How fly agaric helps with stroke recovery: scientific facts and experience

13 September 2024

Fly Agaric: Recovery After Stroke

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) is widely known for its bright appearance, but few are aware that this mushroom can assist in treating serious conditions, including recovery after a stroke. Thanks to its biologically active compounds, fly agaric has become the subject of scientific research worldwide.

Learn more about the chemistry of fly agaric and how it affects humans

A stroke is a dangerous condition in which the brain’s blood supply is disrupted, potentially causing severe damage to brain tissue. After a stroke, many patients face problems related to cognitive functions, motor skills, and other crucial aspects of health. Modern medicine is constantly seeking new ways to aid in post-stroke rehabilitation, and fly agaric may play an important role in these innovations.

The primary active compounds in fly agaric are muscimol and ibotenic acid. The most intriguing of these is muscimol, a potent agonist of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in our brain. GABA helps reduce excessive neuronal activity, which is critically important after a stroke, as glutamate—a stimulating neurotransmitter—can, in excess, damage brain cells. Muscimol helps balance this process, reducing the risk of further damage.

Also, take a look at Lion’s Mane, which has also shown promising results in stroke recovery. Read the article: Lion’s Mane for stroke recovery: scientific evidence and recommendations

According to research led by Professor Richard Green and scientists from the UK and New Zealand, and published in the journal Neuropharmacology in 2000 (Green AR et al. "GABA potentiation: a logical pharmacological approach for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke", PMID: 10854894), muscimol was found to be a neuroprotective agent, significantly improving recovery after a stroke. In animal experiments, it was observed that administering muscimol after ischemic stroke reduced brain tissue damage by 37% compared to the control group. Additionally, significant improvements in cognitive function and faster motor recovery were noted.

In the study, fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) showed improvements in the following areas:

1. Histological changes

— analysis of brain tissue damage after an ischemic attack. Administration of muscimol led to a significant reduction in the degree of neuronal damage, confirming the neuroprotective properties of this compound.

2. Biochemical changes

— a decrease in glutamate release, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, which plays a key role in cell damage during a stroke. This helps reduce further deterioration of brain tissue.

3. Motor functions

— after treatment with muscimol, the animals demonstrated faster recovery of motor skills, a crucial indicator in post-stroke rehabilitation, as many patients struggle with even simple movements.

4. Water content in tissues

— reduction of brain swelling after muscimol administration. Brain tissue swelling is one of the greatest threats after a stroke, which can significantly worsen a patient’s condition and complicate recovery. Thanks to muscimol, this dangerous process is greatly reduced, helping to avoid additional complications.

Another study, conducted at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan, showed that muscimol significantly reduced neuronal damage caused by excessive activation of NMDA receptors—particularly important receptors for learning, memory, and nervous system development. This research was published in 1994 in the Journal of Neurochemistry (Ohkuma S et al. "Muscimol prevents neuronal injury induced by NMDA", PMID: 8028229). In the experiment, mouse neurons were exposed to toxic NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate), which induces cell death similar to the process occurring during a stroke in the human brain.

Muscimol was able to reduce lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, a marker of cell damage, by 50% compared to the control group. Additionally, in the presence of muscimol, the number of damaged cells was nearly halved.

Research suggests that muscimol activates GABA receptors, leading to hyperpolarization of neurons, reducing their excitability. This, in turn, decreases calcium influx into cells—the main cause of neuronal damage during a stroke. This protective mechanism may help reduce neuronal damage and speed up recovery after a stroke.

It will also be interesting to learn about: When is it safe to consume newly harvested fly agaric?

Of course, every body is unique, so it’s essential to consult with a doctor before taking any medications, even natural ones.

This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones!

In our store, you can purchase fly agaric, which will help maintain vitality and support your health.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fly Agaric

1. Can fly agaric help with stroke recovery?

Yes, studies show that active compounds in fly agaric, particularly muscimol, have neuroprotective properties that may support nervous system recovery after a stroke.

2. How should fly agaric be used for stroke recovery?

Microdosing under the supervision of a specialist is recommended. It is crucial to follow safe dosages and preparation methods to avoid toxic effects.