In the Yunnan Province of China, hospitals regularly see patients reporting unusual hallucinations involving tiny, elf-like figures. These visions, often described as dozens of miniature humans moving around their environment, have been linked to the consumption of a local mushroom species known as Lanmaoa asiatica.
Lanmaoa asiatica and Its Effects
Lanmaoa asiatica grows symbiotically with pine trees and is a popular edible mushroom in Yunnan, prized for its rich umami flavor. It is widely sold in markets and featured on menus during the peak mushroom season from June to August. However, if not cooked thoroughly, the mushroom can induce vivid hallucinations.
Locals are aware of this effect; for example, mushroom hot pot restaurants often warn diners to wait until the mushroom is fully cooked to avoid seeing “little people.”
Historical and Geographic Context
Reports of hallucinations involving tiny figures date back decades and have appeared in various cultures. A 1991 study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences documented cases in Yunnan where individuals experienced “lilliputian hallucinations,” a term describing perceptions of small human or animal figures. These figures were reportedly seen on clothing, dishes, and even with eyes closed.
Similar accounts emerged from Papua New Guinea in the 1960s, where researchers initially dismissed them as cultural myths due to lack of chemical evidence. It was only in 2015 that Lanmaoa asiatica was formally described by scientists, though its psychoactive properties remained unclear.
Scientific Investigation and Findings
Colin Domnauer, a biology doctoral candidate, has been studying Lanmaoa asiatica to identify both the species and the chemical responsible for its distinctive hallucinations. In 2023, he collected mushroom samples from Yunnan markets, confirming their identity through genetic sequencing.
Behavioral tests on mice exposed to mushroom extracts showed changes consistent with the reported human effects, including initial hyperactivity followed by prolonged inactivity. Domnauer also found genetically identical mushrooms in the Philippines, despite slight physical differences.
Attempts to locate similar mushrooms in Papua New Guinea have so far been unsuccessful, leaving open questions about whether the same species or a related one causes hallucinations there.
Unique Psychoactive Properties
The hallucinations induced by Lanmaoa asiatica are notable for their consistency—most individuals report seeing tiny people—and for their unusually long duration, often lasting 12 to 24 hours or more. This differs from other psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin, which typically produce more variable experiences.
Current research suggests the active compound in Lanmaoa asiatica is distinct from known psychedelics. Due to the intensity and length of the effects, including possible side effects like delirium and dizziness, Domnauer has not yet consumed the raw mushroom himself.
Implications for Neuroscience and Medicine
Understanding the compound responsible for these hallucinations may provide insights into the brain mechanisms underlying lilliputian hallucinations, a rare neurological phenomenon that can occur without mushroom consumption. Such research could lead to new treatments for affected individuals.
Experts emphasize that fungal biodiversity remains largely unexplored, with less than 5% of fungal species described. Lanmaoa asiatica’s study highlights the potential for discovering novel compounds that could advance neuroscience and pharmacology.
Overall, the ongoing research into Lanmaoa asiatica offers a unique window into the relationship between fungi, psychoactive substances, and human perception.
