Quantitative analysis of recreational psychoactive mushroom gummies in Portland, Oregon

In November 2020, Oregon passed Measures 109 and 110 altering the legal landscape for psychoactive substances by regulating psilocybin use and decriminalizing possession of Schedule I substances. This coincided with the growth of the commercial nootropic (cognitive enhancers) mushroom industry, including products such as mushroom gummies marketed for "legal highs." Despite these product claims, concerns have been raised about their safety profile. Our study aimed to assess the accuracy of labeling of these products and quantify their psychoactive contents.

Eight gummy products were procured from seven different smoke and vape shops in Portland, Oregon. Gummy samples were homogenized and analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Products were screened for psychoactive compounds, including psilocybin, psilocin, and their analogues, as well as for purported Amanita muscaria derivatives. Quantitative analysis of identified compounds was performed using isotope dilution.

Neither ibotenic acid nor muscimol, the active components of Amanita muscaria, were detected in the two products claiming to contain Amanita muscaria extracts. However, these products contained psilocin and tryptamine derivatives. One product labeled as psilocybin-free tested positive for psilocybin. Another sample claiming to be nootropic contained undisclosed Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Overall, seven of the eight products contained psilocin, and six contained 4-acetoxy-N,N,dimethyltryptamine. Other detected compounds included various tryptamine congeners and kavalactones.

Labeling was inaccurate and inconsistent in many of the products examined. Users are likely to experience psychoactive symptoms considering the concentrations of xenobiotics determined. Serotonergic effects are expected from products containing tryptamine derivatives, including those inaccurately labeled as containing Amanita muscaria extracts.

The labeling of psychoactive mushroom gummies we tested was overall inaccurate. Products suggesting Amanita muscaria content instead contained serotonergic tryptamines, including some which falsely claimed to be free of psilocybin.