Sarah Brown
Mushrooms have long been a source of fascination for humans, with ancient cultures revering them for their psychedelic properties. Today, mushrooms are known to possess medicinal properties, with certain varieties aiding in boosting immunity, fighting tumours, lowering inflammation, and supporting brain health. Additionally, research on psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound found in some mushrooms, has shown potential for treating mental health issues. Beyond their medicinal value, mushrooms share key genetic traits with humans, with both evolving from ancestors engaged in multicellularity over a billion years ago. Recent studies have even suggested that mushrooms communicate using electrical impulses, resembling a vocabulary of up to 50 words. Despite their benefits, mushrooms can also pose risks, with some varieties being toxic or hallucinogenic, requiring careful identification and consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicinal properties | Many varieties of mushrooms, such as reishi, lion's mane, and chaga, are adaptogens that can boost immunity, fight tumours, lower inflammation, and support brain health. |
| Genetic traits | Humans share about a quarter of their active genes with mushrooms. |
| Psychedelic compounds | Mushrooms contain psilocybin and psilocin, substances that can cause hallucinations and distort a person's sense of reality. |
| Communication | Mushrooms may communicate with each other using electrical impulses that resemble human language, with "fungal word lengths" that match those of human languages. |
| Environmental impact | Mushrooms can break down waste materials, restore depleted soils, remediate pollution, break down plastics, and help curb climate change. |
| Poisonous varieties | Some mushrooms that resemble psilocybin mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause severe illness or even death. |
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What You'll Learn
The health benefits of mushrooms
Mushrooms are a fungus that has been consumed by humans for thousands of years. They are known for their delicate flavour and meaty texture, and they are widely recognised for their health benefits.
Mushrooms are low in calories and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a good source of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium to maintain and build strong bones and teeth. They are also rich in selenium, which helps to make antioxidant enzymes that prevent cell damage. In addition, mushrooms contain vitamin B6, which helps the body form red blood cells, proteins, and DNA.
Research suggests that eating 1 to 2 cups of mushrooms each week may reduce the risk of cancer by up to 45%. Mushrooms are also being used in Japan as a drug to treat cancer. Furthermore, mushrooms may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. A study in Singapore found that participants who ate more than 2 cups of mushrooms per week had a 50% lower risk of developing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Mushrooms are also a good source of fibre, which promotes gut health by feeding the "good" bacteria in the intestines. They are low in sodium and fat, which can help maintain a healthy heart by keeping blood pressure low.
There are many ways to incorporate mushrooms into your diet. They can be cooked in olive oil or butter and added to omelettes, stir-fries, soups, salads, casseroles, and pasta. They can also be used as a meat substitute in recipes.
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The risks of consuming mushrooms
Mushrooms have been revered by ancient cultures for their psychedelic properties and ability to induce dream-like states. Today, psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are mostly illegal in the US, but they have been found to have many benefits for physical and mental health. However, there are risks associated with consuming mushrooms, and it is important to be aware of these dangers before deciding to consume them.
The biggest risk of consuming psilocybin mushrooms is the possibility of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms can closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms, and even professionals sometimes mistake one for the other. Consuming poisonous mushrooms can lead to severe illness and can even be fatal. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium, and it is recommended to seek emergency medical attention if these symptoms occur.
Another risk associated with consuming psilocybin mushrooms is the possibility of experiencing a "bad trip". Factors such as mental health, setting, quantity consumed, and expectations can influence the likelihood of having a bad trip. During a bad trip, individuals may experience fear, paranoia, anxiety, short-term psychosis, or other unwanted effects. Consuming mushrooms with other drugs, including alcohol and certain medications, can also increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes.
Regular use of psilocybin mushrooms may also lead to the development of tolerance, where the drug has little to no effect over time. Additionally, consuming a large amount or a particularly strong batch of mushrooms can increase the risk of experiencing negative effects. It is recommended to always consult with a doctor before consuming psilocybin mushrooms, especially if it could interfere with ongoing treatments or medications.
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Mushrooms and their genetic connection to humans
Mushrooms have long been a source of fascination for humans, not only for their mysterious ability to appear overnight but also for their potential health benefits and psychedelic properties. Recent genetic studies have revealed an unexpected connection between mushrooms and humans, suggesting that we may be more similar to fungi than previously thought.
On a genetic level, humans share more traits with mushrooms than with plants. Research has shown that humans share approximately a quarter of their active genes with mushrooms. This kinship can be traced back to our shared evolutionary origins over a billion years ago. While mushrooms and humans have since diverged on the genealogical tree of life, mushrooms still retain genetic remnants from our common ancestors.
The discovery of these shared genetic traits has led to a deeper understanding of the connections between humans and mushrooms. For example, mushrooms possess medicinal properties that can boost immunity, fight tumours, lower inflammation, and support brain health. Their unique protein complexes and polysaccharides interact with human cells, offering natural alternatives to support human wellness. Additionally, mushrooms form symbiotic relationships with plant roots through their mycelial networks, facilitating the exchange of nutrients and information across vast underground territories.
Furthermore, recent research has suggested that mushrooms may even communicate with each other using an electrical "language". Studies have shown that fungi conduct electrical impulses through long, underground filamentous structures called hyphae, similar to how nerve cells transmit information in humans. These impulses increase in frequency when fungi come into contact with food sources, indicating a possible method of communication about food or injury. While the direct relationship between fungal and human speech remains uncertain, the similarities in information processing between the two are intriguing.
In conclusion, despite their outward differences, humans and mushrooms share a significant genetic connection and exhibit surprising similarities in various aspects, including medicinal properties, communication methods, and symbiotic relationships with their environment. As research continues to uncover the mysteries of mushrooms, we gain a deeper understanding of our own evolutionary history and the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world.
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Mushrooms' ability to communicate with each other
Mushrooms, which have long been a source of fascination, are now known to share key genetic traits with humans. In fact, we share about a quarter of our active genes with mushrooms, which is more than we share with plants.
Recent research has revealed that mushrooms may be able to communicate with each other. Prof Andrew Adamatzky of the University of the West of England analysed the electrical spikes generated by four species of fungi and found patterns that bear a striking structural similarity to human speech. These spikes in activity were organised into groups, resembling vocabularies of up to 50 words, with an average fungal word length of 5.97, which is similar to English and Russian. The split-gill mushrooms, which grow on decaying wood, generated the most complex "sentences".
While the research does not prove that this is a language, it does show that mushrooms are capable of producing patterns of electrical signals. The most likely reasons for these waves of electrical activity are to maintain the fungi's integrity or to report newly discovered sources of attractants and repellents to other parts of their mycelium network.
Adamatzky himself has said that there may not be a direct relationship between spiking patterns in fungi and human speech. However, he notes that there are many similarities in information processing in living substrates of different classes, families and species.
Adamatzky has offered three routes for future research on fungi communication: studying more fungi species, analysing and categorising the words and grammatical structure of the mushroom language, and mapping the world's vast networks of underground fungi. While it is very early in the research process, it is interesting to consider what new technological and scientific breakthroughs could offer.
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The history of humans using mushrooms ceremonially
The use of mushrooms in spiritual and religious ceremonies has a long history, dating back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that indigenous cultures worldwide have recognised the spiritual and healing potential of psilocybin mushrooms, with ancient civilisations integrating them into their lore and practices.
Central America and Mesoamerica
The heartland of psilocybin history is Central America, where evidence of mushroom worship among the Aztecs and Mayans dates back to at least 1000 BCE. Known as "teonanácatl" or "flesh of the gods," these mushrooms were consumed during religious ceremonies and psychedelic tea ceremonies, inducing visionary states for divination, healing, and communing with the gods. In the Aztec worldview, mushrooms were linked to Xochipilli, the god of song, music, joy, pleasure, and fertility. The Maya Civilisation also created basalt sculptures in the shape of mushrooms, further highlighting the importance of these fungi in their spiritual practices.
Africa
In Africa, certain tribes incorporated psychoactive mushrooms into their rituals and spiritual traditions. Rock paintings and carvings in Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria, depict human figures holding mushrooms, suggesting early representations of psilocybin use on the continent.
Ancient Greece and Egypt
In Ancient Greece, the Eleusinian Mysteries, infamous ritual ceremonies worshipping the goddess Demeter, involved the consumption of a psychoactive concoction containing psychedelic mushrooms. Meanwhile, the Ancient Egyptians considered mushrooms as the "food of the gods," believing they were placed on Earth by the god Osiris. As a result, only priests and the upper class consumed them for religious reasons.
Mexico's Mazatec People
In the 1950s, US mushroom researcher R. Gordon Wasson became the first outsider to attend a sacred ceremony among Mexico's Mazatec people, led by the shaman Maria Sabina. This event triggered a wave of counter-cultural tourism to the region, with scientists and hippies making pilgrimages to experience the magic mushrooms.
While the ceremonial use of mushrooms has a rich history, it is important to note that indigenous communities have utilised these fungi not only for rituals but also for everyday practices. Additionally, the integration of mushrooms into ceremonies was often met with resistance by colonial powers, who attempted to prevent their use and destroy evidence of their historical significance.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a hallucinogenic chemical. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions.
The effects of consuming magic mushrooms range from euphoria to hallucinations. The mushrooms can be consumed fresh or dried, and are eaten, mixed with food, brewed as tea, or crushed into capsules. The effects usually begin 30-45 minutes after consumption and can last up to 6 hours. Early effects include nausea and excessive yawning, followed by a trip which may be mild, leaving the person drowsy or relaxed, or stronger, leading to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and distorted senses of time, place, and reality.
The biggest risk associated with magic mushrooms is that they look very similar to some types of poisonous mushrooms, which can make people very ill or even kill them. Consuming a large or strong batch of magic mushrooms can also lead to unwanted effects like fear, paranoia, and a "bad trip". Magic mushrooms may also cause flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences, which can be disturbing.
Magic mushrooms are illegal in most of the US, but they have been used by humans for their psychedelic compounds for thousands of years. Current research shows that they have many benefits to physical and mental health, and they are being studied for their potential in treating mental health issues.
