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Shiitake vs. Cervical Cancer, Psilocybin for Depression & Parkinson's

Author

Shannon Ratliff
October 11, 2024

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IN TODAY’S EDITION

  • 1️⃣ Reishi mushroom extract improves symptoms for most cancer patients

  • 2️⃣ Psilocybin reduces depression in veterans; effects last weeks

  • 3️⃣ October mushroom festivals in North America

Hi Shroomer! Of the 23 research studies covered today, the common thread is that mushrooms heal us without toxicity added to our bodies or the earth.

—Shannon Ratliff

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Shiitake vs. cervical cancer ♀️ A substance from shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) killed up to 57% of cervical cancer cells in lab tests and shrank tumors in mice by 60%, working as well as chemotherapy but without harsh side effects. Combining the mushroom compound with drugs that block cancer cells' self-protection boosted its effectiveness even further, shrinking tumors by up to 69% in mice.

Cancer symptom relief 😌 A survey of 1,374 cancer patients using reishi (Ganoderma lucidim) products found that over 80% reported improvement in at least one symptom, with the most common benefits being reduced nausea (55%), less fatigue (52%), better appetite (51%), and improved mood (50%). While generally well-tolerated, about 9% experienced mild side effects like dry mouth (5%) or constipation (4%).

Oyster vs. cervical cancer 🦪 A study found extracts from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) inhibited growth of HeLa cervical cancer cells, completely stopping cell division by 72 hours. The extract shrank tumors in mice by 52.6%. Treating the mushroom cultures with millimeter waves at 50.3 GHz boosted the extract's anti-inflammatory effects to 87.5%.

Queen Reishi 👑 A review of 13 studies on reishi suggests it may help healthy people lower cholesterol and improve liver function. While it didn't significantly affect blood sugar or cholesterol in those with existing conditions, healthy folks saw drops in total cholesterol and a liver enzyme. Most studies used reishi capsules.

Boost your yogurt 🥄 Cordyceps mushroom extract could supercharge your probiotic yogurt or supplements, a new study suggests. When combined with probiotic bacteria, Cordyceps militaris helped the good bugs stick together better, crowd out bad bacteria, and produce more health-boosting acids. The enhanced probiotic mix even slowed colon cancer cell growth in lab tests.

Myco-boost 🥛 Researchers developed a fortified mushroom powder drink using ultrasonically-treated flax seeds and oven-dried oyster mushrooms. The drink combines mushroom powder with flax, chia and pumpkin seed powders in low-fat milk. With 25% mushroom powder fortification, it was most palatable and nutritionally rich in protein, fiber and minerals, suggesting it could help meet nutritional needs, especially for children, pregnant women and the elderly requiring high-protein diets.

Kend Patra 🇮🇳 Scientists researched a new Russula mushroom species used by local tribes in West Bengal, India. This mushroom, called "Kend Patra," contains high levels of antioxidants and shows potential medicinal properties, with lab tests showing it can slow the growth of lung cancer cells.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Veterans and psilocybin 🌀 15 U.S. military veterans suffering from severe treatment-resistant depression tested a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin in a pilot study. At three weeks post-treatment, 60% of participants showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms, with 53% achieving remission. By the 12th week, 47% maintained symptom improvement, and 40% were still in remission. While generally well-tolerated, the most common side effects included mild headaches (47%) and nausea (20%).

Parkinson’s disease and psilocybin 🧬 A recent study reviews the effectiveness of metformin and psilocybin for preventing Parkinson's disease. It found that metformin, commonly prescribed to manage type 2 diabetes, might stop the disease from getting worse by reducing stress on cells and preventing protein-related damage in the brain. Psilocybin, on the other hand, could help repair damaged brain cells by activating specific pathways that encourage cell repair and growth.

Psilocybin vs. opioid addiction 🇺🇸 Missouri is channeling $5 million from opioid settlement funds to explore if psilocybin can combat opioid addiction and reduce overdose deaths. This funding, part of HB 2010, aims to develop competitive grants for this research, with the state's Department of Mental Health preparing to request proposals.

New Jersey moves forward 📜 A New Jersey Senate committee approved a bill legalizing therapeutic psilocybin. The revised S.2283 focuses on regulated medical use and the bill would create a state program with mandatory preparation and integration. A recent poll found that 55% of New Jersey residents support medical psilocybin under doctor supervision.

Altered states explored 🫠 A recent study explores how psilocybin impacts brain activity in mice. The research revealed that psilocybin disrupts the normal patterns of spatial encoding in the brain, particularly in the retrosplenial cortex, an area linked to navigation and memory. This disruption leads to decreased stability and connectivity among neurons, which may explain why people often feel disoriented or experience altered perceptions.

Brain boost 🧠 A systematic review of 2,959 individuals assesses psilocybin's cognitive effects. Findings suggest stable overall cognitive function, with improvements in attention and memory noted particularly in those with treatment-resistant depression. The review highlights the varied impacts of psilocybin and calls for more detailed research. Most studies involved macrodoses.

The data’s in 📊 A National Institutes of Health survey found that in 2023, psilocybin use among adults maintained a notable rise, with 9% of adults aged 19 to 30 reporting usage.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Fungi-farming ants 🐜 A new study finds that some ants began cultivating fungi 66 million years ago post-asteroid impact and 27 million years ago, one fungus species became fully dependent on ants as dry areas grew.

Upcycling substrate 🍄 Researchers transformed mushroom by-products into functional material with three notable innovations. Flexible sheets from mushroom residue showed 82-94% antioxidant activity and superior strength to commercial face masks; spent mushroom substrate produced rigid sheets that were suitable for packaging; and foams made from substrate absorbed 21-28 times their weight in water and oil.

Mushroom food wraps 🥪 Scientists found a way to make tiny crystals from mushrooms to improve plastic-free food wrapping. They soaked mushroom powder in strong acid to get small bits and these bits were added to corn-based film, which made it stronger and less likely to let water through. The more mushroom crystals they added, the better the wrap became at keeping food fresh, which could lead to better eco-friendly packaging that biodegrades easily.

Mangrove’s secret weapon 🌴 Scientists discovered that mangroves team up with microscopic fungi, boosting their growth and helping them weather stress. This partnership acts like nature's coastal defender, trapping more carbon and stabilizing shorelines, and could be key to protecting our coasts and combating rising seas.

GROWING & GOURMET

A clever casing 💉 Scientists found a new way to supercharge milky mushroom (Calocybe indica) yields using a special soil mix. By combining colonized mushroom bits, manganese sulfate, fermented coconut fiber, and regular soil, they boosted harvests by 38% compared to standard methods. This low-tech trick could help farmers grow more of these tasty, heat-loving mushrooms without pricey equipment.

Climate-friendly farming 🌱 Scientists found adding fungi to wheat roots boosted plant growth by 35.9% without hurting yield, while biochar helped keep soil carbon levels steady. This dirt duo could potentially help fight climate change right under our feet.

Kombucha mushroom power 🫗 A study found adding milky mushroom flour and hemp leaves to kombucha enhances its phytonutrient quality. The fermented drink showed increased total phenolic and flavonoid content, particularly in samples with milky mushroom flour.

Shiitake yield boost 🍄 A study found applying liquid calcium between shiitake mushroom flushes increases yields significantly. A 40 ml dose of calcite before the second flush was most effective. This calcium supplementation technique proves viable and efficient for commercial shiitake growers, offering a simple method to enhance productivity.

Potted plant surprise 🌿 This guide explores mushrooms commonly found in Florida's potted plants. These saprotrophic fungi thrive on organic material in soil and mulch. While usually harmless to plants, they can affect marketability and pose risks to pets and children. The guide covers species like yellow dapperling and bird's nest fungi, offering tips to manage their growth in nursery and home settings.

MUSHROOM FESTIVALS

Festival season is going strong 🎡 Connect with mycologists and fungi fans near you and if you’re heading to OKC this weekend, we’ll see you there.

MUSHROOM PUNKS: A DIARY AND FIELD GUIDE

Zine alert 🎨 🍄 So much of mushrooms is personal. How we each came to them, psychedelic or not; how they’ve woven themselves into our lives and become more prominent once our attention is trained to see them. A new zine that’s part vintage field guide, part art book is an ode to that.

Nautilus magazine and designer Isabella Lalonde teamed up to create "Mushroom Punks," an homage to the off, the raw, the real of our beloved overlooked organisms. The $15 publication documents a mushroom foraging trip in California's Angeles National Forest, expert commentary from mycologist Bat Vardeh, and the story behind Lalonde's childhood fascination with mushrooms.

MUSH MORE

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