Can You Vape Muscimol?
As the interest in the realm of psychedelics expands, there is an increasing fascination with less typical substances such as muscimol.
This psychoactive element is present in certain varieties of mushrooms and has been used for centuries in religious and therapeutic settings.
Nevertheless, some individuals are intrigued by the possibility of vaping or smoking muscimol to attain a more intense and immediate experience.
Thus the question rises, is smoking or vaping muscimol a real deal or is it just a myth?
How Does Muscimol Work
As you already know, muscimol is a psychoactive compound found in the Amanita genus, specifically in the Amanita Muscaria mushroom. When ingested it acts on the central nervous system producing a wide range of different effects. These effects can be anything from changes in perception and mood to feelings of euphoria, increased energy levels, and strong hallucinations.
Muscimol effects are felt because of its interaction with GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in inhibiting the activity of neurons inside the human brain. Muscimol, when ingested, binds to GABA, and enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA itself, leading to a decrease in the overall activity of neurons. This will most likely result in sedative and hypnotic effects.
Individual effects of muscimol can vary depending on several factors including:
- The Dose
- Individual Physiology
- Tolerance
- Route of administration
- Presence of other substances
At lower doses, muscimol can produce feelings of calmness, deep relaxation, and euphoria. On the other hand, if the doses are higher it can lead to strong visual hallucinations, drowsiness, and mystical experiences.
What Are the Effects of Muscimol
The effects of muscimol are contingent on the amount, mode of ingestion, and the person’s tolerance. In general, muscimol elicits a sedative and relaxing impact that can lead to a trance-like state of consciousness.
It can also cause visual distortions and hallucinations, along with feelings of ecstasy and contentment. Some individuals have testified to a sense of spiritual or mystical connection while under the influence of muscimol.
According to anecdotal reports found online, the effects of muscimol can be divided into three separate stages:
Stage 1 – Slight feelings of euphoria followed by increased energy and stimulation
Stage 2 – In this stage, people usually start feeling drowsy and sedated. Some users describe the effects as being tranquilized.
Stage 3 – At this point psychedelic effects should start to be noticeable. The experience can be mystical in nature combined with a dreamlike state which can be either enjoyable or terrifying.
These effects can be highly variable depending on the dose and personal experience combined with preparation.
Is Vaping Muscimol Legal
As for legality, mushroom vapes are legal in most countries and areas in the United States, with some exceptions. The flagship products of many manufacturers contain Muscimol, which is extracted from the Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric) mushroom.
This compound is legal in all states except Louisiana, and additional restrictions may apply to select countries like Thailand. It’s important to do your research and get familiar with local laws before deciding to use mushroom vapes.
How Does Vaping Muscimol Works
So how exactly does vaping mushrooms work? Muscimol, the main active compound in many mushroom vapes, is water-soluble. This makes it ideal for use in PG or VG e-liquids, as it promotes the bioavailability of the compound. Manufacturers typically formulate their water-based muscimol extracts for use with most modern vape devices.
Keep in mind that muscimol is a heat-sensitive substance. This means that it will degrade at high temperatures, generally above 348°F (175°C). Exposing it to such high temperatures will eventually lead to a loss of potency, thus using a low-heat setting when vaping may be the best option.
Dangers of Vaping Muscimol
Vaping poses risks to health, regardless of what substance is used for vaping. This means that vaping muscimol is not much different from vaping CBD or nicotine-based e-juice. The American Cancer Society suggests that the safest choice is to avoid both smoking and vaping completely.
Research about the health risks of vaping is still ongoing and it may take some time before the long-term effects of this practice are fully understood. However, there are some already known risks to take into consideration.
Cardiovascular Health
According to a 2018 report, using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes cause a rise in heath rate and blood pressure. Mixing muscimol with e-juices that contain nicotine may have a negative impact on your cardiovascular health.
Respiratory Health
Another 2018 study measured the lung function of people who had never smoked before, immediately after vaping. The research concluded that vaping e-juices both with or without nicotine disrupted the normal lung function of healthy participants. This study isn’t directly correlated with muscimol, however, it can show us that vaping has a negative impact on lung functions.
Oral Health
Scientific research from 2016, found out that vaping is associated with gum inflammation and the development of periodontal diseases.
There are currently no published studies examining the effects of vaping muscimol. However, we can take a look at studies that have been completed so far and they all suggest the same conclusion – Vaping isn’t exactly healthy and can pose a threat to one’s health.
Final Word
Some individuals are intrigued by the idea of vaping muscimol in order to intensify the effects. It’s important to note that muscimol degrades at high temperatures making it less potent. For this reason, if you are looking to vape muscimol it’s important to adjust the low-temperature setting. We don’t truly understand what are the exact effects of vaping muscimol, since the is currently no published research on the topic. Although, vaping is generally considered a practice that can negatively affect your health.