New Seizure Research, Reishi Vaccine Boosts, and Fungi Fuel

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• ⚠️ | Poisoning surge

• 🪜 | Neuroplasticity unlocked

• 🔥 | Biofuel from waste

Hi Shroomers. I just got back from two incredible weeks in Mexico, visiting Mexico City, Oaxaca, San José del Pacífico, and Puerto Escondido. Standing among the pyramids and ruins of both Teotihuacan and Monte Albán was absolutely breathtaking, and a reminder of just how deep our relationship with the natural world runs.

This week’s stories bring that sense of wonder home: incredible new seizure research, reishi’s immune-boosting power, psilocybin’s rapid mental health effects, and selenium-enriched mushrooms fighting inflammation and aging. But alongside the breakthroughs comes a cautionary note—Europe’s mushroom poisoning surge underscores why education matters. And yes, fungi might just help fuel the future, too.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Seizure relief 💜 In a mixed-methods study of 19 people using reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) for epilepsy, 68.4% reported reductions in both seizure frequency and severity, and 11/19 (57.9%) described periods of seizure freedom; among those with drug-resistant epilepsy (n=14), 42.1% reported major severity reductions and 36.8% saw major frequency drops. Only one mild GI side effect was reported; dosing remains non-standardized, and the authors call for controlled trials to confirm efficacy and define protocols.

Selenium boost ✨ Selenium-enriched oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) produced powerful bioactive polysaccharides with enhanced antioxidant and metabolic support. The enriched extracts showed more antioxidant activity than non-enriched mushrooms and blocked 69% of harmful glycation compounds that drive inflammation and aging. They also moderately inhibited enzymes tied to blood sugar spikes.

Poisoning surge ⚠️ France recorded over 25,000 mushroom poisoning cases between 2015 and 2022, with new and emerging toxin syndromes identified in several regions. The most common issues were severe gastrointestinal distress, liver damage, and neurotoxic effects from species mistaken for edible mushrooms. This rise highlights gaps in foraging education and the growing need for clear public health warnings.  

Gut fungi power 🧬 Intestinal fungi were able to transform steroid hormones like testosterone and nandrolone into 22 distinct metabolites, including eight new compounds. One of these showed strong cytotoxic activity against HeLa cervical cancer cells by activating the p53 tumor-suppressing pathway. 

Reishi vaccine boost 🛡️ Spore powder from reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) significantly strengthened the immune response to COVID-19 vaccine boosters by enhancing IFN-α activity. Participants showed higher neutralizing antibody levels 90 days after vaccination, along with increased activation of monocytes, T cells, and B cells. Single-cell multi-omics revealed that ganoderic acid H was the key compound driving this effect, suggesting reishi spores could be a powerful, natural vaccine adjuvant.

Chewable cold shield 🍬 A clinical trial found that a chewable supplement made with pleuran—a β-glucan from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)—significantly reduced respiratory tract infections in children. Kids who took the supplement had fewer colds and milder symptoms compared to the control group, showing how mushroom-based β-glucans can strengthen immune defenses in everyday settings.

Liver cancer target 🧬 Computational screening identified fungal secondary metabolites—including Phellibaumin A and Daldinone B—that strongly bind to DNA polymerase beta, a key liver cancer enzyme. These compounds showed favorable docking scores, low predicted toxicity, and good drug-like properties. Phellibaumin A stood out as the top candidate, suggesting medicinal mushrooms could yield future therapies against liver cancer.

Brain boost 🧠 Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) significantly improved learning and memory in mice with scopolamine-induced cognitive decline. At both 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses, the mushroom extract reduced transfer latency in maze tests, increased time spent in the target quadrant, and lowered acetylcholinesterase activity—indicating higher acetylcholine levels. These results suggest shiitake may offer nootropic and neuroprotective benefits for brain health. 

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION 

Neuroplasticity unlocked 🪜 A single dose of psilocybin increased synaptic density in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of healthy participants who received the treatment in a therapeutic setting. Those with more intense mystical experiences showed stronger neuroplastic changes and longer-lasting positive effects.

Microdosing lift ☀️ In a large international survey of 1,435 participants, people reported feeling better on microdosing days compared to non-microdosing days. Psilocybin microdosing was linked to higher ratings of wellbeing, focus, creativity, connectedness, and productivity. Adding lion’s mane and niacin didn’t produce extra benefits, pointing to psilocybin as the main driver of these mood and cognitive boosts.

Trip-free therapy 💊 A new compound called zalsupindole boosted neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex as effectively as psilocybin and ketamine—without causing hallucinations or dissociation. In preclinical tests, it produced rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects.

Fast-acting relief ⚡ In a head-to-head comparison, psilocybin reversed social withdrawal and depressive-like behaviors in stressed mice within 24 hours, with effects lasting 14 days—far outpacing the standard antidepressant fluoxetine, which required two weeks to work. Ketamine showed similar rapid and durable benefits.

Legal access, real care 🇨🇦 The PsilWell study is a Health Canada–approved clinical trial offering legal, guided access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Unlike traditional pharmaceutical trials, it’s community-funded and run with TheraPsil, a nonprofit that has trained more than 700 psychedelic therapists since 2019. Participants receive one supervised psilocybin dosing session supported by group therapy before and after the experience. The 7-week program combines medical oversight with expert therapeutic care, allowing participants to safely explore psilocybin’s potential benefits while contributing to groundbreaking mental health research in Canada.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Fungi vs. history 🚢 Researchers investigating the USS Cairo shipwreck found several species of wood-decay fungi actively breaking down its structure. These aggressive decomposers thrive in the humid, nutrient-rich environment of the wreck, accelerating deterioration. The findings highlight both the remarkable power of fungi in natural decomposition and the preservation challenges faced by historic wooden artifacts.

Metal gatherers 🪙 Penny bun mushrooms (Boletus edulis) growing on granite-rich soil absorbed and stored trace elements like magnesium, copper, zinc, and cadmium, showing clear isotope fractionation patterns between soil and mushroom. The fungi preferred lighter magnesium and heavier copper, zinc, and cadmium isotopes, indicating selective uptake. These findings help explain how soil composition influences both the nutritional and potential toxic metal content of wild-foraged mushrooms.

Florida fungi treasure 🌿 A nine-year survey at the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station uncovered over 1,200 fungal specimens and nearly 1,000 DNA sequences, revealing more than 546 macrofungi species—likely only half of what’s actually there. Species from groups like Amanita, Cortinarius, and Russula dominated the findings, highlighting the region’s extraordinary fungal biodiversity.

Fungal feed reuse 🐐 Researchers tested spent oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) substrate as a partial feed replacement for goats and sheep, evaluating both digestion and fermentation results. When used at 20% of the total diet and fortified with urea and molasses, the substrate maintained nutrient use and fermentation similar to standard feed. Higher inclusion levels (35–50%) reduced protein digestibility and gas production, showing that moderate use of mushroom waste can sustainably supplement animal feed without harming performance.

Light matters 💡 Experiments with oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) showed that different light colors—white, blue, green, yellow, and red—significantly shaped their growth and metabolism. Light exposure affected sugar and amino acid pathways, influencing yield and quality.

Biofuel from waste 🔥 Using hydrothermal liquefaction, researchers converted spent oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) substrate into biofuel with a maximum yield of 40.1%. The process also produced useful byproducts—biochar for wastewater treatment and nutrient-rich liquid for microalgae cultivation.

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