Emma Wilson
Mushrooms and humans are surprisingly closely related. While they may appear very different, genetic studies show that humans and mushrooms share a common ancestor and that mushrooms are, in fact, more closely related to humans than to plants. Humans and mushrooms share about a quarter of their active genes, and both have developed powerful medicinal properties. Mushrooms have been used ceremonially for mental health, and in supplements to boost immunity, fight tumours, lower inflammation, and support brain health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genetic Similarity | Humans share about a quarter of their active genes with mushrooms |
| Common Ancestor | Animals and fungi share a common ancestor and branched away from plants around 1.1 billion years ago |
| Vitamin D Production | Mushrooms, like humans, produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight |
| Carbohydrate Storage | Both mushrooms and humans store carbohydrate energy as glycogen |
| Medicinal Properties | Mushrooms have developed powerful medicinal properties and are used to boost immunity, fight tumours, lower inflammation, and support brain health |
| Psychedelic Properties | Mushrooms contain psilocybin and other hallucinogenic compounds that can facilitate psychological growth and expand consciousness |
| Ecological Importance | Mushrooms break down waste materials and recycle nutrients back into the soil, supporting the survival of plants and other organisms |
| Cultural Significance | Mushrooms have been revered in ancient cultures for their health benefits, psychedelic properties, and symbolic meanings |
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What You'll Learn
Humans and mushrooms share a common ancestor
Mushrooms and humans share a common ancestor, and branched away from plants around 1.1 billion years ago. While mushrooms may look quite different from humans, we share more genetic traits with mushrooms than with plants. Recent research has shown that mushrooms are, in fact, more closely related to humans than to plants.
Genetic studies show that there may be a common ancestor from which both animals and fungi evolved. Animals and fungi share a more recent common ancestor than either does with the lineage leading to plants. Fungi belong to a kingdom of their own, just like animals, plants, bacteria, and protista (algae). They are eukaryotic organisms that absorb nutrients from other organic matter. When an animal dies, fungi are typically the first to begin the natural process of decomposition.
Humans and mushrooms share about a quarter of their active genes. This is because mushrooms and humans evolved from ancestors engaged in multicellularity over a billion years ago. Mushrooms branched off on their evolutionary path but still retain genetic DNA remnants from our shared origins. On a molecular level, we share a kinship with mushrooms. Like humans, mushrooms have developed powerful medicinal properties. Many varieties, such as reishi, lion's mane, and chaga, are renowned adaptogens that can boost immunity, fight tumours, lower inflammation, and support brain health.
Research is ongoing, but some studies have found mushrooms help alleviate conditions like anxiety and depression. Mushrooms form vital symbiotic relationships with plant roots through their mycelial networks. They trade nutrients with plants for carbohydrates. This subterranean web allows information and resources to flow between diverse species across large underground territories. In a sense, mushrooms act as nature's internet. Our social bonds and communion with each other and the natural world mirror mushrooms' capacity to connect disparate life forms through cooperative networks.
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Mushrooms and humans share about 25% of active genes
Mushrooms and humans share about 25% of their active genes. While mushrooms may appear very different from humans, we share more genetic traits with them than with plants. This is because mushrooms and humans evolved from ancestors engaged in multicellularity over a billion years ago.
Mushrooms are part of the fungal kingdom and are, in fact, more closely related to humans than to plants. Animals and fungi share a common ancestor and branched away from plants around 1.1 billion years ago. Fungi and animals are more closely related to each other than either are to plants. They are both opisthokonts and share a more recent common ancestor than they do with the lineage leading to plants.
While DNA is a complex molecule that cannot be reduced to a simple percentage, there are indeed genetic similarities between animals and fungi that are not found in plants. For example, both mushrooms and humans store carbohydrate energy as glycogen, while plants use starch to store energy. Mushrooms, like humans, also produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
Mushrooms possess unique medicinal properties, with many varieties, such as reishi, lion's mane, and chaga, renowned for their adaptogenic abilities to boost immunity, fight tumours, lower inflammation, and support brain health. Research has also found that mushrooms can help alleviate conditions like anxiety and depression. Furthermore, hallucinogenic mushroom compounds like psilocybin show promise in treating mental health issues and facilitating psychological growth.
In ancient times, mushrooms were highly revered for their health benefits and psychedelic compounds. They were often reserved for royalty and depicted in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Ancient texts, such as "The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica," a foundational book on Chinese wellness practices, detail the use of mushrooms for extending longevity.
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Mushrooms and humans produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight
Mushrooms and humans are more closely related to each other than they are to plants. Genetic studies have shown that animals and fungi share a common ancestor, branching away from plants around 1.1 billion years ago. Fungi and humans also share another interesting similarity: they both produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
Vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium from the intestines. This calcium is necessary to form hardened bones and keep them strong and healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to serious health issues such as increased rates of bone loss and osteomalacia in adults, and rickets in children.
When exposed to sunlight or UV radiation, mushrooms become an excellent source of dietary vitamin D2. This is because they contain high concentrations of the vitamin D precursor, provitamin D2. Provitamin D2 is converted to previtamin D2 when exposed to UV radiation, and then rapidly isomerizes to vitamin D2. Continued exposure to UV radiation results in the production of lumisterol2 and tachysterol2.
Similarly, when the human skin is exposed to sunlight, it can manufacture its own vitamin D. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun, cholesterol in the skin is converted into vitamin D3 through a chain of reactions. This process was first observed in 1921 when Hess and Unger noted that exposing children to direct sunlight improved their clinical and radiological manifestations of rickets.
While sun exposure is a natural way for the body to produce vitamin D, it is important to be mindful of the risks associated with excessive sun exposure, such as skin cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to use sunblock when outdoors in strong sunlight for prolonged periods. Additionally, vitamin D can also be obtained through dietary sources or supplements, ensuring that individuals can maintain adequate vitamin D levels without excessive sun exposure.
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Mushrooms have medicinal properties like humans
Mushrooms and humans are surprisingly closely related. While mushrooms might be immediately viewed as vegetative organisms, recent research has shown that they are, in fact, more closely related to humans than to plants. Animals and fungi share a common ancestor, branching away from plants around 1.1 billion years ago. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that absorb nutrients from other organic matter, and they are more similar to animals than plants.
Mushrooms have long been recognised for their medicinal properties, particularly in Asian countries, where mycotherapy has ancient and deep-rooted origins. In Western areas, the application of mushrooms in medical therapies is more limited, especially in conventional medical institutions. However, research has demonstrated that mushrooms have enormous potential for use in the medical sector, with studies investigating their antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antihypercholesterolemic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and antiaging properties.
Mushrooms contain ergothioneine, an amino acid with powerful antioxidant properties that can help to prevent or slow cellular damage. They are also a source of vitamin D, which assists with cell growth, boosts immune function, and reduces inflammation. Additionally, mushrooms contain vitamin B6, which helps the body form red blood cells, proteins, and DNA.
Oyster mushrooms, in particular, are known for their high levels of ergothioneine and their ability to maintain healthy blood pressure, support a healthy body weight, balance blood sugar levels, and support lipid metabolism. Cordyceps is another medicinal mushroom species with a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine. It is believed to have hormone-regulatory properties, increasing libido in women and improving sperm health in men.
While the genetic similarities between mushrooms and humans are intriguing, it is important to note that DNA is a complex molecule, and the relationships between different organisms involve a range of molecular, morphological, and ecological factors. Nonetheless, the medicinal properties of mushrooms continue to spark global interest, highlighting their potential for improving human health.
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Mushrooms and humans store energy as glycogen
Mushrooms and humans are surprisingly similar. Despite their outward differences, genetic studies show that animals and fungi share a common ancestor, and branched away from plants around 1.1 billion years ago. This makes fungi more closely related to humans than plants.
Both mushrooms and humans store energy as glycogen. However, the processes by which they obtain and store this energy are very different. Humans consume food, which provides the body with fuel to function normally. This fuel comes in the form of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Carbohydrates, such as sugar and starch, are readily broken down into glucose, the body's principal energy source. Glucose can be used immediately as fuel, or sent to the liver and muscles to be stored as glycogen. The body can store approximately 1,800 to 2,000 calories worth of energy in the form of glycogen, which is enough fuel for 90 to 120 minutes of vigorous activity. During exercise, muscle glycogen is converted back into glucose, which is used as fuel by the muscle fibres.
Mushrooms, on the other hand, are the fruiting bodies of fungi, which get their energy by decomposing dead or decaying organic material. Fungi use enzymes to break down cellulose and substrates into smaller substances, and eventually use CO2 for respiration, glycolysis, and ATP production. The mushrooms themselves get their energy from the mycelium, which is formed when the hyphae of different fungi meet and have sex. The mycelium provides energy to the mushrooms, which produce spores. These spores contain stored energy, which allows them to germinate and begin decomposing organic material.
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Frequently asked questions
Humans share about a quarter of their active genes with mushrooms.
Animals and fungi share a common ancestor, branching away from plants around 1.1 billion years ago.
When exposed to sunlight, both humans and mushrooms can produce vitamin D.
Mushrooms are more closely related to humans than to plants.
Mushrooms were so highly regarded in ancient China and Egypt that they were reserved only for royalty.
