70% Cancer Cell Reduction, Microdosing Psilocybin vs. ADHD Meds, and Mushrooms for Depression

IN TODAY’S EDITION

1️⃣ 70% reduction in cancer cells 2️⃣ Microdosing psilocybin proves more effective than ADHD medication 3️⃣ High mushroom intake linked to lower depressive symptoms

Hi Shroomer. This week, I’m thinking about what it means when we’re proactive about our health. The news cycle lit the way.

Shannon Ratliff, Co-Founder

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The anti-cancer answer 🥳 Researchers at Canada’s University of Windsor found that, in early trials, maitake mushroom extract killed 70% of cancer cells, proving more effective than chemotherapy drugs. Supported by a $60,000 grant, the team will investigate the extract’s potential further.

Food as medicine ❤️‍🩹 A Korean university study found that high mushroom intake, especially among young women, was linked to lower depressive symptoms. The study linked the power of ergothioneine, antioxidants, and vitamins B and C, in mushrooms after following 1,000 Korean young adults, aged 18 to 39.

The therapeutic potential 🌟 A study from the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Romania and the University of Glasgow found that mushrooms like shiitake and reishi improve gut health. The mushroom compounds boost the immune system and reduce inflammation, which has direct effects on managing diabetes, brain disorders, and cancer.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Amanita warning 🛑 Experts are calling for FDA regulation of Amanita muscaria products, especially those found in gummy format. This type of mushroom does not contain psilocybin, but instead contains toxic hallucinogens, leading to seizures and even death. While the hallucinogens muscimol and ibotenic acid aren’t scheduled drugs, these mushrooms are not listed for human consumption by the FDA.

Buyer beware 🔴 Australia recalled Uncle Frog mushroom gummies after several people were hospitalized with severe symptoms like racing heartbeats and hallucinations. Here in the U.S., similar concerns surface with Diamond Shruumz mushroom products as more people have fallen ill with symptoms such as seizures and acidic blood.

Group think 😏 Psilocybin mushrooms are the most-used psychedelic in the U.S., with 12% of people having tried them and 3.1% using them in the past year, per a new RAND report. Among those reporting past year use of psilocybin, 47% reported microdosing the last time they used.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Myco-moon structures ☄️ NASA's Ames Research Center advances research to "grow" space habitats using fungi. The Mycotecture Off Planet project, funded with $2 million from NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program, aims to create structures on the Moon and Mars. The project also has Earthling applications, such as water filtration and mineral extraction from wastewater.

Arctic mushrooms 🧊 Mycena mushrooms in the Arctic have some of the largest fungal genomes ever discovered. Researchers hypothesize that this huge gene pool can help us learn more about how species at large adapt to extreme environments.

Mushroom acoustics 🔈️ Researchers at Indiana University and the University of North Carolina are developing sustainable acoustic panels made from mycelium, the root-like structure of mushrooms. Mycelium panels don’t bring the risk of traditional materials like petrochemical foam and fiberglass, which are known to cause skin and lung irritation, and long-term illnesses because the minute glass particles that we absorb doesn’t break down in our bodies.

GROWING GOURMET

Mushroom toast 🍞 Chef Sarah Stegner's Creamy Mushroom Toast, from the Chicago Chefs Cookbook, supports Chi-Care, a nonprofit aiding Chicago's unhoused by providing meals, clothing, and hygiene products. This cookbook, featuring recipes from 46 Chicago area chefs, is available at Mariano's, with all proceeds going to Chi-Care.

A new believer 🍽️ You love to see it. Someone just fell in love with beer-battered, deep-fried maitake. Consider this your sign to make it yourself.

Lion’s Mane steaks 🥩 If you’ve never made steak with Lion’s Mane, this video will convince you to grill up. ASAP.

 PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Arizona Governor Hobbs vetoes psilocybin service centers bill

Blocked field goal 🏈 Despite strong bipartisan support, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed the bill for establishing psilocybin service centers, citing insufficient evidence for clinical use and unaccounted costs.

• The context: Senate Bill 1570 aimed to create medically supervised centers and an advisory board for psilocybin therapy and received overwhelming approval from both the Senate and House.

• Governor's rationale: “We do not yet have the evidence needed to support widespread clinical expansion… Arizonans with depression and PTSD deserve access to treatments that may be seen as outside the mainstream, but they should not be the subject of experiments for unproven therapies with a lack of appropriate guardrails.” Unproven therapies…?

• What happens next: Senator T.J. Shope, the bill’s sponsor: “I won’t stop fighting for our veterans and first responders to get the mental health care they deserve in these clinical settings.” ➡️ Read more.  

Microdosing vs. traditional ADHD medication

Microdose breakthrough 🤏 A study from Maastricht University in the Netherlands found that microdosing psychedelics could be more effective than traditional ADHD medications for managing severe symptoms. The research involved 270 adults divided into two groups: one group microdosed psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, while the other used standard ADHD medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines. The study tracked changes in ADHD symptoms, emotional regulation, and empathy over four weeks.

• Emotional regulation: Those in the microdosing group saw significant improvements in how they managed their emotions, especially during stressful situations. They also became less likely to suppress their feelings.

• ADHD symptoms: Participants who microdosed reported noticeable reductions in inattention and hyperactivity, suggesting this approach might work better than conventional treatments.

• Empathy: The microdosing group improved in understanding and adopting others' perspectives, though other aspects of empathy didn't change much. It’s like what the Gottman's say: Fight to understand, not to win. ➡️ Read more. 

FUNGUS OF THE WEEK

Old Man of the Woods (Strobilomyces strobilaceus)

The grumpy guy: The Old Man of the Woods lives up to his name. The adults don’t taste good, but if you can spot a young button one, dry it and grate it with a Microplane. It tastes like truffle. They pop up August through October on hardwoods, but with this weather pattern, we’re hearing there are some early findings. You can’t really encourage these naturally, but if you’re in the right climate and have a green thumb, transporting the soil they’re found in would do the trick.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

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