Jamur Halusinasi China: Melihat Manusia Sekecil Botol Minyak Angin?
Doctors in Yunnan Province, China, prepare annually for a surge in unusual patient complaints. These individuals report seeing miniature figures—described as gnome-like—moving under doors, crawling on walls, and clinging to furniture. Hundreds of these cases are treated each year, all linked to the consumption of Lanmaoa asiatica.
A Local Delicacy with a Hidden Effect
Lanmaoa asiatica is a mushroom that forms a symbiotic relationship with pine trees in the surrounding forests. It’s also a popular local food, prized for its savory and umami-rich flavor. The mushroom is sold in markets, featured on restaurant menus, and prepared in homes during the peak season between June and August.
However, the mushroom must be thoroughly cooked; otherwise, hallucinations can occur. Colin Domnauer, a doctoral candidate at the University of Utah and the Utah Museum of Natural History, researching L. Asiatica, noted that local knowledge reflects this precaution. “At a mushroom hot pot restaurant there, the waitstaff set a timer for 15 minutes and warned us, ‘Don’t eat before the timer goes off or you might see little people,’” he said.
Unraveling the Mystery
Domnauer is working to solve the long-standing mystery surrounding this mushroom species and identify the unknown compounds responsible for the Lilliputian-like hallucinations. He first learned about L. Asiatica from a professor during his undergraduate studies. “It sounded so bizarre, that there was a mushroom out there causing fairy tale-like hallucinations reported across cultures and time,” Domnauer stated. “I was intrigued and driven by curiosity to learn more.”
Academic literature provides some historical context. A 1991 article by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences documented cases in Yunnan of individuals experiencing “Lilliputian hallucinations” after consuming certain mushrooms. These hallucinations, a recognized psychiatric phenomenon, involve perceiving humans, animals, or fantastical subjects as extremely small, a reference to the tiny people inhabiting the island of Lilliput in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.
Patients described seeing these creatures “all over the place,” with researchers noting more than ten small beings were typically observed. They were seen “on their clothes while dressing, and in their food while eating,” and the visions were “clearer with their eyes closed.”
Similar Reports Across Continents
Similar phenomena were observed in Papua New Guinea in the 1960s by Gordon Wasson and Roger Heim, who introduced psilocybin mushrooms to Western audiences. They investigated reports of locals becoming “crazy” after consuming certain mushrooms, a condition an anthropologist termed “mushroom madness.” These reports, they found, closely resembled the recent accounts from China.
The researchers collected specimens and sent them to Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered LSD, for analysis. However, Hofmann was unable to identify any active molecules. The team concluded the stories were likely cultural folklore without a pharmacological basis, and further research was not pursued.
It wasn’t until 2015 that researchers formally described and named L. Asiatica, still lacking detailed information about its psychoactive properties.
Current Research and Future Implications
Domnauer’s initial goal was to confirm the species’ identity. In 2023, he travelled to Yunnan during peak mushroom season, visiting local markets and inquiring about the mushroom that “makes you see little people.” He purchased specimens identified by laughing vendors and returned them to his lab for genomic sequencing, confirming the identification of L. Asiatica.
Preliminary research involving laboratory extracts has shown behavioral changes in mice mirroring those reported in humans. Mice exhibited hyperactivity followed by prolonged periods of lethargy. Domnauer has also investigated reports of similar symptoms in the Philippines, finding a slightly different-looking mushroom—smaller and pinkish—that genetic testing confirmed was the same species.
An expedition to Papua New Guinea in December 2025, led by Domnauer’s supervisor, sought to locate the mushrooms described in Wasson and Heim’s notes, but was unsuccessful. The identity of the mushroom in Papua New Guinea remains unknown. It could be the same species found in China and the Philippines, or a different species that independently evolved similar hallucinogenic effects.
Domnauer and his team are currently working to identify the specific chemical compounds responsible for the hallucinations. Initial findings suggest these compounds are distinct from known psychedelic substances. The hallucinations produced by L. Asiatica are notably long-lasting and consistent, with individuals repeatedly reporting visions of small beings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of Lanmaoa asiatica poisoning?
Patients experience hallucinations of miniature figures, described as gnome-like, moving in their surroundings, such as under doors, on walls, and on furniture.
Where is Lanmaoa asiatica found?
The mushroom is found in Yunnan Province, China, and has also been identified in the Philippines and potentially Papua New Guinea.
How long do the hallucinations last?
The hallucinations typically last 12 to 24 hours, and in some cases, can require hospitalization for up to a week.
What further research into Lanmaoa asiatica reveals about the human brain and potential therapeutic applications remains to be seen. Could understanding this unique mushroom unlock new insights into the nature of consciousness and neurological conditions?