John Miller
Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for their nutritional and medicinal value. Modern research confirms their therapeutic effects, particularly their anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to damaging factors, such as physical trauma, infections, or toxins. Prolonged inflammation can lead to various diseases, including cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular issues. Mushrooms have been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and reducing cell inflammations. For example, the white button mushroom stimulates the production of TNF-α, and other mushrooms like Cordyceps, Reishi, and Chaga have been shown to inhibit inflammation in the human body. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, have also been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
Do Mushrooms Cause Inflammation?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory | Mushrooms have been used for their medicinal value for thousands of years. Research confirms the therapeutic effect of traditionally used species. |
| Pro-inflammatory | Some studies suggest that mushrooms increase inflammation and may cause autoimmunity. |
| Anti-inflammatory compounds | Mushrooms contain alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and glucans, which are known to have anti-inflammatory activities. |
| TNF-α | Some mushrooms, such as white button, crimini, maitake, oyster, and shiitake, stimulate the production of TNF-α. However, psilocybin-containing mushrooms and their extracts can inhibit the production of TNF-α. |
| IL-1β | Similar to TNF-α, some mushrooms stimulate IL-1β production, while psilocybin-containing mushrooms can inhibit it. |
| IL-6 | Psilocybin-containing mushrooms can reduce IL-6 concentrations. |
| COX-2 | Mushrooms like Elaphomyces granulatus contain syringaldehyde and syringic acid, which inhibit the COX-2 enzyme, exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects. |
| Cytokines | Mushrooms can inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. |
| ROS | Mushrooms like Pan cyanescens and P. cubensis exhibit significant inhibition of ROS, which is known to cause inflammation. |
| Cancer | Mushrooms have been shown to have anti-cancer properties and can suppress the production of inflammatory mediators associated with cancer. |
| Other diseases | Mushrooms may help with inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, depression, Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and skin conditions. |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties
Mushrooms have been used for their nutritional and medicinal properties for centuries. They are a valuable source of protein, containing essential amino acids, and are also rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are beneficial for health. Certain edible mushrooms have been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties. These include truffles, portobello mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms. Mushrooms contain secondary metabolites that exhibit a range of beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory ones. The anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms are linked to their amino acid content, which influences prostaglandin metabolism.
Magic mushrooms, in particular, have been found to contain a powerful anti-inflammatory compound. Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, has been shown to induce acute and persisting alterations in the immune status and stress response in healthy volunteers. The effect of psilocybin on the immune profile is characterised by decreased plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP. These changes are consistent with previous studies demonstrating the anti-inflammatory properties of serotonergic psychedelics.
The anti-inflammatory effects of psilocybin are mediated through its interaction with the serotonin receptor 5HT-2A, which can be found in almost all parts of the body, including immune-related structures like the spleen and white blood cells. By activating this receptor, psilocybin can reduce inflammation. This mechanism of action is similar to that of other classic psychedelics such as LSD, DMT, and ayahuasca, which have also been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, psilocybin has been suggested as a potential treatment for major depression and other psychiatric disorders. Clinical investigations have compared the effectiveness of psilocybin to SSRIs, the current standard treatment for major depression. The results of these studies suggest that psilocybin may be an effective alternative, offering a new approach to the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders characterised by aberrant inflammatory profiles.
Overall, the available evidence suggests that magic mushrooms possess significant anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to their potential therapeutic benefits in the treatment of various disorders.
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Mushrooms are packed with anti-inflammatory antioxidants
Mushrooms have been used for their nutritional and medicinal value for thousands of years. Modern research confirms the therapeutic effects of many traditionally used species. Mushrooms include a wide variety of bioactive compounds that have been linked to therapeutic and nutritional benefits, making them a potential source of new medications and functional foods.
Mushrooms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. For example, water, methanolic, ethanolic, and ethyl acetate extracts of different mushrooms showed significant decreases in the activities of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), cytokines, and prostaglandins, thus inhibiting some macrophage functions and reducing cell inflammations. The anti-inflammatory properties of mushrooms have also been proven by their inhibition of the mediator cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme in mouse macrophage.
Furthermore, glucans from Pleurotus pulmonarius have been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. These studies demonstrated that the fruiting body, or mycelial extract, of the edible mushroom markedly attenuated or suppressed symptoms associated with dextran sulphate sodium-induced acute colitis in mice. They also reported that, in an in vitro study, these glucans inhibited TNF-α-dependent activation of NF-κB in human intestinal cells.
In addition to truffles and P. pulmonarius, other edible mushrooms with anti-inflammatory properties include white button, crimini, maitake, oyster, and shiitake.
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Mushrooms can cause inflammation in some cases
Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for their nutritional and medicinal value. Modern research confirms the therapeutic effects of many traditionally used species. Mushrooms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and atherosclerosis.
However, it is important to note that not all mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties. Some mushrooms, such as white button (WB) mushrooms, crimini, maitake, oyster, and shiitake, have been shown to stimulate the production of TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. In addition, a single moderate dose of psilocybin, a compound found in "magic mushrooms," has been shown to reduce concentrations of TNF-α in healthy volunteers.
The in vivo effects of edible mushrooms on inflammation are modest. This is not surprising, as it could be harmful for a commonly consumed food to strongly induce or suppress immune function. However, mushroom extracts have been shown to have beneficial effects on cancer in experimental models, and they are being investigated as a potential natural source of anti-inflammatory compounds for medical applications.
While mushrooms can have anti-inflammatory properties, they may also cause inflammation in some cases. For example, whole mushrooms have been shown to increase inflammation and perhaps autoimmunity. In addition, some individuals may have allergies to mushrooms, which could cause an inflammatory response.
Overall, while mushrooms can cause inflammation in some cases, they also have anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial in treating certain inflammatory conditions. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of mushrooms on inflammation and immune function.
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Mushrooms can help with inflammatory conditions like arthritis
Mushrooms have been used for their nutritional and medicinal value for thousands of years. Modern research confirms the therapeutic effects of many edible mushroom varieties. Edible mushrooms have been shown to modulate immunity and stimulate the immune system. Mushrooms are rich in selenium, copper, and all of the B vitamins. They also contain phenols and other antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory protection.
Mushrooms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Prolonged inflammation can cause many inflammatory diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gastritis, bronchitis, and atherosclerosis. Mushrooms contain anti-inflammatory compounds, including polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and many other low molecular weight molecules. These compounds have been shown to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators through the downregulation of gene expression.
The anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms have been demonstrated in various studies. For example, extracts of different epigeous and hypogeous mushrooms showed significant decreases in the activities of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), cytokines, and prostaglandins, inhibiting macrophage functions and reducing cell inflammations. Additionally, a 2021 study found that lion's mane mushrooms, native to North America, Europe, and Asia, can promote nerve health and may even ease nerve pain. The compounds in lion's mane mushrooms help stimulate nerve growth, aiding in nerve healing.
Another example is the cordyceps fungus, which grows on insects. Cordyceps supplements are popular for their energy-boosting and pain-reducing properties. Cordycepin, a major nutrient found in cordyceps, has been shown to protect against inflammatory injury in diseases such as acute lung injury (ALI), asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, hepatitis, atherosclerosis, and atopic dermatitis.
Overall, mushrooms have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help with inflammatory conditions, including arthritis. The anti-inflammatory compounds in mushrooms can reduce the production of inflammatory mediators and provide potential health benefits.
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Mushrooms can reduce inflammation in human intestinal cells
Mushrooms have been used for their nutritional and medicinal value for thousands of years. They are known to have therapeutic effects and are a potential source of new medications and functional foods.
Mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that have been linked to therapeutic and nutritional benefits. These include peptides, polysaccharides, terpenes, sterols, fatty acids, and phenols. These bioactive molecules have been shown to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and associated pathways in in vivo and in vitro settings.
The anti-inflammatory properties of mushrooms have been demonstrated in studies. For example, the ethanolic extract of the edible truffle Elaphomyces granulatus contains two active aromatic compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, namely syringaldehyde and syringic acid. These compounds inhibited the mediator cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme in mouse macrophage (RAW 264.7) by about 68% at a concentration of 50 μg/mL.
Furthermore, β-glucans from the edible mushroom Pleurotus pulmonarius have been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. In an in vitro study, these glucans inhibited TNF-α-dependent activation of NF-κB in human intestinal cells. This suggests that mushrooms can indeed reduce inflammation in human intestinal cells.
In addition to their anti-inflammatory effects, mushrooms are also very low in calories and rich in selenium, copper, and all of the B vitamins. They are also a good source of phenols and other antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory protection.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties.
Mycochemical compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins are found in mushrooms and are known for their anti-inflammatory activities.
Yes, the following types of mushrooms have been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties: Cordyceps, Reishi, Chaga, Elaphomyces granulatus, Pleurotus pulmonarius, and Oyster mushrooms.
Mushrooms contain antioxidants that neutralise free radicals, which are agents that cause inflammation and various diseases.
The anti-inflammatory properties of mushrooms can help prevent and treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and certain types of cancer.
