In a brief nine-month period, from fall 2022 to spring 2023, three separate books were published on microdosing the psychoactive fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) mushroom. This sudden proliferation of books on a very specific topic should be surprising to most, but it reveals the culmination of a long swelling interest in both the practice of microdosing as well as the A. muscaria mushroom itself, one that is both psychoactive and legal. Each of the books is written for a lay audience, with the intent of providing the reader with a foundation for understanding this mushroom and what it means to use it following a microdosing regimen or protocol. The following review provides an individual evaluation of each book as well as an overall comparison of the three.

Baba Masha's 2022 book, Microdosing with A. muscaria, is the first formally published work to examine and discuss the growing phenomenon of microdosing with the classic red-and-white fairytale mushroom. While there has been a lot of attention paid to the benefits of microdosing Psilocybe mushrooms, and other psychedelics like LSD, A. muscaria is distinctive in its pharmacological properties and holds unique potential as a microdosing agent. In comparing A. muscaria with Psilocybe mushrooms Masha notes that “use of psilocybin does not cover somatic diseases” while “AM microdoses have a wide range of effects on an extensive variety of pathologies of different etiologies” (p. 75). Masha's book opens the door to a broader discussion on the potential benefits of microdosing with A. muscaria and has much to offer to those new to this mushroom.

The book begins with a foreword by James Fadiman, who is credited with introducing the concept of microdosing in his 2011 book, The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide. In his foreword, Fadiman provides some background on A. muscaria, including discussions of some seminal figures in the mushroom's history, including R. Gordon Wasson, John Allegro, and Count Achilles de Vecchj, who purportedly died of an accidental overdose of the mushroom over one hundred years ago. Masha goes on to provide some background of her own before outlining the basis of her book; a two-year investigation on A. muscaria microdosing that was able to collect over three thousand participants from around the world using a 107-item questionnaire.

There are several insightful discussions throughout the book, including a brief discussion on the differences between A. muscaria and Psilocybe mushrooms, addressed above. Another such discussion, presented in chapter three, is one addressing the timing of microdoses. A. muscaria has the odd property of producing both stimulating and relaxing effects, though these effects generally depend on the timing of ingestion; in this way the mushroom can be seen as a modulator of wakefulness. Masha discusses how doses taken in the morning tend to produce energy and stimulate strength and endurance, while doses taken in the evening tend to promote relaxation and sleep. Another interesting discussion focused on withdrawal symptoms reported by 26% of participants after ending their A. muscaria microdosing regimen. Symptoms included mood imbalance and insomnia. Masha states that “the cause of a withdrawal syndrome was usually abuse and violation of the optimal AM microdosage,” but a clear explanation of what “abuse and violation of the optimal AM microdosage” means is never provided (p. 36).

While the book provides good introductory information on dosage, preparation, and storage of A. muscaria the bulk of the book (183 pages out of 330 total) is made up of over 800 individual microdosing experience reports. These reports are provided as collected, without any annotation or comment by the author. Some words are bolded to draw attention to the reader when certain topics or conditions are discussed, such as “sleep”, “memory”, and “energy”. The reports are also not organized in any fashion. For example, there is no section of reports on treating insomnia or addiction to benzodiazepines, rather, the reader is directed to use the index to find reports on topics that interest them. In this way, the long list of reports feels cumbersome rather than useful. Similarly, chapter four, which covers the conditions that participants reported using A. muscaria to treat, simply refers the reader to the individual reports at the end of the book for more information (again requiring use of the index) rather than providing some select and concise quotes to help the reader understand how A. muscaria was experienced as beneficial for each condition.

The biggest drawback of the book, however, is the general lack of engagement with the collected data. Masha is up front about this, explaining: “I could dissect, systematize, and present the reports in condensed form, but I have not done so because I want you to get the full picture of the effects of AM microdosing by reading the participants' own reports” (p. 111). This reasoning is difficult to understand, and the result is that the reader is provided with a plethora of unanalyzed data to interpret as they see fit. With over 3,000 individuals having completed a 107-item questionnaire (p. 21) and many also submitting personal reports there is a veritable goldmine of data for analysis. This is not the type of data that one collects in a laboratory or clinical setting, but that doesn't mean that a proper analysis won't provide significant and substantial amounts of information, information that could provide the basis for future clinical research. A properly designed questionnaire can be quite useful in research and should provide data for quantitative analysis, and even the experience reports included in the book can be subjected to textual analysis which can produce data categories that can be quantified and analyzed. Masha explains that her “results have limited potential for generalization” (p. 27), but this is mostly due to the absence of analysis. Data sets substantially smaller than 3,000 regularly produce statistically significant results.

Overall, Masha's book offers a good introduction to the topic of microdosing with A. muscaria, but the book has missed a considerable opportunity to substantively contribute to our knowledge on the efficaciousness of A. muscaria as a microdosing agent. Despite this deficit there is plenty to recommend the book to readers new to A. muscaria, and to individuals beginning their own microdosing regimen. I would recommend the book to graduate students, in particular, as the book provides a large data set that could be the basis for a fascinating master's thesis.

Harret and Sasha's book, A. muscaria microdosing, was released right on the heels of Masha's book, at the end of 2022. Harret and Sasha's book is distinct in that it is written in the style of a self-help book. The tone is informal and written in such a way as to be familiar with the reader. The book is generally engaging and highly readable. The organization is straightforward, and the topics are addressed in a logical and linear fashion from beginning to end. The book provides a simple breakdown of the mushroom's primary compounds, microdosing techniques, as well as providing a handful of recipes the reader can make at home. Each chapter finishes with a short section titled Key Takeaways that provides a concise summary of the major points of the chapter. The book ends with a QR code that allows the reader to download a free microdosing journal to assist the reader with their microdosing journey.

While the book is concise and accessible it also appears derivative of Masha's book. Baba Masha's book, published less than two months before the release of Harret and Sasha's, is both summarized and referenced heavily – suggesting that the present book was put together quickly. Most of chapter three, for example, presents material that appears summarized from chapter four of Masha's book. A few extra references are thrown in to flesh out several points, but not much new is provided. As a result, the book lacks a unique voice and doesn't appear to contribute anything new to the topic. One thing I would have been interested to read more about is Harret's own use of A. muscaria for microdosing, and to learn more about the journey that brought him to A. muscaria and further brought him to co-author and produce this book. Harret provides some discussion on his use of microdosing to treat polyarthritis, as well as his microdosing regimen, but little is said about his experiences or results. The regimen discussed is an internal one, but it is likely that a topical ointment of A. muscaria would be particularly beneficial. The benefits and differences between internal and external use of the mushroom would make for an interesting and informative discussion that would be beneficial to readers.

Other issues with the book include some factual errors as well as a reliance on inappropriate sources such as YouTube and popular web articles to support statements of fact. One unfortunate myth that is repeated in the book is the idea that carbonated beverages can reverse the decarboxylation process, converting muscimol back to the less potent and neurotoxic compound ibotenic acid (p. 33). This myth comes from Donald Teeter's 2005 booklet Amanita Muscaria; Herb of Immortality, where no evidence, scientific or otherwise, was provided. Another error includes the assertion that gaboxadol, a muscimol derivative first synthesized in 1977, is a natural component of A. muscaria (p. 69). An additional problematic assertion is that Central Asian shamans wore “black boots, red pants, and coats trimmed with white fur,” thus inspiring our modern image of Santa Claus (p. 89). While there are interesting connections between the mythos of Santa Claus and the A. muscaria mushroom, this isn't one of them.

The book's greatest strengths are its accessibility and straightforward organization, which would make it a great resource for individuals new to this mushroom, however, the problems with the book ultimately outweigh its strengths.

The third book, Dosing A. muscaria, authored by online personality Amanita Dreamer, offers a unique approach to the topic that Dreamer describes as “part information, part workbook, and part journal” (p. 32). The book is intended as a hands-on resource and practical guide for individuals interested in microdosing this mushroom and offers the reader worksheets for engaging with and reflecting on specific health issues such as sleep and exhaustion, as well as providing diary pages for the reader to track changes in physical and mental health while using Dreamer's provided microdosing protocol. Notably, this book differs from the previously discussed books as it addresses the topic of dosing more broadly and discusses some of the benefits of peppering some stronger doses into a microdosing regimen, including what Dreamer terms “macrodoses” (doses that produce perceptual changes but would still be considered mild) and high doses (“trip” doses). Dreamer provides details on how to adjust a microdosing protocol when incorporating “macrodoses”, as well as including worksheets for reflecting on the macrodose experience. High doses are addressed towards the end of the book and the importance of having a “sitter”, or someone to supervise, is addressed.

Dreamer's book is propelled forward by her personal story of living with Autism, ADHD, and dealing with severe trauma and anxiety caused by Hurricane Katrina, which led to ten years of dependence on benzodiazepines. The book catalogs her personal journey of healing through work with A. muscaria, and many of the discussions on health and healing provided throughout the book are based on insights gained through her journey. Dreamer's voice is raw and authentic, and her voice and perspective are likely to resonate with many readers. She periodically reminds readers, “I am not a doctor” (p. 40), to emphasize that much of what she has to share is based on her personal experience and that significant changes in health require consultation with a licensed doctor or therapist.

While Masha, Harret and Sasha, all discuss a variety of physical and mental health conditions that might be treated through microdosing A. muscaria, Dreamer focuses primarily on mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on issues arising out of trauma. Throughout the book she discusses topics such as fear, exhaustion, anger, black and white thinking, and ego, and addresses how dosing with A. muscaria can help the reader gain improvement in these areas. Like Harret and Sasha, the book is written in the style of a self-help book, which is in line with the provision of worksheets and a diary, though there is much more depth to be found in Dreamer's book. This style of writing is appropriate given the content and purpose of the book but may not appeal to all readers.

Dreamer is bold in her writing and perspectives. It is likely that some of her perspectives and discussions will resonate with readers, while others will not, and some may disagree with statements or perspectives laid out in the book. One area I found disagreement was in the discussion of cannabis use. Dreamer suggests, based on anecdotal reports known to her, that cannabis use might block the effects of A. muscaria. This is offered as an idea only, and Dreamer provides a patron's account in “Love Letters” at the end of the book that offers an opposing perspective (pp. 218–19). There is a lot of anecdotal evidence countering Dreamer's position, suggesting that the two substances are synergistic, however, this evidence is also anecdotal.

Another area where people might find disagreement is in Dreamer's discussions of the neurotoxin ibotenic acid, which is one of the main psychoactive compounds in the mushroom. Dreamer takes the perspective that ibotenic acid is an important component in the mushroom's therapeutic profile, and that users should not seek to eliminate this compound from their mushrooms or mushroom preparations. There is significant controversy around this substance due to its use as a brain lesioning agent in neurological studies. Dreamer states that “ibotenic acid science is outdated, problematic, and inconclusive on toxicity” (p. 29), to which I agree in part and disagree in part. The science is not outdated but it is problematic when interpreted out of context. It is true that ibotenic acid is neurotoxic. It is also an agonist of glutamate, one of the brains endogenous neurotransmitters, which is also neurotoxic (clearly, the quality of being neurotoxic does not conclusively lead to injury). What is important to understand is how ibotenic acid, that is introduced into the body through the digestive system, operates in the body and brain, but no studies have been conducted to answer this question. As a result, discussions of what ibotenic acid might do to the brain are speculative, including whether its effects are positive or negative.

Dreamer's views on the role and importance of ibotenic acid are views that require further discussion and debate and should not be rejected outright based on studies where the pure compound is injected directly into the brains of lab animals. One of the less clear statements that Dreamer makes about ibotenic acid, however, is that it “affects the cholinergic and glutamate pathways” (p. 29). Ibotenic acid is a glutamate agonist, but it is not cholinergic or anticholinergic. Some studies that have used ibotenic acid as a lesioning agent have resulted in disruption and damage to the brains cholinergic pathways, but it is not clear that oral ingestion of ibotenic acid affects the brain's cholinergic system. While A. muscaria can produce cholinergic symptoms, such as sweating, this is most likely caused by the presence of muscarine, or a related compound. Discussions in the book on cholinergic effects and on how ibotenic acid can be converted to muscimol, resulting in different levels of conversion, could both be clearer.

While I found some areas of disagreement with Dreamer (sometimes in terms of fact and others in opinion only), overall, I found the book to be engaging and enjoyable. The cover is exceptional, and the layouts are generally attractive and accessible. Fans of Amanita Dreamer are bound to love the book, and others are likely to find her story compelling, and appreciate her inclusion of worksheets, which help to give the book a hands-on quality that is missing from the previously discussed books. I would recommend this book to those looking for a practical guide to dosing with A. muscaria.

FINAL THOUGHTS…

Of the three books both Masha and Dreamer provide unique and accessible introductions to microdosing with A. muscaria. Masha's writing is concise and to the point and does more to draw on the scientific literature, keeping her own views and interpretations conservative. She provides photos, charts, and lots of data, though crucially, there is little to no analysis of the data provided. Dreamer's book is more personal and intuitive and provides the reader with hands on tools for different types of dosing, as well as self-reflection. Neither book is perfect, and neither critically engage with the broader science on microdosing, but each provides a unique approach to its topic. Hopefully, this burst of publishing activity on microdosing A. muscaria will lead to further studies on the unique types of healing this often-overlooked mushroom seems to offer.