✨ Skin Glow, Psilocybin Access, and Fungi vs. Oil Spills

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 🔑 | Addiction treatment hope

• 💸 | Cost of care

• ✨ | Skin aging slowdown

Hi Shroomers. The stories this week span ancient to urgent: fossil fungi decoding Miocene rains, garlic slowing mushroom browning, and psilocybin trials weighed by economics and cultural safety. Not isolated findings, but glimpses of fungi stretching across past climates, daily food, and the future of care.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Candida fighter 🧫 A new compound from Aspergillus fumigatus (5-butyl-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid) stopped the growth of several Candida species, including blocking biofilm formation. It wiped out fungal cells within about 12–16 hours and worked even better when combined with existing antifungal drugs like clotrimazole. Researchers predict it targets CYP51, a key enzyme in fungal cell membranes, pointing to potential as a next-generation antifungal.

Limited cancer effects 🧬 Hispidin, a natural compound found in mushrooms, and chaga (Inonotus obliquus) extract were tested against Ewing sarcoma cells. Hispidin only slowed cancer cell growth slightly, while chaga produced mixed outcomes: sometimes triggering cell death, other times encouraging growth. The findings suggest both have little potential as stand-alone treatments for this rare cancer.

Skin aging slowdown ✨ Ergothioneine, a natural antioxidant extracted from golden oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus citrinopileatus), showed strong anti-aging benefits in a 28-day clinical trial. Participants taking 100 mg daily had brighter skin (+3.6% gloss), better elasticity (+5.4%), improved hydration (+7.6%), and fewer wrinkles (–21%). The compound also blocked harmful glycation, one of the key processes behind collagen damage, supporting its use in skincare and wellness applications.

Shiitake vs inflammation 🔥 A special shiitake strain (Lentinula edodes DMRO-356) showed strong anti-inflammatory activity compared to other strains. In rats, it reduced swelling by 22% (vs just 7% in a comparison strain) and contained higher levels of β-glucans, ergosterol, and ergothioneine. Molecular docking confirmed these compounds stably bound to inflammatory targets.

Prebiotic power 🌱 The wild mushroom Lentinus squarrosulus (no widely used common name) stimulated the growth of beneficial gut bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum and L. pentosus) by up to 74%, nearly matching the standard prebiotic inulin. At the same time, it suppressed harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. Its extracts contained fatty acids such as linoleic and oleic acid, compounds linked to gut and metabolic health.

Chaga vs. colon cancer 🎯 Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) contains at least 26 active compounds, including quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, and kaempferol, that were mapped against over 5,000 colorectal cancer genes. Network analysis pinpointed nine core targets linked to tumor growth and survival. Docking studies showed strong binding (–7 to –10 kcal/mol) of chaga compounds to these proteins. Together, the findings suggest Chaga’s phytochemicals could influence multiple cancer-related pathways, though lab and clinical validation are still needed.

Wood ear for immunity 🛡️ Wood ear mushrooms (Auricularia auricula) provided two extracts—polypeptides (AAPP1) and polysaccharides (AAPS3)—that helped mice recover from chemotherapy-induced immune suppression. Both boosted thymus and spleen health, restored antibody levels, and raised key immune signals like IL-4 and TNF-α. They also improved liver antioxidant defenses and balanced gut microbes.

Gut & antioxidant boost 🚀 Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) provided polysaccharide extracts that strongly supported digestive health. They stimulated the growth of beneficial Lactobacillus strains, especially L. paracasei, nearly matching the standard prebiotic inulin. At the same time, they enhanced antioxidant defenses; button mushroom extracts showed the highest free radical scavenging activity.

FORAGED FINDS

The Future is Fungi Award is back, and applications open September 10 🍄✨

This award recognizes bold startups and science entrepreneurs using fungi to tackle our biggest environmental challenges. Think: plastic-eating strains, sustainable biomaterials, climate solutions rooted in mycelium.

💡 What’s in it for you?

• For Startups:

  • ✨ EUR 250,000 SAFE investment to fuel your journey

  • ✨ Access to a global expert network — corporates, research institutions & startup experts (L’Oréal, Novonesis, Stanford, BASF, DSM-Firmenich & more)

  • ✨ Spotlight in the Fungal Hall of Fame (global winner) + podcast & interview features

• For Science Entrepreneurs:

  • ✨ A 3-month venture builder program to turn your research into a startup

  • ✨ Financial award to support your path

  • ✨ Access to our global expert network

  • ✨ Spotlight in the Fungal Hall of Fame (global winner) + podcast & interview features

• 📅 Key Dates

  • 🔹 Startups: Applications open Sept 10 – Oct 1

  • 🔹 Science Entrepreneurs: Applications open December

• 👉 This is your chance to bring your fungal innovation to the world stage!

🔥 The future is fungal. The future is now. Join us!

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

Addiction treatment hope 🔑 A scoping review mapped out 34 clinical trials testing psychedelics for substance use disorders, from alcohol and nicotine to opioids and stimulants. Most of the promising results so far come from psilocybin, which helped people reduce drinking and quit smoking in long-term follow-ups. On the brain level, psychedelics appear to steady dopamine signaling in the reward system, a mechanism that may reduce cravings and relapse. While early results are encouraging, most trials are still small or open-label, meaning more rigorous studies are needed.

Cost of care 💸 Psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression may be cost-effective in the U.S. At $5,000 per treatment, it delivered modest health gains and an estimated $117K per quality-adjusted life year (QALY)—under the $150K threshold typically used in health economics. That gave it about a 75% chance of being cost-effective compared to current options. But if the price doubles to $10,000, the chance falls to just 1%.

Psychosis & psilocybin 🧩 This doctoral dissertation explored the experiences of adults with prior psychoses who used psilocybin. Participants described a double-edged effect: for some, use triggered distress and destabilization, while for others it offered insight, integration, and emotional growth. The study emphasizes that psilocybin can be both risky and potentially supportive, underscoring the importance of careful screening and individualized assessment.

Stress in mice 🐁 This neuroscience dissertation tested psilocybin in mouse models of stress and fear learning. Psilocybin improved fear extinction and memory recall, helping animals unlearn fearful associations after both acute and chronic stress exposure. The work suggests psilocybin may act as a rapid-acting antidepressant, with effects tied to serotonin signaling and changes in brain regions like the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala.

Psilocin, alcohol & sex differences 🍷 This neuroscience dissertation examined how psilocin—the active compound from psilocybin—affects alcohol use and brain activity in male and female mice. Female mice consistently drank more alcohol than males, and psilocin reduced drinking across groups, though not always in a psilocin-specific way. In females, psilocin also dampened overactivation in amygdala circuits tied to stress, while effects in males were weaker.

BIPOC voices in therapy 🌍 This doctoral dissertation explored the experiences of eight BIPOC participants who completed psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Themes included the need for cultural safety and representation, barriers like financial access, and the importance of intentional preparation and ongoing integration. Participants described deep healing through somatic release, emotional processing, and group connection, while also emphasizing how important BIPOC therapists and affinity spaces are there.

Easing OCD symptoms 🌀 In a small controlled study, adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were given a single 10 mg dose of psilocybin. Symptoms dropped significantly within one week, especially compulsive behaviors, though the effect faded by week two. The treatment was well-tolerated, with only mild side effects, suggesting psilocybin could provide short-term relief for OCD when standard therapies fall short.

Brain activity shifts ⚡️ In rats, a single psilocybin dose reshaped activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region tied to mood and decision-making. It triggered new high-frequency rhythms and reduced cell firing right away, while longer-lasting changes in brain wave patterns appeared over the next several days. 

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Ancient fungi & climate ⛈️ Researchers studied fossil fungi from the Miocene epoch to track how ecosystems and rainfall patterns looked millions of years ago. These preserved remains showed clear links to wetter summer cycles, helping reconstruct both paleoecology and paleoclimate. Fossil fungi are emerging as valuable proxies for understanding how past climates shaped ancient landscapes.

Deep-sea fungi vs oil 🛢️ Fungi isolated from hydrothermal vents were able to use crude oil as their only food source. Aspergillus terreus and Penicillium miczynskii (strain F) were standouts, breaking down heavy hydrocarbons and even shifting oil’s chemical makeup. Stable isotope tests confirmed the fungi were incorporating carbon from oil into their tissues.

Oyster mushrooms clean waste ♻️ Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown on agricultural byproducts like sawdust, corncob, and coconut fiber were tested as natural filters for toxic landfill runoff. Powdered mushrooms removed up to 84% of heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Cd, Pb, Hg) within 12 hours, with coconut fiber substrates working best for cadmium, lead, and mercury. While treatment improved metal removal, it also raised salinity and turbidity, showing trade-offs. Still, the approach highlights a low-cost, sustainable way to treat landfill pollution while recycling farm waste.

Plastic cleanup 🛍️ Fungi isolated from waste sites in Gusau, Nigeria, were able to break down polythene bags in lab tests. Seven species were identified, including Aspergillus flavus, which degraded up to 66.6% of polythene in 60 days, and Aspergillus fumigatus, which reached 44.4%. While not a full solution yet, these results show fungi are a biological tool for reducing plastic pollution.

Toxic metal risk ⚠️ Pink oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus djamor) readily absorbed cadmium when grown on contaminated substrates, reaching levels far above the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 0.1 mg/kg. Even mushrooms grown on “clean” substrates contained measurable cadmium (1.8 mg/kg), and at the highest contamination level, mushrooms reached 23.8 mg/kg. Health risk analysis (THQ values) showed cadmium exposure from these mushrooms could exceed safe thresholds for both adults and children, highlighting serious food safety concerns and the need for strict monitoring.

GROWING & GOURTMET

Garlic keeps mushrooms fresh 🧄 Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) brown quickly after harvest because of the enzyme tyrosinase. Garlic compounds release hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which blocks tyrosinase activity by collapsing part of its structure and modifying key amino acids. This natural process slowed browning, preserved umami flavor, and kept mushrooms fresher longer.

Selenium boost 🪨 King oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) enriched with selenium showed higher protein and stronger antioxidant power. Both inorganic selenium (selenite, selenate) and organic selenium (from yeast) worked, but yeast-based selenium gave the biggest gains, making the mushrooms more nutritious and protective against oxidative stress.

Magnetic mushrooms 🧲 Golden oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) exposed to low-frequency magnetic fields during fermentation produced 23% more polysaccharides and showed stronger antioxidant effects. The treatment boosted cell activity and nutrient exchange.

Healthier meatballs 🍝 Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), and wood ear (Auricularia auricula) mushrooms were tested as natural alternatives to MSG in Indonesian-style meatballs. The powders boosted protein and umami flavor, with shiitake performing best among the mushroom options. However, commercial flavorings like Totole and Halawa still outperformed mushrooms in taste tests, suggesting mushroom-based flavorings are promising but need more refinement to fully replace MSG.

Chanterelle umami boost 🌰 Golden chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius) were processed with enzymes and the Maillard reaction, generating 52 volatile flavor compounds including pyrazines, furans, and aldehydes. These gave the mushrooms a soy sauce–like, roasted meat flavor while enhancing natural umami and fruit notes. Researchers identified alcalase as the best enzyme and optimized conditions and highlight chanterelles as a clean-label alternative to MSG.

Cultured vs. wild 🪵 Reishi (Ganoderma adspersum) grown in lab cultures under ultrasonic stimulation produced more bioactive compounds—like ganoderic acid, terpenes, and antioxidants—than wild mushrooms. Wild samples still had slightly higher ergosterol and vitamin C, but overall, cultured reishi showed stronger metabolite and antioxidant profiles, making it a promising option for supplements and biotech use.

Cooking oil & shiitake flavor 🥘 Pan-frying shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) in different oils changed their texture and taste. Soy oil brought out the most umami and savory amino acids, while oil-pan-fried samples developed nutty and chocolate-like notes compared to the mushroom’s natural flavor.

White mushroom nutrients ⛏️ White mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) showed different compounds in caps and stems when analyzed. Caps contained 27 unique chemicals, while stems held 26, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenols. These bioactive compounds support both nutritional and medicinal uses, suggesting that separating mushroom parts could optimize their value in food and health products.

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