Magic mushroom chocolates are having a moment. But do they even contain mushrooms?

By Keri Blakinger and Connor Sheets
Aug. 9, 2024 3 AM PT

Beneath the psychedelic colors and cartoon mushrooms, the labels are often vague: Some claim to be “vegan space capsules” while others warn they are only “novelty collectibles.” A few obliquely say that they contain a “proprietary mushroom blend” or that they are “infused with magic.”

But many of the mushroom chocolates and gummies sold in Southern California head shops, it seems, are not as advertised. This year, the Food and Drug Administration began issuing warnings about one brand’s products after dozens of people who ate them fell ill or died. Federal regulators said tests found synthetic hallucinogens and other psychoactive compounds not listed on the labels. The company, Santa Ana-based Prophet Premium Blends, ultimately recalled all its candies.

An investigation by The Times found that the problem of questionable mushroom products may be far more widespread. Testing done on 33 samples purchased at smoke shops in Los Angeles and San Diego counties found 40% contained no psilocybin — one of the main chemicals that make mushrooms magical.

Several instead contained widely varying levels of lab-made psychedelic compounds, including those found in the now-recalled Diamond Shruumz items. Some had no hallucinogens at all, a few featured compounds from a different psychoactive fungus with unpleasant side effects, and one contained only bath salts.

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