Sea-based Mycelium Aid for Stroke Recovery and Monitoring Mushroom Restrictions
In the world of mycology, mushrooms continue to amaze scientists and researchers with their diverse properties and potential benefits. However, as the interest in these fungi grows, so does the attention they receive in the digital realm, not always in a positive light.
Recent findings suggest that psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, affects learning and mental flexibility differently depending on age and hormonal cycle in female rats. Meanwhile, a new compound called tabernanthalog (TBG) boosts brain plasticity like psilocybin, but without causing hallucinations. This could open up new avenues for treating neurological disorders.
The tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) has shown promising results in laboratory studies. It protects human cells from oxidative damage in a model of Friedreich's ataxia, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. Additionally, it relaxes constricted blood vessels and improves immune cell activation while balancing inflammation.
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has also been in the spotlight. It has been found to reverse signs of kidney aging in mice, protect rats from lead-induced reproductive harm, and boost the levels of antioxidant genes in mice fed Oaxacan-style tlayudas.
The benefits of mushrooms extend to agriculture as well. Feeding cows with spent mushroom paddy straw-waste boosts milk production and quality, and replacing 25% of beef with white oyster mushrooms improves the nutritional profile of meatballs, reducing calories, saturated fat, and increasing fiber, while also improving moisture and tenderness.
However, in the digital world, the use of mushrooms is not without its challenges. Limited information is available on patterns of mushroom-focused social media and ecommerce account suspensions or restrictions experienced by community members. Factors contributing to such suspensions could include the use of banned or restricted keywords, platform content policies and moderation, and misinformation and community flagging.
Community organizers and advocates are actively gathering user experiences to identify trends and advocate for clear policies. If you or community members have encountered such restrictions, contributing detailed accounts to mushroom-focused community forums or projects seeking this data could help establish clearer patterns and support policy advocacy.
In the realm of research, Unlimited Sciences has launched a community-driven roadmap to guide future psychedelic research with a focus on real-world use. Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins is testing psilocybin as a potential way to help stroke survivors regain motor function.
CU Denver has also made strides in the field, launching Colorado's first state-approved psychedelic facilitator training program at a public university. The Psychedelic Info Line offers free, one-on-one support grounded in science, and a review of 263 papers reveals that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a major role in restoring tropical forests.
Lastly, new green-emissive carbon dots can stain fungi, bacteria, plant cells, and human cells in high detail, opening up new possibilities for microscopy and research.
As the study of mushrooms continues to evolve, so does our understanding of their potential benefits and the challenges they face in the digital age. It is an exciting time for mycology, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.
- The impact of mushrooms extends beyond natural sciences, reaching health-and-wellness sectors, with recent research suggesting that certain psilocybin-containing mushrooms might aid learning and mental flexibility.
- Intriguingly, a new compound, tabernanthalog (TBG), replicates the brain-plasticity-boosting effects of psilocybin, but without hallucinations, offering promising avenues for treating neurological disorders.
- Some mushroom species, like the tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus), show potential in the field of medicine, protecting human cells from oxidative damage and improving immune cell activation, among other benefits.
- Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is also garnering attention, with studies suggesting it can reverse kidney aging in mice, protect rats from reproductive harm, and boost antioxidant gene levels in mice.
- Beyond medicinal uses, mushrooms are contributing to agriculture, as feeding cows spent mushroom waste boosts milk production and replacing a portion of beef with white oyster mushrooms improves meat nutritional profile.
