🧬 Seizure Relief, Psilocybin for Cancer, and Mushrooms for Hormone Balance

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 📚️ | Major cancer developments

• ❄️ | Chill your oyster grow room

• 🌭 | Mushroom sausages in the spotlight

Hi Shroomer. I’ll be at the Texas Mushroom Conference next Saturday, April 12 and would love to see you there. In the meantime, here’s a recap of last year’s event so you know what to expect from this year’s bigger and better celebration.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Seizure support stack 🧠 Mushrooms like reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris), and black ear fungus (Auricularia polytricha) may help manage epilepsy when standard meds don’t work. In one study, 18 patients taking 1000 mg of reishi spore powder three times daily for 8 weeks had fewer seizures and improved quality of life. Animal studies found lion’s mane and black ear extracts reduced seizure duration and protected brain cells by up to 50%.

Polysaccharide power 🔋 Polysaccharides from mushrooms like reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) are key to their immune, anti-cancer, and gut-healing effects. Researchers found that tweaking genes, enzyme activity, and biosynthetic pathways can boost the quality and quantity of these beneficial compounds. These breakthroughs help scale mushroom-based treatments for food, pharma, and supplements.

Sun-shielding matsutake ☀️ Extracts from matsutake mushrooms (Tricholoma matsutake) protected skin from UV damage by reducing wrinkles, collagen breakdown, and inflammation in mice. At doses of 50–100 mg/ml, the extract boosted collagen, lowered pro-inflammatory markers, and cut UV-induced skin cell death by more than half.

Immunity boost 🛡️ A polysaccharide extract from enoki mushroom residue (Flammulina velutipes) repaired gut damage and restored immune function in mice with drug-induced immunosuppression. The supplement increased antioxidant enzymes, boosted cytokine levels, and shifted the gut microbiome by raising beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful strains. It also restored 32 key metabolites.

Ovarian cancer fighter 🧬 A compound from the the mossy maze polypore (Cerrena unicolor) showed strong effects against ovarian cancer cells. Laccase from the mushroom reduced cancer cell viability by up to 60% at concentrations of 100–250 µg/mL and had a significantly milder impact on healthy cells compared to cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug known for killing cancer cells, but comes with harsh side effects.

The oyster shield 🦪 Polysaccharides from king oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) helped protect and repair the gut lining in both healthy and colitis-induced mice. These compounds formed a protective barrier by binding with intestinal mucus, reducing damage and improving absorption. The findings support the mushrooms as a powerful, food-based option for strengthening your gut health.

Shiitake cancer support 🧫 A meta-analysis of 22 trials found that shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) and their extract lentinan improved tumor response rates in cancer patients when used alongside standard treatment. While they didn’t extend overall survival, they caused no added side effects and may enhance quality of life.

Kidney rescue 🫘 Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) helped reverse kidney fibrosis in mice by cutting tissue damage and collagen buildup in half after just 14 days. With 60 active compounds targeting over 675 genes, chaga shows serious promise for protecting kidney health and managing chronic inflammation.

COVID blocker 🦠 Cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris blocked replication of SARS-CoV-2 in lab tests by targeting Mpro, a key viral enzyme. It showed potent antiviral activity close to that of drugs like remdesivir. The compound also worked against Mpro mutations, suggesting broad potential as a natural COVID-19 therapeutic.

Male menopause ⚖️ Enoki mushroom extract (Flammulina velutipes) significantly improved symptoms of male menopause in a 12-week placebo-controlled study of 55 men. Those taking 1250 mg daily had better sexual function scores and were more likely to show testosterone increases. Powered by adenosine, this extract may support hormone balance, energy, and healthy aging in men over 40.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Microdosing 💊 Low doses of psilocybin (0.1–0.6 mg/kg) boosted key brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA in rats without triggering hallucinogenic effects. The compound reduced anxiety, modulated stress hormones, and caused no DNA damage.

In action ⏱️ Psilocybin starts working in as little as 2 minutes when injected and 30–60 minutes when taken orally, peaking around the 2-hour mark. It’s quickly converted into psilocin, which crosses the blood–brain barrier and drives its effects. Most is cleared from the body within 6 hours, making psilocybin one of the shortest-acting classic psychedelics.

Cancer care 🎗️ Psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA significantly eased anxiety, depression, and existential distress in cancer patients and those with terminal illness. In five clinical trials with up to 56 participants, most showed lasting emotional relief without serious side effects. These therapies offer a powerful, compassionate option for improving quality of life when it's needed most.

Medication mix caution 🛑 Psilocybin's effects may intensify when taken with drugs like carbamazepine, which influence CYP450 enzymes that metabolize psilocybin. In animal models, combining the two shifted how psilocybin worked in the brain and increased its impact, raising safety concerns for people on antidepressants, antiepileptics, or other psychiatric meds.

As good as SSRIs ✨ This comprehensive review examined how chronic stress causes neuronal atrophy and mood disorders, and found that psilocybin’s unique activation of 5-HT2A receptors supports neuroplasticity, synapse repair, and emotional resilience. Unlike SSRIs, psilocybin showed faster, more sustained improvements in mood, connectivity, and quality of life, especially for treatment-resistant depression.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Fungi healing land 🌱 Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) helped restore damaged ecosystems in old sand quarries by forming symbiotic partnerships with pioneer plants. These fungi thrived alongside species like brown bent (Agrostis capillaris) and tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), improving soil health and plant regrowth.

Fungi fine-tune tone 🎻 White rot fungi like turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) and bleeding crust fungus (Ceriporia lacerata) enhanced the acoustic properties of alder (Alnus sp.) and soft maple (Acer sp.). After just 4 weeks of treatment, the fungi reduced wood density and boosted sound transmission, improving acoustic efficiency by over 50 percent, showing that mushrooms can naturally upgrade tonewood, bringing sustainability and resonance into harmony.

Cleaning cigarette waste 🚬 White rot fungi like turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), and milk-white toothed polypore (Irpex lacteus) broke down over 95% of the nicotine in toxic leachate from cigarette butts within six weeks. These mushrooms also reduced phytotoxicity and degraded other harmful tobacco chemicals to help fully detoxify cigarette litter, one of the world’s most common plastic-pollution problems.

Fuel from fungi ⚡ Species from the Mucor and Rhizopus genera, part of the Mucorales group of filamentous fungi, can convert agricultural waste into biodiesel-rich oils. These fungi grow quickly, thrive on low-cost plant scraps like sugarcane bagasse and cheese whey, and can store over 40 percent of their body weight as oil. Researchers are now enhancing their oil output using tools like CRISPR and bioreactors, making them strong candidates for replacing fossil fuels in a circular economy.

GROWING & GOURMET

Better vegan sausages 🌭 Sausages made with song-hwa mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) and plant-based binders had similar texture and consumer appeal as store-bought vegan options, plus a lower risk of triggering soy allergies. Song-hwa mushrooms, a cultivated shiitake variety with deep umami flavor, helped create a juicy, sustainable alternative with strong water retention and minimal additives.

Oyster mushroom protein 🥤 Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) were used to create both protein powder and chitin-chitosan, a natural fiber usually sourced from shellfish. Researchers optimized extraction methods to get high yields of both, offering a sustainable, plant-based alternative for supplements, packaging, and beyond.

Protein for the planet 🌍 Edible mushrooms like button (Agaricus bisporus), morel (Morchella sp.), and straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) offer high-quality protein with up to 80% digestibility. These fungi grow fast, require fewer resources, and convert agricultural waste into nutrient-rich food.

Cold-boosted oysters ❄️ Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus citrinopileatus) grown at 50 °F produced smaller caps but had up to 8 times more antioxidant activity. Enzymes like catalase and ascorbate peroxidase surged in colder conditions, making the mushrooms more nutrient-dense. Chilling your grow room could mean a healthier harvest.

Split gill + tempeh🍴 Split gill mushrooms (Schizophyllum commune) combined with tempeh boosted antioxidant activity and shelf life in herbal sausages. The best blend (3 parts tempeh to 1 part mushroom) matched chicken sausage in taste and texture while cutting down on harmful oxidation.

MUSH MORE

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