🕯️ Alzheimer’s Hope, Gut Health Boosters, and Mushrooms vs. Obesity

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 🧠 | Psilocybin reduces OCD symptoms

• 🍎 | Fermented apples for inflammation

• 🦪 | Oyster mushrooms aid weight loss and improve liver health

Hi Shroomer. Last week, I had the wrong bird on the brain. I referred to Grifola frondosa as chicken of the woods. It’s hen of the woods. Thanks to the readers who reached out.

GROW TO KNOW

Our interview with Soma Phoenix is live 🧡 We met at Psychedelic Science last year. All month long, PsillyGirls is offering 40% off. I’ve raved about Ghost Pipe Tincture a lot, but I also like to take the Passionflower Tincture when traveling to help me sleep.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Alzheimer’s hope 🕯️ A compound from the mushroom Thelephora aurantiotincta could help treat Alzheimer’s disease. It stops harmful brain proteins from clumping, blocks key enzymes linked to the disease, and protects brain cells from damage. Plus, its structure allows it to cross into the brain, targeting multiple causes of Alzheimer’s.

Yes to uridine 🧠 A compound from the giant oyster mushroom (Pleurotus giganteus) promotes brain cell growth and repair. At 100 μM, uridine nearly doubled the number of nerve cells with extensions (neurites) and increased their length. It works by activating growth pathways and can cross into the brain.

Button mushrooms vs. colon cancer 🧬 A triple-helix polysaccharide (WAAP-2) extracted from Agaricus bisporus showed significant anti-cancer effects by promoting cancer cell death and preventing tumor spread in lab studies.

Tuberculosis discovery 🫁 Fungi from peat bogs produce powerful compounds like patulin and citrinin that attack Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These compounds disrupt the bacteria’s thiol balance, causing oxidative stress and cell death.

Apples for inflammation 🍎 Young apples fermented with Schizophyllum commune DS1, reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), and lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) produced high-quality mycoprotein with 33.56% yield and revealed three anti-inflammatory peptides that, when tested in lab conditions, reduced inflammation markers like NO, IL-6, and IL-1β.

β-glucans for diabetes 🫀 Researchers modified β-glucans from Pleurotus tuber-regium mushrooms by adding sulfate groups, creating compounds with enhanced anti-diabetes properties. These sulfated β-glucans effectively inhibited α-glucosidase, an enzyme linked to blood sugar spikes, and reduced harmful protein glycation, which is tied to diabetes complications.

Gut health pals 🧪 Mushroom β-glucans are powerful allies against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They help by calming the immune system, reducing inflammation markers like TNF-α and IL-6, and strengthening the gut barrier. These compounds show greater benefits than β-glucans from grains or yeast and can help manage conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Oysters fight obesity 🦪 Fiber from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) helped reduce obesity in rats by lowering body weight, improving liver health, and balancing gut bacteria. It also influenced key metabolic pathways, showing potential as a natural, effective anti-obesity solution.

Fight fatty liver 💥 Ergothioneine, a mushroom compound, shows promise in treating fatty liver disease (MASLD). It reduces fat, blood lipids, and inflammation by boosting autophagy, the body’s cell-cleaning process.

FEATURED SALE

Birch Boys is having an exclusive sale for Shroomers. From now until Dec. 20, take 30% off your purchase with the code SHROOMY. Founder Garrett Kopp is making big moves in Maine where he’s wild-harvesting chaga and other mushrooms before loggers get there first.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Reducing depression 🌞 A meta-analysis of six trials (427 participants) found psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly reduced depression scores compared to other treatments, with effects lasting at least six weeks. Response and remission rates were three times higher with psilocybin, though mild side effects like headaches and dizziness were more common.

Promising OCD progress 💫 Research highlights psilocybin’s potential to treat OCD, with a 2006 trial showing up to 100% reductions in symptoms and a 2022 case study reducing severe symptoms to near zero within 48 hours. Animal studies and patient surveys confirm dose-dependent improvements, linked to serotonin activation, brain plasticity, and EEG changes.

Lowering neuroticism 😶‍🌫️ A single 25mg dose of psilocybin reduced neuroticism in healthy volunteers after one month, unlike a 1mg control dose. Changes were strongest in those who found the experience meaningful or felt ego dissolution anxiety.

Remember when 🐁 Psilocybe cubensis extract improved memory and brain health in stressed rats but had mixed effects depending on timing. Administered 24–48 hours before training, it restored memory and increased BDNF, a brain growth protein. However, other timings impaired memory in unstressed rats, highlighting the importance of dosing schedules for therapeutic use.

Elasticity please 🔌 Psilocybin promotes brain plasticity and rewires neural connections. Studies show it increases theta power (a marker of neural activity) and helps neurons grow new dendrites and spines.

Last call 📣 Speaker proposals for Psychedelic Science 2025 close tonight. Registration and Workshops Sign-Up are open, too.

Johns Hopkins studies & surveys 🥼 Johns Hopkins is seeking participants for a lot of research:

• Psilocybin and Alzheimer’s Disease

• Psilocybin for Co-occurring Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder

• Psilocybin Microdose Study

• Psilocybin for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Psilocybin Healthy Volunteer Study on Brain Activity

• Psychedelic and Romantic Relationships Survey

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Blueberry symbiosis 🫐 Early inoculation with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (EMF) showed mixed effects on highbush blueberry plants. A 40-day trial found EMF boosted leaf nitrogen in 'Duke' but reduced fresh root and shoot biomass in both 'Duke' and 'Legacy.' Root colonization by Oidiodendron maius reached 44% in 'Duke,' but growth benefits were not observed.

Fungivorous butterflies 🦋 Adult butterflies were observed feeding on fungi in the Brazilian Amazon. Researchers observed Hamadryas februa februa on Auricularia cornea and Pierella lena brasiliensis on Phallus indusiatus. While fungi-insect interactions mostly involve beetles and flies, these findings suggest the role butterflies also play in fungal spore dispersal.

Biochar for heavy metal removal 🪨 Biochar made from spent mushroom substrate (SMS), corn straw, and hardwood sawdust, activated with K2CO3, was tested for removing lead and cadmium from water. SMS-derived biochar showed the best results due to its porous structure, rich elemental composition, and high surface area.

Plastic takedown ♻️ Researchers identified species like Aspergillus niger, Penicillium commune, and Curvularia eragrostidis that degraded up to 43% of polyethylene in lab tests. Techniques like FTIR confirmed chemical breakdown, while SEM revealed surface damage.

Fighting drought 🌾 Researchers identified eight endophytic fungi from extreme habitats in Egypt that boost plant resilience to drought. These fungi enhanced maize germination and seedling vigor under simulated drought conditions, with Neurospora sitophila and Penicillium tardochrysogenum increasing seedling vigor by 308%.

Coprophilous fungi 💩 A comprehensive study of snow inkcaps (Coprinopsis niveae) across China identified six new species, underscoring the biodiversity of fungi on herbivore dung.

GROWING GOURMET

Tomato boost 🍅 Compost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) significantly improve drought resilience in tomato plants. The compost+AMF combination increased fruit weight by 25%, shoot dry matter by 104%, and enhanced water use efficiency. This natural alternative outperformed NPK fertilizers under drought conditions, promoting better growth, stress tolerance, and soil health.

Sustainable fertilizer 🌱 Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), a byproduct of mushroom farming, boosts forage grass yields, nitrogen uptake, and soil health. A three-year study found combining SMS with mineral nitrogen fertilizers achieved the highest productivity, while SMS alone enriched soil nitrogen.

Preserving shiitake mushrooms 🩻 X-rays can be used to extend the shelf life of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes). A 0.5 kGy dose effectively maintained sensory qualities, including flavor and texture, for up to 35 days. The treatment reduced microbial growth, minimized nutrient loss, and preserved key compounds like soluble proteins and phenols. Higher doses (1.0–1.5 kGy) altered the mushrooms’ odor profile, but the 0.5 kGy dose proved ideal for retaining freshness and nutritional value.

Boosting vitamin D 💡 UV-B light treatment, especially for 20 minutes, maximizes vitamin D2 content in oyster mushrooms, reaching 35.7 μg/100g. Drying methods also matter—direct sunlight (6 hours/day for 3 days) produced the highest levels (20.4 μg/g), while dark room drying yielded the lowest (3.2 μg/g). Proper storage, like refrigeration or vacuum sealing, preserved vitamin D2 better than room temperature.

The future of protein 🥩 Mushrooms outperform meat in every sustainability metric: 65% lower carbon emissions, 75% less water, and 87% less land use. Nutritionally, they deliver a complete amino acid profile, B vitamins, and fiber, all without cholesterol or high calories. While they cost $3.08/kg compared to red meat's $12.49/kg, their protein density remains more expensive per gram. The challenge now is scaling production to bring costs down.

FORAGED FINDS

Fungi innovation 🗺️ The Fungi Industry Map helps you make sense of the mushroom world as it expands. Check out MycoStories to learn more about how fungi are changing industries and lives.

Fungal wonders unveiled 🔍️ Richard Fortey’s Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind takes readers on a global journey through the strange, beautiful, and essential world of fungi, blending science, storytelling, and personal discovery.

Scent and savor 🥘 Join the North American Mycological Association’s Culinary Arts Committee on Monday, Dec. 16, for "Understanding and Highlighting Mushroom Aromas." Discover the Mushroom Aroma Wheel in action through unique recipes: matsutake apple tart, pioppini hot chocolate, candy cap desserts, and reishi vs. cordyceps caramel.

Santa Cruz Mushroom Fest 🎟️ The 2025 Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival is back May 3–4, 2025 at Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton, CA. Early Bird tickets are on sale right now until Jan 13.

MUSH MORE

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