WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration is currently probing the link between products from Diamond Shruumz, a company known for its “microdose” edibles, and a series of adverse health events including two deaths. The company had previously recalled its products in June after reports of illnesses began to surface across various states.
As of late July, the FDA has received reports of 74 illnesses across 28 states related to the consumption of Diamond Shruumz products. Among those affected, 62 have sought medical treatment, 38 have required hospitalization, and two deaths are under scrutiny for potential connections to the products.
Diamond Shruumz, owned by Prophet Premium Blends, markets a range of products including chocolate bars, infused cones, and gummies. These products are promoted for their supposed benefits to mental health and creativity, a practice known as microdosing that has gained popularity especially in business circles in Silicon Valley and among some corporate executives.
Despite the company’s assertion that its products do not contain psychedelic substances, they are advertised to provide an “experience” akin to one. However, recent investigations have raised concerns about their safety. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified the presence of psilocin, a Schedule 1 controlled substance, in some of the company’s gummies analyzed in Virginia where the substance is illegal.
The same report mentioned cases where individuals required hospital assessments after consuming gummies labeled to contain Amanita muscaria, a mushroom that remains legal but can have psychoactive effects. The recall initiated by Diamond Shruumz pointed to the inclusion of muscimol, a psychoactive compound found in Amanita muscaria, as a possible cause of the symptoms reported by consumers. This compound, according to the FDA’s notice, matches some symptoms evident in individuals who fell ill, such as seizures, abnormal heart rates, and severe nausea.
The FDA initially alerted consumers to avoid Diamond Shruumz’s microdosing chocolate bars in early June before expanding the warning later that month to include the company’s Infused Cones and both Micro-Dose and Mega-Dose/Extreme Gummies.
The statement on Diamond Shruumz’s website highlights the seriousness of the situation, cautioning consumers against ingesting their products while investigations by the FDA continue. They emphasized that adverse health effects were noted particularly in cases where consumers ingested entire chocolate bars or products containing abnormally high levels of muscimol.
A CDC report recently cautioned consumers about products advertised as containing psychedelic or nootropic mushroom extracts, warning that labels might not accurately describe contents, leading to unexpected and potentially toxic effects. This statement underscores the regulatory challenges and health risks posed by the burgeoning market for microdosing products.
Prophet Premium Blends and representatives of Diamond Shruumz have yet to respond to requests for comment on the ongoing investigation. The FDA has reiterated that they will update their advisories as more information becomes available, stressing the importance of consumer safety in the rapidly evolving investigation.