Enlarge (credit: Diamond Shruumz)

The number of poisonings connected to Diamond Shruumz-brand microdosing candies has reached 145 cases across 29 states. Since the illnesses first came to light in early June, 59 of those sickened have required hospitalization, and health officials have reported people having seizures, needing intubation, and being admitted to intensive care units. Two deaths are under investigation. Yet, despite tireless efforts to analyze the candies' components, the cause of the poisonings remains a mystery.

Diamond Shruumz suggestively markets the chocolates—as well as its gummies and candy cones—as containing psychedelic drugs but doesn't say what's in them exactly. They're only said to contain a "primo proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms," and the company has identified non-hallucinogenic mushrooms, including Lion's mane, Reishi, and Chaga.

In its latest investigation update Monday, the Food and Drug Administration laid out the testing results of 22 chocolate bars from Diamond Shruumz—and the list of illicit and troubling drugs found keeps growing. Stunningly, none of the drugs found so far can alone explain the severe illnesses.

Enlarge (credit: Diamond Shruumz)

Newly released testing data of Diamond Shruumz-brand gummies purchased in 2023 identified the presence of psilocin, a hallucinogenic drug closely related to the magic-mushroom drug psilocybin that is classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside psilocybin, heroin, and LSD.

The finding comes as Diamond Shruumz's current line of gummies, chocolates, and candy cones is being recalled and are under active investigation in connection to a nationwide rash of severe illnesses, which have involved seizures, intubation, and intensive care. As of the latest update on July 15, 69 people in 28 states have been sickened after eating a Diamond Shruumz product. Sixty of the 69 sought medical care, 36 were hospitalized, and there is one potentially associated death under investigation.

The new finding, published by researchers at the University of Virginia, of psilocin in the products adds to growing concern about psychedelic mushroom candies generally. Although the candies are marketed as being legal, they have often been found to contain various undisclosed illegal drugs or gray market synthetic versions of drugs, as well as dangerous adulterants and contaminants.

Enlarge / Diamond Shruumz's "extremely potent" infused cones in "sprinkles" flavor. (credit: Diamond Shruumz)

More people have reported severe poisonings in an ongoing outbreak marked by people seizing and needing to be intubated after consuming microdose candies made by Diamond Shruumz, the Food and Drug Administration reported Tuesday.

There are now at least 12 reported cases across eight states. All 12 people were ill enough to seek medical care, and 10 needed to be hospitalized. The symptoms reported so far include seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting, the FDA reported.

In Tuesday's update, the FDA also expanded the products linked to the illnesses. In addition to all flavors of Diamond Shruumz's Microdosing Chocolate Bars, the agency's warning now covers all flavors of the brand's Infused Cones and Micro Dose and Macro Dose Gummies.