The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people to stay away from certain mushroom-laden candies. CDC health officials say that at least 12 people have gotten seriously sick from consuming Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies, with 10 ending up in the hospital as a result. The products are marketed as containing a proprietary blend of mushrooms, and the exact cause of the illnesses is not yet known.
The CDC issued a health advisory about the candies Wednesday, with the Food and Drug Administration having issued its first notice about the matter a week prior. As of June 11, 12 people across eight states have called poison control centers feeling sick after taking one of these products. Symptoms have included rigid muscles, tremors, fast or slow heart rate, vomiting, sweating, and even seizures. Of the ten hospitalized, several have needed intubation, ventilation or been placed in intensive care, but none have died.
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The CDC, along with the FDA, America’s Poison Centers, and local health agencies are now investigating the cluster of poisonings. But as of now, there is no known culprit.
While the cause is unknown for now, so-called “edible” products containing compounds from psychedelic mushrooms (or cannabis) can be a risky endeavor for consumers. They can contain “undisclosed ingredients, including illicit substances, other adulterants, or potentially harmful contaminants that are not approved for use in food,” the CDC notes.
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The company claims that the mushrooms used in its products are a “proprietary blend of natural ingredients” that do not contain hallucinogens such as psilocybin or any other scheduled drugs. These products are said to provide users a microdosing of its nootropic and functional mushrooms (microdosing being the practice of taking doses too low to cause systematic effects but enough to still affect you positively). But many of the health or wellness claims made by the manufacturers of these and similar products—such as being able to improve people’s focus or resilience to stress—are backed by little, if any, evidence as well.
The CDC is advising doctors and public health practitioners to be on the lookout for other potential cases tied to the edibles. The agency is also warning the public to not only stay away from the shruumz but similar products as well.
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“Do not consume chocolate, gummies, snack foods, or other edible products claiming to produce feelings of euphoria, hallucinations, or psychedelic effects. They might contain undisclosed ingredients that might be linked to severe illness.” the CDC wrote in its health advisory.
Gizmodo reached out to the company for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
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