Mushrooms for Prostate Health, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and Seniors Who Tripped

IN TODAY’S EDITION

1️⃣ Mushrooms & prostate cancer risk 2️⃣ The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 3️⃣ Seniors who tripped

Hi Shroomer. Our new U.S. Psilocybin Legislation database is live! It’s free and updated in real-time. We’re working on an international version.

Shannon Ratliff, Co-Founder

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Buyer beware 🚨 Paul Stamets’ company Fungi Perfecti has issued an urgent warning about counterfeit Host Defense® Mushrooms™ products being sold by unauthorized sellers on eBay and Walmart.

Pumping up yogurt 🥣 New research shows that combining white oyster mushroom extract with synbiotic yogurt creates a potent health duo, enhancing antioxidant levels, fostering beneficial gut bacteria, and reducing cholesterol.

Consequences loading 🌡️ Researchers in China have identified a new yeast pathogen that's worryingly resistant to common antifungal drugs and grows more resistant in warmer temperatures. This discovery hints at how global warming could be making fungal diseases tougher to tackle.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Hi Governor Healey 🤞 The Massachusetts Senate approved a bill that mandates the creation of a working group to evaluate the benefits of psychedelics for veterans, so now all we need is Governor Healey’s signature.

A hard reality 😨 A study from the University of Virginia reveals a dramatic increase in poison center calls, with psilocybin cases tripling among adolescents (13- to 18-year-olds) since the decriminalization of magic mushrooms in cities like Denver in 2019.

Seniors’ secret sauce 🫙 Older adults who have used psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD tend to have better executive functioning, meaning they’re generally sharper at tasks like planning and problem-solving. - Seraiah Alexander

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Be a part of history 🧺 A new project seeking to identify all of the mushrooms in North America is enlisting the help of Missouri mushroom hunters to document their finds. Michiganders can submit their finds here.

A federal grant for fungi 🧪 A Michigan-based startup has secured a grant to explore the potential of fungi in remediating PFAS pollution. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals manufactured and used worldwide since the 1940s. PFAS are "forever chemicals," meaning they don't break down in our bodies or the environment and can accumulate over time.

Summer foraging 🥾 Our guide to the top edible mushrooms for beginner foragers includes the most common in North America with toxic twins and other notes to help you on your foraging journey.

GROWING GOURMET

Health is on the way🍦 Hong Kong Polytechnic University has unveiled AkkMore, a revolutionary fungi-derived fat replacer that promises to slash fat and calorie content in foods while enhancing gut health, potentially transforming the way we indulge in our favorite treats.

Sweet Baby Ray’s 🥩 I still can’t get over Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering’s recipe for lion’s mane steaks, just like I still can’t get over this video of Mark Zuckerberg going ga-ga for it.

A summer soother ☕️ I’ve been sipping this Vegan Reishi Golden Milk for the last six months and I shared my recipe with Naturealm. They’re having a Summer Solstice promo where you’ll get a free Reishi Powder with any purchase using the code REISHI at checkout.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Regular mushroom consumption linked to lower prostate cancer rates

A male cancer shield 🛡️ A groundbreaking Japanese study involving over 36,000 men aged 40 to 79 years old was published after collecting data for 13 years and the results are astonishing.

• The study’s context: Participants reported how often they ate mushrooms: less than once a week, 1-2 times a week, or 3 or more times a week. Researchers tracked who developed prostate cancer using health records from cancer registries.

• The mushrooms don’t lie: Men who ate mushrooms more frequently had a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Those who ate mushrooms one to two times a week had a slightly reduced risk (8%), while those who ate mushrooms three or more times a week had a significantly reduced risk (17%). Furthermore, the protective effect of mushrooms appeared to be stronger in men over 50 years old

• The compounds that matter: The study did not specifically pinpoint which types of mushrooms were most effective at preventing prostate cancer, but it suggests that the mushroom antioxidants like L-ergothioneine and glutathione could play a role in reducing cancer risk, corroborating other oncology studies. 👉️ Read more.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Plastic-eating fungus uncovered in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Checked on our garbage patch lately? 🤢 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is the largest accumulation of ocean plastic, covering an area of around 1.6 million square kilometers, roughly three times the size of Texas.

• The numbers: An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. At this rate, there could be more plastic in the ocean by weight than fish by 2050. Within the GPGP, there are approximately 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic weighing around 80,000 tons.

• The culprit: There are a lot of different types of plastic, but the most common is polyethylene (PE) and it’s found in single-use plastics like water bottles and bags.

• Fungi to the rescue: Researchers collected fungi samples from floating plastic fragments and isolated a fungus called Parengyodontium album, which has a penchant for degrading sun-soaked plastics. It has a special appetite for PE, which it broke down at a rate of 0.05% per day. 👉️ Read more.

FUNGUS OF THE WEEK

Tremella mushroom (Tremella fuciformis)

Nature’s Vaseline: Tremella mushrooms aren't just a treat for the eyes; they're a boon for your skin, too. Known as the beauty mushroom, tremella packs a hydrating punch and comes loaded with antioxidants that help keep your skin supple and glowing. It's like giving your skin a little extra love from nature. 👉️ Read more.

EYE CANDY

An artist at work 🥰 I have two AnnaCanArt mugs and obsessed is an understatement. Just look at that turkey tail face mug she’s holding! I loved seeing her process to craft those gorgeous ceramic beauties. The best part? Her next restock is June 22 at 10:00 a.m. PST.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Last week, we asked how many Shroomers out there forage. 64% answered, “No, I haven’t foraged yet;” 28% answered, “Yes, every now and then;” and 7% answered “Yes, I forage regularly.”

SPREAD THE SPORES

Is shroomer adding some magic to your inbox? We’re so glad! If you love what you’re reading, please spread the spores and forward this email to someone who you think would dig shroomer just as much as you do. Mush appreciated!