Lung Cancer Study, Oceanic Boundlessness, and a Giant Morel

IN TODAY’S EDITION

1️⃣ Anti-cancer properties 2️⃣ A federal nod to psilocybin 3️⃣ A mushroom hiking shoe

Hi there, Shroomer. As our community grows, we’re trying new ways to serve you mushroom morsels. Want to see different things? More of the same? Reply to any email, any time and let me know! Each response lands right in my inbox 🤎.

Shannon Ratliff, Co-Founder

EYE CANDY

Albanian Village Life 🌍 Easily my new favorite YouTube channel to wind down with, Albanian Village Life captures the serenity of the woods in each vlog. This time around, tag along for a peaceful yet methodical mushroom hunt — and the mouth-watering feast that follows. (ASMR fans, get your headphones ready!)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Anti-cancer properties ⚠️ In a new study, extract from the Termitomyces heimii mushroom selectively killed non-small cell lung cancer cells and restricted the spread of cancer by shielding normal, healthy cells. Yes, it is named for its symbiotic relationship with termites.

Shroom mood 🎭 Cordyceps militaris and Armillaria mellea are renowned for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Researchers found that a combination of the two species alleviated depressive behaviors in rats, paving the way for further studies on how these mushrooms could treat mood disorders.

Medicine of the woods 🐔 Traditional Chinese and Japanese schools of medicine have long revered hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms for their ability to boost our vital life force. Scientists recently isolated a compound from hen of the woods with beneficial immunosuppressant properties.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Feds acknowledge benefits 👍The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, recently updated its website with information about psilocybin’s indigenous history, legal status, safety profile, and potential benefits. This public documentation signals growing federal acceptance of psilocybin research and its potential legislation.

Brain blast 🧠 Psilocybin initiates a pattern of hyperconnectivity and hyperarousal in the brain. This pattern helps foster feelings of unity and “oceanic boundlessneess”, which researchers believe could be key to the mystical and potentially therapeutic effects of a psilocybin experience.

Psychedelic therapy coverage 💵 Atlanta City Council’s Liliana Bakhtiari has asked the city’s HR department to research and consider how psilocybin therapy could help treat PTSD and other mental health issues for city employees. Officials will investigate whether employee health plans could cover treatments.

GROWING GOURMET

Mushroom farming > big pharma 🏠 After two decades as a chemical engineer, Karen Wiseman decided to ditch the corporate world, move to rural Vermont, and start a mushroom farm with her husband. Now the Wisemans’ powders, tinctures, and dried mushroom products are sold across 10 states.

Fungi preservation 🔍 Since agriculture makes up 54% of Ghana’s GDP, threats to fungal diversity can seriously endanger the nation’s food supply and economic livelihood. Ghanaian biologist Jacob Ulzen is mapping mycorrhizal fungi networks to preserve and harness their relationships with crops before erosion and rising sea levels make doing so impossible.

Myco meat madness 🍜 Four new pulled shiitake dishes are coming to Wagamama locations across the U.S. and UK, thanks to a partnership with Australian mushroom-meat makers Fable Food Company. Pulled Shiitake Crispy Otsumami and Edamame, Truffle, and Pulled Shiitake Gyoza? Don’t mind if I do…

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

Forest floor foraging 🏔️ Pacific golden chanterelles have been Oregon’s official state mushroom for 25 years — and it’s time for you to take a breathtaking virtual walk in the woods to hunt for these tasty beauties.

Heads-up, Pennsylvania 🗓️ This year’s Elk County Flora Funga Festival will be on August 24 in Wilcox, PA! Check out the full list of presentations, identification walks, and other fungal festivities in the Facebook announcement here.

Instructional use only 🧑‍🏫 St. Petersburg’s “Learn Euphoria” is Florida’s first institute for the legal and responsible use of psychedelics, offering in-person courses on mushroom cultivation, proper trip sitting, and microdosing.

Michigan’s massive morels 🍄 This giant morel was found in Big Rapids, Michigan — 9.5 inches long and 8.5 inches in circumference. (No weight given.)

MUSHROOM MISCELLANY

Take a hike 🥾 Footwear and hiking clothing maker Merrell just unveiled this mushroom-based hiking shoe that is 100% bio-based and biodegradable. It comes out June 5 and will be available online at places like Merrell and REI. 

Repurposed mushroom waste ♻️ Scientists used steam explosions and hot pressing to turn spent mushroom substrate into sturdy, water-resistant wood composites. This process could help recycle some of the 200 million tons of mushroom substrate waste produced yearly. 

Mushroom-boosted biofuels ⛽ Composted mushroom waste improves the energy parameters of Chinese silver grass, an alternative fuel source. Boosting energy crops with mushroom composts presents yet another way to repurpose the waste from mushroom farming.

Trees need fungi 🌳 Plant and animal populations are relocating to escape climate change — but trees may not be able to flee the heat as easily, due to the underground fungal networks they rely on. Habitat fragmentation severely reduces a fungus’s genetic diversity and increases the risk of extinction.

FUNGUS AMONG US

Black trumpet mushroom (Craterellus cornucopioides)

Coming this June near you 🎺 Lovers of oak and beech trees, these choice gourmet mushrooms have an earthy, slightly sweet taste reminiscent of truffles. They thrive in mossy patches or leaf litter, and are easy for beginners to identify because their only lookalike is the devil’s urn, which grows on wood. Keep an eye out for their unique, bell-shaped caps camouflaged under your feet.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

🇺🇸 If you made it this far and you live in the U.S., we’d love to learn more to tailor our Regional Spotlight.

On Tuesday, we asked how often you replace meat with mushrooms. 45% answered 🙂 Once in awhile; 27% answered 😟 Never; 18% answered 🤤 As often as possible; and 9% answered 🤤 Sometimes.

SPREAD THE SPORES

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