John Miller
While mushrooms are typically associated with growth on soil or other food sources, there have been rare instances of mushrooms growing on or inside the human body. In a notable case, a man injected himself with magic mushroom tea, leading to the growth of mushrooms in his bloodstream and causing organ failure. Additionally, a 1950 medical report described a 33-year-old man with a fungal infection attributed to a mushroom-forming species commonly found on trees. These instances, though rare, highlight the potential for mushroom growth in relation to the human body under certain conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can mushrooms grow on a human body? | In a healthy human body, mushrooms cannot grow. However, in 1950, a doctor discovered a mushroom-forming species growing on a patient's foot. Since then, researchers have found this wild fungus growing on and within other human bodies. |
| Can mushrooms grow in the human bloodstream? | Yes, a man injected himself with 'magic' mushrooms, which contain the psychedelic drug psilocybin, and the mushrooms grew in his bloodstream, causing organ failure. |
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What You'll Learn
Fungi can grow on human bodies
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
For a mushroom to grow out of a human, a network of mycelial threads called hyphae would have to grow inside the person first. The actual "body" of the mushroom is the threads beneath the surface, eating whatever it grows in. In a healthy human, this would never happen, and a gangrenous limb would kill the person from septic shock before a mushroom could grow out of it.
In one case, a man injected himself with "magic" mushrooms, and the fungi grew in his bloodstream, causing organ failure. The man was treated with antibiotics and antifungals and was placed on a ventilator to breathe. He survived and was discharged from the hospital.
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A man injected with magic mushrooms grew fungi in his blood
A 30-year-old man with bipolar disorder injected himself with a concoction of "magic mushrooms" in a failed attempt to get high. He brewed a tea from the mushrooms, which contain the psychedelic drug psilocybin, and then injected the substance into his bloodstream.
In the following days, the man began experiencing symptoms such as lethargy, jaundice, diarrhea, and vomiting blood. He was found by his family and taken to a hospital emergency department, where he was "grossly confused". Doctors discovered that his kidneys and liver were not functioning properly, and he had started to go into multi-organ failure. A blood sample revealed something even more shocking: the mushrooms had begun to grow in his bloodstream, causing his health issues.
The man remained in the hospital for 22 days, with eight of those in intensive care. He was treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and anti-fungal medications. His condition eventually improved, and he was released from the hospital. However, he was still taking several medications, including anti-fungal drugs, to prevent further growth of the mushrooms.
While this case may seem unusual, it is not the first time that mushroom-forming fungi have been found to grow on or within human bodies. In 1950, a doctor treated a 33-year-old man for a fungal overgrowth on his toes, which was attributed to a mushroom-forming species commonly found on trees. Since then, researchers have documented almost 100 cases of infection and a few unexpected deaths. However, it is important to note that in healthy individuals, mushrooms would not be able to grow as a gangrenous limb would kill the person from septic shock before a mushroom could grow.
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Fungi can cause gangrene and septic shock
While mushrooms have never been observed growing on a human, certain types of fungi can cause serious fungal infections in some people, which can lead to gangrene and septic shock. Fungi are everywhere—their microscopic spores are in the air, on the ground, and even on our skin. Most of these fungi are harmless, but some can cause infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. For example, Aspergillus, which causes aspergillosis, typically affects people with lung disease or weakened immune systems. Similarly, Candida, which causes thrush, can lead to invasive candidiasis if it enters the bloodstream.
Fungal infections can occur anywhere in the body but usually start on the skin, often causing redness and itching. While over-the-counter or prescription medications can treat these infections, sometimes they do not heal and instead worsen, potentially resulting in sepsis. Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is a life-threatening response of the body to infection. People with impaired immune systems are more susceptible to developing sepsis from fungal infections.
Fungal infections can also lead to gangrene, a serious condition requiring emergency treatment. Gangrene occurs when blood flow to a certain area of the body is interrupted, causing the tissue to die. This often affects the fingers or toes and can develop after traumatic injuries, such as gunshot wounds or car crashes, that create open wounds for bacteria to enter. If left untreated, the bacteria can infect the tissues and lead to gangrene.
In rare cases, fungi can also cause gangrene. Mucormycosis, for instance, is a rare and fatal infection caused by fungi of the class Zygomycetes. It typically affects immunocompromised and diabetic patients, and a break in the skin's integrity, such as from surgery or fractures, can lead to this infection. This fungal infection can cause tissue infarction and gangrene, and if left untreated, can lead to septic shock and death.
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Fungi can be used to treat cancer
Mushrooms, or fungi, have been used as medicine in Asia for hundreds of years, particularly in Japan and China. Fungi have been used to treat infections and lung diseases, as well as complementing cancer treatments.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Trametes versicolor, or Coriolus versicolor, also known as Yun Zhi or turkey tail due to its appearance, has been used to treat lung diseases. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms. PSK can be consumed as tea or in capsule form and has been used as an adjuvant treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for various cancers. Turkey tail has also been used in Japan to strengthen the immune system when given alongside standard cancer treatment.
Another mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine is Ganoderma lucidum, or reishi, also known as the mushroom of immortality. Ganoderma lucidum products are commercially available in various forms. Polysaccharides GL-PS and GL-T, found in Ganoderma lucidum, have demonstrated anticancer activity by inhibiting the cell cycle, exhibiting cytotoxicity, and displaying antimetastatic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Lentinula edodes, or shiitake, is a mushroom that can be easily purchased in grocery stores. The polysaccharide extract active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) of the Lentinula edodes mushroom has been tested in several human trials. In one trial, advanced cancer patients who were given 3 grams of AHCC per day for one month showed a 2.5 times increase in natural killer cell activity, and over half displayed a tumor response.
Maitake D-fraction, derived from Grifola frondosa (maitake), has been shown to increase response rates in patients receiving chemotherapy for several cancers from 12% to 28%, as well as reducing chemotherapy side effects. Studies have also suggested a direct antitumor effect of maitake D-fraction, with the induction of apoptosis observed in breast cancer cell lines.
In summary, medicinal mushrooms have been used as an adjunct to standard cancer treatments in Asia, particularly in Japan and China. Research has shown that mushrooms can improve immune function, modify tumor response, and reduce chemotherapy side effects. However, it is important to consult with a doctor before using mushrooms during cancer treatment, as they contain potent biological compounds that can behave like drugs.
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Fungi can be differentiated from mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Fungi are a distinct kingdom of organisms, separate from plants and animals, with their own unique characteristics. Fungi exist in a wide range of forms, including yeasts, brackets, jellies, clubs, crusts, cups, corals, moulds, rusts, smuts, and mushrooms. They are distinguished by their chitinous cell walls and their ability to acquire nutrients through absorption, rather than photosynthesis. Fungi play a crucial role as decomposers in ecological systems.
Mushrooms, on the other hand, are the reproductive organs of certain fungi, akin to the fruit of a plant. They are characterised by their stem (stipe) and cap, which may or may not conform to the classic mushroom shape. The underside of the cap is where spores are produced, similar to pollen or seeds in plants. These spores can be collected to determine their colour, which is an important trait used in field guides for identification.
The diversity of fungi is vast, with an estimated 2.2 to 3.8 million species, yet only about 148,000 have been described so far. Of these, only a small fraction are known to produce mushrooms. This highlights that most fungi do not conform to the typical mushroom structure.
Furthermore, the presence of specific structures on the stipe, such as an annulus (a skirt of tissue) or a volva (a sack of tissue), can be used to differentiate between different types of fungi. For example, the Amanita genus, which includes poisonous species like Amanita muscaria, often has both an annulus and a volva.
In summary, while all mushrooms are a type of fungus, the term 'fungus' encompasses a much broader and diverse range of organisms, most of which do not possess the characteristic stem and cap structure of mushrooms. Fungi can be differentiated from mushrooms by their varied forms, ecological roles, and unique characteristics within the fungal kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
In rare cases, yes. In 1950, a doctor discovered that a 33-year-old patient's foot infection was caused by a mushroom-forming species that commonly grows on trees. Since then, researchers have documented this wild fungus growing on and within other human bodies. However, this is not a common occurrence and requires specific conditions, such as the presence of subsurface fungi and a compromised immune system.
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi. For a mushroom to grow on a human, a network of mycelial threads called hyphae would first need to grow and establish themselves beneath the surface. This typically occurs on decomposing plant matter or in decaying wood.
While it is not advisable to intentionally grow mushrooms on or inside the human body, there is ongoing research into the therapeutic potential of certain mushroom species. Some studies suggest that psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, may have benefits in treating depression, anxiety, and cancer-related symptoms when administered in controlled doses and under medical supervision.
Yes, significant risks are associated with mushrooms growing on or inside the human body. In one case, a man injected himself with "magic mushrooms," resulting in the growth of fungi in his bloodstream and causing organ failure. He required long-term treatment with antifungal and antibiotic medications and was placed on a ventilator due to acute respiratory failure.
It is rare for mushrooms to grow on or inside humans. Since the initial discovery in 1950, almost 100 cases of infection and a few unexpected deaths have been reported. However, it is important to note that proper identification and documentation of such cases may be challenging, and the true incidence may be underreported.
