🦕 Fungi Found in Dinosaur Bones, Tumor Blockers, and Legal Psilocybin in Germany

IN TODAY’S EDITION

Hi Shroomers. This week’s discoveries feel like time travel: ancient fungi tunneling through Triceratops fossils, mushrooms blocking the blood flow tumors need to grow, and a first-of-its-kind psilocybin access program launching in Germany. The fungal world never stops surprising me, and I’m so glad we get to explore it together.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Stopping tumor blood flow 🩸 Compounds from mushrooms like reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), oyster (Pleurotus spp.), and lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) block the formation of new blood vessels—an essential process tumors need to grow. This review found these mushrooms reduced blood vessel growth by up to 90%, slowed endothelial cell activity by 33–93%, and lowered key angiogenesis signals (like VEGF) by up to 94%. Several species are now in clinical trials for cancer treatment support.

Heart helper ❤️ An enzyme from the shaggy mane mushroom (Coprinus comatus) reduced blood clots by over 60% in zebrafish models. It worked by breaking down fibrin, the protein that forms clots, without causing bleeding, unlike many conventional drugs. These early findings suggest potential for a safer, natural anti-thrombotic therapy.

Shiitake shield 🛡️ Polysaccharides from shiitake mushroom mycelium (Lentinus edodes) protected blood vessel cells from harmful compounds called AGEs, which build up in the body with age and are linked to diabetes and heart problems. The mushroom compounds blocked key damage signals in the cells, reducing inflammation and cell death.

Nutrient boost 🍽️ Enriched mushrooms like button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) can be biofortified with essential nutrients, like vitamin D, selenium, iron, and zinc, helping address widespread deficiencies. These fortified fungi not only improve mineral absorption but also enhance medicinal effects.

Superbug defense 🧫 Fungi that live inside plants (endophytic fungi) are emerging as powerful allies against antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). These hidden fungi produce antimicrobial compounds such as alkaloids, terpenes, and peptides, offering a promising path to new treatments in the fight against superbugs.

Mushroom-made gold ✨ Mushrooms like oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) are being used to biosynthesize gold nanoparticles for cancer therapy, biosensors, and drug delivery. 

Cancer-fighting fungi 🌿 A fungus called Alternaria longipes, found inside the mayapple plant (Podophyllum hexandrum), can naturally produce podophyllotoxin, a rare compound used in chemotherapy drugs. This fungal version worked just as well as the plant-based one in killing breast cancer cells and also showed benefits for blood sugar and antioxidant support. It's a major step toward making cancer treatments more sustainable without relying on endangered plants.

Gut repair boost 🩺 Polysaccharides from the brown swordbelt mushroom (Lyophyllum decastes) reduced colon inflammation and healed intestinal damage in mice with colitis. The treatment lowered inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), boosted gut barrier proteins like ZO-1 and occludin, and restored microbial balance by increasing Lactobacillus and reducing Helicobacter.

False truffle medicine 🧪 False truffles (Elaphomyces species) showed strong antioxidant and antibacterial effects in lab tests, especially Elaphomyces mutabilis, which had the highest phenolic content (161.1 mg GAE/g) and strongest free radical scavenging (83.2%). These rare underground fungi also inhibited bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07036-z 

Reishi-like boost 🧠🦠 The reishi-like mushroom Ganoderma calidophilum produced rare triterpenes that protected brain cells and supported healthy gut bacteria. One key compound, gacalitone F, reduced oxidative stress, activated anti-aging pathways (AMPK and SIRT1), and calmed inflammation by blocking mTOR. It also boosted choline, a nutrient tied to memory and nerve repair. Early tests in cells and zebrafish suggest strong potential for brain, gut, and longevity support.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Early psilocybin access 🇩🇪 Germany just launched the EU’s first legal psilocybin access program for people with treatment-resistant depression. Patients can now receive botanical psilocybin (PEX010) at two clinics—free of charge and covered by insurance—without waiting for full drug approval.

Dual benefit for addiction 💗 In a French clinical trial, psilocybin-assisted therapy helped 55% of patients with both alcohol use disorder and depression stay sober for 12 weeks, compared to just 11% in the control group. It also reduced cravings and drinking days, showing promise for complex mental health cases.

Immune shift 🧬 Psilocybin may help regulate inflammation by calming immune overactivation. It appears to reduce key inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF-α, both tied to depression, autoimmune issues, and chronic disease.

End-of-life care 🕊️ A new meta-analysis of nearly 400 patients shows psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly reduces anxiety, depression, and existential distress in people with cancer.

New psilocybin-like prodrugs 💊 A new class of compounds called ACOM prodrugs, based on psilocin and other tryptamines, could improve psychedelic therapy by offering better control over dose, duration, and absorption. These modified molecules aim to make psychedelic-assisted treatments safer and more predictable for clinical use.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Fungi in dinosaur bones 🦕 Scientists discovered fungal hyphae thriving inside fossilized bones from Triceratops and Edmontosaurus, along with nematodes that feed on the fungi. These hardy fungi tunneled through mineralized bone, revealing ancient micro-ecosystems and showing that even fossilized remains can support life. The fungi appeared to prefer areas near old blood vessel canals, and their presence adds new layers to our understanding of microbial resilience across deep time.

Waste into wealth ♻️ Agricultural leftovers from growing shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) were successfully repurposed to extract sugars and recover high-quality lignin. Shiitake waste produced the most fermentable sugars, while hydrothermally treated oyster waste reached nearly 90% cellulose digestibility. This circular approach transforms mushroom waste into valuable materials for biofuels, packaging, and bioplastics.

Pollutant-fighting mushrooms 🌍 White rot mushrooms like oyster (Pleurotus spp.) and turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) produce enzymes that break down tough pollutants, including plastics, dyes, and pesticides. This review shows how these fungi’s myco-enzymes, such as laccase and peroxidase, are strong candidates for large-scale bioremediation. With the right conditions, they could help detoxify some of the most stubborn environmental contaminants.

Sulfur cycling at sea 🌊 Fungi like Cladosporium and Penicillium play a key role in breaking down kelp (Ecklonia radiata) and recycling sulfur in marine ecosystems. These fungi help convert organic sulfur into forms that can be used by bacteria and other organisms, important for maintaining healthy coastal nutrient cycles and carbon balance.

Lead-stabilizing fungi 🪙 Fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, especially species like Acaulospora rehmii and Funneliformis geosporus, produce a sticky protein called glomalin that can trap toxic lead in soil. At highly contaminated sites in Argentina, this fungal protein was found to bind up to 23% of the total lead, helping reduce its mobility and risk. 

More plastic-eating fungi 🧃 Fungi isolated from mangrove plastic waste, including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, and Trichoderma asperellum, were shown to break down diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), a toxic plastic additive. These fungi reduced DIBP levels by up to 90% over 28 days, highlighting their potential in natural biodegradation and eco-restoration efforts.

Mushroom leather gets stronger 🧵 Mycelium mats made from split gill mushrooms (Schizophyllum commune) showed improved strength and flexibility when grown in large batches. The mats held up well under both dry and humid conditions, proving they're durable enough for sustainable fashion, packaging, and leather-like materials.

Pecan orchard surprise 🌰 A new survey of pecan orchards across the U.S. Southwest uncovered 31 mushroom-forming species, including desert-native Agaricus deserticola, Scleroderma spp., Pisolithus tinctorius, and Tuber lyonii. These fungi, both mycorrhizal and saprotrophic, could enhance soil health and tree resilience in arid farm ecosystems.

GROWING & GOURMET

There haven’t been many growing or edible mushroom stories in the last few weeks, so I was happy to see both of these cross my feed.

Boosting selenium 🥄 Researchers enriched oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus geesteranus) with selenium using three different compounds. One form—selenite—led to the highest selenium levels in the fruiting bodies, improving both antioxidant capacity and nutritional value. 

Longer shelf life ❄️ Storing dried black jelly mushrooms (Auricularia polytricha) and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) at cooler temperatures (~39°F) preserved their quality much better than room temperature over 12 weeks. Mushrooms stored cold retained more color, texture, and nutrients, including lower moisture content and lipid oxidation.

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