Uncle Frog is an Australian mushroom gummy brand that was recalled in June 2024 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Several hospitalized cases were recorded, with one citation of a Perth woman called Laura Jones, who reported purchasing Uncle Frog mushroom gummies online because she thought the product could help with her anxiety since they contain a natural blend.
Laura Jones' Story Recap
"I've got young kids. I suffer with anxiety, so I thought it would help," Ms. Jones said.
Her husband had seen an advertisement for Uncle Frog's mushroom gummies on Facebook and purchased some for the health-conscious couple.
"I'm not one of these Byron Bay hippies that would ever take a hallucinogenic gummy," she said.
Within an hour of taking just one gummy, the healthy mother-of-three started experiencing disturbing symptoms.
"I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. I was tachycardic; my heart rate was at 160.
"It was the weirdest thing I had ever experienced. I felt really out of my body, and I lost my short-term memory. It was a feeling of impending doom….
"I felt, in all honesty, like I was going to die. I was thinking, 'What is going to happen to the kids?'"
In the weeks since, Ms. Jones said her anxiety had gotten worse.
"My heart rate was elevated for two days afterwards. They (doctors at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital) said whatever was in there caused it. It exacerbated my anxiety, and I'm still struggling now.
"I'm quite traumatized by the whole thing. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."
But what's really inside Uncle Frog mushroom gummies?
According to Uncle Frog's website, the list of ingredients used includes
- Tapioca syrup, sugar, pectin (a mixture of maltodextrin, sodium potassium tartrate, and sodium hexametaphosphate), less than 2% of natural flavors, citric acid, sodium malate, natural color, and stevia.
- 100 mg of hemp (less than 0.1% THC)
- 1000 mg of cordyceps fruiting body
One customer said,
"I can confirm that after drug testing myself, it does indeed show up on drug tests. It comes up as THC. So, I guess that these things are packed full of THC (weed), and this is some underground drug thing," he said.
List of symptoms reported by patients
Queensland's Chief Health Officer, John Gerrard, also issued a statement strongly advising people to avoid consuming the gummies after three people were hospitalized in that state.
Several others were also treated across the country, including hospital presentations in Victoria.
Patients reported a concerning list of symptoms, including
- persistent vomiting,
- seizure-like activity, and
- involuntary movement, as well as
- disturbing hallucinations,
- anxiety,
- loss of consciousness and a racing pulse.
Medical Director of the NSW Poisons Information Centre, Dr Darren Roberts, urged the community not to use the products.
Feedback from other customers who used Uncle Frog's Gummies
Customer 1
"I ate 6 and felt like shit was foggy like the insidious movie.. lmfaoo… I was on a rooftop pool, and the city looked like a clay reenactment. My skin was as white as a ghost, and my man looked like Patrick when he’s sucked up and dry… shit was crazy lmfaoooo."
Customer 2
"I took 3 of these last Friday and had a great time. Walls were melting, the floors were breathing. I felt great.
I took 4 yesterday and had the second-worst experience of my life since taking too many weed edibles several years ago. I was so anxious. I was having a panic attack within 30 minutes, and I was able to relax a bit, but then two hours after eating them, I was not able to calm down. I was so anxious. I felt terrible. After 4-5 hours, I was able to calm down and almost started going back to normal, but I had to have a funny TV show playing while mindlessly scrolling on my phone.
I do not recommend taking these lightly. It is better to have no effects than to take too much and have a panic attack."
Customer 3
"I ate 2 yesterday before work and felt happy goofy. I took 8 tonight and got good melty visuals. I would definitely do it again."
Conclusion: My final thought
Though there has been negative and positive feedback on the Uncle Frog mushroom gummy brand, it is important to note that everyone has different tolerance levels when it comes to mushrooms or weed edibles. Regardless of any claims, it is crucial to use these products with caution or avoid them totally if you are inexperienced or new to mushrooms.
It is paramount to always start with a low dose to gauge your tolerance level, as higher doses can cause unwanted effects and hospitalization in the worst-case scenario.
Always follow the recommended dosage guide when starting with any mushroom edible, be it mushroom chocolate bars or mushroom gummies.
References
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-27/uncle-frog-mushroom-gummies-public-health-warning/104028454
https://sites.google.com/view/unclefrogsgummies/home
https://candyspotblog.wordpress.com/2024/08/19/uncle-frogs-mushroom-gummies-australia-recall/