FDA warns of microdosing products linked to severe illness

The FDA says anyone with "Diamond Shruumz" products should destroy and discard them after multiple people developed severe illness after consuming the products.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Those who recently purchased or own any products from the brand "Diamond Shruumz" are advised to throw them away after multiple people were hospitalized after consuming the microdosing edibles.

According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), at least 58 people in at least 27 states developed severe illness after consuming Diamond Shruumz products, and 30 cases resulted in hospitalizations due to some experiencing seizures or loss of consciousness.

The DOH says one case of serious illness has been identified in Washington, specifically in a resident of Grant County.

The products come in forms such as chocolates, gummies, and cones. They could be purchased online, in-person at a variety smoke/vape shops, or at other stores that sell hemp-derived products.

Diamond Shruumz products (via FDA)

The DOH says these products may contain a number of unidentified substances, including Muscimol, a compound found in Amanita muscaria mushrooms. Amanita muscaria is known to have toxic and psychoactive substances.

Diamond Shruumz apparently recalled their products back on June 27, but they may still be on the shelves in some stores. Anyone in possession of a Diamond Shruumz product is urged to destroy and discard it, and contact the company for a refund.

"The wholesalers contacted us roughly about two weeks ago and the moment we got notice we pulled them off the shelves," said John Lu, owner of Evergreen Smoke and Vape.

Edible products containing small amounts of psychedelic mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are not unfamiliar to many local smoke shops.

"It gives you a really chill, relaxed effect," Lu said. "For us, we carry a lot of the TRE House."

On June 7, it was reported that six people were hospitalized after eating Diamond Shruumz chocolate bars. The cases occurred in Arizona, Indiana, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

Other symptoms of consuming Diamond Shruumz products, and possibly similar types of mushroom-containing products, include:

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Fast or slow heart rate
High or low blood pressure
Coughing
Choking
Excessive sweating or secretions
Flushed skin
Trouble breathing
Hallucinations
Uncontrolled movements
Coma

One potential death associated with the Diamond Shruumz products is under investigation.

"For the most part, our food supply is heavily regulated. But I think these new markets, whether it's edibles, shrooms, marijuana brownies, it's a harder thing to do that, especially when they are being sold online," said Bill Marler, foodborne illness lawyer and attorney.

It's unknown if any other edible microdose products are also currently under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"When you see these people getting seizures, decreased levels of consciousness, respiratory failure, nausea and vomiting, I anticipate those numbers are going to grow as the DOH does more investigations," Marler said.

Contact the Washington Poison Center by calling 1-800-222-1222 if you become ill from eating Diamond Shruumz or another brand of mushroom-containing "microdose," "tripping," or hallucinogenic products. If you experience severe symptoms, please seek medical attention.

The DOH, FDA, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are all warning about the dangerous edible products.

You can learn more about the full investigation into Diamond Shruumz products on the FDA's website.