Gut–Liver Reset, Anti-Aging Compounds, and Plastic-Eating Fungi

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 💧 | Moisture retention

• 🎰 | Addiction reframing

• 🍼 | Infant nutrition upgrade

Hi Shroomers! I hope you’ve had a restful week with those you love. I’ve always loved this last week of the year. May it be a time of wrapping up loose threads, and readying for new beginnings.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Gut–liver reset 👅 Morel mushroom (Morchella esculenta) contains a newly identified protein that sharply reduced fatty liver disease in high-fat diet models by restoring healthy signaling between the gut and liver. The compound lowered liver fat and cholesterol, calmed metabolic stress pathways, and shifted the gut microbiome toward more protective bacteria.

Anti-aging brake ⏳ Mushroom compounds help slow the buildup of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), harmful sugar–protein byproducts linked to aging, diabetes complications, and chronic inflammation. This review shows that polysaccharides, phenolics, and antioxidants from mushrooms like reishi, chaga, oyster, and phellinus consistently reduced AGE formation in lab and animal models, in some cases outperforming standard antiglycation controls while remaining stable during food processing. Together, these findings position mushrooms as practical, diet-level tools for reducing glycation stress tied to metabolic and age-related disease.

Mood booster ☺️ A single serving of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) helped older adults maintain positive mood and reduce inflammatory stress within hours, even without long-term supplementation. In this randomized controlled trial, participants who ate oyster mushrooms avoided the typical drop in mood and rise in mental fatigue seen over the day and showed significantly lower post-meal inflammatory markers, highlighting mushrooms as a fast-acting, whole-food support for healthy aging.

Moisture retention 💧 Morel mushrooms (Morchella spp.) show strong antioxidant and moisture-retaining activity when used in skincare, helping protect skin from oxidative stress while improving hydration and radiance. In this formulation study, morel extracts rich in polysaccharides and proteins increased skin moisture and vitality in facial mask applications.

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION 

Beyond 5-HT2A ⚡️ Psilocybin’s effects don’t rely on a single serotonin pathway. This mouse study shows that the serotonin 1B (5-HT1B) receptor is required for several of psilocybin’s behavioral and brain-activity effects, including changes tied to flexibility and responsiveness, while other effects remain 5-HT2A-dependent. The findings clarify that psilocybin works through a network of serotonin receptors—not just one—helping explain why its effects are broad, nuanced, and harder to replicate with single-target drugs.

Heart rate clarity ❤️ In clinical psychedelic therapy settings, psilocybin caused only mild, temporary changes in heart rate that stayed well within safe ranges under medical supervision. This real-world analysis of patients treated for depression and anxiety found no serious cardiovascular events and showed that psilocybin’s heart-rate effects were brief and declined earlier than LSD’s, helping clarify cardiovascular safety expectations during supervised psychedelic care. 

Afterglow support ✨ The days and weeks after a psychedelic experience are marked by heightened brain flexibility and emotional sensitivity, which can support growth but also bring temporary challenges like anxiety, sleep disruption, or emotional overwhelm. This review outlines practical strategies for navigating the “afterglow” period, emphasizing integration support, grounding routines, and early psychological care to help people stabilize insights, reduce distress, and translate short-term neuroplasticity into lasting benefits.

Addiction reframing 🎰 Psychedelic-assisted therapy, including psilocybin, is being explored as a potential tool for gambling addiction by targeting rigid thought loops, emotional avoidance, and loss of meaning that drive compulsive behavior. This theory-based paper draws on evidence from substance-use treatment to suggest psychedelics could support insight, values realignment, and behavior change when paired with structured therapy, while emphasizing that clinical trials in gambling disorder are still needed.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Plastic-eating fungi 🌏️ Molds collected from Indonesia’s Baluran savanna were able to break down polyethylene plastic under lab conditions, with one species reducing plastic weight by up to 21% in 30 days. 

Radioactive sponges ☢️ Mushrooms are exceptionally good at absorbing radioactive contaminants from soil, especially cesium-137 and plutonium, which is why they’re widely used as bioindicators after nuclear accidents. This large review shows that some species, particularly mycorrhizal mushrooms, can accumulate radionuclides at levels far higher than other foods, with consumption in certain regions potentially exceeding safety thresholds, even decades after contamination. 

Glow-in-the-dark discovery 🔦 Researchers identified two bioluminescent mushrooms in the Mycenaceae family from Yunnan Province using a polyphasic approach that combined morphology, DNA sequencing, and dark-condition imaging. One species, Mycena semivestipes, was documented as bioluminescent for the first time, while Roridomyces pruinosoviscidus represents a new geographic record for China. Together, these findings raise the total number of known bioluminescent mushroom species in China to 36.

GROWING & GOURMET

CO₂ warps 🌬️ Elevated carbon dioxide levels dramatically change how reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) grow and what compounds they produce. High CO₂ suppresses normal cap formation, pushes the mushroom into elongated “antler” shapes, and rewires metabolism by reducing amino acids while shifting triterpenoid and steroid profiles. The findings explain why poor ventilation during cultivation leads to misshapen fruiting bodies and altered medicinal chemistry, and why CO₂ control directly affects reishi quality.

Plant protein upgrade 🫘 Adding mushroom powder to pea–mung bean protein blends improves texture, structure, and flavor, helping plant-based foods feel more meat-like and taste less “beany.” The sweet spot was around 20% mushroom powder, which boosted water retention, fiber formation, and umami notes without overpowering the product.

Vitamin D boost ☀️ Controlled UV exposure dramatically increases vitamin D₂ levels in oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) by converting naturally occurring ergosterol into bioavailable vitamin D₂. This work shows that timing and form matter: sliced and powdered mushrooms achieved especially large gains without meaningful nutrient loss, reinforcing UV-treated mushrooms as a reliable, plant-based vitamin D source. 

Infant nutrition upgrade 🍼 Adding oyster mushrooms to a blended infant flour made from sweet potato, beans, dates, spirulina, and palm oil significantly improved protein quality, essential amino acids, and micronutrient density while meeting international infant nutrition standards. The formulation shows how mushrooms can strengthen affordable, staple-based foods to support healthy growth and reduce malnutrition risk in early childhood.

MUSH MORE

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