Mycetism means poisoning from eating a mushroom. A medical review counts about 100 poisonous species and sorts poisonings by toxin, from amatoxins that injure the liver to muscarine in Inocybe and Clitocybe, with onset from 15 minutes to 5 hours (Graeme). The same review notes that children are particularly sensitive and that blue bruising is not a specific sign (Graeme).
The review also says people seeking hallucinogenic mushrooms occasionally eat more toxic species by mistake (Graeme). A CDC report on Amanita poisonings in northern California between November 2025 and March 2026 notes that poisonous mushrooms often look like edible ones and are hard to tell apart by eye (Brandecker et al.).
Timing matters. The Ontario Poison Centre says illness may not start for many hours, that cooking outdoor mushrooms does not make them safe, and that people should call right away rather than wait for symptoms (Ontario Poison Centre). Its line is 1-800-268-9017, open 24 hours a day (Ontario Poison Centre).
General information, not medical advice. In an emergency in Canada, call 911. For a mental-health crisis, call or text 9-8-8.
Sources
- Graeme: Mycetism, a review of the recent literature
- Ontario Poison Centre: Mushrooms
- Brandecker et al.: Amanita species mushroom poisonings, northern California
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