Lanmaoa asiatica, a bolete mushroom prized for its delicious taste, is hugely popular in Yunnan province, China, where it grows in a symbiotic relationship with pine trees. However, anyone eating the mushroom must be cautious because it induces hallucinations of tiny people approximately 2 cm tall, wearing brightly colored clothes, who jump, run, climb, and are generally playful in a normal, real-world setting.
Hallucinations Resemble BBC Series
The visions are reminiscent of the small people in the hit BBC series Small Prophets, though without their psychic powers. Despite the powerful effects, Lanmaoa is completely unrelated to Psilocybes, or “magic mushrooms,” which cause wide-ranging hallucinations for a few hours triggered by the chemical psilocybin.
Unknown Hallucinogenic Substance
The hallucinogenic substance in Lanmaoa remains unidentified, though Colin Domnauer at the University of Utah is researching it. What is known is that the visions always feature tiny people and can last for days. Crucially, the hallucinogen can be destroyed by cooking the mushroom for 15 minutes before eating. Aside from Yunnan, China, Lanmaoa asiatica has only been found in one other location: the Philippines.
