Due to increased interest in natural health options following the COVID-19 pandemic, mushrooms are seeing increased popularity as natural health remedies. Mushroom supplements have seen rapid growth with 25% of consumers currently using them indicating use as immune support or energy boosters, according to the Natural Marketing Institute.

There’s a good reason behind their widespread popularity: mushroom extracts have proven effective at killing off cancer cells in laboratory tests, but can they do the same in people? Researchers at MIT are conducting studies, with promising early results: one dose of psilocybin-containing mushroom extract was enough to completely wipe out prostate cancer cells in lab animals – similar to what participants experience when smoking psychedelic mushrooms.

MIT researchers are teaming up with Dr. Dennis McKenna, brother of noted psychedelics proponent Terence McKenna. Together they are studying the effects of magic mushrooms containing psilocybin for treating serious illness such as cancer; particularly by increasing immune cells which destroy tumors. They believe the combination they are testing acts as a powerful immune stimulant.

Like its cousin psilocybin, the psilocin found in plain white mushroom powder does not bind directly to serotonin receptors in the brain, instead acting upon a neurotransmitter similar to natural dopamine hormone and dampening neural activity associated with self-identity and boundary dissolution in parts of the brain associated with self-control and boundary dissolution. These changes in neural activity could explain some of the unique perceptions and out-of-body experiences experienced by lucid dreamers.

Cordyceps fungus has become an admired member of the wellness scene. Lentinan extracted from this fungus has shown promise in slowing lung cancer progression among chemotherapy patients receiving chemotherapy, potentially prolonging lives as well. Unfortunately, however, producing one ounce of Lentinan requires distilling at least 400 pounds of Shiitake mushrooms – an intensive and costly task!

Fungi are making waves in the food world as mushroom-infused nut butters and spreads become increasingly popular. Millie Gram offers a Matcha Cashew spread with lion’s mane, cordyceps, and maitake mushrooms; it fulfills consumers’ need for portable forms of basic, functional foods while continuing an age-old fascination for them.

As reported by Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), mushroom market growth has outshone any attempts at standardization of ingredients and products, leading to confusion for customers as to who supplies what ingredients and products. AHPA recently established a Mushroom and Fungi Subcommittee under its Botanical Raw Materials Committee to explore product specifications, ingredient analyses and scientifically sound methods available. This subcommittee has begun convening regularly. Fungi Perfecti recently discovered several untrustworthy sellers on Amazon offering counterfeit versions of four Host Defense Mushroom products, selling fake versions that look exactly the same. Working closely with Amazon, Fungi Perfecti worked to close these accounts and prevent sales. Unfortunately, some fakes tested positive for soy and gluten, unlike its authentic Host Defense products which do not contain either substance.