Fly Agaric has been used by people for over 10,000 years.
We are a couple from Sussex with a shared love of the natural world.
Brother of Birch was born from the simple belief the nature should inspire curiosity, not fear.
From the familiar Fly Agaric to the countless fungi hidden in our British woodlands, we want to help people look a little closer, learn a little more, and discover just how extraordinary the natural world really is.
A World We've Been Taught to Fear.
For many of us, our first introduction to wild mushrooms comes with a warning.
Don't touch that. Stay away. It might be poisonous.
And while caution is important, we believe there's a difference between respecting nature and being afraid of it.
The woodlands of Sussex, like so many across the UK, are home to an extraordinary variety of wild fungi. From the unmistakable red cap of the Fly Agaric to the smallest mushrooms hidden beneath fallen leaves, there's an entire world waiting to be understood.
We want to help change the way people see fungi. To encourage curiosity, responsible mushroom foraging, proper identification and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Because not every mushroom is safe to eat, but every mushroom has something to teach us.
More Than Meets the Eye.
So, what is Fly Agaric used for?
Fly Agaric has been part of human history for centuries. Long before it became the familiar red-and-white mushroom of fairy tales, it was used in traditional ceremonies and spiritual practices in parts of northern Eurasia.
These days, there's growing curiosity about Fly Agaric, particularly its naturally occurring compounds, muscimol and ibotenic acid, and how they affect the body.
But there's a lot of misinformation out there, too. It can also be poisonous, so understanding the risks matters.
For us, that's part of why Fly Agaric is so interesting. There's the history, the science, the folklore, and still so much we don't fully understand.
We'd rather share what we know, be open about what we don't, and let people make sense of it without the hype.
