Psilocybin vs. Lexapro, Benefits of Truffles, and Mycelium Shoes

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 1️⃣ Truffles are great for you

• 2️⃣ Bipartisan lawmakers want to hear from you

• 3️⃣ 10% off Montreal Mushroom Festival tickets

Hi Shroomer. Wow, a lot of news this week. I didn’t realize how bad peeing out medicine was for the environment.

—Shannon Ratliff

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Stay alert 🚨 The CDC and FDA are still fielding the Diamond Shruumz outbreak, but a new case study on a 17-year-old girl who ingested one of the chocolate bars was released. She experienced severe neurological symptoms, including myoclonic jerks, due to muscimol, a neurotoxin found in Amanita muscaria. Despite requiring intubation, she recovered within hours, but this is documented as one of the first reports of A. muscaria ingestion from a commercial medicinal mushroom product.

Weight management ⚖️ A new study explores the potential of Lactobacillus rhamnosus-fermented oyster mushrooms (FOM) in reducing obesity caused by a high-fat diet. The research found that FOM better regulated obesity by targeting gut health, lipid metabolism, and reducing inflammatory markers.

Coming soon 📗 A new book, Advances in Cordyceps Research: Prospects and Avenues, set for release later this year, delves into the Cordyceps species, reviewing decades of research. With chapters on health benefits, habitat threats, and marketed products, it already looks like it’ll be an invaluable resource for cultivators and researchers.

Good and good for you 😋 Truffles aren’t just a luxury ingredient, they're also packed with health benefits. They contain bioactive compounds like phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and polysaccharides that offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. These compounds help reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and support liver health.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Mushrooms for depression 🥹 Results from the first long-term comparison study of psilocybin therapy (PT) versus the SSRI escitalopram (Lexapro) for treating depression were released. Both treatments improved depressive symptoms after six months, but psilocybin patients significantly outperformed in broader well-being metrics. The numbers are astounding: on average, psilocybin patients experienced more than twice the improvement in the ability to function at work and socially (142%) and there was a more than threefold increase in finding meaning and significance in life compared to the escitalopram group (229%).

Psychedelics at large 🌀 Another new study evaluated the effectiveness of psychedelics versus escitalopram (Lexapro) for depressive symptoms, finding that only high-dose psilocybin was significantly more effective than escitalopram, while low-dose psychedelics and MDMA were less effective. Psilocybin had a 6.45-point better result than placebos in antidepressant trials and outperformed Lexapro at both 10 mg and 20 mg doses, using a specific depression rating scale (the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale).

Headache attacks 😶‍🌫️ The effects of low-dose psilocybin on patients with short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA) also was published in a study. Patients received ascending doses of psilocybin (5, 7.5, 10 mg) along with psychological support. Although no significant adverse events were reported, cognitive data was not collected as planned due to strong subjective dose intensity. Two out of three participants experienced over a 50% reduction in daily headache attacks, but the overall clinical evidence was inconclusive.

Tell them more ☎️ Bipartisan lawmakers Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA) seek public input by Nov. 5 to help shape regulations for therapeutic use of psychedelics. The Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus is especially interested in feedback from those experienced with psychedelics-assisted therapy, stakeholders in mental health, and indigenous communities.

Veterans and PTSD ❤️‍🩹 As we honor National Suicide Prevention Month and National Mushroom Month, the focus on psilocybin as a transformative treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD is growing stronger. Traditional therapies often fall short, leaving many veterans without lasting relief. Psilocybin therapy, however, shows promise by helping individuals confront trauma more deeply, offering a "reset" for the brain. Colin Beatty, CEO of Column Health, notes: “Psilocybin isn’t just managing symptoms—it’s helping veterans reclaim their lives.”

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Wastewater treatment ☣️ The effectiveness of five white-rot fungi species in removing the cytostatic drugs bleomycin and vincristine from wastewater was evaluated in a jaw-dropping study. These drugs often end up in wastewater through patient excretion after cancer treatments because conventional wastewater treatments are typically ineffective at breaking down these potent, chemically stable compounds, which then enter aquatic systems. Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) and Hypholoma fasciculare were the most efficient, eliminating over 90% of vincristine in just two days, and reducing bleomycin by 55% and 83% after nine days.

Anotha one 🎤 Another white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete sordida YK-624, was shown to degrade the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) loxoprofen, which persists in the environment. Under non-ligninolytic conditions, the fungus removed over 90% of loxoprofen in 10 days, even at higher concentrations.

Basil buddies 🌿 The impact of mycorrhizal fungi (G. mosseae and G. etunicatum) on basil under drought stress is significant. Results in a new study showed that fungal inoculation improved basil’s growth, increased antioxidant activity by 21.13%, and enhanced chlorophyll content by 91.8%. It also boosted proline levels by 25.33%, aiding in drought resistance. G. mosseae was especially effective in mitigating stress, leading to healthier and more resilient plants.

Alternative energy ⚡️ Researchers explored fungal endophytes and leaf litter fungi as potential sources of cellulases—enzymes crucial for breaking down lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) into biofuels. Typically, by-products from hydrothermal pretreatments of LCB inhibit these enzymes. However, several fungal strains demonstrated tolerance to these inhibitors, showing promising cellulase activity even in challenging conditions.

Mycelium shoes 🥾 Researchers created shoe prototypes using a composite from king oyster mushroom mycelium and evaluated consumer reactions. While the shoes’ materials were praised, there were concerns about style and comfort, which split the opinions of wear testers.

Add it to your library 📘 A second edition of Mushrooms of Cascadia: An Illustrated Key to the Fungi of the Pacific Northwest is officially available! It has over 100 additional color photos, so it sounds like Michael Beug really outdid himself.

FORAGED FINDS

📺️ What to watch

Aaron Hilliard of Mushroom Wonderland recently shared his September Mushroom Foraging adventure. Meet him IRL at the Gorge Fungi Foray next weekend.

🇨🇦 What to plan

We’re about to hit the road for another round of festivals. We’ll see you at:

Oklahoma Mushroom Festival, October 12 & 13

The 2nd Annual Oklahoma Mushroom Festival is at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds and will have over 50 vendors, 2 stages, and 1 workshop room for attendees to dive deep into the world of mycology from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Montreal Mushroom Festival, October 18 & 19

Want to attend Montreal’s first ever Mushroom Festival? Use code SHROOMER10 at checkout to get 10% off tickets. We’ll see you there!

FUNGAL FANTASIA

🌈 In the Russula genus, diversity thrives in vivid colors and flavors across 750+ species. From brilliant purples to the subtle greens, some are deliciously edible and others pack a peppery punch. The genus is mostly free of poisonous species so when IDing, trust the pros and not your bro 🙃⁠

MUSH MORE

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