Ho 
LL © 
07-0 ~~CH—COoO 
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NH, 
XVI 
Widely recognized variability in the psychoactivity of Amani- 
ta muscaria results probably from varying ratios of ibotenic acid 
and muscimol in the carpophores. In spite of appreciable 
variability between individuals, certain effects are characteristic: 
twitching of the limbs, a period of good humour and euphoria, 
macropsia, occasionally colored visions of the supernatural 
and illusions of grandeur. Religious overtones frequently occur, 
and the user may become violent, dashing madly about, until 
exhaustion and deep sleep overtake him. 
In a recent interesting account, Ott has described in some 
detail the current social use of Amanitas in the United States 
(Ott 1978). 
The genus Amanita, comprising from 50 to 60 species, is 
cosmopolitan, occurring on all continents except South America 
and Australia, but the species occupy definitive areas. Amanita 
muscaria has recently been found growing in large colonies near 
Medellin, Colombia, but it appears to have been introduced, 
perhaps with pines for reforestation. A number of the species are 
toxic, and their chemical constitution, still poorly understood, 
seems to be variable. 
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