Trend Hobby Mushroom Picking: The Forest as a 'Bullshit-Free Zone' - Mushroom Hunting Surges in Urban Areas: Experts Warn of Dangers
Mushroom hunting, once a niche hobby, has surged in popularity, particularly in urban areas like Berlin. This trend, boosted by the pandemic, is driven by curiosity about medicinal species and social media influencers. However, experts warn of potential dangers.
The motivations behind mushroom hunting have evolved. Alongside culinary interest, there's now a growing fascination with medicinal varieties. Expert Moritz Schmid advises caution, recommending taste tests for some species like the Russula genus, but warns against experimenting with unknown mushrooms.
The pandemic has played a significant role in this boom. As people sought nature and new hobbies, mushroom foraging became increasingly popular. Despite online resources, mushroom-related poisonings remain common, with thousands of inquiries annually in Germany's poison control centers. Schmid emphasizes the importance of collecting younger, smaller mushrooms to avoid overripe specimens that can cause poisoning.
Social media, particularly Facebook groups and influencers like @pilzaddicted with over 240,000 followers, has fueled this trend. However, even popular mushrooms like the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) can trigger intense hallucinations if consumed. Schmid, who prefers to forage alone, advises against relying solely on social media for identification.
Mushroom hunting's popularity continues to rise, driven by curiosity about medicinal species and social media influencers. While online resources are abundant, expert advice and caution are crucial to ensure safe and responsible foraging.
