Chemical Education.
Chimia – February 27, 2019
Source: PubMed
Summary
The iconic Amanita muscaria mushroom, known for its hallucinogenic compounds, also remarkably accumulates high levels of vanadium. This intriguing observation highlights a natural process where the fungus effectively concentrates this rare metal. While the exact biological purpose for this significant vanadium uptake remains a scientific puzzle, its consistent presence suggests a positive, yet undiscovered, role within the organism.
Abstract
The fungus Amanita muscaria contains neurotoxins which account for its long-time use as a hallucinogen. In contrast, A. muscaria is also a bioaccumulator of high levels of vanadium, the reason for which is still obscure.