Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are a fungus that has been consumed by humans since ancient times. They are known to have several health benefits, including being a good source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. They are also low in sodium, calories, fat, and cholesterol, making them a healthy addition to meals. However, a case report highlighted the dangers of injecting mushroom tea into the bloodstream, which resulted in a fungal infection and multisystem organ failure. While this is an extreme case, it underscores the need for education on the safe consumption of mushrooms. The impact of fungi on human health is complex and under-researched, with certain fungi linked to adverse health effects and others showing medicinal properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Magic mushrooms injected into the bloodstream | Can lead to the growth of fungus in the blood |
| Magic mushrooms | Are psychedelic drugs that can induce hallucinations |
| Magic mushrooms | Are not addictive |
| Mushrooms | Are a fungus |
| Mushrooms | Are low in sodium, calories, carbohydrates, fat, cholesterol |
| Mushrooms | Provide important nutrients, including selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, proteins, and fiber |
| Mushrooms | Can help lower cholesterol levels |
| Mushrooms | Can help ward off chronic diseases |
| Mushrooms | Can help prevent cancer |
| Mushrooms | Can stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut |
| Fungi | Are ubiquitous microorganisms |
| Fungi | Can cause or trigger several human diseases, including Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis (ABPM), Allergic Fungal Sinusitis (AFS), and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HSP) |
| Fungi | Can worsen asthma |
| Fungi | Can accelerate pancreatic cancer |
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What You'll Learn
The health benefits of mushrooms
Mushrooms are a fungus, and they have been consumed since ancient times. The ancient Greeks believed mushrooms provided strength to warriors in battle, while the Romans considered them the "Food of the Gods". In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to improve health and longevity.
Today, mushrooms are a popular food choice because they are low in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium, and are cholesterol-free. They are also a source of important nutrients, including selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, proteins, and fiber.
- Cancer prevention: Eating just 18 grams of mushrooms (about two medium mushrooms) daily may lower your cancer risk by up to 45%. Mushrooms contain ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Trametes versicolor, for instance, inhibits the growth of several human cancer cell lines, while Grifola frondosa acts as an anticancer agent, particularly on human gastric carcinoma.
- Vitamin D source: Mushrooms are one of the few natural food sources of vitamin D, which is important for bone and immune health. White button, portabella, and cremini mushrooms provide the most vitamin D after exposure to UV light or sunlight.
- Cholesterol reduction: Mushrooms are low in fat and cholesterol and can be used as a substitute for red meat in recipes. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, help to keep cholesterol levels low by inhibiting the production and absorption of cholesterol and lowering overall cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Cognitive health: Consuming one to two cups of mushrooms each week may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- Gut health: Mushrooms are rich in fiber and contain polysaccharides, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
- Blood pressure: Mushrooms are naturally low in sodium, which can help to lower blood pressure. Swapping half the meat for mushrooms in recipes can reduce sodium intake by up to 25%.
Mushrooms can be easily incorporated into meals by adding them to pizzas, salads, pasta sauces, or cooked beef, chicken, or turkey dishes.
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The risks of consuming 'magic mushrooms'
While some research suggests that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may help relieve symptoms of some mental health conditions, it is considered a psychedelic with a high potential for misuse and has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
Magic mushrooms carry an added risk because they resemble some species of poisonous mushrooms, so people sometimes consume the wrong kind by mistake. Poisonous mushrooms can make you severely ill and can even be fatal.
If you consume an especially large or strong batch of magic mushrooms, you might experience a "bad trip," which can include fear, paranoia, and other unwanted effects. A bad trip can also trigger anxiety, fear, confusion, elevated blood pressure, vomiting, headaches, and stomach cramps. The risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes higher doses of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it.
Regular use may also cause people to become tolerant to the effects of psilocybin, and cross-tolerance occurs with other drugs, including LSD and mescaline. Tolerance develops quickly with regular use, meaning that with continued use, a person will need more of the drug to achieve the same effect. Developing a tolerance can be especially risky with magic mushrooms because consuming a large amount can result in overdose symptoms, including tachycardia (heart beating too fast), hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperthermia (body tissue becomes too hot), nausea, or vomiting.
In rare cases, people can develop hallucinogen-induced persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where they experience vivid flashbacks of their trip long after the fact.
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The nutritional value of mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that contains a substance called ergosterol, which is structurally similar to cholesterol in animals. Ergosterol can be transformed into vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light. With over 10,000 known types of mushrooms, they vary in appearance, but they are generally distinguished by a stem, a fleshy rounded cap, and gills underneath the cap.
Mushrooms are a low-calorie food option that is packed with health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a good source of vitamin D, which is important for bone and immune health. Vitamin D helps with cell growth, and mushrooms can produce vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), a form found only in plants. Mushrooms are also a rich source of potassium, which is known for reducing the negative impact of sodium on the body and lowering blood pressure. Additionally, mushrooms contain selenium, which can help prevent cell damage, and vitamin B6, which helps the body form red blood cells.
Mushrooms also contain a number of B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, B6, and B12. They provide important nutrients, including selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, proteins, and fiber. Mushrooms are also a good source of folate, which is beneficial for pregnant women.
Some edible mushrooms, like the "mushroom of immortality," commonly known as Lingzhi or Reishi, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Modern pharmacological tests have demonstrated characteristics such as immunomodulating, antiallergic, antiradiation, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and antioxidant properties.
Mushrooms also contain polysaccharides that act as prebiotics, stimulating the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. These polysaccharides remain undigested, passing through the stomach unchanged and reaching the colon to encourage the growth of healthy bacteria.
Overall, mushrooms are an extremely nutritious food that can be a healthful addition to a varied diet, offering a range of health benefits.
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Mushrooms in traditional medicine
Mushrooms are a fungus that has been consumed since the earliest times in history. They have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, with records of their medicinal use by the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as in ancient Chinese culture.
The Greeks believed mushrooms provided strength to warriors in battle, while the Romans perceived them as the "Food of the Gods". In China, the "mushroom of immortality", also known as Lingzhi or Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), has been used for millennia to improve health and longevity, as well as to treat neurasthenia, hypertension, hepatopathy, and carcinoma. It is listed in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Therapeutic Compendium. It is also used as an adjuvant in cancer treatment.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Maitake (Grifola frondosa), also known as the "Dancing Mushroom", is used for its support of the spleen and for benefiting qi. It contains polysaccharides such as beta-glucans, which are linked to healthy cell growth.
Cordyceps, a combination of a caterpillar and a mushroom found in the Himalayas, is the most expensive mushroom in the world, costing over $20,000 per kilogram. It is known for its stimulating, warming, and powerful effects, with an affinity for the kidneys and lungs.
In addition to their use in traditional medicine, mushrooms are also valued for their culinary and nutritional qualities. They are low in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium, and are a good source of selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, protein, and fiber.
Modern research has also uncovered various health benefits of mushrooms, including their ability to ward off chronic diseases and improve everyday health. For example, consuming just 18 grams of mushrooms per day may lower the risk of cancer by up to 45%. Mushrooms are also a source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage.
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Fungi and their impact on human health
Fungi are ubiquitous microorganisms that can be found all over the world. They have a significant impact on human health, which is often under-studied and underappreciated. While some fungi can cause harm to humans, others have been found to have several health benefits.
Fungi can cause or trigger several well-defined human diseases. These include Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis (ABPM), Allergic Fungal Sinusitis (AFS), and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HSP). Inhalation of certain fungi can also contribute to adverse health effects in individuals who are predisposed to specific diseases. For example, those who produce specific IgE to fungal antigens, have respiratory conditions, or are immunocompromised. Common outdoor fungi that can cause such issues include Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Epicoccum. Fungi that are often associated with indoor environments and water damage include Penicillium, Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, and Chaetomium. In particular, exposure to indoor Penicillium has been linked to increased asthma exacerbations in sensitized children.
In addition to the negative health impacts of certain fungi, there is also a risk associated with the consumption of "magic mushrooms". Psilocybin or magic mushrooms are naturally occurring psychedelic drugs that can induce hallucinations and alter a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can also cause negative side effects such as headaches, flashbacks, and in rare cases, hallucinogen-induced persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Furthermore, magic mushrooms can be dangerous as they resemble some species of poisonous mushrooms, leading to accidental consumption of the wrong type.
On the other hand, edible mushrooms have been consumed throughout history and are known to have several health benefits. Ancient civilizations valued mushrooms for their sensory characteristics and perceived them as a source of strength and even as the "Food of the Gods". Today, mushrooms are popular as they are low in calories, carbohydrates, fat, sodium, and cholesterol. They are also a source of important nutrients, including selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, proteins, and fiber.
Certain types of mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. For example, the "mushroom of immortality", known as Lingzhi or Reishi, has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It is believed to have immunomodulating, antiallergic, antiradiation, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and antioxidant properties. Similarly, Ganoderma has been used in Asia for cancer treatment, exhibiting anticancer effects when used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Other edible mushrooms, such as Trametes versicolor and Grifola frondosa, have also been found to have anticancer properties.
In conclusion, while certain fungi can have detrimental effects on human health, there are also many edible mushrooms that offer a range of health benefits. Further research and understanding of the impact of fungi on human health can help to promote their positive effects and mitigate their negative consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms are a fungus themselves but consuming them does not accelerate human fungus. In fact, mushrooms have several health benefits and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
Mushrooms are naturally low in sodium, calories, carbohydrates, fat, and cholesterol. They are a good source of selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, proteins, and fiber. Certain types of mushrooms have been shown to have anticancer properties and can help lower cholesterol levels.
Yes, it is important to know the type of mushroom you are consuming as some mushrooms resemble poisonous varieties which can cause serious illness or even death. Magic mushrooms, a psychedelic variety, should also be consumed with caution as they can induce mind-altering trips and, in rare cases, may lead to hallucinogen-induced persisting perception disorder (HPPD).
HPPD, or hallucinogen-induced persisting perception disorder, is a condition where individuals experience vivid flashbacks of their trip, including visual distortions and changes in emotions or perception. These flashbacks can be triggered by various factors such as stress, tiredness, or exercise, and can occur long after the last consumption of magic mushrooms.
While it is not common, there have been reports of individuals injecting mushroom tea directly into their bloodstream. This practice is dangerous and can lead to serious health issues, including fungal infections and multisystem organ failure. It is important to consume mushrooms safely and only as prescribed by medical professionals.
