Ongoing testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a psychedelic “microdose” candy linked to dozens of illnesses in 20 states has identified several compounds in the product as possible causes of the symptoms.
While none of the chemicals listed conclusively solve the medical mystery, the findings reflect the poor state of regulation of a market responding to growing interest in psychedelics for health and recreational purposes.
Earlier this month, the FDA, in collaboration with the U.S. Poison Control Centers, announced its investigation into eight reported illnesses linked to the consumption of Diamond Shruumz brand micro-dosed chocolate bars.
This week, that number rises to 39, with symptoms ranging from abnormal heart rhythm, high/low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting to seizures, confusion and even loss of consciousness. In 23 of those cases, the health problems were serious enough to warrant hospitalization.
Multiple state authorities have issued statements urging retailers to refrain from selling or distributing Diamond Shruumz products, and residents who have them in their possession to hold onto them until the FDA provides instructions on their return or responsible disposal.
“Because people in multiple states have become ill with a variety of serious symptoms after consuming these products, we advise Granite State residents to avoid consuming them,” said New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services Director Iain Watt.
“We will continue to monitor information from our federal partners on this ongoing investigation.”
Although companies like Diamond Shruumz market their edibles as “microdose” candies, none of the claimed active psychedelic agents or other ingredients are provided to the consumer.
An FDA analysis of two individual samples found that Diamond Shruumz’s “Birthday Cake” chocolate bar contains the compound 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-acetoxy-DMT, also known as O-acetylpsilocin or psilacetin), while their dark chocolate bar contains psilacetin as well as three compounds consistent with the botanical kava, desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain.
It is impossible to say whether all similar products contain the same ingredients in the same concentrations without conducting additional testing.
Psilacetin is a semi-synthetic compound that, like themagic mushroom“The chemical psilocybin is broken down in the body to produce the psychoactive chemical psilocin. Because of this common pathway, psilacetin is an equally effective (although potentially stronger) alternative with fewer side effects.
In the absence of sufficient clinical research, little is known about the health effects of this substance, leaving open the question of whether this substance, or other ingredients in the products, may be responsible for the diseases.
Discovery of chemicals compatible with kava additives (Piper methysticum) prompted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a statement warning of the potential clinical effects of ingesting the plant.
“Ingestion of kava can cause numbness of the mouth and skin, loss of coordination, dizziness, and sedation,” the CDC report says.
“Ingestion of kava with other substances known to cause sedation, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, may worsen sedation. Kava may also cause gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting.”
Clinical interest in psychoactive pharmaceuticals for therapeutic use has exploded in recent years, coinciding with a renewed increase in the recreational use of drugs such as LSD and magic mushrooms.
An estimated 8 million American adults used psilocybin in the past year, and one survey found that more than one in ten have used the drug at some point in their lives.
Around the world, the unregulated production of psychoactive drugs is an emerging problem. Since April this year, five people in the Australian state of New South Wales have been treated after ingesting mushroom gummies.
“We need to make sure the public understands the difference between these products and registered medicines prescribed by a health professional,” advises Jack Wilson, a psychologist at the University of Sydney and researcher at the Matilda Centre for Mental Health and Addiction Research.
“Not only in terms of effectiveness, but also in terms of the risks they pose.”
