🗞️ FDA on Amanita, Pregnancy Research, and Easy Mushrooms to Grow

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 🧠 | Reishi & Alzheimer’s

• 🍼 | Fungi’s role in recurrent pregnancy loss

• 🧺 | Foraging seasons

Hi Shroomer. Happy New Year! This week’s letter is full of eye-opening research, but it’s longer than usual, so you may need to finish it via the link at the end of the email.

FUNGAL FANTASIA

If you’re near Nashville and love mushrooms, visit Zoolumination. It’s the largest lantern festival in the U.S. with over 1,000 silk lanterns. I found myself here on Dec. 23, and was stunned by the designs and the nods to mushrooms, especially in my favorite scene above.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Spatial learning promise 🧠 Compounds from reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) show promise in improving memory and motor skills in Alzheimer’s disease. Using an Alzheimer’s mouse model, a 0.5 g/kg dose of reishi triterpenoids reduced errors and improved movement speed, balance, and memory. These compounds also lowered harmful glutamate levels in the brain, helping restore cognitive function.

Pregnancy health 🍼 A thesis explored how fungi in the reproductive system might affect recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Women with RPL had significantly more fungi in the uterus lining compared to those without. Using advanced DNA testing (qPCR and NGS), researchers linked higher fungal levels in the uterus to altered immune responses, which could lead to better diagnostic and treatment options.

Sepsis research 📓 Cordyceps spp has therapeutic potential for sepsis treatment through its antioxidant/anti-inflammatory pathways and organ-protective effects across multiple vital systems (brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, heart).

Diabetes management 💗 Compounds from fungi show promise for managing Type 2 diabetes by targeting α-glucosidase, an enzyme that helps break down carbs. One compound, methybutyrolactone III, showed strong enzyme interactions, while others improved enzyme flexibility and had low toxicity.

Antioxidant rich 💛 Golden chanterelle mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius) are rich in antioxidants, with optimized extracts showing high total antioxidant values (TAS: 5.5 mmol/L) and low oxidant levels (TOS: 6.1 μmol/L). These properties help combat aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s by reducing oxidative stress. The extracts also slowed lung cancer cell growth and inhibited enzymes linked to memory loss, showing 16–20% enzyme inhibition.

Polypore power 🌟 The red-belted polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola) shows impressive antimicrobial abilities. Strains of this mushroom inhibited harmful fungi like Trichophyton terrestre and Penicillium species, reducing fungal growth by over 50%. They also fought bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Broth extracts from the mushroom outperformed mycelial extracts, delivering stronger antifungal and antibacterial effects to combat infections.

Dendritic cells debut 🎥 A hot water extract from cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) has shown powerful immune-boosting effects by activating key immune cells called dendritic cells. This is thanks to a natural compound in the mushroom, 1,3-β-glucan, which works through a receptor called dectin-1. The extract increased immune signals like TNF-α by over 50 times (from 7.8 to 403.7 pg/mL), helping the body fight infections and stay healthy.

Immune boost 🔋 Compounds from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus pulmonarius) help boost the immune system and control inflammation. They increase helpful immune signals like TNF-α and IL-6 while reducing harmful effects like excess nitric oxide (by 15–45%).

The ideal ear 👂️ Ear mushrooms (Auricularia auricula-judae) are rich in health-boosting phenolic compounds. Using a new ultrasound extraction method, researchers found these mushrooms have the highest antioxidant activity when harvested at 8 days old, with 92% effectiveness in fighting harmful free radicals.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

FDA takes on amanita 🍄 The FDA has declared fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) and its compounds unsafe for use in food, citing risks like poisoning, hallucinations, and seizures. The FDA updated its "Not GRAS" inventory to reflect their risks after reports of unsafe products mimicking candy and chocolates, some containing undisclosed synthetic drugs.

For OCD 📈 A case study on identical twins showed that low-dose psilocybin significantly reduced OCD symptoms and improved quality of life for the affected twin. While it didn’t restore cognitive flexibility—essential for adapting to new challenges—it helped the twin better manage obsessions and compulsions, particularly when combined with therapy.

Rare headaches 😶‍🌫️ A small study tested low-dose psilocybin with therapy for short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA), a rare and painful condition. While two participants saw a 50% reduction in daily headache frequency, results were inconclusive due to the small sample size and intense effects of the treatment. Participants noted psychological insights, like reframing their pain, which may help manage chronic conditions.

Near-death experiences ⚡️ Elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercarbia) may trigger near-death experiences (NDEs) by acting on brain serotonin receptors, creating vivid, dream-like visions similar to those induced by hallucinogens like psilocybin. Cardiac arrest survivors with high CO2 levels frequently report NDEs, suggesting a strong link between biological processes and mystical experiences.

Music or silence 🎧️ Psilocybin therapy often uses music, but adding intentional silence may enhance benefits. Two breast cancer patients found silent periods encouraged mindfulness and deeper therapist engagement.

Calling Coloradans 🏔️ Applications opened on December 31, 2024, for natural medicine licenses in Colorado. Categories include Healing Centers, Cultivations, Testing Facilities, Product Manufacturers, Business Owners, and Natural Medicine Handlers. Each license type has specific requirements and fees.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Tick control 🪲 Entomopathogenic fungi, like Metarhizium anisopliae, show promise as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical acaricides in controlling East Coast fever (ECF) in cattle. These fungi can kill ticks through delayed mortality, reducing tick populations and their transmission of Theileria parva, the parasite causing ECF.

Rainbow trout health 🐟️ Supplementing juvenile rainbow trout diets with oyster mushroom extract enhanced non-specific immune responses. Over six weeks, fish fed with 2% mushroom extract showed stronger immunity against pathogens like Aeromonas hydrophila, with no adverse effects on gut health.

Cultivation challenges 🌱 Continuous cropping of Morchella mushrooms is hindered by allelochemicals in the soil, which reduce mycelial growth. Researchers identified 15 key compounds, including 4-coumaric acid and vanillic acid, that negatively impact mushroom development at high concentrations. These chemicals are produced by microbes and plants rather than the mushrooms themselves.

Mycotourism in Quebec 🇨🇦 Quebec’s growing mycotourism sector combines education, recreation, and gastronomy to connect visitors with the world of mushrooms in this review that examines 57 initiatives, like guided foraging tours and culinary workshops.

GROWING GOURMET

Coffee for oysters ☕️ Combining coffee grounds with 1-5% coal bottom ash enhances oyster mushroom growth while improving mineral content, including phosphorus, copper, and zinc, and reducing harmful metals like chromium and lead. Higher ash levels, however, halted growth. The leftover substrate proved nutrient-rich, with increased nitrogen and sulfur, offering potential as an eco-friendly fertilizer.

A new cereal 🥣 Blending acha, pigeon pea, and oyster mushroom flours creates a protein-rich, nutrient-dense cereal. This combination boosts essential amino acids like leucine and lysine for muscle repair and arginine for better insulin sensitivity. With high protein efficiency and antioxidants, it’s a healthy, plant-based option ideal for managing diabetes and supporting overall wellness.

The best roasted mushrooms 🥘 I’ve cooked a recipe from Alison Roman’s arsenal for Tangy Roasted Mushrooms for the last five years. Take 2 pounds of mushrooms, tear with your hands, toss in olive oil and seasonings, and roast for 20 minutes at 425°F. Once roasted, add to a jar with vinegar and sliced shallots or white onions. Enjoy with goat cheese on bread, top your salads with them or just eat them by the spoonful.

FORAGING SEASONS

Here’s a quick guide for foraging in the US to help plan your future excursions.

• Seasons

  • Spring (March-May): Morels, oyster mushrooms

  • Summer (June-August): Chanterelles, boletes, chicken of the woods

  • Fall (September-November): Porcini, hen of the woods, oyster mushrooms, lion's mane

  • Winter (December-February): Oyster mushrooms, enoki (in warmer regions)

• Regions and States

  • Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon)

    • Year-round foraging possible, with peak seasons in spring and fall

    • High rainfall and temperate climate ideal for diverse mushroom species

  • Northeast (New York, Vermont, Maine)

    • Prime foraging from April to November

    • Hardwood forests near rivers or streams are ideal hunting grounds

  • Midwest (Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin)

    • Short season from late April to early June

    • Known for abundant morels

  • Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Montana)

    • Late summer to early fall for high elevation mushrooms

    • Porcini, chanterelle, and hawk's wing are common finds

  • Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico)

    • Foraging dependent on rainfall

    • Best hunting in forested mountains and along riverbeds

  • Southeast (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee)

    • Year-round foraging possible due to warmer climate

    • Spring for morels, summer for chanterelles, fall for hen of the woods

  • Alaska

    • Short but productive season in summer

    • Known for high biodiversity of fungi in untouched wilderness

  • California

    • Varied seasons depending on region (coastal vs. inland)

    • Northern California counties like Mendocino and Humboldt are particularly productive

GROW YOUR OWN

If cultivation is on your bucket list, these are the best mushroom varieties to start with, from easiest to complicated.

• Oyster Mushrooms

  • Description: Fast-growing and resilient, oyster mushrooms thrive on various substrates, including coffee grounds and straw.

  • Growing Conditions: They can be cultivated indoors or outdoors and are forgiving of environmental conditions.

• Lion's Mane Mushrooms

  • Description: Recognized for their health benefits, lion's mane mushrooms have a distinctive appearance.

  • Growing Conditions: They can be grown indoors with minimal temperature control and are quick to fruit.

• Shiitake Mushrooms

  • Description: Valued for their flavor, shiitake mushrooms can be grown on logs or sawdust.

  • Growing Conditions: They require minimal maintenance once established and can produce for several years from the same log.

• Wine Cap Mushrooms

  • Description: These mushrooms are perfect for garden beds and help decompose organic matter.

  • Growing Conditions: They grow well in composted soil and are tolerant of various substrates, making them easy to cultivate outdoors.

• Pioppino Mushrooms

  • Description: Known for their unique texture, pioppino mushrooms can be grown on straw or wood chips.

  • Growing Conditions: They prefer cooler temperatures and are relatively easy to manage in outdoor beds.

• Enoki Mushrooms

  • Description: Enoki mushrooms are delicate and sweet, often used in soups and salads.

  • Growing Conditions: They require a temperature-controlled environment but are low maintenance overall.

MUSH MORE

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