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šŸ¦ Alzheimerā€™s Hope, Gut-Healing Mushrooms, and Psilocybin for Pain & Memory

Author

Shannon Ratliff
February 28, 2025

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

IN TODAYā€™S EDITION

  • šŸ„˜ | Eat more mushrooms

  • āœļø | Arthritis management

  • šŸ¦ | Alzheimerā€™s review

Hi Shroomer. From pain relief and gut health to better brain function and fresher food, mushroom can change the way we heal, eat, and liveā€”plus, itā€™s the perfect time to start planning your spring foraging.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Eat more mushrooms šŸ„˜ Edible mushrooms are excellent for weight management due to their low calories and rich nutrients. Their proteins, B-vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds help reduce inflammation and manage lipid levels, aligning well with healthy diets to combat rising global obesity rates.

Arthritis management āœļø Medicinal mushrooms act as antibacterial, antifungal agents, and more, showing promise in treating rheumatoid arthritis by reducing chronic inflammation through diet and enhancing immune response.

Alzheimerā€™s review šŸ¦ Studies on lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) reveal promising results for Alzheimer's treatment, involving 3 human clinical trials and 13 animal studies. Particularly, erinacine A-enriched lion's mane stands out for its potent neuroprotective effects and ability to easily cross biological barriers.

Heart boost šŸ«€ Endophytic fungi are notable for drug development because their natural metabolites produce bioactive compounds with cardiovascular benefits, potentially improving heart function and managing blood pressure and cholesterol.

Gut food šŸ‘… Fermented king trumpet mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) restore key proteins that are vital for intestinal integrity, and balance immune responses by modulating cytokines, which aids in managing low-grade inflammation in older demographics.

Collagen production šŸ§“ Fermented Djon Djon mushroom, a unique black mushroom from Haiti, has potential in anti-aging skincare by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and enhancing collagen production.

Shiitake for gout šŸ‘£ A polysaccharide-protein complex from shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) has shown potential in lowering uric acid levels, which can trigger gout. This complex not only improves kidney function but also reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.

Kidney health šŸ¦  Polysaccharides from enoki mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes), could treat acute kidney injury caused by chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin. These mushroom-derived compounds help modify gut bacteria, enhance beneficial fatty acids, and regulate a cell death pathway known as ferroptosis, contributing to improved kidney function and reduced inflammation. This suggest enoki are a natural approach to support kidneys during chemotherapy.

FORAGED FIND

Add Mushrooms to Anything

Elevate your daily routine with Naturealm's Sacred 7 Mushroom Extract Powder. Perfect for those looking to boost cognitive function, reduce stress, and last energy through the day.

  • Premium blend šŸ„ Seven powerhouse mushroomsā€”Lionā€™s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Maitake, and Shiitakeā€”support focus, immunity, and longevity.

  • Effortless boost ā˜•ļø 1000mg of pure mushroom extract per serving, blending seamlessly into coffee, tea, or smoothiesā€”no fillers, no aftertaste.

  • Max potency šŸ§Ŗ 100% fruiting bodies, USDA Organic, and a balanced 143mg of each mushroom for a consistent, research-backed dose.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Chronic pain relief šŸ Research on rodents indicates that psilocybin effectively reduces neuropathic pain, making it potentially a viable therapy for chronic pain management.

Therapy for IBS šŸŒ€ Psychedelic-assisted therapy using psilocybin targets central nervous system activity and promotes neuroplasticity to effectively manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This approach not only addresses IBS-related psychological distress but also reduces associated neurological dysfunction.

Psychedelic impact šŸ’“ A comprehensive review up to November 2024 examines the impact of psychedelic therapies on suicide-related outcomes. The study reveals that psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapies significantly reduce suicidal ideation, according to randomized trials. However, results vary with LSD, where some non-randomized studies suggest an increase in suicide risk. These results underscore the importance of precise dosing and careful application in psychedelic mental health treatments.

Seizure control šŸ«‚ Recent studies have shown that small doses of psilocin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, can help control seizures. Research involving mice used a dose of 3 mg/kg to effectively reduce seizure activity by targeting specific brain receptors. This finding opens up new possibilities for using psilocin in treating conditions like epilepsy and emphasizes the importance of precise dosing for safe and effective therapy.

False claims šŸ›‘ A study from Portland, Oregon study exposes huge labeling inaccuracies in psychoactive mushroom gummies. Despite Oregon's regulated psilocybin use, many gummies tested contained unlisted substances like psilocybin and psilocin, while products claiming Amanita muscaria derivatives were falsely labeled. The findings signal a major buyer beware: you may not be getting what's advertised.

Tryptamine levels šŸ§Ŗ A new method measures tryptamines in Psilocybe mushrooms, revealing concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.73%. This accurate quantification is key for safely using these mushrooms, whether for recreational or potential therapeutic purposes to ensure proper dosing.

Contemplative education šŸ« Naropa University has received a $1.5 million grant from Unlikely Collaborators to support its undergraduate minor in psychedelic studies.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Winter fungi guidešŸŒ² Explore this free PDF guide to winter fungi in the North Woods, featuring easily identifiable species like turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) and chaga (Inonotus obliquus) from Michigan Technological Universityā€™s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science.

Biofuel advancements šŸŒ¾ A new finding shows that certain fungi, like Lichtheimia corymbifera, can make biofuel production from plant waste more effective, especially in hot environments. This fungus helps convert plant materials into fuel more efficiently.

Filtration šŸ’§ Fungi from the Acacia saligna tree, notably Aspergillus niger, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in purifying wastewater, achieving 99% pollutant removal from industrial waste and 99.8% from agricultural runoff in under a month.

Green tech šŸ¦  Mushroom peel extracts are used to create zinc oxide nanoparticles that break down pollutants and fight microbes. These particles effectively degrade up to 97.14% of methylene blue dye in just 40 minutes under solar light.

Mushroom bricks šŸ§± Cement coating and calcium chloride treatments significantly boost the performance of cement bricks made from spent mushroom substrate (SMS), increasing their strength by up to 340.9% and reducing porosity by 34.4%.

FORAGED FIND

Melatonin-free sleep!

All-natural melatonin-free sleep support? Yes, it does exist. Cornbread Hemp formulated their gummies for customers who want to avoid the groggy hangover that they experience after taking melatonin. Instead, their gummies are infused with USDA organic ingredients including full spectrum hemp extract, valerian root, lavender, and chamomile. All-natural and vegan, they're guilt-free to your bedtime routine, so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Slip into bed, feel calm and at ease, knowing that sweet dreams are just a gummy away.

Plus, Cornbread is giving Shroomer readers 30% off your first order when you use code RESOLUTION at checkout.*

*One-time purchases only, cannot be combined with subscription discounts.

GROWING & GOURMET

Dairy stability šŸ„› Tremella mushroom polysaccharides keep dairy and plant-based drinks smooth and stable, even in acidic conditions. They bind to whey protein, preventing clumping and separation, doubling emulsifying activity, and boosting stability by 82%. This means creamier lattes, silkier sauces, and plant-based drinks that donā€™t splitā€”naturally.

Mushroom preservatives šŸ„¤ Natural glycolipids from Dacryopinax spathularia outlasted synthetic preservatives and white button mushroom extract (WBME) in keeping drinks fresh. NG prevented spoilage for 12 weeks, while WBME failed after 4 weeks and even promoted bacteria. High doses affected clarity, especially in pectin-rich drinks, showing the need for precise formulation.

Bigger harvest šŸ§ŗ Growing oyster mushrooms on pasteurized Cenchrus fungigraminus grass boosted yields, with P. ostreatus hitting 78.2% efficiency, P. pulmonarius at 59.9%, and P. florida at 39.7%. P. ostreatus packed the most protein, while P. pulmonarius had more polysaccharides. Enzyme activity helped break down lignin, speeding up growth. All mushrooms stayed within safe heavy metal limits, making this an easy, cost-effective way to grow more mushrooms.

Extraction methods šŸ”„ Microwave-assisted water extraction efficiently captures beneficial compounds from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp) in just 10 minutes at 111Ā°F. This consistent and eco-friendly method yields a rich mix of phenolics, offering a practical tool for enhancing mushroom-based products with health benefits.

U.S. FORAGING REGIONS

Spring is around the corner, have you been out mushroom hunting yet?

  • Pacific Northwest (WA, OR): Wet, mild climate allows year-round mushroom hunting, with peak abundance in spring and fall when rainfall is high.

  • Northeast (NY, VT, ME): Prime season Aprilā€“November. Cool, hardwood forests yield chanterelles, boletes, and morels; fall frosts mark the end of the season.

  • Midwest (MN, MI, WI): Short morel season in spring (roughly Aprā€“June). These states are famous for morels in early warmth, but hot, dry summers limit other types until fall.

  • Rockies (CO, MT): High elevations delay the season. Late summer to fall (after snowmelt) brings out porcini, chanterelles, and puffballs in mountain forests.

  • Southwest (AZ, NM): Mushroom flushes are rain-dependent. The best foraging is after summer monsoon rains, especially in forested high elevations and along riverbeds.

  • Southeast (GA, NC, TN): Year-round foraging thanks to a warm, humid climate. Morels appear in early spring; long growing seasons support summer chanterelles and a fall peak (e.g. hens-of-the-woods in autumn).

  • Alaska: A brief but rich summer (mid-summer) is the only window for mushrooms. During this short season, diverse fungi (boletes, morels, chanterelles, etc.) pop up in the damp, boreal forests.

MUSH MORE

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