🦠 Flu Defense, Joint Health, and Psilocybin’s Metabolic Edge

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 🏥 | Gut-healing mushrooms

• 🏋️ | Psilocybin for fat loss

• 🫁 | Asthma relief

Hi Shroomer. If you're looking to stock up on your favorite mushroom products, I rounded up some exclusive discounts—from chaga extract to mushroom chocolate, tea, and latte mixes—so you can save while supporting your health.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Gut health 🏥 Mushroom polysaccharides play a key role in protecting the gut lining, balancing gut bacteria, and reducing inflammation. Researchers found that these compounds help defend against gastritis, ulcers, and even colorectal cancer by strengthening the gastrointestinal barrier and supporting immune function.

Ergothioneine 🧪 Found in mushrooms, ergothioneine (EGT) is a powerful antioxidant that may help prevent diabetes, reduce inflammation, and protect cells from damage.

Joint health🦵 Medicinal mushrooms could help reduce osteoarthritis symptoms by blocking inflammatory pathways and protecting cartilage. Compounds from reishi (Ganoderma lucidim), cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris), and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) inhibit key inflammatory markers like TNF-α, IL-1β, and COX-2, which contribute to joint damage.

Flu-fighting fungi 🦠 A fungal compound, beta-glucan (β-glucan), can reprogram immune cells to protect against flu-related lung damage. Researchers found that β-glucan enhances disease tolerance, reducing inflammation and improving survival rates in flu-infected mice.

Asthma relief 🫁 Polysaccharides from tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) were found to relax airway muscles by targeting muscarinic and histamine receptors. In lab tests, these compounds eased airway constriction without toxicity, supporting their potential as a natural asthma treatment.

Cancer-fighting 🥊 The phenolic compounds in Calvatia lilacina exhibit strong cytotoxic effects against colorectal cancer cells.

Sharper focus 👓️ Researchers tested lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) on young, healthy adults to see if a single dose (3g extract) could sharpen thinking and lift mood. The results: no major shifts in overall cognition or mood, but a noticeable boost in fine motor skills—participants performed better on a dexterity test just 90 minutes after taking it.

Medicinal morel benefits 🌲 Morchella elata, a highly nutritious mushroom from the Western Himalayas, contains 159 organic compounds and 435 peptides. Its rich bioactive profile underscores its potential for everyday health and anticancer applications.

Lush hair 💆‍♀️ Mushrooms are emerging as natural cosmetic ingredients, offering anti-aging, antioxidant, and hair growth benefits. Compounds in reishi, maitake (Grifola frondosa), and chaga mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) may reduce hair loss, improve scalp health, and protect skin from aging by blocking harmful enzymes and boosting hydration.

Marine fungi & medicine 🌊 Marine-derived fungi are a rich source of bioactive steroids with powerful medicinal potential. A review of 175 steroids (2015–2023) from fungi like Aspergillus and Penicillium found 74 compounds with antibacterial, antitumor, antiviral, and enzyme-inhibitory effects and could fuel new steroid-based drug development in marine pharmaceuticals.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Fatty liver disease 🐀 A study in mice with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) found that combining psilocybin and semaglutide significantly improved metabolism, reduced liver fat, and enhanced insulin sensitivity. The combo also protected muscle function, suggesting it could offer advantages over single-drug treatments for metabolic disorders.

Long-term effects 📈 A 52-week follow-up of treatment-resistant depression patients found that a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin maintained antidepressant effects for 189 days, compared to 43 days (10 mg) and 21 days (1 mg). Most participants relapsed by Week 12, but higher doses showed longer-lasting benefits.

Psilocybin vs. antidepressants 💊 A study comparing psilocybin and escitalopram (an SSRI) for depression found that psilocybin increased brain network flexibility, especially in higher-order cognitive and attentional networks. Psilocybin responders showed greater connectivity changes than those on escitalopram, suggesting it reshapes brain function more dynamically.

Fat metabolism 🍄 Psilocybin reduces fat buildup in liver and fat cells by activating serotonin receptors. Blocking these receptors stopped the effect, confirming its role in metabolic regulation and suggests potential for treating fatty liver disease and obesity.

Cancer care 💗 Psilocybin, LSD, and DMT may help reduce pain, anxiety, and distress in cancer patients by modulating serotonin pathways. While promising, research on direct pain relief is limited.

Hearing repair 👂️ In a mouse model, a single dose of psilocin triggered the growth of new synapses in the inner ear, improving signal transmission between auditory neurons. Researchers confirmed the effect and showed that the new synapses remained active for over a month. Non-hallucinogenic psychedelic compounds also promoted synapse growth, highlighting their potential for treating age-related hearing loss and nerve degeneration.

Psychiatrists & psychedelics 🧠 A 2022–23 survey of U.S. psychiatrists found rising support for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Compared to 2016, more psychiatrists favor medical legalization (72%), see promise in treating psychiatric disorders (81%), and plan to incorporate psychedelics into practice (50%).

Neurogenesis boost 💥 A systematic review examined how different psychedelics influence brain plasticity and neurogenesis—the process of forming new neurons. Researchers analyzed studies on classical psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT, as well as cannabinoids and NMDA antagonists like ketamine. Findings suggest that psychedelics enhance brain growth and adaptability by stimulating neurotrophic factors like BDNF, which supports synaptic connections. This could explain their rapid antidepressant effects and potential for treating mood disorders.

Fat reduction 🏋️ Psilocin helps reduce fat buildup in liver and fat cells by acting on serotonin receptors. In lab tests, it cut down fat storage in liver cells and fat tissue, suggesting it may support liver health and metabolism.

Escitalopram for depression 😄 A computational study found that psilocybin increased brain plasticity, enhancing responsiveness to therapy, while escitalopram reduced susceptibility to change.

FORAGED FIND

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ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Airborne fungi in the UK 🌬️ A year-long study used high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to analyze fungal exposure in urban (Leicester) and rural (Chilton) environments, identifying 272 fungal genera—nearly four times more than traditional methods. While fungal diversity was similar across locations, temperature and rainfall played a major role in shaping fungal composition. With climate change altering weather patterns, airborne fungi exposure could shift in unpredictable ways, increasing risks for asthma, allergies, and respiratory diseases.

Handling heavy metal 🎸 Agaricus crocodilinus removes manganese and stores zinc, but how it absorbs toxic cadmium remains a mystery. Understanding this could improve bioremediation efforts for contaminated soil and water.

Fungi for dye cleanup 🧼 White rot fungi produce powerful enzymes that break down synthetic dyes, making them a promising solution for textile wastewater treatment. These fungi, particularly Trametes species, use ligninolytic enzymes like laccase, manganese peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase to degrade toxic dyes, reducing water pollution and environmental impact.

Fungi & coffee trees ☕ Researchers uncovered diverse fungal species living on Coffea arabica in Yunnan, China, identifying ten new species.

Marine fungi biofuels ⛽️ Marine fungi produce powerful cellulase enzymes that efficiently break down macroalgae for biofuel production. Unlike traditional biomass, macroalgae lack lignin, making them easier to convert into sustainable energy.

Saving a mushroom museum 🖼️ After 12 years of public education, Zagreb’s World of Mushrooms Museum faces closure due to a failed relocation effort that puts its rare, freeze-dried fungal collection at risk. Croatian mycologists are calling for support to preserve this national treasure. Help by emailing letters of support to [email protected] and spreading the word. Shroomer Brandon Rich actually went to the museum and wrote about it here.

GROWING & GOURMET

King oysters 👑 A study tested different nutrient media to optimize king oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) mycelium growth. Results showed that potato dextrose agar (PDA) and malt extract agar (MEA) produced the fastest growth, making them ideal for commercial cultivation.

Biochar included 🦪 Adding biochar to oyster mushroom substrates (Pleurotus ostreatus) boosts microbial richness but can decrease fruiting body yields, even halting growth at higher concentrations. It also alters elemental content, enhancing nutrients like sulfur and phosphorus.

Drying upgrade 🥼 Ultrasonic and microwave vacuum drying significantly improved the quality of shiitake mushroom polysaccharides. The best method increased total sugar content while lowering molecular weight, making the polysaccharides more bioavailable. This technique also preserved key bioactive compounds, improving benefits like immune support and antioxidant activity.

Dallas gets a fungi hub 📍 Mushroom Street Farms is bringing fresh mushrooms, tinctures, and gourmet powders to Deep Ellum with a new shop opening March 29. Started as a pandemic hobby, the business now sells shiitake, lion’s mane, and king trumpet mushrooms, plus mushroom jerky, tinctures, and coffee. The store also has herbal apothecary items and cooking classes, making it a one-stop shop for mushroom lovers.

Psychedelic dining without the psychedelics 🍽️ This is… interesting. Sagrada, a new eight-course tasting menu in DC, recreates the journey of a psychedelic experience using food, ceremony, and storytelling—all without actual psilocybin. Dishes feature shiitake, huitlacoche, and lion’s mane, alongside rituals like sage smudging and a "heart opening ceremony." A portion of proceeds supports Johns Hopkins psychedelic research.

Reishi sponge cake 🍰 Adding reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushroom powder to sponge cake significantly boosts fiber and antioxidants, while maintaining texture and taste. Cakes with 2% mushroom powder had the best sensory ratings, while higher amounts increased moisture, porosity, and health benefits.

Women-led plant businesses 🌿 Small-scale plant-based enterprises like mushroom cultivation, herbal product manufacturing, and organic farming offer low-cost entrepreneurship opportunities for women. These businesses require minimal training and investment but can improve financial independence, decision-making, and social status, contributing to women’s empowerment and poverty reduction.

Eggplant growth 🍆 Inoculating eggplant (Solanum melongena) with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhanced plant growth, nutrient uptake, and biochemical properties.

FORAGED FINDS

1. Looking for an immune boost ASAP? 🌳 Real Mushrooms has 30% off their Chaga Extract Capsules. 

2. Now’s the time to try mushroom chocolate. 🍫 The Discovery Mushroom Chocolate Set from Alice is 15% off with code SHROOMER15.

3. Try a new shroomy drink. 🫗 Get 20% off Four Sigmatic’s full line. I especially like their latte mixes.

4. Spring tea refresh. 🫖 Take 10% off Birch Boys teas and extracts with code SHROOMER.

5. Kickstart your cultivation journey. 📦️ Inoculate the World always has great bundle deals.

*Using these links to purchase may generate a small commission, helping us continue our reporting.

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