Across Southwest China’s dining spots and bustling markets, one highly sought-after wild mushroom carries an unusual reputation: improper preparation can cause you to hallucinate tiny humans. For generations, those who eat it uncooked have reported strangely uniform trips. Instead of abstract patterns or colors, consumers frequently describe detailed swarms of miniature people running across tables, climbing over furniture, and blending directly into their surroundings.

Lanmaoa asiatica is a popular edible mushroom sold in Yunnan