People who have consumed Lanmaoa asiatica have claimed to see small human-like figures after eating the mushroom, a rare visual phenomenon known as Lilliputian hallucinations. Some people say that they experience small creatures dancing and moving around wherever they are.
This is the main reason why scientists have taken interest in the mushroom that grows in the southwestern region of China and the Philippines. However, no one knows what the possible cause of such sensations could be. Similar information is present in other countries too. Nevertheless, researchers are still trying to figure out the cause of this phenomenon.
In the study, published in Mycologia on June 5, 2026, researchers explored the genetics as well as the evolutionary processes of the Lanmaoa genus, including Lanmaoa asiatica. One of the results that struck them was that L. asiatica is not able to produce psilocybin or ibotenic acid, which are the biologically active substances noted in famous psychoactive mushrooms. If those compounds cannot be responsible for what people see in these visions, then what is?
Another study conducted in February 2026 has put forward two new components called Asiaticains A and B. However, it has not been established whether they are connected to hallucinations which individuals undergo while eating the mushroom.
The 2025 research has additionally revealed what happens to the body after consuming that mushroom. Scientists have taken blood samples from 20 people; the analysis has shown the presence of 914 differential metabolites compared with healthy individuals, indicating disruption in metabolism which may be linked to mushroom poisoning.
Is the mystery solved?
Not yet, but the research team has established the connection between Lanmaoa asiatica and these visions. The cause is still unknown, so until scientists understand what causes these effects, it’s best to avoid eating these mushrooms.
References:
Domnauer, C., & Dentinger, B. T. M. (2026). Phylogenomic systematics of Lanmaoa (Boletaceae) reveals cryptic diversity, resolves global evolutionary relationships, and suggests a novel psychoactive lineage. Mycologia. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2026.2670968
Li, Y.-F., Hou, J.-D., et al. (2026). Two new pyrrole alkaloids from Lanmaoa asiatica. Chemistry & Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202502700
Dai, et al. (2025). Untargeted metabolomic analysis using UPLC–MS/MS reveals metabolic changes associated with Lanmaoa asiatica poisoning. Food Science & Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70583
