One of the most frequently encountered and popular edible species sold in Yunnan is Lanmaoa asiatica. Locals call it Jian shou qing, which roughly translates to “turns blue in the hand,” a reference to its rapidly changing colors when touched. Highly valued for its unique and rich flavor, it is equally notorious for its powerful hallucinogenic effects when undercooked: many recount stories of having fantastical perceptions of hundreds of colorful little people interacting with them and their environment — a syndrome known clinically as Lilliputian Hallucinations. The chemicals responsible for the strange effect remain unknown. Colin Domnauer
The Hallucinogenic Mushroom That Makes You See Hundreds of Tiny People
Mushroom expert and Ph.D. student Colin Domnauer has been studying a unique species of mushroom that, when ingested, causes fairytale-like hallucinations, including the sudden appearance of tiny people! The Lilliputian mushroom, as it's commonly called, is a captivating mystery. Colin's research aims to identify which chemical compounds are responsible for such a strange psychological effect, and the answers are closer than ever.
Listen to his brief overview on the strange effects of Lilliputian mushrooms, then read his full article here to learn more about what he's uncovered through his research.
