FDA warns against microdosing of chocolate bars
The FDA has issued a warning about Diamond Shruumz brand microdosing chocolate bars after eight people in four states became ill.
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More illnesses and hospitalizations are linked to the recall of mushroom microdosing candies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Thursday. As part of an ongoing investigation, the agency also published new test results that shed light on which compounds the tested products contain.
The FDA issued an initial warning on June 7, saying that several people had been hospitalized due to “severe” illness linked to some Diamond Shruumz Microdosing Mushroom Chocolate Bars, experiencing health problems including seizures, vomiting, and irregular heart rhythms.
The FDA, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Poison Control Centers and state and local partners, originally announced that it was investigating eight illnesses reported in four states, six of which had resulted in hospitalizations. Then other products were added to the recall list in addition to chocolate bars.
In a late July update, the agency had tracked 74 cases in 28 states linked to the edible products, resulting in 38 hospitalizations and two possibly related deaths.
On Thursday, the FDA released the first laboratory results from testing several Diamond Shruumz candy bars, revealing that some of the products contained prescription or controlled substances as well as unlisted compounds.
The announcement also confirmed that as of August 2, the total number of reported illnesses related to the microdosing candies has risen to 113 total, with 42 hospitalizations and still two possibly related deaths in 28 states.
Despite this warning, the products were still found on shelves in some areas.
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What have FDA tests shown when microdosing edible mushrooms?
The FDA’s ongoing investigation is focused on identifying the ingredients that cause illness in people.
Typically, mushroom-infused products are promoted for microdosing use and often tout the inclusion of “mushroom nootropics” or “functional mushrooms” that are supposed to be good for brain health and clarity in addition to their nutritional value. These claims have not been reviewed by the FDA or other health authorities.
Commercial mushroom-infused products sold legally in the United States may not contain what many people traditionally associate with “magic mushrooms.” Instead, they are generally made with extracts from legal mushrooms such as Amanita muscaria (which produces muscimol) or simply with a “proprietary mushroom blend” that is not fully disclosed on the packaging.
Diamond Shruumz’s products use this vague designation. The company’s website lists soy, milk, and Diamond’s “proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms” as ingredients.
The FDA initially conducted laboratory testing on 19 samples of Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, six of which contained muscimol. However, the FDA found that muscimol was not present in all products and could not “explain all of the symptoms reported by ill patients who consumed Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars.”
The tests also identified several other compounds in the chocolate products tested, including:
- Acetylpsilocin (also known as 4-acetoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine, 4-acetoxy-DMT, O-acetylpsilocin, or psilacetin) was found in nine chocolate bar samples. Acetylpsilocin is a synthetic substance that, when ingested, is metabolized in the body into psilocin. Psilocin is the primary psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms.
- Psilocin, a Schedule I controlled substance, was found in four chocolate bar samples
- The prescription drug pregabalin was found in three chocolate bar samples. Pregabalin is an antiepileptic drug commonly used to treat neurological pain and seizures.
- Desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain (kavalactones found in the kava plant) were all present together in 15 chocolate bar samples. Kavalactones are known for their psychoactive properties and are thought to have calming and mood-enhancing effects. Kava is legal in the US but banned or heavily regulated elsewhere, such as the UK. It is known to be hepatotoxic, or liver-damaging, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The results published by the FDA showed that different compounds are present not only in the different flavors of chocolate bars, but also within the same flavor. The agency pointed out that there may be differences from product to product in the compounds contained and in the combinations used.
“Although the effects of these individual compounds when taken individually are known, there is less research on the interactions between these compounds when taken together,” the FDA said.
The FDA’s findings are consistent with earlier tests conducted in July by experts at the University of Virginia (UVA) Poison Center, which found that Diamond Shruumz products tested, as well as other mushroom edible brands, contained psilocin.
Which Diamond Shruumz products have been recalled?
The FDA recall affects all Diamond Shruumz brand microdosing candies, including Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, wafers and gummy bears.
All types of Diamond Shruumz chocolate bars and gummies come in different quantities and flavors, and the warning also applies to all flavors of Diamond Shruumz bags.
In a recall notice on the Diamond Shruumz website, parent company Prophet Premium Blends announced that it had stopped manufacturing and distributing all Diamond Shruumz products.
The statement attributed consumers’ illnesses to higher than normal levels of muscimol and said it was “critically important” that all consumers “refrain from taking this product while we continue our investigation with the FDA into the cause of the serious adverse reactions.”
In which states have cases of illness associated with Diamon Shruumz products occurred?
The FDA has reported cases of illness associated with Diamond Shruumz products in 28 states.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- new York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
What are the symptoms of Diamond Shruumz Candy disease?
While health authorities continue to search for the cause, people who became ill after consuming the product reported several symptoms, including:
- Seizures
- Depression of the central nervous system (unconsciousness, confusion, drowsiness)
- agitation
- Abnormal heart rate
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Nausea
- Vomit
FDA: Throw away affected mushroom candies immediately
The FDA recommends the safe disposal of all Diamond Shruumz brand products. Consumers who have the products in their homes should discard them immediately if they find them. Diamond Shruumz products are not for eating, selling, or serving.
Prophet Premium Blends has also pointed out that the products may not be consumed or sold. Retailers and wholesalers should discontinue use, stop distribution, immediately quarantine the product, and contact their sales representative to initiate the return and refund. Consumers who have purchased Diamond Shruumz products are urged to discontinue use of the product and return it to 1019 Arlington St., Orlando, FL 32805 for a full refund.
