• Shroomer
  • Posts
  • Blood Pressure Research, Fungal Antibiotics, and Psilocybin for Autism

Blood Pressure Research, Fungal Antibiotics, and Psilocybin for Autism

Author

Shannon Ratliff
March 07, 2025

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

IN TODAY’S EDITION

  • 🍪 | Balancing blood sugar

  • 🥼 | Psilocybin and autism

  • 🥊 | Fungi fighting cancer

Hi Shroomer. If you’re at SXSW this year, let me know or say hi if you see me around.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Balancing blood sugar 🍪 Edible mushrooms like reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), button (Agaricus bisporus), and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) contain polysaccharides, polyphenols, and peptides that regulate glucose metabolism, enhance insulin sensitivity, and lower inflammation. These bioactive compounds not only help control blood sugar but also protect against diabetes-related complications like nerve and kidney damage.

Fungal antibiotics 🦠 As antibiotic resistance rises, fungal metabolites are an untapped resource in the fight against hard-to-treat infections. Bioactive compounds in mushrooms disrupt bacterial growth, break down biofilms, and strengthen immune defenses.

Cancer-fighting fungi 🥊 Fungi within the human body are proving crucial in enhancing cancer treatments. Research encompassing over 25 studies shows fungi affect tumor immunity and can help predict how well cancer patients respond to immunotherapy.

Neuroprotection 🧠 Medicinal mushrooms offer treatments for neurogenic diseases like multiple sclerosis and stroke through their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Rich in compounds like β-glucan, these mushrooms help manage oxidative stress and inflammation.

Immunity shield 🛡️ Maitake, or hen of the woods, (Grifola frondosa) polysaccharides enhance immune response by boosting spleen weight, lymphocyte activity, and macrophage function. In gut microbiota, maitake increases beneficial Lactobacillus while reducing inflammation-linked bacteria.

Liver cancer 🎗️ Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) contains 22 phenolic compounds, including quercetin and rutin, that strongly bind to cancer-related proteins and disrupt tumor growth pathways like MAPK. Simulations show these compounds remain active long enough to potentially block liver cancer cell growth and spread.

Raw vs. cooked extracts 🫖 Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) pack more antioxidants and cancer-fighting compounds when raw, showing nearly three times the antioxidant strength of cooked extracts. Heat processing may break down some of these beneficial compounds, making raw extracts more effective against prostate and cervical cancer cells in lab tests. They also showed potential for weight management—though not as strong as orlistat, a weight loss pill.

Blood clotting 🩸 Agaricus bisporus extract accelerates blood clotting by reducing bleeding time, increasing platelet count, and boosting white blood cells and calcium levels. In a 21-day study, higher doses (0.4 mg/kg) significantly improved coagulation, suggesting potential benefits for wound healing and clotting disorders.

Breast cancer breakthrough 💝 Bamboo mushrooms (Phallus indusiatus) extracts enhance chemotherapy by reducing inflammation, blocking tumor-promoting pathways (NF-kappaB, Akt), and increasing cancer cell sensitivity to lapatinib. In lab tests, both fresh and dried mycelium extracts boosted cancer cell death while protecting healthy cells and could make existing therapies more effective.

FORAGED FIND

Boost Your Brainpower with Every Drink

Celebrate your mind's potential with Naturealm's Lion's Mane Mushroom Extract Powder. Here’s how it supports a sharper, healthier brain:

  • Brain booster 🧠 Enhances mental sharpness, supports cognitive longevity, and improves memory—perfect for maintaining brain health as you age.

  • Coffee companion ☕️ Seamlessly adds 1g of potent mushroom extract to any beverage without altering the flavor. Your daily drinks, now with a cognitive boost.

  • Trusted quality 🧪 Experience the purity of 100% fruiting bodies, USDA Certified Organic, third-party tested for a product you can trust. No fillers, just nature.

Unlock a 25% discount with code SHROOMY on your first purchase.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Helping autistic adults 🥼 A first-of-its-kind clinical trial is testing psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) for autistic adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Twenty participants will receive two doses—10mg and 25mg—alongside therapy, with brain imaging tracking changes in connectivity and mood. Previous research in neurotypical people with TRD showed 67% remission after one week and 58% maintaining significant improvement at three months.

Set and setting 🕯️ A meta-analysis of 34 studies confirms that the depth of a psychedelic experience directly affects its healing power. People who had more profound experiences saw 33% greater clinical improvement, with the strongest effects in mood disorders (41%) compared to addiction treatment (19%). Controlled clinical settings boosted outcomes (50% improvement), reinforcing that set and setting matter as much as the substance itself.

Perception shift 💙 Researchers suggest psilocybin therapy for psychiatric patients considering euthanasia, as only 11% of requests in the Netherlands are approved. Psilocybin’s ability to shift perception and ease distress—seen in studies on depression and end-of-life anxiety—could offer an alternative. Even if symptoms remain, a single dose might reframe suffering and change perspectives.

Access in the U.S. vs. Canada 🇨🇦 Canada has approved psilocybin or MDMA for 200+ patients in two years, while the U.S. has granted access to only 50 patients since 2020, with treatments limited to 10 sites.

Reshaping outlook 🎤 Former ABC anchor Kendis Gibson describes how psilocybin reshaped his outlook after years of therapy and antidepressants failed. A psychedelic experience in Belize led him to research how a single dose can disrupt brain networks and shift thinking. His book, Five Trips, explores his journey and amplifies Black voices in psychedelic healing, encouraging open conversations about mental health alternatives.

Mystical insights ✨ Factors like intent, psychedelic type, dosage, and usage frequency influence the depth of psychedelic mystical experiences. Notably, using alcohol during these experiences tends to reduce their intensity.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

How fungi move among us 🌍️ Fungal networks move nutrients, store carbon, and optimize trade routes like living algorithms—absorbing 13 billion tons of CO₂ annually. Scientists mapped their growth in real time, revealing fungi prioritize efficiency, choosing the best carbon sources and avoiding dead ends. Researchers now study how these networks respond to climate change, wildfires, and drought. This is a gift link to The New York Times article.

Oklahoma foraging bill 📜 Oklahoma’s SB447 aims to legalize foraging for edible plants and mushrooms on public lands, expanding access beyond just three legal locations in the state. Originally excluding fungi, the bill was successfully amended after advocacy efforts. It has passed key committee votes and now awaits further approval in the Senate before potentially becoming law.

Mushroom to packaging 🎁 Scientists turned spent mushroom substrate (SMS) into biodegradable food packaging of stronger, UV-protective, and antimicrobial films that extend food shelf life while reducing waste and offering an alternative to plastic.

Plant immunity 🌱 Co-inoculating hairy vetch with mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma strengthens plant defenses against leaf spot disease. This biocontrol method raises salicylic acid levels by 12.8% and activates key defense genes as an alternative to chemical fungicides.

Chitosan for detox 🐮 A chitosan-clay composite from Agaricus bisporus removes 91.8% of mycotoxins in animal feed and neutralizes 96% of free radicals, offering antioxidant and detox benefits. With high beta-glucan content and low cost, it’s promising for safer feed and environmental cleanup.

Soil nutrients 🪵 A nine-year study on forest soils found that fungi increase inorganic phosphorus by 24%, improving nutrient cycling after tree thinning. Researchers highlight fungi-driven soil restoration as a way to enhance fertility and reduce synthetic fertilizer use.

Shiitake review 🧑‍🌾 Spent shiitake mushroom substrate can be reused in future production cycles, replacing 5–10% of high-nitrogen substrate without reducing yields. With 84.4 billion pounds of SMS produced annually, repurposing it cuts waste, lower costs, and support circular farming.

GROWING & GOURMET

Mushroom-fortified pasta 🍝 Adding 8.62% king oyster mushroom powder (Pleurotus eryngii) to durum wheat pasta boosted fiber, antioxidants, and gut-friendly bifidobacteria while maintaining taste. Despite regulatory limits on health claims, consumer acceptance remained high.

Boosting shiitake 💥 Nano-supplements increased shiitake yields by 22.5%, especially on maple sawdust, while also boosting protein (+8.2%) and fiber (+2.3%). This method could enhance sustainable, high-yield cultivation and reduce reliance on traditional substrates.

Stronger chitosan ⚡ Microwave extraction boosts chitosan from Agaricus bisporus, increasing purity (79.94% deacetylation) for better solubility and antioxidant power—useful in food and medicine.

Colors of the oysters 🦪 Researchers identified the pcmfs gene as key to cap color in Pleurotus cornucopiae, likely by influencing melanin transport. This is the first reported gene of its kind in edible fungi, opening possibilities for molecular breeding and new color variants.

FORAGED FIND

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

TRENDING STORIES

Find a Fungi Festival Near You

Dig into Mushroom Compost for an Effortless, Thriving Garden

Friend or Foe? Identifying Common Mushrooms That Grow in Your Yard

MUSH MORE

How did you like today's email?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Reply

or to participate.