Known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, the white-spotted red mushroom has come to the fore after some social media influencers labelled their alleged psychoactive effect as "magical", "godly" or "gratuitously vilified".
Experts, however, warn that the new fad among young people who reach for the poisonous fungus species may bring severe health implications, since each person reacts differently to its toxins, thus the consequences of 'using' the fungus are beyond prediction.
Media outlets have been reporting that several people already required intensive medical care after eating the fungus.
The Polish Forests agency, which takes care of state-owned forests in Poland, cautioned against the use of the fly agaric.
On their Facebook profile, they listed a slew of potential side-effects of its consumption, such as abnormal auditory or visual perception, fatigue, dizziness, psychomotor agitation, euphoria or a feeling of anxiety.
Psychologist Wojciech Gliński frowns upon the new trend, branding it as "shorn of self-preservation," and adding that the mushroom may damage one’s nervous system for life.
Polish forests are home to some 1,400 edible and 200-250 poisonous mushrooms, while an average person is able to recognise up to 15 species.
Every year in autumn, Poland sees a swarm of mushroom pickers rushing to the woods to hunt for palatable slippery jacks, boletes or milk caps.
(pjm)
Source: Wprost, Polska Times, Nauka w Polsce