Washington, D.C. — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a detailed investigation following reports that microdosing products by Diamond Shruumz could be linked to severe illnesses and even two fatalities. The company, which had previously issued a recall for these products in June, is now under scrutiny as the cases have escalated to national concern.
Earlier this week, the FDA updated the public on the situation, revealing that a total of 74 people across 28 states have reported sickness linked to these products. Of these, 62 individuals sought medical treatment, and 38 required hospitalization. Two deaths are currently being investigated to determine their possible connection to the products.
Diamond Shruumz advertises its range as “microdose” edibles, which are generally small doses of psychedelics believed by some to enhance mental health and creativity—a practice that has seen a rise in popularity in various sectors, including among tech workers in Silicon Valley and several business leaders.
Although Diamond Shruumz asserts that its products do not contain psychedelic substances, recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detected the presence of psilocin—a Schedule 1 substance and an active component in some psychedelic mushrooms—in the company’s gummies. Psilocin was specifically identified in a batch of the product distributed in Virginia, where the substance remains illegal.
The CDC also found issues in five other cases where individuals were hospitalized after consuming gummies that were supposed to contain only the legal mushroom Amanita muscaria. The recall initiated by Diamond Shruumz’s parent company, Prophet Premium Blends, highlighted that the products contained muscimol, a psychoactive compound from Amanita muscaria. The FDA indicated that muscimol could be linked to symptoms like those observed in the reported illnesses.
The initial FDA warning specifically named several of Diamond Shruumz’s offerings, including their microdosing chocolate bars, Infused Cones, Micro-Dose Gummies, and Mega-Dose/Extreme Gummies. Following the declaration, consumers who consumed these products reported a range of severe reactions such as seizures, reduced central nervous system function, irregular heart rhythms, and vomiting.
The company has since warned consumers against the consumption of their products during the ongoing investigation, citing higher than usual levels of muscimol and severe reactions experienced by consumers who ingested the full chocolate bar or other products.
The FDA and Diamond Shruumz are working collaboratively to determine the exact causes of the adverse effects reported. Meanwhile, representatives for Diamond Shruumz remained unavailable for comment regarding the latest developments. The regulatory body also stressed the importance for consumers to exercise caution, as products labeled as containing psychedelic or nootropic properties might not correctly represent their true contents.
This incident vividly underscores the broader risks and regulation requirements associated with the burgeoning industry of edibles and alternative health products, particularly those claiming to offer mental health benefits through substances that are not yet legally sanctioned or thoroughly vetted for consumer safety in all states.