Reishi for Arthritis, Microdosing for Menopause, and Mushroom Supplements

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 2 new Psilocybe species

• 5 tips for crispy mushrooms

• What to look for in mushroom supplements

Hi Shroomers. Today’s email is full of links. I’ll get out of your way.

—Shannon Ratliff

CHAGA FOREVER

@shroomer.life

Asking Jack from @Everyday Dose for a fave 🍄 #mushrooms #mushroomcoffee #chaga #antioxidant #antiaging #naturalwellness

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Hot vs. cold 🧊 Cold water extracts of six medicinal fungi, including chaga and cordyceps, were found to be more effective against breast and lung cancer cells compared to heat-assisted extracts. For instance, the cold water extract of chaga had an IC50 of 701 µg/mL against lung cancer cells, highlighting its potential potency.

Epilsepy relief 💜 This retrospective medicinal mushroom and epilepsy relief study is still open to participants.

Arthritis relief 👏 Reishi extract was administered to rats* with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, and it reduced key inflammation markers like TNF-α by 21% and IL-6 by 27%, while boosting beneficial nitric oxide levels by 28%.

Immortal gums 👄 Similarly, reishi extract was administered to rats* with periodontisis, a common gum disease, and it reduced inflammation by 28% and oxidative stress by 26%. Ganoderma lucidum may have a place in oral care routine as gum disease affects 40% of adults over 30 in the U.S. alone.

*On 🐀 : Scientists test on rats because their genetic makeup, organ systems, and responses to stimuli are like ours.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Hot flash begone 🥵 Hystelica is exploring the impact of microdosing psychedelic substances on menopause and peri-menopause symptoms. The study is open to participants.

Unlocking movement 🚲️ Psilocybin was tested on healthy adults to see its effects on movement, with doses between 5-20 mg showing potential improvements in motor skills. Participants successfully completed movement tasks even at the highest dose, suggesting it could assist in motor retraining for conditions like Parkinson's.

New discoveries 🌍️ Two new species of magic mushrooms, Psilocybe ingeli and Psilocybe maluti, were discovered in southern Africa, growing on bovine manure in South Africa and Lesotho. Basotho healers in Lesotho, known as "lingaka," use them to induce trance-like states for spiritual guidance with a brew of these mushrooms and other local plants.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Cleaner wetlands 🌿 AMF enhances the breakdown of the fungicide tebuconazole in constructed wetlands, achieving an unbelievable 95-98% removal rate within a day.

Alfalfa boost 🐄 Researchers at China Agricultural University found that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly boost the growth, health, and nutrient uptake of alfalfa plants, even in salty soil. This is great news for farmers and gardeners, as healthier alfalfa means better livestock feed.

Invasive weeds 🌿 New Zealand farmers can now use rust fungus to combat the invasive Chilean needle grass, which affects livestock on over 9,000 acres of land. The grass can injure their mouths, eyes, and skin, causing infections and making it harder for them to graze.

GROWING & GOURMET

Tried and true 🥘 Editor Seraiah Alexander shared her tips for perfectly golden mushrooms every time.

Toxic and treasured 🍄 Despite being highly toxic, the false morel is a beloved delicacy in Finland. Don’t try this at home.

Movie night 🍿 Popcorn Polenta with Mushroom Jus. That is all.

QUICK GUIDE

What to look for in medicinal mushroom products

Last summer, mushroom companies like Real Mushrooms and Everyday Dose signed a Citizen Petition with the FDA to ensure you’re getting mushrooms in your mushroom supplements, and not grains with mycelium on them. (Here’s an interview with Real Mushrooms’ CEO Skye Chilton about the petition.)

🍏 The gist of it

Think of the mushroom we see above ground as an apple and the mycelium are the roots of the apple tree. You wouldn’t grind up the roots and call it apple juice, sweets.

🌾 Why companies do it

• It’s cheaper. Fruiting body medicinal mushrooms are an increasingly expensive raw material.

• It’s faster. Why wait on flushes of fruiting bodies when you can grind up half your substrate and call it a day? Tastes like the great whiskey reveal of 2022…

• It’s sexier. For some U.S. buyers, “Made in America,” is a powerful psychological tool. But… medicinal mushrooms are not a Western game, whereas Asian countries have been farming mushrooms and using them for adjunct medicine for centuries.

🔍️ What to look for when buying

1. 100% fruiting bodies. Mycelium isn’t the worst thing, but buyer beware of the ratio of fruiting body to mycelium.

2. Dual-extraction. Medicinal mushrooms need to be broken down to get the good stuff. While a single hot water extraction is good for a shroom like turkey tail, both a hot water and alcohol extraction is best for a hardier shroom like chaga.

3. Active compound testing. Brands happily supply this, but you may need to ask. Because mushrooms are a natural, organic material, their beta-glucan content can change from one crop to the next.

✅ Mushrooms I trust

• Real Mushrooms: Around for over 40 years, they have an extensive catalog of fungi supplements like tremella and ergo.

• Everyday Dose: The only mushroom coffee brand on this list, it tastes really, really good.

• Fresh Cap: Even their Shroomies for dogs have rave reviews.

• Naturealm: Its’ flagship product, Sacred 7, is under research for its effectiveness in managing seizures, especially for those suffering from epilepsy.

• Birch Boys: Their dedication to holistic health and their detailed analyses of their tinctures are educational.

CULTIVATION CORNER

Last week, some of you reached out asking about the best resources for growing mushrooms to support your journey.

😃 Educators

• Soma Phoenix is the founder of Psilly Girls and creates natural health supplements that are rooted in her holistic and sustainable herbal practices. Her Patreon is awesome, and I’ve used the Ghost Pipe Tincture for over a year now for anxiety and can’t say enough good things about it. If you want to try Psilly Girls, ese our code shroomer for 15% off.

• Jacob Devecchio is the founder of Oklahoma Fungi and the Oklahoma Fungi Festival, and is best known for discovering the Oklahoma Wild species. His workshops are a blend of science and art, ad he shares foraged finds on his Patreon, along with event announcements.

• Matt Powers is an educator with a passion for regenerative agriculture and fungi. His teachings are geared towards creating resilient ecosystems, including mushroom cultivation, and his YouTube channel is all about the invisible world plants inhabit.

🎓️ Communities

• Fungi Academy offers comprehensive courses covering everything from beginner basics to advanced techniques in mushroom cultivation. They’re also running a HUGE 100 for $100 sale where 100 students will receive a bundle of ALL of their classes, valuing ~$900, for just $100. Use our code shroomer for 15% off any course.

• MOMs (Moms on Mushrooms) is an online community of moms exploring how mushrooms, both functional and psychedelic, help moms overcome challenges and be more present. There are regional group chats and monthly courses, and Tracey Tee is an incredible steward who’s putting in work debunking myths on the TV circuit.

• DoubleBlind Mag: Known for their deep coverage of psychedelics, DoubleBlind also provides fantastic courses on growing medicinal mushrooms for both novices and seasoned growers.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

MUSH MORE

• Stay in the know. 📰 Bookmark our U.S. Psilocybin Legislation Database.

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