As of July 11, 2026, the production, sale and use of muscimole and ibotenic acid will be prohibited on French territory. These two psychoactive substances, classified on the list of psychotropic substances, present significant health risks.
Why are these two substances now banned?
Muscimole and ibotenic acid are substances naturally found in certain mushrooms, such as fly agaric. They act directly on the brain and can modify the state of consciousness, perceptions, behavior or even mood.
These substances are marketed in different forms, notably in candies (gummies), chocolates, e-liquids or even resins.
The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) has decided to include them on the list of psychotropic substances. This decision, published on July 3, 2026, results in a ban on their production, sale and use in France.
Serious poisoning, sometimes with a stay in intensive care
This measure comes after several reports of serious poisoning, particularly following the consumption of candies or chocolates containing these substances. Some patients had to be hospitalized in intensive care.
According to the information provided, their consumption can cause sometimes severe neurological and psychiatric disorders: deep drowsiness, coma, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, delirium, behavioral disorders or even convulsions.
Other symptoms may also appear, such as sometimes severe vomiting, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure or increased body temperature.
In its decision of July 2, 2026, the ANSM indicates that it took into account the cases of serious poisoning reported to the Centers for Evaluation and Information on Drug Dependence – Addictovigilance (CEIP-A) and the Anti-Poison and Toxicovigilance Centers (CAP-TV), as well as the high risk of potentially fatal accidental overdose and the risk of abuse of these substances.