Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you are probably aware of Santa and his magical flying reindeer that pull his sleigh. (Spoiler alert) Although in 6th grade I learned that Santa is not real, his flying reindeer are... sort of. The reindeer are not actually flying, but they do believe that they are on account of a hallucinogenic mushroom found through out colder climates in Northern Europe. The fungus, Amanita muscaria, contains a psychoactive chemical called Muscimol that affects an organism's central nervous system and alters perception, mood, and behavior. Reindeer throughout Scandinavia are known to seek out and eat this mushroom for its mind altering affect. After consuming the "magic" mushroom the reindeer commence playing and frolicking as if experiencing the sensation of flying. While reindeer love consuming this mushroom, its psychedelic affects are not for all forest creatures like musk ox which purposely avoid this mushroom. Humans have consumed this mushroom throughout history, including the vikings and have experienced its magical powers.
Happy holidays everyone and if you know a reindeer flying under the influence don't be afraid to reach out and help.
Weird Science-BBC
Posted by Suzanne Sullivan
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I wonder why some species, like the reindeer, would purposely seek this mushroom while others, like the musk ox would purposely avoid it. One would think that the mushroom would have the same effect on both species and thus, induce pleasure in both. Perhaps this is not the case and muscimol has a different effect on the musk ox?
ReplyDeleteThis is the second example I have seen thus far of a species seeking out an edible item that has a mind-altering effect. I saw an episode on Discovery channel once about a group of animals that would purposely eat rotting fruit to get drunk off the alcohol content in the fruit. Its weird knowing that humans aren't the only species trying to get drunk or high. Perhaps animals like the effects of drugs as much as we do!
Posted by James Lin
Oh my god Suzanne! I love your blog post. I remembered I asked the question if reindeers were real and got laughed at by many people. If Santa isn't real couldn't the reindeers too be not real was my thinking. But now I know that they are real but just do not fly.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering since people consume these mushrooms too, do they have the same effect as the reindeer and try to fly. That can lead to a lot of deaths, just saying.
Posted by Whitney Huynh
This article is really funny. I wonder what advantage that reindeer gain from eating this mushroom? Does it have the same effect on them as it does in humans? Is it purely for sustenance?
ReplyDeletePosted by Michael Thomas
That's so neat! I wonder if the folk tale of santa's flying reindeer originated in that area, with humans who ate the same mushrooms as the reindeer and imagined they saw the reindeer flying?
ReplyDeleteDo you know if many other species of animals also consume the mushroom? I wonder what characteristics of the mushroom warn certain animals not to eat it, while it seems to attract other species?
Posted by Johanna Brophy
I think this is my favorite post so far! This is really very interesting. I never would have thought that there was any truth behind this belief that reindeer can fly. Such a fun post for the holidays!
ReplyDeleteYeah I wonder if mushrooms have difference effects on different animals?
Posted By Caroline Adams
This is just more evidence that some animals just like to party! I would love to see this in person, though I'd settle for a video clip. I wonder if this is how the story of flying reindeer came about. Has there been any reports of a reindeer on mushrooms actually trying to fly? Like it jump off a cliff or something? And it looks like the musk ox are the straight edge group of animals in the area.
ReplyDeletePosted by Austin Gray
Interesting post!...How do they know the reindeer believe they are flying? I know they must be prancing around, but is there evidence that they in fact believe they are flying, it would be neat to see some research on the reindeers' brain waves or something along those lines to look at how exactly they are affected. Have humans ever tried them?
ReplyDeletePosted by Caitlin Descovich O'Hare
Fun Post!...Animals doing drugs? Sounds strange, but convincing. Yet, I agree with Caitlin. How do the scientists know that the reindeer are "flying"? What if they are experiencing a different feeling or what if this mushroom is part of some sort of tradition the animals go through? Who knows.
ReplyDeletePosted by: Em Arsenault
I believe that reindeer consume these mushrooms for the same reason that humans do, just to escape reality and have some fun. I doubt that eating these give any beneficial affects, other than euphoria for a few hours. Maybe a musk ox had a bad trip and now the species as sworn off the drug, just a thought.
ReplyDeletePosted by Sara Corey
This is a really funny article. I have heard of hallucinogenic mushrooms before and I always wondered if animals would eat them. How do some animals like the ox know not to eat them? I wonder if its that they have a really strong sense of smell. Also besides altering the deer's mood and perception do these mushrooms have any positive effects, such as nutritional value. I'm just curious what is the main drive for the deer to eat them.
ReplyDeletePosted by Nick Gast
This article was very humorous and very informative. Monkeys also eat fermented fruits for it's alcoholic content to get that good feeling. It's interesting to find out that reindeer, and monkeys like us, enjoying finding that psychedelic good feeling. But is it also an addiction factor for reindeer?
ReplyDeletePosted by Andy Zou