Mycophobia: Why We Fear What We Don’t Understand 🍄
Should you really be scared to go out foraging for wild mushrooms? Is it as dangerous as people say?
"Mycophobia" refers to a strong and irrational fear of mushrooms and fungi.
Every time I go out foraging and find some beautiful gourmet mushrooms, my friends and family always say the same thing — “Isn't that dangerous? I'd never risk eating wild mushrooms…”
To each their own — but there is little risk in foraging wild mushrooms if you follow a few simple rules.
So… is mushroom foraging as dangerous as people think? Can wild mushrooms really kill you, or is mycophobia an overblown fear?
Let's explore the risks of picking wild mushrooms and explore the best practices for doing so safely.
Understanding Mycophobia
Most people aren't scared of the mushrooms they select at the supermarket but are terrified by the thought of eating, or even touching, mushrooms collected from the wild.
It's true; some mushrooms are toxic. And while most toxic shrooms will make us feel sick for a while, a few can certainly kill us.
The fallacy here is that because some wild mushrooms are toxic enough to kill us, all mushrooms harvested from the wild should be avoided…
Yet this line of thinking doesn’t apply to other foraged foods. Many wild plants, such as hemlock, deadly nightshade, or foxglove, are all highly toxic — even deadly. Yet we still enjoy foraging for wild berries, herbs, and other edible plants, trusting that with proper knowledge, we can safely identify and enjoy them.
Similarly, wild mushrooms can be safely foraged by those who take the time to learn and understand them.
Mushroom Mimics: The Key to Safe Foraging
There are more than 10,000 species of mushroom-producing fungi on Earth, but only about 20 or 30 are commonly foraged as food around the world.
Most of these common gourmet species are very easy to identify and have few "true" lookalikes.
Of course, there are a few exceptions to this. For example, the choice edible Chanterelle mushroom (Cantharellus cibarius) has two lookalikes that can be difficult to tell apart.
The Jack O’ Lantern (Omphalotus illudens) looks almost identical to the Yellow Chanterelle. If mistaken, eating this mushroom can cause serious stomach discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. The “False Chanterelle” (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca) looks even more similar and is also inedible.
Both of these imposter species are easy to mistake for Chanterelle mushrooms by the inexperienced forager. Misidentifying them could lead to some serious gut issues lasting a day or more.
But even these inedible lookalikes are easy to differentiate if you look just a little more closely.
Chanterelle mushrooms have distinct forked ridges that run down the stem, while both lookalike species have true gills that stop abruptly at the stem. To the amateur mushroom harvester, details like this could go unnoticed, but armed with just a little bit of knowledge, this difference is clear and unmistakable.
Mushroom hunting is safe if you take the time to learn the defining features of your target mushrooms. You don't need a PhD in mycology or a microscope — you just need to know some simple mushroom anatomy and the characteristics of the species you're hunting.
5 Simple Rules For Safe Mushroom Foraging
Always cook or boil wild harvested mushrooms.
Never keep a mushroom you can't confidently identify.
Always know the poisonous lookalikes of the species you're hunting.
Harvest only fresh, healthy mushrooms; avoid any that are decaying or have insect damage.
Use multiple sources for identification — never rely on one source of information.
Fungi Fear Factor: Why Do Wild Mushrooms Scare Us So Much?
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, wild fungi used to be a major part of our diets, especially across Northern Europe, Russia, Siberia, Asia, and South America.
Several factors could be responsible for the widespread mycophobia in the Western population. From survival instinct to media influence, here's why so many of us are afraid to go foraging for food in the forest…
1. Is Mycophobia A Survival Instinct?
If mushrooms can kill, it's possible that the mass “fear” of wild mushrooms could be a survival instinct. A part of the collective unconscious that warns us to avoid the fleshy alien-like growths that pop out of decaying trees and leafy forest floors.
This sort of fear is also common with things like snakes, spiders, and bears — all dangers one could imagine have caused many people to die over the years — leading to a collective (and defensive) fear installed into each and every one of us at birth.
However, as a species, we've consumed mushrooms for millennia. It's unlikely that mycophobia itself is instinctual.
It's more realistic to believe that mycophobia comes from our disconnection from the natural world around us. Cultures that still live off the land (hunter-gatherers) have a connection to nature and the food it provides.
In the West, the hunting and gathering most of us do take place at the supermarket. Most of the time, we don't have any idea what it is we're even eating. Everything comes pre-processed and wrapped in plastic to let us know it's safe to eat.
The dissociation between food and nature could be the reason most of us fear wild mushrooms.
2. Mushrooms in Folklore
There's a long history of mushroom-related folklore in the West. In these stories, mushrooms are often depicted as mystical, dangerous, and sinister. Wild mushrooms are often associated with supernatural beings, dark magic, and death.
The negative sentiment of mushrooms in our folklore likely contributes to the fear and distrust so many people have towards mushrooms today.
In European folklore, mushrooms were often associated with witches and supernatural beings. Marasmius oreades (a common field mushroom) grows in large circles — they are known as “fairy rings” in Europe. These rings were associated with supernatural forces and were often seen as an omen. In folklore, the appearance of fairy ring mushrooms was connected with illness, curses, and even abduction by supernatural beings.
For a while, mushrooms were believed to be powerful, magical organisms that could be used to create potions for black magic. Getting caught with wild mushrooms during the witch trials could lead to a horrific burning or drowning by the state. People feared mushrooms and wouldn't touch them for fear of being portrayed as witches.
Although today we don't burn “witches” at the stake for having a bag of button mushrooms, the irrational fear may have been passed down through generations.
3. Mycophobia in the Media
For more than 2000 years, since the introduction of the first newspapers of the Roman Empire, stories of mushroom poisonings have been a popular topic of reporting.
Horror stories involving individuals, families, and even entire classes that have died from eating poisonous mushrooms have been portrayed by the media. These reports are often designed to induce fear — encouraging the public to avoid wild mushrooms. Reading stories of accidental deaths through wild mushroom consumption month in and month out can make a relatively rare event seem common.
The dangerous, taboo picture the media has painted of wild mushrooms is likely one of the main reasons most of the population fears fungi.
Is the Fear Overblown?
The fear of wild mushrooms is warranted. After all, some mushrooms can kill you. However, it's definitely overblown. Most mushrooms are edible; not all of them are choice edibles, but the majority won't kill you or even give you an upset stomach.
Only 3% of mushrooms globally are poisonous, and less than 100 fungi species are responsible for recorded mushroom-related poisonings. Among these 100 species, less than 20 are considered “deadly” — where eating a single cap could kill.
I'm not saying you should go out picking any and every wild mushroom you find for your dinner, but with these figures, the chances of inflicting serious harm on yourself is pretty slim.
A 2018 study analyzed data from 18 years' worth of reports logged in the National Poison Data System. Researchers in the study reported an average of about 3 people die each year in the United States from mushroom poisoning.
A whopping 90% of the 52 reported deaths over this 18-year period were related to a specific group of compounds called cyclopeptides. These compounds are found in the most dangerous species of mushrooms, such as Amanita phalloides (the Death Cap mushroom), Amanita virosa (the Destroying Angel), and Galerina marginata (Funeral Bell).
These poisonous compounds inhibit RNA polymerase II, preventing transcription and leading to cell death — mainly in the liver and kidneys.
The only one of these species that even closely resembles gourmet edible mushrooms is Galerina marginata, which looks a lot like the edible honey mushroom to the untrained eye. However, much like the false chantarelles, Galerina marginata provides us with some clear markers to differentiate it from its edible cousin (such as dark spores and lack of small black scales on the caps).
Knowing some simple identification features and basic foraging rules is all you need to avoid mistakenly eating these toxic species.
List of the Most Common Edible Mushrooms & Their Risk For Misidentification
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) — 🟢 Low Risk (No Lookalikes)
Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) — 🟢 Low Risk (Few mild lookalikes like Elm Oyster [Hypsizygus ulmarius], which is also edible)
Porcini (Boletus edulis) — 🟢 Low Risk (Bitter Bolete [Tylopilus felleus] lookalike, which is not toxic but tastes very bitter)
Maitake (Grifola frondosa) — 🟢 Low Risk (No toxic lookalikes, sometimes confused with Berkeley's Polypore, which is edible but not palatable)
Black Trumpet (Craterellus cornucopioides) — 🟢 Low Risk (No dangerous lookalikes; some confusion with inedible species like Chanterelles in immature stages)
Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum) — 🟢 Low Risk (No dangerous lookalikes; may be confused with inedible, mildly bitter Hydnellum species)
Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum) — 🟢 Low Risk (No dangerous lookalikes; Lobster Mushroom is actually a parasitic fungus that grows on other mushrooms, usually safe)
Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp.) — 🟡 Medium Risk (Jack O' Lantern [Omphalotus illudens] and False Chanterelle [Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca] lookalikes, which are toxic)
Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) — 🟡 Medium Risk (Inky Caps [Coprinopsis atramentaria] lookalike, which can cause sickness if consumed with alcohol)
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus spp.) — 🟡 Medium Risk (Jack O' Lantern (Omphalotus illudens) lookalike at certain stages of growth, which is toxic)
Enoki (Flammulina velutipes) — 🟡 Medium Risk (Galerina marginata lookalike, which is highly toxic)
Blewit (Clitocybe nuda) — 🟡 Medium Risk (Lepista irina and some Cortinarius spp. lookalikes, some of which are toxic)
Puffballs (Calvatia, Lycoperdon spp.) — 🟡 Medium Risk (Can be confused with immature Amanita species, which are highly toxic)
Morels (Morchella spp.) — 🟡 Medium Risk (Poisonous lookalikes exist and are toxic if consumed raw, but easy to differentiate if you look closely)
Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis) — 🔴 High Risk (Chlorophyllum molybdites, Leratiomyces ceres, and Panaeolus foenisecii lookalikes, which can cause severe gastric upset)
Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Cap) — 🔴 High Risk (Galerina marginata, Conocybe filaris, and Panaeolus foenisecii lookalikes, which are all toxic)
Summary: Is Mycophobia a Justified Caution or an Exaggerated Fear?
You should definitely be cautious of wild mushrooms and never consume any fungi unless you're 100% of its identity. However, if you learn how to properly identify edible mushrooms and how to avoid their lookalikes, mushroom foraging is both rewarding and safe.
Several of us at Tripsitter have been foraging wild mushrooms for years and never once gotten sick. This is because we know what subtle traits to look for in the species we're hunting and avoid species we can't ID with confidence.
Foraging brings a surprising range of health benefits. Walking in nature, breathing in the fresh air, and getting in tune with the origins our food comes from can have a profound impact on our mental and physical health.
Many of the mushrooms you find in the wild are highly nutritious and provide several benefits to physical and mental well-being. You can also find rare gourmet mushrooms that simply aren't available at the grocery store.
If you're looking for a rewarding excuse to get out into nature, consider mushroom foraging. Get over your fear of mushrooms and learn how to identify wild fungi accurately. It's really not as complicated as it sounds.
Start with species such as Boletus edulis (Porcini), Morchella esculenta (Yellow Morel), Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane), and Hydnum repandum (Hedgehog mushrooms).
These species are easy to identify and have few poisonous lookalikes (none if you know what you're looking for).
How to Get Started
The best way to begin mushroom foraging is to buy a guidebook, head out into the bush, and start trying to identify the mushrooms you find.
Take close-up pictures of your discoveries, including the underside with the gills and stem. Even if you’re not comfortable eating the shrooms you find yet, learning to notice the subtle details between your findings is the best way to get your feet wet in this rewarding pastime.
Joining a local mycological society is another great place to meet people with the knowledge and experience to begin your mushroom foraging journey. Most are either free of have a low yearly fee to join.
Mushroom ID Book Recommendations
Interested in mushroom foraging? A solid guidebook is an essential piece of kit.
However, it's important you get something from a reputable author so you don't end up like this family who bought an AI-generated mushroom ID book filled with wrong information.
Here are 7 tried and tested guidebooks from known mycological legends:
Mushrooms Demystified — David Aurora (General Mushroom Guide)
Mushrooms — Roger Phillips (General Mushroom Guide)
Field Guide to Mushrooms — The National Audubon Society (General Mushroom Guide)
Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fungi of Coastal Northern California — Noah Siegel and Christian Schwarz (West Coast USA/Canada)
Foraging Mushrooms Identification Field Guide of the Midwest: Wild Edible Mushrooms and Recipes of North America — Bleu Sayles (For Midwest USA)
Mushrooms of the Northeast: A Simple Guide to Common Mushrooms — Teresa Marrone (North East USA/Canada)
Psilocybe Mushrooms of the World — Paul Stamets (Magic Mushrooms Only)
Further Reading:
Fungi at Your Fingertips: Exploring the Best Mushroom Identification Apps
Eager to Pick Magic Mushrooms? Here’s How to Know When It’s Harvest Time
Mushroom Santa: The Strange Correlations Between Christmas Tradition & Amanita Mushrooms
Amanita Muscaria: Fly Agaric — The Psychedelic “Mario” Mushroom
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