Scientists study mushroom hallucinations to treat dementia

Scientists from the University of Utah are investigating a specific mushroom species that causes people to see tiny, jumping elf-like figures.

This phenomenon first gained attention in 1934 when travelers in Papua New Guinea observed locals experiencing hallucinations after eating a wild mushroom called nonda. While the event was long considered a local anecdote, similar cases appeared in China and the Philippines over the following decades. Researchers have struggled to identify the cause of these specific hallucinations for years.

Even when Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD, investigated the mushrooms in Papua New Guinea, he found no responsible compounds. However, recent reports from Yunnan, China, and a northern Philippine indigenous community provided clearer evidence. By analyzing the DNA of mushrooms from these two locations, the University of Utah team identified the species as Lanmaoa asiatica. The researchers believe that understanding the chemical compound responsible for these "jumping elf" hallucinations could lead to new medical treatments.

Because similar hallucinations occur in patients with dementia, macular degeneration, or alcohol withdrawal, identifying the mushroom's psychoactive properties could help develop ways to stop these visions. The team hopes to return to Papua New Guinea next year to collect samples and confirm if the mushroom there is the same species.