 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

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

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.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Treatment

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.

Michigan State University

Alma College

A type of 5-HT₂ serotonin receptor that is found on both neurons and microglia. A wide variety of psychedelic drugs, such as LSD (lysergic acid dethylamide), ayahuasca, and psilocybin, are able to affect one's behavior through actions on this receptor in addition to serotonin. 

5-HT₂A

The study of the use of extracts and compounds obtained from mushrooms as medicines or health-promoting agents. Mycotherapy, also known as fungal or mushroom therapy, is a branch of natural medicine exploring the therapeutic properties and potential health benefits of various mushrooms. The practice of using mushrooms for medicinal purposes has been observed in different cultures throughout history, and it continues to gain recognition and scientific interest in modern times.

Mycotherapy

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

Mushrooms in Medicine

Psilocybin is a 5HT-2A (serotonin 2A) receptor agonist, which seems to play a role in both the hallucinogenic and therapeutic impacts. Studies in treatment-resistant depression patients show increased functional connectivity during emotional processing tasks, particularly in the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. This is similar to the neural plasticity induced by psychedelics in general. 

All of these processes/regions have been implicated in the antidepressant action of typical antidepressants like SSRIs, which may explain why psilocybin has observed antidepressant properties.

Therapeutic mechanisms of psilocybin

Psychedelics, in particular LSD and psilocybin, have been investigated as potential treatments for depressive symptoms. There is evidence for short-, medium-, and long-term usefulness in both micro-dosing and regular studies. In addition to the potential cognitive stimulation (LSD) or emotional well-being effects (psilocybin), these treatments are generally well-tolerated in clinical and general populations. In addition, MDMA has received breakthrough treatment status with the FDA for the treatment of PTSD.

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