A dangerous trend is on the rise: So-called "muscimol gummies". They look like fruit gums, but contain muscimol, a neurotoxin and hallucinogen that occurs naturally in fly agarics.

These products can be purchased from online shops, but occasionally also from vending machines. They are often sold as non-food items, e.g. as souvenirs or collector's items. Sometimes they are also labelled with notes such as "Not for consumption". However, as they look like fruit gums, they can be very dangerous, especially for small children. Cases are known throughout Europe in which adolescents and adults have had to be hospitalised after consuming such muscimol gummies.

Muscimol causes hallucinations such as coloured illusions, a feeling of weightlessness and euphoria - a greater sensitivity to sounds can also occur. Poisoning with muscimol is characterised by gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea as well as dizziness and increased salivation. Psychoses have been described, as has circulatory failure. Large doses cause muscle twitching, confusion, abdominal pain and agitation, which can lead to unconsciousness or coma.

These products contain quantities of muscimol that can trigger these symptoms of poisoning. AGES therefore urgently warns against the consumption of such products.