh specimen should be neutral.  There are only a few mushrooms with this neutral smell and nauseating dehydrating smell and it is also shared by the Death Cap.  Like the Death Cap, this fungi is pleasant tasting but VERY toxic and in large doses of this fungi have resulted in death.  There are many varieties of this speices such as Pantherina abietum, pantherina multispquamosa, Panterina pantherina, and Pantherina velatipes. 
       You must convert the Ibotenic Acid into Muscimol in order to be able to consume even a tiny bit of this mushroom.  There are generally three stages of poisioning by Amanita pantherina.  The first stage is characterised by muscle twitching, increased saliva production, "drunkenness," and hyperactivity.  The second stage is a deep sleep with vivid dreams, much like an acid trip but while you cannot function at all.  The thrid stage involves total enlightenment.  Once you awake from the vivid dream state all of life is clear and increadable spiritual experinces are common.  This enlightened state involves a huge drop in heart rate and all physical activity should be avoided.  Despite halluciogenic and spiritual enlightenment that can result from consumption of this mushroom it is a deadly poison.  Studies on Muscimol poisoning have shown that the experinces range from closeness to gods to a liviing nightmare.  Potency and quantity and the patients ability to use the chemicals affect the results.  These are not "magic mushrooms" and shouldn't be used for recreational drug use at all.  This fungi is strictly used for rituals and usually for "flight" or access to the underworld.  Another side effect of Muscimol is stomach cramps and I have it on good authority that Sativa will help alieviate this effect.  To help stabilise patients who are much affected by the poision Atropine has been used. 
      Should you chose to experiment with this drug, which I do not recommend or endorse, there are some common sense precautions you should take.  First and foremost the starting dosage should remain very small, and work up to the required doseage you would like.  You must test for an allergic reation before consuming it also.  You can test for an allergic reaction by scratching your skin to the point of almost drawing blood, and then rubbing a fresh sample of the mushroom or plant to the wound.  Should you feel any sensations when this is done then your body will have a reaction to that species.  For poisonous spieces this is not true, those will, in 99% of cases, cause a reaction.  For Amanita muscaria an average dose from five to ten grams of dried materials.  For the deadly Amanita pantherina only 1.5 to 2 grams should be given.  If you attempt any higher a dose you must have an experinced guide with you, and they will probably tell you not to do it. 

      The Fly Agaric, or Amanita muscaria, (shown at the right) is a poisious mushroom whom is also associtaed with most religions, even Christianity.  This fungi is named because the practice of using this fungi soaked in milk to kill or stupidfy flies.  There are two main varitiations of this mushroom in North America.  There are the Amanita muscaria var, (muscaria) and the Amanita muscaria var. (formosa).  The first variation is the red Siberian varitey that is most well known for it's hallueogienic properties.  The Formosa variety however is the most widely spread and is not known to be hallucinogenic, according to most sources. 
       The variaition called Amanita Muscaria var. Muscaria is found in the northern pacific mountainous regions under hardwood's and conifers in North America.  The Formosa is common to most places in North America and called the American Fly Agaric.  These mushrooms are both summer bloomers and very lovely looking. 
      The Amanita Muscaria is possibly the most popular fungi in the world.  It is used to decorate home with objects like oranaments, magnets, calenders, table clothes, etc.  It is seen in children's books such as Alice in Wonderland in which it is "the mushroom" and it is also used in many religions for one thing or another.  The Muscaria varitation of the Amanita Muscaria is most easily identified by its bright red cap, sometimes with white scales.  This also has a ring on its stem (see above).  Like all Amanita the spores will be off white or white with gills that are also off white or white and not attached to the stem.  Formosa is very similiar to the Muscaria varitation except for the cap colour.  The Formosa's cap may vary from a light red-yellow to a whitish colour.  In cases of the white sort a lack of scales could lead to improper identifaction of this muschoom and the smaller but deadly Amanita verna, or Spring Destroying Angel.  There are no known hallucinogenic properties known to this variety and I would recommend you leave it alone in the wild.  I also would give this advice for the hallucinogenic and the more potent Pantherian species. 
      In Amanita muscaria the chemical that causes the poisoning is Ibotenic acid.  When this acid has been properly dried it is converted into Muscimol.  For drying these fungi the temperature should be around one hundred and seventy give degrees Fahrenheight.  I reccomend using a food dehydrator for accomplishing this task.  The Fly Agaric has a three stage poisoning affect similar to that of the Amanita Pantherina.   The main difference between these two speices is the percentage of Ibotenic acid;  the Fly is only poisonous while the Panther is regarded as deadly.  However, just because the Fly is only considerd poisonous does not mean that if a large amount is consumed it will not be fatal.  I have on good account that any amount over 10 grams is fatal and just to be safe this is a good guideline; I'd reccomend less than.  In the end, personal body chemistry combined with the potency of the mushroom will determine if death will occur, how much, or if any reaction will occur.  Fungi do not remain constant in their levels of toxicity so please be careful.  As with any newly found fungi one should start in small doses. 

       Another mushroom used in many religious rituals is known as Soma or "flesh of the Gods."  This has been used in various ways from cleansing to flight or entrance into the underworld.  The main use of this fungi was to help the user gain access to the realms of the dead to battle with demons or reclaim a spirit that left this realm prematurely.  Another use for this fungi is that of spiritual enlightenment and to gain a presonal realtionship with ones Gods.  This mushroom is thought to have been used by Vikings to produce Berserk frenzies.  During these frenzies they would do battle with the determination and strength of many warriors.  Native Americans of north-western Canada used the Fly Agaric in cleansing ceremonies and as a sacrament to their gods.  The most notable people  associated with the use of this fungi are the Shamans of Siberia. 

     Amanita verna, called Spring Destroying Angel, and Amanita virosa, Destroying Angel, are very similiar in size and shape.  A main seperating factor between these two is their choice of climate.  The Verna flourishes in warmer climates on the Pacific coast, the Virosa prefers a cooler climate.  Both speices are found in and around broad leaf trees the Virosa is found in the higher mountainous northern regions.  Both mushrooms are white and have caps that grow to be around four inches in width.  Also, they both grow to be up to eight inches in height.  The spores are usually described as off white to white on a print and usually the stalk will be supporting a veil.  They are both extremely deadly.  They contain phallotoxins, virotoxins, and amatoxins like the Death Cap.  The Virosa contians the amatoxin called Amanin amide.  The Destorying Angel's only use is to bring on the onset of death.  According to victim's reports this fungi has a pleasant, enjoyable taste but the after affects are horrid.  The after affects includ stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting and after a few days of going through this the symptoms stop for awhile but will begin in a few more days.  At this point the liver will be dissolved and death will follow shortly.  It usually takes from a week to ten days from the time the fungus is first consumed until death; and this is not a pleasant death.  These mushrooms are often mistaken for the Fly Agaric or Panther Agaric Amanita.  Should you, or someone you know, make this deadly mistake seek immediate medical attention, and bring a sample of the fungus with you if possible.  You must be totally honest with your doctor and tell them what you thought you were eatting and what you think you ate, this is even more important if you do not have any left to bring to them.  Evry minute counts and lab tests take precious time away from your life. 

      The next mushroom I feel the need to discuss is a memeber of the inky cap family, the Coprinus atramentarius.  These mushrooms quickly turn from fresh mushrooms to a pool of black liquid that resembles black ink.  This transformation takes place within two to four days from when it is picked.  This mushroom is also called the Witches Cap or Alcohol Cap.  It mainly grows in wooded areas, or places where wood is buried, in North America.  The cap is coned to bell shape, the concave depending on age and is generally grayish at the bottom and a light brown on the top with a hollow stalk that is white.  It grows to a height of six inches and the cap can be as large as three inches in width.  When young, the gills are firm and white but turn black and soft with age.  When it is young and the meat is still firm it is fine to eat under a certain condition.  This condition is as long as you do not drink alcohol for at least two days after eatting it.  This fungi inactivates the enzyme that detoxifies alcohol.  Within a half hour of drinking alcohol flushing of the face, tingling sensations in the fingers, eleveated body temperature, and nausea should occur.  As long as you are okay with staying alcohol free for a few days this mushroom makes a great addition to any meal.  Today this mushroom is used by drug manufacturing companies to develop pills to inhibit a person's drinking. 

      Psilocybe mushrooms are a genera of mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin and psilocine.  However, not all psilocybe mushrooms are hallucinogenic.  They range in size from the six inch tall giant Psilocybe cubensis to the very tiny one inch tall varieties.  Some examples of psilocybe mushrooms are Psilocybe caerulipes or the the Blue Foot, Psilocybe coprophila or Dung-Loving, Psilocybe cubeniss also called Common or King, Psilocybe cyanescens known as Bluing, Psilocybe pelliculosa called Conifer, Psukicybe stuntzii known as Stuntz's Blue Leg, and Psilocybe semilanceata or Liberty Cap.  There are people who claim to be able to tell these mushrooms from their deadly look alikes but it's most likely that most of these people, and most people in general, have never seen the deadly counterparts outside of a book.  Most psilocybe will bruise purple within minutes of being picked however you should do a spore print before consuming any fungi you are unsure of.  The amount of psilocybin varies from mushroom to mushroom.  Its affect on the human body changes from person to person and dosage to doseage.  The most common effects are a slight sense of physical enlightenment and an overwhelming need to laugh.  In cases of larger doses mild hallucinogenic effects may be experinced.  Most of the time these fungi are used as party favours and are the common "magic mushrooms." 

      Mushroom poisioning is another subject I feel should be covered in this section.  Not all mushrooms have the same poison, and not even all mushrooms in the same species produces the same sorts of poisons as those mention in the Amanita sections.  Even those mushrooms of the same type but grown more than five miles apart can have huge differences in their level of toxicity.  Some mushrooms, like the Witches Cap only become poisionous when mixed with other substances.  Plus each person reacts differently to each mushroom and some people are even allergic to Meadow Mushrooms.  While there are only a few mushrooms that are labled fatal many varities are considered poisonious. 
      Amintin poisoning is caused by mushrooms such as The Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), The Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa) The Spring Destroying Angel (Amanita verna), Amanita bisporigera, Galerina autumnals, Galerina venenata, and Lepiota josserandii.  The symptoms can occur between six hours and two days after comsumption.  The symptoms are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.  After a few days of these symptoms they go away and then return accompained by convulsions, jandince, liver dysfunction, and usually death.  The known cure is a liver transplant and continused medication for the rest of the patient's life. 
      The next sort of poisioning is Muscimol and Ibotenic acid poisoning that can be caused by the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) and Panther Agaric (Amanita Pantherina).  In this sort of poisioning symptoms start between 30 minutes and two hours after comsumption.  These symptoms are hyperactivity, increased saliva production, drunkenness, deep sleep, and occassionall hallucinations.  The good thing about this sort of poisoning is the affects of the poisoning wears off after a day or two. 
      Another sort of poisoning common with mushrooms is Orellanin poisoning caused by Cortinarius gentilis and other Corinarius species.  The symptoms are acute or chronic renal failure and possible death.  The symptoms begin between three to fourteen days after consumption.  The known cure for this kind of poisoning is a possible kidney transplant with recovery time up to six months.
      Muscarine poisoning is caused by Clitocybe dealbata, Clitocybe dilatata, and most Inocybe species.  The symptoms occur between thrity minutes to two hours after comsumption.  The first symptoms are increased saliva production and prespiration, cramps, a drop in pulse, and blurred vision.  The affects of this poison wears off after a day, and there is no cure.
      There is also Coprine poisoning which is caused by Coprinus artamentarius and Clitocybe clavipes.  Symptoms can be triggered up to a week after consumption and are triggerd by other substances like alcohol.  These symptoms are flushing of th face, tingling sensations, nausea, and vomiting.  The sympoms usually stop a few hours after onset. 
      Psilocybin and Psilocin poisoning can be caused by all members of the Psilocybe species.  Other mushrooms that can cause this are Panaeolus subbaltetus, Conocybe smithii, and Gymnopilus spectabilis.  The symptoms are hallucinations, uncontrolled muscle movements, and uncontrolled laughers and can start between thirty minutes and a hour.  These symptoms stop a few hours after ingestions. 
       A few good tips to avoid mushroom poisonings.  First, leave little brown mushrooms alone because most are poisonous to some extent.  Those that are edibel are hardly worth the effort to prepare.  Also, the potency of the poisons vary according to the seasons so you never really know just how toxic a mushroom is.  Lastly, stay away from the Amanita genus.  I say this because most are posionous and those that aren't can too easily be confused for those that are deadly.