Refer China: Yunnan Man Climbs 27th Floor After Eating Undercooked Mushroom

Yunnan Man Climbs 27th Floor After Eating Undercooked Mushroom

Man in Yunnan climbed 27th floor on undercooked jianshouqing + alcohol, immortality hallucination. Rescued by friend. Peak season: cook wild mushrooms at 120°C for 15 min.

Tags:

Yunnan

Wild Mushroom Poisoning

Jianshouqing

Hallucination

Food Safety

A bizarre and terrifying mushroom poisoning incident in Yunnan province has gone viral online, after a local man suffered severe hallucinations from eating undercooked wild jianshouqing mushrooms, climbed out of his 27th-floor apartment window and attempted to scale down a water pipe. Mistaking the toxic hallucination for a fantasy-style spiritual trial, the man believed he was “crossing tribulations to attain immortality” before being rescued in the nick of time.

The patient, surnamed Xue, is originally from Jiangsu province but has resided in Yunnan for 40 years. Having long been fond of seasonal wild mushrooms, he regularly cooks wild fungi at home every year. The life-threatening incident took place after Xue consumed leftover jianshouqing mushrooms paired with alcohol. He first fried two portions of the wild mushrooms, eating one serving on the same day and storing the rest in the refrigerator. The next day, he reheated the chilled leftovers inadequately and consumed them with alcohol, triggering severe mushroom poisoning and intense hallucinations.

Lost in vivid delusions inspired by Chinese fantasy novels, Xue thought his family was summoning him to undergo spiritual cultivation and cross mortal tribulations to become immortal. In a trance-like state, he unconsciously climbed out of his high-rise window and attempted to climb down the exterior water pipe, scratching his abdomen during the risky descent.

Miraculously, Xue’s friend living on the 26th floor heard unusual noises outdoors, rushed to the window and spotted him. The friend immediately pulled the disoriented man indoors, preventing a fatal fall. After the rescue, Xue failed to regain consciousness and slipped into a coma. His friends promptly sent him to a local hospital before transferring him to the Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University for emergency treatment.

Dr. Zhu, who oversaw Xue’s treatment, revealed that the patient received urgent gastrointestinal cleansing and a series of emergency rescue procedures. It took several days for Xue to fully recover from the severe poisoning. The doctor explained that the dual triggers of insufficient reheating of overnight mushrooms and alcohol consumption aggravated the toxic reaction and induced extreme hallucinations.

Jianshouqing, literally named “see hand blue” for its blue discoloration when cut or bruised, is a popular local wild psychoactive bolete mushroom in Yunnan. It requires high-temperature cooking above 120°C for no less than 15 minutes to eliminate toxins and become safe to eat. Undercooked jianshouqing commonly causes visual hallucinations, neurological disorders and poisoning symptoms, making it a well-known seasonal health hazard in the province.

June to August marks the peak season for wild mushrooms in Yunnan, attracting numerous locals and tourists eager to taste the unique fresh flavor. However, most wild fungi contain latent toxins and demand professional cooking skills. Dr. Zhu added that mushroom poisoning cases surge every summer, mostly caused by undercooked wild mushrooms. He shared a relatable personal experience, noting that he and his family had suffered jianshouqing poisoning for three consecutive years due to improper cooking.

Recounting his harrowing near-death experience, Xue expressed lingering fear and made a thorough lifestyle overhaul. “I have quit alcohol, wild mushrooms and even smoking, even though they were my top three favourites,” he said.

The shocking incident has sparked heated online discussion and widespread caution among netizens. Many commented on the absurd yet dangerous ordeal, with one user writing, “Thank goodness his friend heard him, otherwise he would really be ‘crossing the tribulation’ forever.” Another netizen vowed to abandon wild mushroom tasting entirely and only choose artificially cultivated mushrooms in the future.

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Editor: Crystal H