POISONOUS AND HALLUCINOGENIC MUSHROOMS
by Michael W. Beug Email: beugm@evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA
Slide 18.
Morchella species, especially the Black Morel shown
here, are a significant cause of mushroom poisonings. The normal poisoning
symptoms are vomiting and cramps, possibly accompanied by chills, dizziness,
headache and diarrhea. Onset of symptoms can be as soon as 10 to 15 minutes
or delayed 30 minutes to 4.5 hours. In most cases the poisoning involves
consumption of raw mushrooms, though a few people are made ill by cooked
mushrooms and on occasion people even become ill if they consume alcohol
along with the mushrooms. However, in years of leading field trips and
cooking morels for hundreds of people and having wine available, I have
never had anyone become ill. Never the less, if you eat morels raw or if
you are a susceptible individual, you may be in for an unpleasant experience.
For example, it has been reported that males whose genetic origins are
from Mediterranean regions may have a G6PD deficiency, which makes them
intolerant of fava beans, in which case they can possibly suffer a severe
anemia after consumption of Morels.
Previous
Slide