# Scientists Find Mushroom That's Both Toxic and Trippy

> Scientists discovered a Florida mushroom that produces deadly amatoxins and psychedelic psilocybin.
- Title: Scientists Find Mushroom That's Both Toxic and Trippy
- Summary: Scientists discovered a Florida mushroom that produces deadly amatoxins and psychedelic psilocybin.
- Keywords: galerina indica, amatoxins, psilocybin, horizontal gene transfer, mushroom, florida, university of florida, current biology, Gizmodo
- Source: Gizmodo — https://gizmodo.com/mushrooms-tend-to-be-deadly-or-trippy-this-one-is-both-2000838289
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: galerina indica, amatoxins, psilocybin, horizontal gene transfer, mushroom, florida, university of florida, current biology, science
## Dark Magic Mushroom Discovery
Scientists found a Florida mushroom that produces deadly amatoxins and psychedelic psilocybin.
## Mushroom's Dual Properties
The mushroom's flesh turns blue when handled, indicating psilocybin production.
## Genetic Analysis Reveals
The mushroom likely acquired psilocybin genes through horizontal gene transfer from another fungus.
## Evolutionary Timeline
This genetic transfer likely occurred during the Miocene, between 23 and 5 million years ago.
## Unanswered Questions
Scientists don't know why mushrooms evolved to produce either amatoxins or psilocybin.
## Safety Warning
Do not eat this mushroom, it is toxic and can cause severe psychedelic effects.

> Do not eat this mushroom!
## Key takeaway

Scientists found a Florida mushroom that makes both deadly amatoxins and psychedelic psilocybin.