Lanmaoa asiatica mushroom identified as cause of 'tiny human' hallucinations

"Mushroom Lanmaoa asiatica identified causing 'tiny human' hallucinations" — Science Daily (all) · Science & Medicine

25 Oct 2026

What it means

Researchers have identified a specific mushroom species, found in Yunnan, China, as the cause of rare 'Lilliputian hallucinations' where people see tiny human-like figures. Unlike typical psychedelic mushrooms, it does not contain psilocybin or ibotenic acid; the hallucinations occur only when the mushroom is eaten raw or undercooked. The identification was made via DNA sequencing by a team at the University of Utah, confirming what had been a mysterious syndrome in the region.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is well-attested by multiple reputable secondary sources (Science Daily, BBC, University of Utah press release) that report on a primary research study using DNA sequencing. The reporting is close to the primary source and consistent across outlets, giving high confidence in the identification.

How new

Genuinely new as of the Science Daily article published on 2026-10-25, though earlier coverage (BBC, January 2026) and a university press release (August 2026) foreshadowed the formal identification.