Translated from our German original by AI. The German text was researched, written, and edited by the Psychedelia Foundation team and remains the authoritative version.
At the University of Winchester, research student Jake Briscoe is currently running a research survey on the experiences of people who use the fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria).
The study collects anonymous feedback from adults who have used Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) in the past five years. It aims to understand preparation methods (in particular decarboxylation and heating), typical doses, how often the mushroom is used, and self-reported effects, both positive (for example improved mood, pain relief) and negative (for example nausea, dizziness). The results are intended to help provide better harm reduction information and to close gaps in knowledge about how the mushroom is actually used.
Who should take part?
You are invited to take part if you are at least 18 years old and have personal experience of using Amanita muscaria.
What happens if I take part?
You complete an online questionnaire with 26 questions. The questions cover basic demographic details (age group, gender, height and weight), preparation methods, dosage and frequency of use, and perceived effects. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes. No audio, video, or image recordings are used.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
There is no direct benefit to you. Your honest answers can, however, help improve safety information for others. The risks are low: some questions touch on sensitive topics (mushroom use and its effects). If answering them causes discomfort, you should stop taking part immediately. Contact details for harm reduction services are provided below.
Will my data be treated confidentially?
Yes. No names, email addresses, IP addresses, or other identifying information are collected. Each response is given only a randomly generated code (for example “1601261301”) for internal tracking. The data are stored securely on the University of Winchester’s password-protected OneDrive and are accessible to the researcher alone. Processing follows the GDPR and the university’s own policies. The raw data will be deleted once the full research article has been published. Aggregated and anonymized results may appear in scientific publications or reports.
What happens to the results?
The results will be analyzed statistically and published in a dissertation, a presentation, and a journal article. Individual participants cannot be identified.
