The FDA’s investigation into Diamond Shruumz-brand microdosing candies has uncovered serious safety concerns. So far, 145 people across 29 states have fallen ill, and two deaths are under investigation. The company promoted its chocolate bars, gummies, and cones as containing non-psychedelic mushrooms for wellness, but tests have revealed the presence of unregulated substances. This mix includes synthetic psychedelics like 4-AcO-DMT, prescription drugs, and Kava plant compounds—none of which were disclosed in their marketing.

According to Washington State Health Department report;

People who have reported illnesses after consuming Diamond Shruumz-brand products, and possibly similar types of mushroom-containing products, have reported some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
  • Fast or slow heart rate
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Coughing
  • Choking
  • Excessive sweating or secretions
  • Flushed skin
  • Trouble breathing
  • Hallucinations
  • Uncontrolled movements
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Coma

These products may contain a number of unidentified substances, including Muscimol, a compound found in Amanita muscaria mushrooms.

Dangerous Substances Found in Diamond Shruumz

The FDA’s investigation uncovered several unlisted and harmful chemicals in Diamond Shruumz products, leading to severe health reactions:

  • 4-AcO-DMT: A synthetic psychedelic, similar to psilocybin, this drug is known for causing hallucinations. It’s illegal in the U.S. as a Schedule I substance. While it can induce mind-altering effects, 4-AcO-DMT alone doesn’t fully explain the extreme physical symptoms like seizures and heart complications seen in the cases linked to Diamond Shruumz.
  • Psilocin: Derived from magic mushrooms, psilocin shares hallucinogenic properties with 4-AcO-DMT. However, it’s not typically known to cause the kind of severe physical reactions observed, such as seizures or unconsciousness.
  • Pregabalin: A prescription drug typically used for nerve pain and epilepsy, pregabalin can cause dizziness, confusion, and sedation when misused. Its unexpected presence in wellness products like Diamond Shruumz raises major safety concerns, especially given its potential side effects.
  • Kava Plant Compounds: The candies contained traces of three Kava-derived chemicals—desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain. While Kava is often used to relieve anxiety, these compounds are not usually linked to the kind of severe symptoms seen in the outbreak. The interaction of Kava with other substances in the candies is not well-researched.
  • Muscimol: Found in nine of the tested chocolate bars, muscimol is a psychoactive compound from Amanita mushrooms. It was initially blamed for the poisonings, as it can cause sedation and confusion. However, it does not explain all of the symptoms being reported, suggesting that more substances are at play.

In last week’s recall notice, Diamond Shruumz disclosed that some lab tests revealed “higher than normal” levels of muscimol, which may be the leading explanation for the reported illnesses, according to Moss. Muscimol, along with its related compound ibotenic acid, are primary psychoactive ingredients found in certain hallucinogenic Amanita mushrooms, including A. muscaria var. muscaria, known for its distinct bright red-orange caps with white warts. Muscimol mimics the neurotransmitter GABA, inducing sedation, while ibotenic acid resembles the neurotransmitter glutamate, causing stimulation, which can manifest as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, agitation, and, in extreme cases, seizures.

Together, these two compounds can produce effects similar to the symptoms observed in those affected by Diamond Shruumz’s candies:

  • seizures,
  • central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness),
  • agitation,
  • abnormal heart rates,
  • hyper/hypotension,
  • nausea, and vomiting.

However, it remains unclear what concentration of muscimol the company detected and whether ibotenic acid was present in the candies at all.

This blend of hallucinogens, prescription drugs, and natural compounds, particularly in combinations that have never been well-studied, has led to a challenging and ongoing investigation as officials work to determine exactly how these products are causing such extreme reactions.

States Affected by the Poisonings

Illnesses tied to Diamond Shruumz candies have spread across 29 states, with Georgia reporting 23 cases and North Carolina 17. Two deaths are under investigation to determine if they are linked to the product. Other heavily affected states include Illinois, New York, and Florida.

The Ongoing Investigation

The FDA and CDC are working to figure out what caused the severe reactions. Although Diamond Shruumz has recalled its products, the mix of chemicals like 4-AcO-DMT, pregabalin, and Kava complicates the investigation due to limited research on how they interact.

Consumers should avoid all Diamond Shruumz products until the FDA completes its investigation.

This case shows the risks of unregulated wellness products, which can contain dangerous ingredients despite being marketed as safe.

For more information, check out the FDA’s updates here.

** Photo courtesy of Diamond Shruumz