⚡️Faster Thinking, Safer Cordyceps, and a Psilocybin Milestone

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 🧫 | E. coli makes psilocybin 17x faster than older biosynthesis methods

• 🍓 | Mushroom waste extends strawberry shelf life

• 🌿 | “Palliadelic” care reframes end-of-life treatment

Hi Shroomer. I’ll be at the Texas Mushroom Conference tomorrow! If you’re near Austin, come say hi and pick up one of our limited edition Shroomer shirts. They’re fun, they’re fungi, and they’re only available in person.

The timing couldn’t be better, because this week’s issue is all about what mushrooms do. From oyster mushrooms eating plastic to lion’s mane boosting cognition in under 90 minutes, the science is active, applied, and growing.

You might notice I don’t always write “more human testing needed” or “potentially.” That’s intentional—I trust you already know that. This newsletter is about curiosity and action: what mushrooms are actually doing in labs, fields, and kitchens. If you find this letter helpful, pass it along to your mycelial network.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Quick-thinking boost 🧠 In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, healthy adults aged 18–35 took 3 grams of lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) fruiting body extract. Within 90 minutes, they performed significantly better on the pegboard test, a measure of manual dexterity and psychomotor speed, placing more pegs with both hands compared to the placebo.

Lung shield 🛡️ Rats given chemotherapy drug bleomycin experienced severe lung damage, but co-treatment with white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) extract at 250–500 mg/kg significantly reduced inflammation and lung cell damage. Antioxidant enzyme activity returned to near-normal levels, and oxidative stress markers dropped by over 55%, making them a potentially powerful and affordable addition to integrative cancer care.

Fungi and colitis 🔬 A 2025 review found that intestinal fungi like Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae play a key role in both causing and treating ulcerative colitis. Fungi influence inflammation through immune responses, interact with bacteria to disrupt or restore gut balance, and affect how well treatments like probiotics and fecal microbiota transplants work.

Cancer cell kill switch 🧪 In early findings presented by University of Windsor researchers, black maitake (Grifola frondosa) extract triggered strong dose-dependent apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells. When combined with the chemotherapy drug temozolomide, the mushroom extract allowed for lower chemo doses while still killing cancer cells, thanks to its ability to generate oxidative stress and disrupt mitochondrial membranes.

Stronger bones 🦴 Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) stipe extracts, regardless of drying method, significantly reduced osteoclast formation in vitro by suppressing a key regulator of bone breakdown. In an osteoporosis-induced zebrafish model, hot-air dried stipe extract restored bone mineralization and reversed steroid-induced bone loss.

Liver protection 🍷 Acidic polysaccharides extracted from wood ear mushrooms (Auricularia polytricha) reduced alcohol-induced liver damage in mice by boosting antioxidant enzymes and suppressing inflammation. The extract also scavenged harmful radicals with rates up to 76%, including hydrogen peroxide and DPPH.

Chaga test cheat code 📊 A peer-reviewed 2025 study developed a multi-analytical framework to distinguish authentic wildcrafted chaga (Inonotus obliquus) from misleading mycelium-on-grain products. Real chaga showed high melanin content, chaga-specific triterpenoids like inotodiol and trametenolic acid, and a high β-glucan to α-glucan ratio. Fermented grain products lacked these markers and instead tested high in starch and fatty acids.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Trip-free therapy 🚗 Cornell researchers found that psilocybin’s antidepressant effects come from activating pyramidal tract neurons in the medial frontal cortex through serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Silencing these neurons in mice removed the therapeutic response, while the hallucinogenic effects appear to stem from other areas like the visual cortex. These findings suggest it may be possible to deliver psilocybin in a way that retains the mood-lifting benefits without triggering a psychedelic experience.

Whole mushroom advantage 🐁 In an OCD-like mouse model, a single dose of psychedelic mushroom extract reduced compulsive grooming and anxiety-like behaviors for up to 7 weeks, matching or outperforming pure psilocybin. Researchers suggest this is due to the entourage effect, where compounds like baeocystin and norbaeocystin enhance the therapeutic impact.

Whole shrooms approved 🌌 The FDA cleared Scottsdale Research Institute to begin the first U.S. clinical trial using whole psilocybin mushrooms, specifically a strain called Jedi Mind Fuck, to treat PTSD, chronic pain, and opioid addiction. Unlike standard trials with synthetic psilocybin, this study will test full-spectrum mushrooms, standardized through 14 grow cycles and 40 tests, to evaluate the therapeutic potential of their complete compound profile.

Engineered psilocybin boost 🧫 Scientists successfully modified E. coli to produce psilocybin from scratch, hitting a yield of 79.4 mg/L—a 17-fold increase over previous microbial methods. They created a biosynthetic pathway that works without feeding in any psilocybin precursors and this breakthrough could make clinical-grade psilocybin far more affordable and accessible.

Palliadelic care 🌿 A newly published paper introduces the term palliadelic to describe the use of psychedelics like psilocybin in hospice and palliative care, aiming to ease psychological, spiritual, and existential suffering at the end of life. The concept roots itself in decades of research and reframes psychedelic support as a compassionate, dignified form of care.

New Mexico goes clinical 🌵 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Medical Psilocybin Act into law, making New Mexico the fourth state to legalize psilocybin therapy. Unlike ballot-led efforts in Oregon and Colorado, this legislation passed through the statehouse with overwhelming support and will allow supervised access to natural mushrooms for conditions like PTSD, depression, and end-of-life anxiety—plus an equity fund for low-income patients.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Plastic-eating mushrooms 🧽 Five edible mushrooms—including wood ear (Auricularia auricula), oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)—were found to break down polystyrene microplastics, with oyster mushrooms degrading up to 16.17% over 50 days. Using transcriptomics and proteomics, researchers identified new enzymes and metabolic pathways responsible for the breakdown.

Pleurotus vs. plastic ♻️ White oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) reduced the weight of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic film by 23% after 30 days of growth. The fungi secreted enzymes like laccase and peroxidases that broke down the plastic structure.

Heavy metal cleanup 🌱 The edible mushroom Stropharia rugoso-annulata, paired with biochar and a metal-resistant Serratia bacteria strain, removed cadmium and copper from contaminated soil while rebuilding microbial diversity and soil health. The hybrid system increased metal uptake by over 220% and boosted fungal biomass by 150%, helping restore soil pH, respiration, and enzyme activity.

Eco packaging upgrade 📦 Scientists developed moisture-resistant films from α-1,3-glucan, a water-insoluble biopolymer found in chicken-of-the-woods mushrooms (Laetiporus sulphureus). The film is biodegradable, absorbs less UV light than other biopolymer films, and supports microbial breakdown by Trichoderma harzianum and bacteria like E. coli and B. subtilis, making it promising for sustainable packaging and biomedical uses.

GROWING & GOURMET

Strawberry saver 🍓 Scientists created an edible coating from spent mushroom substrate of white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and used it to extend the shelf life of strawberries. The mushroom-derived chitosan preserved antioxidant levels, firmness, and color, while also reducing spoilage from common fungi like Botrytis cinerea and Aspergillus niger over 15 days of storage.

Smart growing 🪵 Agro-forest waste—like prunings from goji, seabuckthorn, and peashrub—boosted shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) yield and nutrition when used as substrate alternatives to oak sawdust. Some combinations increased protein by up to 13%, fiber by 12.6%, and sweet-tasting amino acids by 145%, while also promoting faster mycelial growth.

Taste-tuning with technique 🍽️ King oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) grown outdoors under soil-covered conditions had 10% more nutrients and 42% higher free amino acid content than those grown indoors in factory settings. These mushrooms also produced richer umami aromas, making them more flavorful and nutrient-dense.

Heat-safe cordyceps ☕ Cold-water extracts of Cordyceps militaris showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity in mouse spleen cells, but heating the extract above 158°F completely eliminated the toxic effects. Unlike previous hot-water studies, this cold extract’s cytotoxicity did not rely on the usual immune receptor (dectin-1), suggesting the presence of heat-sensitive harmful compounds.

Substrate showdown 🌾 A new study compared straw, sawdust, and peanut shells to see which works best for growing white oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). Straw delivered the highest average yield, while peanut shells had the most stable results with less variability. Statistically, straw and sawdust both maximized production, but straw was faster, and sawdust was better for consistent output over time.

Nutrient-smart reishi 🧺 Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma neo-japonicum adjust their growth patterns based on available nutrients. G. lucidum grew fastest on potato dextrose agar, while G. neo-japonicum thrived even in lower-nutrient conditions, showing more aggressive foraging behavior and denser mycelial branching.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Medicinal plants, mushrooms, and microbes may hold real promise in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. They produce antiviral compounds—like flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids—that can block viral replication, inhibit key enzymes, and strengthen immune defenses. These natural metabolites are now being explored as potential tools for future drug development.

• How they work 📉 Secondary metabolites from fungi, plants, and endophytic microbes disrupt the virus at multiple points—blocking entry, halting replication, and modulating the immune response. Some phytochemicals even bind directly to SARS-CoV-2’s main protease and spike proteins.

• Natural sources 🧬 Mushrooms such as Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) and Phellinus igniarius reduce inflammation and suppress viral replication. Plant compounds like quercetin and baicalein have also been shown to block key coronavirus enzymes.

• Beyond COVID-19 🦠 Traditional medicinal plants—Nigella sativa, Artemisia annua, and Houttuynia cordata, to name a few—have demonstrated antiviral activity against a range of coronaviruses, making them relevant for future pandemic readiness.

• Research-backed 🥼 In-silico modeling, lab tests, and early-stage clinical trials all support the idea that these natural compounds can interfere with the viral life cycle—and could be a powerful piece of the antiviral toolkit moving forward.

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