Welcome to the Amanita muscaria Low-Dose Study

Welcome to the Amanita muscaria Low-Dose Study

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this research study. Your experiences with Amanita muscaria help deepen our understanding of a field that has received little scientific attention so far – approached here from the perspective of those who have lived these experiences firsthand. The results of this study are expected to be published and made publicly accessible in 2027.

About This Study
This study explores the experiences of people who have used low-dose Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) – from three perspectives: The quantitative strand examines possible effects on anxiety, depression, sleep quality, pain, general well-being, and adverse effects. The qualitative strand explores personal transformation and integration processes. The Indigenous-informed strand illuminates reciprocity and the relationship to Amanita muscaria from a perspective guided by Indigenous knowledge.

The study has been reviewed and approved by the Human Research Review Committee (HRRC) of the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS).

Note on Amanita muscaria
This study does not advocate or recommend the use of Amanita muscaria. We are solely documenting the experiences of individuals who have chosen to use Amanita muscaria of their own accord.

What to Expect
The study consists of three equal strands, in which you can participate individually or in combination.

The quantitative strand includes the informed consent form, sociodemographic information, a brief screening on mental health and substance use, adverse events, and validated questionnaires on anxiety, depression, stress, well-being, sleep quality, and pain – completed once retrospectively for the period before your Amanita muscaria use and once for the period of most intensive use. Optional supplementary questionnaires on sleep and pain are available.

Total duration approx. 30–45 minutes, with optional questionnaires up to 60 minutes (30 pages total).

The qualitative strand includes an in-depth interview on personal transformation and integration of your experiences (60–90 minutes via Zoom or in person).

The Indigenous-informed strand is open to people who are themselves of Indigenous heritage or who have a special relationship with Indigenous knowledge, traditions, or communities. The interview explores reciprocity and the relationship to Amanita muscaria from a perspective guided by Indigenous knowledge (60–90 minutes via Zoom or in person).

You may participate in one or two strands. Simultaneous participation in both interview strands is not possible. If you participate only in an interview strand, a brief screening (approx. 5-10 minutes) will be conducted beforehand.

Eligibility
Adults aged 18 or older are eligible if they have used low-dose Amanita muscaria within the past 12 months – with at least 4 uses over a period of at least 4 weeks – and have fluent proficiency in German or English. Additional eligibility criteria specific to the interview strands will be assessed during the screening.

Privacy and Voluntary Participation
The screening (after the informed consent) collects a contact address so that we can reach you if needed. This contact address is stored separately and encrypted. All further responses are stored exclusively in pseudonymized form and cannot be linked to your identity.

Participation is voluntary – you may withdraw at any time and for any reason, without any consequences.

Informed Consent
By clicking "Next," you will begin the informed consent process, followed by the screening.

Questions or Comments?
If you have questions about this study, please contact:
Mamblona Fischer, Nora
Doctoral Candidate, California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)
nmamblonafischer@mymail.ciis.edu

For questions about your rights as a research participant:
CIIS Human Research Review Committee
hrrcoffice@ciis.edu