Lanmaoa asiatica, a mushroom recently described by science, causes lilliputian hallucinations of tiny humans across cultures. In China's Yunnan Province, hospitals treat hundreds of cases annually, with visions lasting 12 to 24 hours. The mushroom is a local food, but must be cooked thoroughly to avoid psychoactive effects.

Colin Domnauer, a doctoral candidate at the University of Utah, is identifying the unknown compound responsible. His research confirms the same species exists in the Philippines, with genetic testing. The mushroom's long-duration trips differ from psilocybin, and its chemical basis remains unidentified, posing questions about independent evolution of psychedelic properties.

The mystery extends to Papua New Guinea, where similar historical reports exist. Domnauer's supervisor searched but found no specimens, suggesting the species may not be present or a different mushroom causes comparable effects. This research could reveal new neuroactive compounds and evolutionary parallels in fungi.