Muscimol improved social behavior and had anxiolytic-like effects post systemic administration to test rats, similar to diazepam. Additionally, muscimol, when used as a combination therapy with endomorphin-1, reduced the symptoms of neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury when administered for seven consecutive days.

Amanita Muscaria (Fly Agaric) Therapeutic Application

Amanita Muscaria (Fly Agaric is the common name) is a mushroom that muscimol and DMT derivatives are commonly synthesized from.

Michigan State University

Fungi are one of the main natural sources of psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin. Research suggests that psychedelics may have positive health effects on those suffering from both chronic mental and physical illnesses.

Mushrooms in Medicine

Meade, Elaine, et al. "Mycotherapy: Potential of Fungal Bioactives for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders and Morbidities of Chronic Pain." Fungi and Fungal Metabolites for the Improvement of Human and Animal Life, Nutrition and Health, vol. II, 11 Mar. 2022, doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8030290.

Mycotherapy: Potential of Fungal Bioactives for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders and Morbidities of Chronic Pain

 Modern Western medical practice relies heavily on the use of highly purified pharmaceutical compounds whose purity can be easily assessed and whose pharmaceutical activity and toxicity show clear structure-function relationships. Thus, mushrooms have not been relevant in Western medical practice.

Mushrooms in Western Medicine

For decades, many mushroom-derived medicines contain mixtures of natural compounds had not undergone detailed chemical analyses and whose mechanism of action had not been elucidated.

Mushrooms in Eastern Medicine

Claviceps Purpurea (Rye Ergot Fungus is the common name) is a fungus that contains LSA (d-lysergic acid) or ergine. LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) is synthetically derivatized from LSA. 

Rye Ergot Fungus — Claviceps Purpurea

Fly Agaric — Amanita Muscaria

A species of edible mushroom that contains compounds that show potential to be used as a mental health treatment.

Pleurotus cornucopiae

A species of edible mushroom that contains compounds that show potential to be used as a health treatment. It's common name comes from its long spines that resemble a lion's mane.

Lion's Mane Mushroom — Hericium Erinaceus

Existing pharmacotherapies have limited efficacy and medication development is stagnant for many years now. That being said, the current research in psychedelics has  rekindled some optimism.

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