Amanita Muscaria is the only kind of mushroom currently legal. As its health benefits are regularly being confirmed in studies, demand for related products is rapidly growing.

This scenario has compelled Colorado-based Panacea Life Sciences (OTCQB:PLSH) to conduct research and formulation design for product development expansion.

Amanita Muscaria contains ibotenic acid, muscarine, muscazone and muscimol. Their pharmacology is "psychoactive" in the sense that it produces sedative and hallucinogenic effects as well as nausea, which is why it has been used for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic purposes at different doses, as well as in high concentrations to produce altered states of consciousness or inebriation.

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Historical Use

Used by northern European and eastern Siberian cultures, Amanita Muscaria has become popular. However, their chemistry, toxicology and biology as well as ratios and formulations to produce beneficial and avoid negative side effects, have yet to be profoundly researched.

Panacea's research and testing have determined that several of the products offered online do not contain Amanita extract. As such, the company will launch two "high quality-controlled products" via a partnership with the Cannabinoid Research Center at Colorado State University.

Coming in the form of gummies and soft gel, the new products will be released sometime in May and would allow consumers to "reduce anxiety, enhance mood, produce a great night's sleep, and inebriation at elevated doses."

New Study Boosted This Company's Stock

The acclaimed journal Frontiers of Pharmacology has published a study conducted by Canada's National Research Council that shows how Amanita Muscaria mushroom extracts might help modulate brain health.

The paper asserts that while the chemical composition of Amanita Muscaria extracts is poorly characterized and their effect on brain tissue and cells is not well-known, research is seeking to understand how the fungi's additional metabolites would act on brain cells.

Specifically, Amanita muscaria extract has been shown to activate and boost immune cells of the brain (microglia,) producing immune mediators which can in turn mobilize other immune brain cells and alter the way neurons function.

Immunity in terms of keeping the CNS clear of plaques, damaged neurons, excess synapses and infectious agents is key as certain areas of neuroinflammation and immune-induced changes in the brain may be responsible for migraines, depression and changes in sleep patterns.

Journalist Debra Borchardt first reported the link between the study release and the subsequent stock jump (11%) of established Amanita Muscaria company Psyched Wellness Ltd. (OTCQB:PSYCF).

The connection comes from the fact that the research was done on the company's Amanita Muscaria extract, AME-1.

COO David Shisel says the study has "proved additional benefits" of Psyched's supplement, while constituting "another key finding of function" and furthering the understanding of the effects of its proprietary extract.

Photo by Andriy Nestruiev on Unsplash