The Food and Drug Administration has found psychoactive substances in Diamond Shruumz products after consumers became ill. As of August 30, 2024, 158 illnesses have been reported from 32 states; 63 have been hospitalized, and there are two potentially associated deaths. In addition to vomiting and nausea, reports of severe symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, agitation, abnormal heart rates, and high or low blood pressure.
Diamond Shruumz is a manufacturer of chocolate and gummy edibles infused with mushrooms; the brand advertises many of its products as beneficial to mental health and wellbeing. As with any product making vague health or wellness claims, consumers should be wary, because these claims are often illegal and made without FDA review or approval
Diamond Shruumz products under investigation
Following reports of serious adverse reactions, the FDA has initiated an illness outbreak investigation. All Diamond Shruumz products have been recalled and should not be sold or purchased.
As part of their investigation, the FDA, along with partners in multiple states, collected and tested multiple Diamond Shruumz-brand products. In June 2024, these test results identified the psychoactive substances—4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (or 4-acetoxy-DMT, also known as O-acetylpsilocin or psilacetin)—in two products (Diamond Shruumz Dark Chocolate Bar and Diamond Shruumz Birthday Cake Chocolate Bar). Additionally, the sampled Dark Chocolate Bar also contains desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain.
In September, the FDA reported that ibotenic acid and muscimol were detected in a raw ingredient that was reportedly used in the manufacturing of some Diamond Shruumz-brand products. Pregabalin, a prescription drug, was found in three Chocolate Bar samples and five Infused Cone samples.
Psilacetin is closely related to the illegal drug psilocybin and can induce hallucinations, visual illusions, and other sensory changes like psilocybin according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Desmethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and kavain are commonly found in kava, a plant sometimes sold as a dietary supplement, and can also have psychoactive effects, causing dizziness, loss of coordination, and sedation. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have raised safety concerns with kava because it has been linked to liver toxicity in human and animal studies and carcinogenicity in animal studies conducted by the US National Toxicology Program. FDA has declared that kava is not “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, effectively making it illegal to use in food.
Ongoing testing, recall underway
Additional testing for Diamond Shruumz-brand products is in progress; some results are available as of Sep. 5, 2024.
The FDA is advising consumers to avoid these and all other Diamond Shruumz products, which are now recalled and should not be sold, purchased, or consumed.
Learn more: How food companies sneak new ingredients past the FDA
