Story perspectives

Mysterious Chinese Mushroom Causes 3D Hallucinations, Scientist Eats On

6/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lanmaoa asiatica triggers vivid three-dimensional Lilliputian hallucinations.
Colin Domnauer of the University of Utah studies the mushroom, but its psychoactive compound is unknown.
The mushroom is sold in markets of southwestern China and the northern Philippines, where locals eat it despite the hallucinations.
Domnauer notes that mouse tests have narrowed candidate molecules but no human-active compound is confirmed, so he will keep eating fully cooked mushrooms because they taste good.

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Story summary

Lanmaoa asiatica triggers vivid three-dimensional Lilliputian hallucinations.
Colin Domnauer of the University of Utah studies the mushroom, but its psychoactive compound is unknown.
The mushroom is sold in markets of southwestern China and the northern Philippines, where locals eat it despite the hallucinations.
Domnauer notes that mouse tests have narrowed candidate molecules but no human-active compound is confirmed, so he will keep eating fully cooked mushrooms because they taste good.