Better Digestion, Better Snacks, Better Outcomes

IN TODAY’S EDITION

• 🫀 | Natural statin source

• ⚠️ | Medication interaction warning

• 🥤 | Smoothie nutrition boost

Hi Shroomers! Welcome to the first Friday of the new year. This in-between moment is one I always value: enough distance to reflect on what we’re carrying forward, and just enough space to notice what’s ready to shift.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Slowdown in lab models 🧬 Saffron milk cap mushroom (Lactarius deliciosus) extract reduced the growth and survival of colon cancer cells in lab models, while also lowering oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling. The extract interfered with cancer cell division, promoted programmed cell death, and did not damage the intestinal barrier, suggesting a more targeted cellular effect. These are early, preclinical findings.

Natural statin source 🫀 Mushrooms naturally produce lovastatin, the same cholesterol-lowering compound used in some prescription drugs, alongside other fermented foods like red yeast rice and Pu-erh tea. In mushrooms, lovastatin is made as part of normal fungal metabolism and works by slowing the body’s own cholesterol production, the same pathway targeted by statin medications. The authors emphasize that the amounts in mushrooms vary by species and growing conditions and are far lower than drug doses, positioning mushrooms as diet-level contributors to heart health rather than medical treatments.

Metabolic reset 🧠 Compounds isolated from edible mushrooms reduced weight gain and protected vitamin D levels in mice fed a high-fat diet by targeting a lipid-regulating enzyme called sphingomyelin synthase. Even without eating less, treated mice gained significantly less weight, showed better blood sugar control, had less fat buildup in the liver, and maintained healthier vitamin D levels that typically drop with obesity. These are preclinical findings, but they point to a previously underexplored way mushroom compounds may influence metabolism and nutrient balance through lipid signaling rather than calorie intake alone.

Brain cell protection 🥊 Compounds called p-terphenyls isolated from the black falsebolete (Boletopsis leucomelas) protected brain cells in lab models by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress linked to neurodegeneration. In cellular tests, these compounds helped calm overactive immune signaling in brain-support cells and shielded neurons from damage.

Gut fuel upgrade 🌱 Polysaccharides from lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) boosted the growth, survival, and gut-lining adhesion of beneficial probiotic bacteria in lab models, while also showing antioxidant activity. One fraction increased probiotic adhesion to intestinal cells by up to 30% and helped keep over 70% of probiotics alive after long-term cold storage, suggesting these fibers actively support how probiotics function, not just whether they’re present. The findings are in vitro, but they reinforce lion’s mane as a gut-support mushroom that may complement its better-known cognitive reputation by feeding and stabilizing beneficial microbes.

FORAGED FIND

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PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION 

PTSD therapy review 📚️ This systematic review examined 42 studies on psychedelics for PTSD, including ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin, out of more than 5,000 screened papers. MDMA showed the most consistent and durable symptom reductions when used in controlled, therapy-supported settings, while ketamine produced rapid improvements that often faded unless doses were repeated or paired with psychotherapy. Evidence for psilocybin and other psychedelics remains early and limited, but generally pointed toward potential benefit with mostly short-term, manageable side effects. Overall, the review supports cautious optimism while emphasizing that these approaches remain investigational and dependent on structured clinical care and integration.

Shared healing space 🍄 This Phase 1/2 study tested a group-based psilocybin therapy model for people with metastatic cancer experiencing anxiety, depression, and existential distress, delivered during a structured 3-day retreat. Instead of individual sessions, the program used a carefully designed group facilitation approach inspired by rites of passage, combining preparation, guided psilocybin sessions, and group integration to support emotional regulation and meaning-making. The model was found to be safe and associated with improvements in psychological well-being.

Medication interaction warning ⚠️ In this rat study, psilocybin on its own produced antidepressant-like effects that lasted up to nine weeks, but giving lorazepam, a commonly prescribed benzodiazepine, beforehand completely blocked those long-term benefits. Animals that received lorazepam before psilocybin behaved no differently from untreated controls and showed altered expression of brain genes linked to neuroplasticity. While this work is preclinical, it raises a clear caution for psychedelic therapy: benzodiazepines may interfere with the brain changes thought to support psilocybin’s lasting antidepressant effects, an important consideration for patients already taking anti-anxiety medications.

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

Pollution-eating powerhouse 🌱 This systematic review shows that the shelf mushroom Trametes polyzona produces powerful enzymes that can break down stubborn pollutants like industrial dyes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and hormone-disrupting chemicals, while also supporting uses in paper, textile, and biofuel processing. Across 46 studies, the fungus consistently demonstrated strong lignin-degrading activity, with some enzymes reaching very high efficiency in lab and pilot systems, helping detoxify wastewater and industrial waste streams.

Wastewater cleanup 🧵 The split gill mushroom (Schizophyllum commune) rapidly broke down toxic textile dyes in wastewater, including Congo Red and Methylene Blue, using naturally produced enzymes such as laccase. In lab conditions, the fungus removed over 90% of Congo Red within five days and substantially reduced Methylene Blue as well.

GROWING & GOURMET

Food safety boost 🍗 Exosome-like particles isolated from edible mushrooms were shown to reduce oxidation and suppress the formation of harmful compounds in chicken sausages during processing and storage. When added at low levels, these mushroom-derived particles slowed fat oxidation, lowered markers linked to spoilage and toxic byproducts, and did so without changing taste or texture.

Straw mushroom livelihoods 🌾 The straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) was successfully cultivated on oil palm waste, boosting yields, income, and waste reuse in a community-based program. Using empty oil palm fruit bunches as a growing medium and a simple fermentation process, growers increased biological efficiency from about 4.1% to 7.7%, nearly doubling productivity, while 78% of participants learned to turn spent mushroom substrate into saleable organic compost.

Smoothie nutrition boost 🥤 Adding just 1% oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) powder to a carrot–tomato smoothie significantly increased antioxidant activity and improved intestinal uptake of key minerals, including iron, zinc, and calcium, in a Caco-2 cell model. The formulation boosted phenolic content and mineral bioaccessibility without changing the food format, showing how a small, realistic amount of mushroom powder can measurably enhance everyday nutrition in lab-based digestion and absorption tests. 

Doogh it🥛 Oyster mushroom powder (Pleurotus ostreatus) helped probiotics survive longer in doogh, a yogurt-based fermented drink, by improving physical stability and protecting beneficial bacteria during cold storage.

Shiitake crisps 🥔 This study developed shiitake mushroom chips with significantly less oil and sugar by combining pre–hot air drying with alternative sweeteners before vacuum frying. The optimized process cut oil absorption by roughly 30–40% and reduced sugar content while preserving the crisp texture, color, and savory flavor consumers expect from snack foods. The work shows how mushrooms can anchor better-for-you snack innovation, delivering familiar crunch with improved nutrition through smarter processing rather than additives.

MUSH MORE

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