Lion’s Mane vs. Microplastics, Psilocybin Self-Kindness, and Smart Packaging

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HAMILTON’S MUSHROOMS

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 🛡️💊🧬 | Cancer cell killer

• 🧠🦠🔬 | Gut-immune upgrade

• 🍄🔥🧪 | Antioxidant powerhouse

Hi Shroomers. This week, we’re talking microplastics, radiation, and the future of mental health. From a landmark psilocybin trial to a new study testing mushrooms for dementia prevention, the science is moving fast—and it’s pointing toward real, natural solutions.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The gut microbiome 🦠 A special β-glucan from reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) was made more absorbable using ultrasonic extraction, and it boosted immune cell activity only when gut bacteria were present, highlighting how gut health and immunity work together. It also increased helpful microbes like Lactobacillus, pointing to its potential as a prebiotic for immune support.

Fighting microplastics 🧃 Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) mycelium improved sperm count and reduced abnormalities in rats exposed to microplastics. It also boosted testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and Kiss1 levels, a key reproductive peptide. Inflammation markers like IL-6 and nitric oxide dropped, and the mushroom helped preserve testicular structure.

Progesterone therapy 💊 Researchers used reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) as a natural delivery system for progesterone and it worked. The mushroom capsule boosted hormone release by 91% and significantly increased cancer cell death in breast and uterine cell lines compared to progesterone alone.

Protect your heart ❤️ The morel mushroom (Morchella esculenta) may help protect your heart during chemotherapy. In mouse studies, it reduced heart damage caused by chemo drugs like doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. It lowered key markers of heart stress, restored natural antioxidants, and kept heart tissue healthy without interfering with the cancer-fighting power of the treatment.

No more free radicals 🧪 White button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) were shown to be antioxidant-rich, thanks to high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids. Using a special ultrasound-assisted method, researchers extracted compounds that showed strong free radical-scavenging ability and reducing power, key indicators of antioxidant strength.

Shield your organs ☢️ A special compound from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) protected liver and kidney function in rats exposed to harmful gamma radiation. The mushroom polysaccharide (POM) reduced DNA damage, restored antioxidant enzymes, and lowered inflammation, counteracting radiation’s toxic effects. Treated animals also showed better body weight and fewer signs of organ damage, suggesting oyster mushrooms may offer real protective benefits in high-stress or medical environments.

Fight cancer 🛡️ The milky white mushroom (Calocybe indica)—a tropical edible variety—activated key immune cells like T and B cells and helped them release protective antibodies and cytokines. In lab studies, its ethanol extract stopped the growth of aggressive breast cancer cells (MCF7 and MDA-MB231) without harming healthy spleen cells. This selective action was linked to apoptosis (cancer cell death) and strong immune support, making it a promising candidate for natural adjuvant cancer therapies.

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PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Clearing Phase 3 🏁 A synthetic psilocybin (COMP360) showed a 3.6-point improvement on the MADRS depression scale in a landmark Phase 3 trial for treatment-resistant depression, comparable to Spravato, the fast-acting nasal spray derived from ketamine and approved in 2019. The single 25mg dose showed no new safety issues or suicidality concerns. This is the first-ever Phase 3 success for a classic psychedelic, putting Compass Pathways one step closer to FDA approval and opening the door for legal psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Self compassion blooms 💐 Psilocybin-assisted therapy helped people with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) drink less and show greater self-compassion than placebo. In this randomized trial, participants who received psilocybin had significantly lower alcohol consumption at 12 weeks and greater improvements on the Self-Compassion Scale. These effects persisted at 24 weeks.

Long-term relief ☔️ A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, led to lasting reductions in depression and anxiety for people with cancer. Two years after treatment, over half of participants still showed meaningful improvements, demonstrating both safety and durable emotional benefits.

Emotional processing 🎭 Researchers used fMRI scans to observe how psilocybin changes the way the brain reacts to emotional conflict. In people with major depression, psilocybin increased connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex—areas tied to emotion regulation—after just one session. This shift may help explain how psilocybin reduces rumination and boosts emotional flexibility, laying the groundwork for deeper therapeutic change.

Seniors with depression❣️ Older adults with treatment-resistant depression may benefit from psilocybin. Though most trials focus on younger people, this review highlights early studies in adults aged 55–75 showing significant symptom relief after a single 25 mg dose, with no serious side effects. Given common SSRI intolerance in seniors, psilocybin could offer a fast, well-tolerated alternative, pending more age-specific research.

End-of-life care 🕊️ Healing Hearts Changing Minds just launched a $500,000 fund to expand access to psychedelic-assisted therapy for people nearing the end of life. The initiative supports community-rooted projects focused on trauma, grief, and spiritual care. Applications are now open for those developing programs that offer dignity, connection, and healing through psilocybin and other therapies.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Vitamin D bombs 🪰 When black soldier fly larvae were fed white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and exposed to UVB light, they produced huge amounts of vitamins D₂ and D₃—up to 514 µg/g of D₂ and 476 µg/g of D₃. That’s over 250 times the daily recommended intake per gram. This approach could turn food waste into a sustainable, nutrient-dense protein source for animals or even humans.

Cleaning up pesticides 🌿 A global review found that 92 fungal species—including turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) and black mold (Aspergillus niger)—have been tested against 171 pesticides, mainly in lab settings. Fungi use enzymes like laccases and peroxidases to break down toxic compounds, yet, most studies remain preliminary and focus on removal rates rather than real-world conditions or ecotoxicity. Progress hinges on expanding field trials and better understandings of fungal biochemistry.

Oil spill solution 🛢️ Fungi collected from oil-contaminated soils in Nigeria—like black mold (Aspergillus niger) and green mold (Trichoderma viride)—removed up to 77% of total petroleum hydrocarbons in just 21 days.

Fungal map of Mexico 🇲🇽 In the first fungal survey of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, researchers cataloged 266 species of fungi and slime molds across 254 genera. The list includes turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), candle snuff fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon), and various crust and jelly fungi, highlighting the region’s ecological richness and importance for conservation, biocultural research, and future foraging studies.

Mosquitoes vs fungi 🦟 Entomopathogenic fungi from the Amazon successfully infected Anopheles aquasalis mosquitoes, which are known malaria vectors. Four native fungal strains—including one closely related to Beauveria bassiana, a well-known insect pathogen—showed strong virulence, reducing mosquito survival by over 80% in less than a week. 

GROWING & GOURMET

Sausage swap 🌭 Scientists created a plant-based sausage using shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mycelium combined with soy and wheat protein. The result: a sustainable meat alternative with a firm, juicy texture, improved chewiness, and appealing umami flavor.

Fermented substrate boost 🍎 Small-scale growers tested natural fortifiers—fermented fruit juice, indigenous microorganisms, and fish amino acids—on mushroom substrates. While yield gains were modest and not statistically significant, nutrient content improved: zinc and potassium increased with IMO, and molybdenum was found only in fruit juice treatments.

Freshness tracker film 🍱 A new biodegradable film made from pectin, gellan gum, and betacyanin from Bougainvillea glabra changes color as mushrooms spoil—shifting from pink to brown in real time. This smart label targets highly perishable species like white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), aiming to reduce waste and give consumers a visible freshness cue. The film also offers antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making it a promising eco-friendly solution for intelligent packaging.

Agro-waste combos 🍌 Combining different farm waste materials like cotton waste, banana leaves, and rice straw led to better yields of straw mushrooms (Volvariella volvacea) and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). The highest yields came from cotton waste mixed with rice straw or banana leaves.

MUSH MORE

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