Two young children were hospitalized Sunday after they apparently ate chocolate containing hallucinogenic mushrooms during a family vacation, Hebrew-language media reported.
The 5- and 6-year-old were taken to Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya with dilated pupils and experiencing hallucinations.
Tests found that while the children’s blood and breathing were stable, they were suffering neurological symptoms.
Medical staff consulted with the Israel Poison Information Center, and it was determined that it was likely the children had ingested some form of psychedelic, the reports said.
The two children from central Israel are not siblings, and were on a group vacation in the north with their respective parents.
According to Channel 12 news, one of the parents has taken responsibility for the incident.
There was no comment from police.
In a statement, the hospital said it was a “serious and life-threatening incident.”
Dr. Sali Makhum, a physician at the pediatric emergency department of the hospital, said in a statement that the children were admitted to intensive care for observation.
“The children came to us in a state of confusion, dilated pupils, and active hallucinations. We immediately acted to stabilize them, and in coordination with the National Poison Center, we began treatment and monitoring,” she said.
“Due to the volatile nature of this type of poisoning, they were transferred for continued continuous supervision in pediatric intensive care.”
