🚙 The Mushroom Leather Interior, Please

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 1️⃣ Marine fungi extract performs as well as Alzheimer’s drug

• 2️⃣ The effect of psilocybin on emergency workers experiencing burnout

• 3️⃣ A Cadillac with mycelium leather

GROW TO KNOW

"Coffee tends to be pretty acidic, so it’s a gut disruptor, but Everyday Dose is low acidity, so it doesn’t disrupt your gut."

We caught up with Jack Savage, founder of Everyday Dose, at the Texas Mushroom Conference, where he shared how his journey from ADHD meds led him to create a healthier coffee alternative packed with Lion’s Mane, Chaga, collagen, and L-theanine for a gut-friendly energy boost. Jack also talks about the importance of transparency in the mushroom world.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Breathe easy 🫁 Ophiocordyceps sinensis can help relax airway muscles, potentially improving breathing for those with asthma or other respiratory issues, evidenced in a new study. The cultivated strain OCS02® outperformed common treatments like salbutamol and worms in the lab even experienced a 17% longer lifespan.

Alzheimer’s treatment from the sea 🪸 Daldinia eschscholtzii, a marine fungus isolated from coral reefs, was shown to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme targeted in Alzheimer’s treatment. The extract, which performed nearly as well as the drug Galantamine, contains compounds like 4,7-dihydroxycoumarin and interacted with the AChE enzyme, suggesting a new source of natural compounds for developing treatments.

Powers unlocked ⚡️ Hybrid mushroom strains created from Pleurotus sajor-caju and Calocybe indica were found to inhibit enzymes related to type II diabetes, such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, while also displaying strong antimicrobial effects against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Reducing the risk of surgery complications 🥼 A polysaccharide called AM-1, extracted from the edible Agaricus blazei Murrill, shows great potential in fighting implant-associated infections (IAIs), a serious complication in orthopedic surgery, by enhancing the infection-fighting abilities of macrophages, helping to prevent infection-related bone damage in animal models.

Life-saving tech 💓 Researchers developed a sensor capable of detecting deadly alpha- and beta-amanitin toxins in wild mushrooms at incredibly low levels. Practicaly, it could be deployed in hospitals to test urine samples from patients suspected of mushroom poisoning, allowing doctors to confirm the presence of deadly toxins like alpha- and beta-amanitin in minutes. It could also be used by foragers or food inspectors to test wild mushrooms for these toxins before they are consumed, preventing poisoning incidents altogether.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Self-administered doses 🦺 A study reviewed the effect of psilocybin on occupational burnout (OB) in five emergency medical service workers (EMSW). Participants self-administered a therapeutic dose of psilocybin, leading to improvements in OB, PTSD, and job stress, and were observed two weeks post-session and sustained for two months. Emotional breakthroughs and psychological insights were crucial contributors to these results. However, the study's small sample size and naturalistic design limit its generalizability, emphasizing the need for further research.

A moment for celebration 🎉 The Rosalind Franklin Society (RFS) honors groundbreaking research by women and underrepresented scientists through an annual award, offering $100,000 across 100 peer-reviewed journals. The 2023 award went to a team studying the psychological effects of dextromethorphan (DXM) versus psilocybin in healthy participants, revealing that psilocybin had more favorable outcomes.

How it works 🎆 Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, alters perception by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, leading to enhanced sensory experiences like vivid colors and patterns. It also disrupts the brain's default mode network, allowing users to break free from rigid thought patterns and promoting emotional healing.

Power in vulnerability ❤️‍🩹 Country singer Maren Morris opened up about a difficult psychedelic experience that had a profound impact on her. Struggling with postpartum issues and mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, Morris turned to a guided psilocybin trip in London to gain clarity. She described the experience as a "nightmare" and compared it to an "ego death," revealing that it forced her to confront feelings of losing control, both as a new mother and as someone who had been a child performer, relying on external validation for years. Sharing stories like this reminds me that it’s not all beautiful visions and cloudlike clarity—doing the work is difficult.

Study participants needed 📣 A new study is recruiting women diagnosed with fibromyalgia for a research study on psilocybin as a treatment. Participation is voluntary, confidential, and part of a clinical psychology dissertation.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

With the mushroom leather 😎 MycoWorks and General Motors introduces the Cadillac SOLLEI, the first car to feature mycelium leather in its interior. MycoWorks’ Fine Mycelium™, a sustainable, leather-like material made from mushroom roots, is used in the charging mats and door pockets. As the auto industry seeks greener alternatives, I hope this partnership sets the stage for even more mycelium-based designs.

Greener alternatives ♻️ Recent research suggests fungi could be a game-changer in agricultural pest control. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are beneficial for managing pests like aphids and spider mites, and some strains even enhance plant growth.

Birds of a feather 🦜 New Zealand’s colorful truffle-like fungi evolved to attract birds for spore dispersal due to the lack of native land mammals. Unlike their dull, subterranean counterparts found elsewhere, these vibrant fungi grow above ground and appeal to birds, which rely on vision to locate food. This bird-fungi relationship plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems by facilitating nutrient cycling.

Calling fungi fans 🤩 Does your state have an official mushroom? If not, the Mycological Society of America wants to help you kick off the movement.

COOKING WITH MUSHROOMS

1. 🍫 Chocolate Mushroom Mousse

2. 🥘 Creamy Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff

3. 🍝 Chanterelle Pasta with Roasted Garlic-Wine Sauce

4. 🥣 Mushroom Bourguignon

5. 🔥 Mushroom Fire Cider

FORAGED FINDS

📺️ What to watch

My Old Ass, a coming-of-age story, is out in select theaters today after a favorable Sundance premiere this January. While high on mushrooms, Elliott is visited by her 39-year-old self, played by Aubrey Plaza, who comes bearing advice.

🍄 What to shop

Birch Boys is offering 30% off their Fungi Five tincture using the code MUSHMONTH. Fungi Five is a double-extracted tincture blend of chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, turkey tail, and maitake fruiting bodies and sclerotium only.

MUSH MORE

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