Veterans Heal, Rivers Recover, and Mushroom Blends May Be Better

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 🩹 | Faster wound repair

• 🪖 | Veterans heal

• 🌊 | Floating wetlands

Hi Shroomers. Now don’t get me wrong — I have an appreciation and love for psilocybin. But it burns my toast that so many people still reduce fungi to just “the trip.” This newsletter started because of that disconnect. Every week starting in 2021, I kept finding non-psychedelic research that blew my mind — fungi healing wounds faster than modern medicine, cleaning waterways with mycelium wetlands, even helping Indian and Pakistani women in villages create a stable, circular economy — and nobody was talking about it.

That’s why I show up in your inbox every Friday: to show the full spectrum of what the fungi kingdom is doing for our bodies, our ecosystems, and our future. Mushrooms are so, so much more than the trip.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Blood sugar balance 🩸 Fermented shiitake (Lentinus edodes) improved insulin sensitivity by switching on the liver’s PI3K/AKT pathway, the body’s natural blood sugar control system, lowering glucose, insulin, and body fat while supporting healthier metabolism and maternal health.

Bone & inflammation aid 🦴 Researchers discovered seven new compounds, called diterpenoids, from the fungus Biscogniauxia sp. Several showed strong anti-inflammatory activity by reducing IL-6 and TNF-α, while others blocked bone loss by preventing osteoclast formation. One compound, biscognisecoisopimarate B, had the most powerful bone-protecting effect.

Gut health boost 🌱 Button (Agaricus bisporus) and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) provided strong prebiotic and antioxidant effects. Their polysaccharides fueled the growth of beneficial Lactobacillus strains, blocked harmful bacteria like Listeria, and showed potent free radical scavenging activity, supporting digestion and reducing oxidative stress.

Faster wound repair 🩹 Schizophyllan, a polysaccharide from split gill mushrooms (Schizophyllum commune), sped up healing in both cell and mouse models. It boosted skin cell growth, blood vessel formation, and antioxidant defenses, leading to a 96% wound closure rate, outperforming standard hydrogel dressings. The compound worked by regulating inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and supporting tissue regeneration.

Anti-aging blends 🌟 Extracts from five mushrooms—button (Agaricus bisporus), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), enoki (Flammulina velutipes), king oyster (Pleurotus eryngii), and oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus)—were tested alone and in pairs. Certain combinations, like button + enoki and shiitake + enoki, showed synergistic power, boosting both antioxidant and anti-glycation activity beyond what single mushrooms achieved. These effects suggest mushroom blends may better protect against oxidative stress and aging-related damage.

Gut fungi & autism 🧩 A clinical thesis studying 50 adults with autism spectrum disorder found their gut fungi were less diverse and had lower total fungal load compared to neurotypical controls. Certain fungi—like Candida glabrata and species of Penicillium and Aspergillus—were more common in autism. During microbiota transplant therapy, fungal levels spiked after vancomycin pre-treatment, then shifted again post-transplant, suggesting gut fungi may play a role in both autism symptoms and therapeutic outcomes.

Blocking bad bacteria 🦠 Extracts from chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) disrupted quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a dangerous hospital-acquired pathogen. The extracts shut down key genes controlling communication and virulence, cut biofilm formation by up to 75%, and even made antibiotics like gentamicin more effective, all while proving safe in a C. elegans model.

Cancer cell cleanup 🧹 A review of more than 18 mushroom species—including reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris), and chaga (Inonotus obliquus)—highlighted their ability to modulate autophagy, the cell’s natural recycling system. Compounds like ganoderic acid and cordycepin triggered cancer cell death or boosted chemotherapy sensitivity by acting on key pathways. In some studies, reishi extracts cut colorectal tumor growth by up to 60%, while cordycepin killed lung cancer cells at very low doses. 

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Brain rewiring 🧠 A Molecular Psychiatry paper showed that psychedelics like psilocybin work by activating the 5-HT2A receptor, which drives neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections. This receptor activity boosts mood-regulating pathways, enhances emotional flexibility, and helps explain psilocybin’s lasting antidepressant effects. The findings root today’s psychedelic renaissance in hard neuroscience, linking receptor biology to real-world relief from depression.

Memory loss 🌀 A comparative review of psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca found that while attention and working memory drop temporarily during a trip—and sometimes up to 24 hours afterward—there are no signs of lasting neuropsychological harm. Among the classic psychedelics, psilocybin showed the most favorable profile, with fewer acute drawbacks and stronger promise for safe, long-term mental health applications.

The gut & sociability 🌱 Chronic psilocybin (1 mg/kg, daily for 5 weeks) boosted sociability and reduced startle response in male wild-type mice, but not in an OCD-model strain. It also slowed gut transit and shifted the microbiome, reducing Lactobacillus and Alistipes species, suggesting links between serotonin signaling, gut function, and social behavior. Importantly, these changes were sex- and genotype-specific, highlighting that psilocybin’s gut–brain effects may depend strongly on baseline biology.

Self-compassion boost 💞 Two studies—one observational and one clinical trial—found that higher doses of psilocybin (25 mg vs. 1 mg) led to significantly stronger positive emotional experiences, especially self-compassion. Self-compassion was the only factor that consistently predicted and mediated improvements in depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and overall well-being, even beyond mystical experiences or positive mood.

Psilocybin & eating disorders 🍽️ Psilocybin (Psilocybe spp.), which acts on the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, may help treat conditions like anorexia and bulimia by increasing neuroplasticity and cognitive flexibility. Early open-label trials show it is safe, well-tolerated, and may improve symptoms and quality of life, though larger clinical studies are still needed.

Mystical experiences & empathy 🌌 A thesis surveying 233 psychedelic users found that mystical-type experiences, often linked with psilocybin, mediated the connection between psychedelic use and both cognitive and affective empathy. Ego dissolution did not explain the link, but the sense of “oneness” and transcendence did. In other words, people who reported deeper mystical experiences after psychedelics also reported being more empathetic, suggesting that emotional openness may be a key psychological outcome of these states.

Veterans heal 🪖 A study of 21 veterans with traumatic brain injuries found that attending two psilocybin retreat ceremonies in Jamaica led to major improvements in depression (65% drop), anxiety (28% drop), and post-concussion symptoms (Rivermead scores cut nearly in half). Quality of life rose sharply, and EEG scans showed normalized brainwave activity—reduced abnormal delta/theta power and stronger alpha/beta connectivity—suggesting better emotional regulation and cognitive function.

The claustrum 🫧 Scientists discovered that both serotonin and psilocybin activate 5-HT1B receptors to dampen signaling through the claustrum, a little-known brain hub tied to consciousness and network integration. In mice, psilocybin (1 mg/kg) suppressed input from the anterior cingulate cortex to claustrum neurons for up to 24 hours, an effect blocked by a 5-HT1B antagonist. This reveals a new circuit-level mechanism—beyond the well-known 5-HT2A pathway—showing how psilocybin reshapes brain activity.

The necessity of the trip 🎭 A Nature review asks whether the hallucinatory “trip” is necessary for psilocybin’s healing effects. Data suggest subjective states like awe, unity, and mystical-type experience explain about 24% of psilocybin’s antidepressant impact, but researchers are also testing new compounds that boost neuroplasticity without hallucinations. The debate continues over whether the “trip” itself is the medicine, or just a catalyst for brain and therapeutic changes.

Trauma resurfacing ⚡ A mixed-methods study of 608 people who experienced extended difficulties after psychedelics found that 41.8% linked their challenges to resurfaced childhood trauma. In follow-up interviews, some participants vividly re-lived events, others felt symbolic or bodily echoes, while many reported confusion about whether the memories were real. Outcomes varied: 50% found healing, 28% had mixed effects, and 22% experienced re-traumatization. The authors stress the importance of trauma-informed preparation, safe settings, and robust integration to reduce risks.

DEA advances psilocybin rescheduling ⚖️ After years of legal back-and-forth, the DEA has formally sent a petition to the Department of Health and Human Services to review moving psilocybin from Schedule I to Schedule II. The case, led by Dr. Sunil Aggarwal for end-of-life care patients, marks a key step toward potential medical access. If HHS and FDA recommend rescheduling, psilocybin could become available under Right to Try laws for terminally ill patients and veterans at risk of suicide.

Student lawsuit 🎓 The University of Michigan denied a student group’s permit for the annual Entheofest psychedelic festival, celebrating Ann Arbor’s decision to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi in the city. The university cited unlicensed vendors selling psilocybin products at past events. In response, the Student Association for Psychedelic Studies plans to sue, arguing the decision violates free speech and assembly rights. Organizers compare UM’s stance to its failed attempts to block the Hash Bash marijuana rally in the 1990s, when courts sided with students. A peaceful gathering on the Diag is still expected Sept. 21, alongside an afterparty at Rabbit Hole.

Priest stripped over psychedelics ✝️ Hunt Priest, an Episcopal clergyman who founded Ligare, a Christian psychedelic nonprofit, was removed from ordained ministry after church leaders ruled he used pastoral authority to endorse illegal drug use. Priest, who first encountered psilocybin in a 2016 Johns Hopkins clergy study, said his group only offers pastoral support, not psychedelics themselves. The case highlights a growing debate in U.S. churches over whether psychedelics can be framed as spiritually legitimate, or risk causing harm if tied too closely to religious practice.

Wisconsin leads psilocybin trials 🧪 Researchers at UW–Madison and the Usona Institute are at the forefront of testing psilocybin for depression, PTSD, and addiction. Trials show lasting symptom relief for some patients, with Usona manufacturing the psilocybin used in studies nationwide under FDA “breakthrough therapy” status. While regulators recently rejected MDMA-assisted therapy, scientists believe psilocybin could be next in line for federal approval, potentially making Wisconsin a hub for psychedelic medicine.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Floating wetlands 🌊 Aalto University researchers designed floating wetlands made from oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) mycelium grown on common reed (Phragmites australis). These biodegradable structures filter polluted shoreline waters through mycofiltration, binding heavy metals and breaking down toxins while also creating habitat for wildlife. The wetlands double as seasonal food-producing systems and decompose naturally after use, leaving behind cleaner water and ecological benefits.

Fungi + biochar clean soil 🪴 Pairing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with biochar boosted the removal of toxic cadmium from contaminated soil planted with Chinese flame (Koelreuteria bipinnata) trees. The fungi improved root uptake while biochar bound heavy metals, together cutting cadmium levels and enhancing tree growth.

Toxic chemical takedown 🛡️ A review highlights how fungi break down stubborn “xenobiotic” pollutants like pesticides, plastics, hydrocarbons, and PCBs. Species such as Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Trichoderma use powerful enzymes and hyphal networks to transform hazardous compounds into less harmful forms, helping clean soil and water while cycling carbon back into the environment.

Mushroom waste packaging 📦️ Scientists created nanocellulose films from spent medicinal mushroom substrate that extended the shelf life of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Compared to plastic, the films cut moisture loss, slowed browning, and even showed antibacterial activity, keeping mushrooms firmer and fresher for longer.

Fungal death 🔬 Scientists explored whether fungi undergo ferroptosis, a type of programmed cell death first discovered in mammals. Early evidence suggests fungi may share similar pathways involving iron, oxidative stress, and organelle signaling. Understanding fungal ferroptosis could open doors to new antifungal drugs that bypass resistance, while also deepening knowledge of how fungi shape ecosystems through life and death.

Clean wastewater 💧 A consortium of microalgae (Scenedesmus obliquus), bacteria (Bacillus subtilis), and white rot fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium) removed up to 96% of nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, and antibiotics from aquaculture wastewater in just 7 days. Adding a small amount of the plant hormone brassinolide boosted efficiency even further by improving photosynthesis and microbial activity.

GROWING & GOURTMET

Upgraded plant proteins 🥗 Fermenting quinoa, chickpea, oat, and even microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris + oat) with oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) boosted their nutritional and functional qualities for food production. The process improved protein solubility, gelling, emulsifying, and oil-absorption capacities, making the ingredients healthier and more versatile in plant-based products.

Smart farms 🤖 Mushroom cultivation is shifting from traditional log and compost methods to automated “smart farms” powered by IoT sensors, AI, and robotics. These systems allow year-round production in controlled environments, boosting yields, reducing labor, and making farming more sustainable, even possible in extreme climates. ​​

Mushroom-based vegan soups 🍲 Vegan soups made with mushrooms, asparagus, leek, and sea buckthorn contained compounds that block cholinesterase, an enzyme tied to memory and cognition. After simulated digestion, mushroom and asparagus soups boosted viability of healthy gut cells, while all soups reduced growth of colon cancer cells.

Radish microgreens 🍴 Adding spent mushroom substrates (SMS) from button (Agaricus bisporus), oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushrooms to soil boosted the growth and nutrition of radish microgreens. Low amounts of button mushroom waste (2.5–5%) increased leaf area and improved mineral content like potassium, iron, and zinc. But higher doses of oyster and shiitake waste (20–30%) reduced growth unless composted longer, due to excess salts and phytotoxicity. Overall, well-composted mushroom waste can replace peat and make microgreens healthier and more sustainable.

Reishi on dates 🌴 Date palm residues proved to be a sustainable, low-cost substrate for cultivating reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). Adding 20% wheat bran gave the best results, with biological efficiency reaching 57% and fresh yields of ~469 g per bag, outperforming both plain date waste and higher supplementation levels.

FORAGED FINDS

1. The South American foray of a lifetime. 🗺️ Beloved mycologists Mandie Quark and Alan Rockefeller just announced their longest Ecuador Foray yet: 14 days in November, with options to join for just Week 1 or Week 2. Details and signup info are now live.

2. Kickstart your cultivation journey. 📦️ Inoculate the World always has great bundle deals for psilocybin strains and more.

3. Mushroom chocolate, meet raspberry and matcha. 🍫 Alice introduced two new flavors of their popular mushroom chocolate: raspberry and matcha. Get 15% off with code SHROOMER15.

4. Try a new shroomy drink. 🫗 Get 20% off Four Sigmatic’s full line. Four Sigmatic is a grandfather brand in the world of mushrooms, launching in 2012.

5. You need a chaga refresh. 🌲 Take 10% off Birch Boys teas and extracts with code SHROOMER.

ACCOUNT SUSPENSION SURVEY

If you or someone you know has had a mushroom-focused social media or ecommerce account suspended, restricted, or shut down, I want to hear from you. Your input will help me track patterns and articulate the impact these takedowns have on our community. Take the survey here. 

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