‘How We Changed Our Minds About Psychedelics’ panel at #SXSW 2023
‘How We Changed Our Minds About Psychedelics’ panel at #SXSW 2023 with P. Stamets, J. Holland & D. Goldberg.
Paul Stamets: The Visionary Mycologist Prepared to Save Our Planet
At Cool Media, we are proud to present our latest feature on Paul Stamets—speaker, author, mycologist, medical researcher, and entrepreneur. Widely regarded as a leading intellectual and industry pioneer in the field of fungi, Paul’s groundbreaking work in habitat conservation, medicinal applications, and fungal production has reshaped our understanding of the natural world.
Paul Stamets lectures extensively to deepen the global appreciation for fungi, organisms that exist beneath every step we take. His presentations cover a broad spectrum of mushroom species, emphasizing how they can enhance both human and environmental health. A key tenet of Paul’s philosophy is that habitats, like humans, possess immune systems, and mushrooms serve as the cellular bridges between them. This close evolutionary relationship between fungi and humans can pave the way for groundbreaking microbiome pairings, leading to greater sustainability and enhanced immunity.
Central to Paul’s work is his belief that MycoDiversity is BioSecurity. He views the ancient Old Growth forests of the Pacific Northwest as invaluable, especially for their fungal genomes. A passionate hiker and explorer, Paul has made it his mission to preserve the ancestral strains of mushrooms found in these pristine woodlands. His research, lauded by thought leaders, has created a paradigm shift in how ecosystems worldwide can be protected and healed through fungi.
Author of six influential books, including Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save The World and Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World, Paul has also discovered and named numerous new species of psilocybin mushrooms. He is the founder of Fungi Perfecti, LLC, and creator of the renowned Host Defense Mushrooms supplement line. His achievements have earned him prestigious awards such as the Invention Ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2014-2015) and the National Mycologist Award from the North American Mycological Association (2014). Notably, Paul’s work has even entered popular culture, with a character in Star Trek: Discovery named after him—Lt. Paul Stamets, an Astromycologist.
Paul’s commitment to preserving fungal biodiversity extends beyond research. He actively collaborates with institutions such as the NIH and Washington State University to test rare mushroom strains against viruses harmful to humans, animals, and bees.
In our article, Now Paul Stamets is Prepared to Save Our Planet, we delve into how his research and innovations are contributing to a healthier, more sustainable world. With Earth facing the pressures of the sixth major extinction, Paul believes that fungi—especially mushrooms—hold the key to powerful, practical solutions that can help restore balance.
Dear Mother Mycelium with Paul Stamets
This week on Semaine, meet Paul Stamets. Mould has saved us once and could do so again. Paul knows this more than any. The godfather of fungi, his three decades in mycology trace a search that dates back 650 million years (Paul loves to deadpan that fungi are “our ancestors”). Fungi are world-builders, and Paul’s life has been devoted to their architecture.
Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms Paperback
A detailed and comprehensive guide for growing and using gourmet and medicinal mushrooms commercially or at home.
“Absolutely the best book in the world on how to grow diverse and delicious mushrooms.”—David Arora, author of Mushrooms Demystified
With precise growth parameters for thirty-one mushroom species, this bible of mushroom cultivation includes gardening tips, state-of-the-art production techniques, realistic advice for laboratory and growing room construction, tasty mushroom recipes, and an invaluable troubleshooting guide.
More than 500 photographs, illustrations, and charts identify each stage of cultivation, and a twenty-four-page color insert spotlights the intense beauty of various mushroom species. Whether you’re an ecologist, a chef, a forager, a pharmacologist, a commercial grower, or a home gardener—this indispensable handbook will get you started, help your garden succeed, and make your mycological landscapes the envy of the neighborhood.
JOIN US at NextMed.Heath! March 13-16th in San Diego
Paul Stamets, speaker, author, mycologist, medical researcher, and entrepreneur Join us @NextMedHealth this March 13-16th at the magical @delCoronado for convergence of bright minds, diverse fields, accelerating technologies, new mindsets, & cross-disciplinary collaboration– as we explore & catalyze the future of #healthcare!
Host Defense, Lion’s Mane Powder, Supports Mental Clarity, Focus and Memory, Mushroom Supplement, 3.5 oz, Plain
Give your brain a boost: Clear the mental fog and give your memory and immune health a boost with Lion’s Mane mushroom mycelium
Precious memories: Promotes cognitive functions affecting mental clarity, focus, and memory.
Shelf-stable powdered and freeze-dried mycelium digests easily, delivering the nutritional support of a lion’s mane without adding another daily pill
Cerebral support encourages a healthy brain and nervous system while also supporting the body’s creation and release of nerve growth factor
Safe, smart mushrooms sustainably cultivated, certified organic and us grown mushrooms from the forest, to our farm, to you
Joe Rogan’s Mind Is Blown By Biologist Explaining Fungal Intelligence
Music
Joe Rogan Is Stunned By Paul Stamets Stories About the Multiverse
The World of Psilocybin Mushrooms
The World of Psilocybin Mushrooms – Implications for Chronic Illness, Longevity, Mental Clarity, Wisdom and the Future Evolution of the Human Species – A Conversation with Paul Stamets and Deepak Chopra. Paul Edward Stamets is an American mycologist and entrepreneur who sells various mushroom products through his company. He is an author and advocate of medicinal fungi and mycoremediation. Follow him on social media at: www.instagram.com/paulstamets, www.twitter.com/paulstamets, www.facebook.com/paulstamets, https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-stam… For his references and publications, please visit www.mushroomreferences.com To enroll in the study: www.microdose.me
Magic Mushrooms and the Healing Trip
About
Eddie Marritz, a cinematographer and photographer in remission from small-cell carcinoma, was a participant in N.Y.U.’s Psilocybin Cancer Anxiety Study. Marritz, and the researchers, take us through the experience.
Turkey Tail Mushroom | Medicine Making, ID, Harvest, and More
Learn how to identify, harvest, and make medicine with Turkey Tail Mushroom with Herbalist Yarrow Willard (Herbal Jedi). This mini-intensive goes deep into the mycelial layer, covering many uses and benefits that can be found in working with this Mushroom for your health needs. Turkey tail is easy to find worldwide and is one of those important natural remedies to know about when looking to work with chronic health conditions and immune support. It has been heavily studied by modern science and revered for its benefits since ancient times. Happy Turkey Tail hunting… Y~ Some additional Turkey tail info: Coriolus Versicolor (Trametes Versicolor; Turkey tail, Kawaratake, Yun-Zhi, 云芝 This mushroom and its isolates are some of the most studied of all medicinal mushrooms. In particular is the glucan-protein complex of Polysaccharide-K (Kresin, PSK, PSP) used in cancer therapy to counteract the immune depressing action of common chemotherapy. Approved in 1980 by the Japanese equivalent to the FDA for concurrent use with chemotherapy, it is covered by all health care plans in Japan. The isolate and the mushroom have been shown to increase the survival time of cancer patients. In large studies, it has also been shown to be useful in stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, small cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung carcinoma. PSK has been shown to enhance the activity of chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin and etoposide. US cancer doctors have seen both PSK and whole mushroom extract promise for chemoprevention due to multiple effects on the malignant process and reducing the side effects of oral dosage. These studies, published in Lancet, found the results to be significant. The sales for these unique all-natural compounds have reached several hundred million dollars a year in Japan and China, making them the most widely used products in those countries by people facing immune severe challenges. There has been great interest in Coriolus’ ability to work as an antiviral, including HIV, HPV hepatitis, and many other viruses. The biotech industry has studied Turkey for its ability to digest many pesticides, including PCP, and to detoxify dangerous Hydro Carbons.
What is Mushroom Mycelium?
Paul Stamets sits down with After Skool to talk about why Host Defense® uses mycelium in all our mushroom supplements. At Host Defense®, we’re dedicated to furthering research on mushrooms, mushroom mycelium, and finding new and innovative mycological ways to support human and planetary health.
Paul Stamets: Mycology and Mushrooms as Medicines
Paul Stamets is a legendary mycologist, and in this tour de force keynote at Exponential Medicine (http://ExponentialMedicine.com) shares his work exploring the diverse role fungi may have in saving the bees, mushrooms as medicines as well as their role in human evolution and consciousness.
The Treasure Called the Psilocybes: Paul Stamets
In the second half of an extended talk at SAND 18, Paul Stamets, author, mycologist, medical researcher, and entrepreneur, tells stories of the early years of research into psychoactive mushrooms, and describes a number of species and their characteristics, in particular psilocybes. He then surveys and shows short films about, recent research into the therapeutic use of psilocybin, including microdosing. He ends by introducing a number of lesser-known fungus species and makes the case for acknowledging their value, not just for medicine, but for humanity as a whole.
SAND is a nonprofit organization, and we would love to have you as part of our community. If you have enjoyed this video, found it useful, informative or inspiring, please consider becoming a supporter. Your support will help us produce more free website content for everyone, and will be fully devoted to our mission: “To heal the schism between science and spirituality while forging a new understanding of what it means to be human—inspired by the mystics and grounded in modern science—while celebrating the mystery of life and the love that emanates from it.” For more information visit http://www.scienceandnonduality.com
Could The Mushroom Save The Honeybee?
Paul Stamets and Steve Sheppard, two scientists in Washington state, team up to save the honeybee from colony collapse disorder. They’re investigating an unconventional remedy: the mushroom.
BeeMushroomed™ Feeder
Could the Mushroom Save the Honeybee
Paul Stamets and Steve Sheppard, two scientists in Washington state, team up to save the honeybee from colony collapse disorder. They’re investigating an unconventional remedy: the mushroom.
The BeeMushroomed Feeder is currently in the development phase, and work is underway to address the regulatory context for this innovative microtechnology. Our goal is to launch our BeeMushroomed Feeder and BeeMushroomed Extract sometime in 2020.
While BeeMushroomed Feeders and BeeMushroomed Extract are not currently available for sale, we do encourage you to join our mailing list so you can be among the first notified once the product is ready for distribution.
Fungi Perfecti Bee Feeder Layout
BeeMushroomed™ Bee Feeder
Fungi.com/Bees
Fellow Earthlings. Bees are threatened and, in turn, our worldwide food biosecurity. I have been working on environmental solutions for many years. Now we are ready to launch an ecological rationale, economically scalable solution: our BeeMushroomed Bee Feeder (BMBF). We are reaching out to Citizen Scientists to help deploy this clever solution. We are making our first 100,000 for distribution in August. 2019. Ostensibly, the BeeMushroomed Bee Feeder is to help save wild bees. Wild bees, including bumblebees (in the genus Bombus), contribute an estimated 70% of the pollination benefits farmers realize. Crops as diverse as hay and canola to almonds and cherries to strawberries and blueberries all depend upon bee pollination. An estimated ⅓ of our daily food is dependent upon bees, and therefore, similarly in jeopardy. A single bee can visit and cross-pollinate up to 1000 flowers a day. Year to year bee losses is estimated to at 40-90%. Devastating losses continue and appear to be getting worse. Bee flight has been drastically reduced due to a confluence of factors: an unfortunate perfect storm of stressors. Our polypore mycelium extracts support the immunity of bees so they live longer, fly farther, and better survive. This is a solution that can join us together. Saving bees is one of the foremost common interests that unify liberals and conservatives. And watching them visit is so much fun for children and adults alike. Whether you live in the city, in suburbia, or in the country, you can help! Imagine a BMBF on every porch in apartment buildings helping vertical gardens ascend, helping re-green cities. Let your imagination fly freely to new ideas. (Necessary disclaimer: If you are allergic to bees, do not use this.) Bees are maze runners and typically wasps (yellow jackets) are not. These BeeMushroomed BeeFeeders are favorably select for bees. However, since yellow jackets are now known to spread viruses – when visiting flowers – they leave viral particles which then can be spread to bees visiting the same flowers. Many experts now claim that all bees in the world are infected with these debilitating viruses, which lower immunity, allowing for other opportunistic pathogens to infect. Our extracts support immunity. They are not drugs. These are functional foods. Only recently have we discovered that bees sip on the exudates of mycelium as food. These BMBF’s are not yet for sale. But will be soon…… For would-be early adopters, go to our www.beemushroomed.com site and sign up so you will be first to learn about their availability. We hope to launch in mass in August of 2019. My intention is to Open Source the code for those having their own personal 3 D printers. Stay tuned. All hands on deck. As humans, we can invent solutions to help Nature’s life support systems. We must make a course correction: the loss of biodiversity threatens our economies and very existence. We can do this together. Peace. Love life Live and learn A look at the BeeMushroomed feeder in action! Nature can repair itself with a little help from mycologists & citizen scientists. In 2014, Paul Stamets (leading mycologist, visionary, and TED Talk presenter), Steve Sheppard (chair of the department of entomology, Washington State University), and the Washington State Beekeepers Association teamed up in a research initiative called BeeFriendly™ to help reverse devastating declines in the global bee population that are critically threatening the world’s food security. In 2015, 300 sets of bees consumed Host Defense® mushroom extracts via their feed water. The experiments were designed to measure how mushroom extract supplementation impacted viral burdens and longevity. Host Defense extracts, especially Reishi and Chaga, showed substantial benefits to honeybees, including extended longevity and reduction of their viral burden by more than 75%. Visit BeeMushroomed.com for more information. Coming in Spring 2020, Patent Pending We will be launching prototypes of the Bee Feeder throughout 2019. In the Summer of 2020, we plan to sell a limited number of feeders. We are excited to announce this paradigm-shifting technology. Our initial Bee Feeding Labyrinthine Module will allow anyone to help feed bees basic sugar water. With the addition of our proprietary extracts, this module can become a powerful point of health for the Bees.
Foraging and Cooking Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms
Chicken of the Woods (Polyporus sulphureus complex) includes several species – the one featured here is Laetiporus conifericola.
These brightly colored mushrooms are some of the easiest to identify, and grows in prodigious clusters, sometimes weighing in at more than 100 lbs.
In the Pacific Northwest of North America, the most common Chicken of the Woods, also known as the Sulphur Polypore (Laetiporus conifericola), is a brown rot mushroom that grows on conifers, primarily hemlocks and Douglas firs, although we recently found some growing on a very decomposed cedar. Another clade of these species – Laetiporus sulphureus and Laetiporus cinnatus, grows on hardwoods. Typically growing in early summer to early fall, these species can reoccur for a few years. Some mycologists describe this species as a weak parasite, which then grows saprophytically after the tree dies.
These species are so efficient at decomposition, they can eat a standing tree or log in a few years, colonizing the heartwood, leaving only brown, cubic like blocks of lignin, as its cellulase enzymes digest the cellulose.
I love surprising my friends with this mushroom who can’t believe its flavor. This mushroom tastes like chicken!
Here, I show you a simple way of preparation. It is important that they are well cooked. I prefer the barbecue, cutting them into strips and to singe the edges until they are crispy. Great finger-foods, these can be frozen, post-cooking, and then reheated. This is one of the few mushrooms that can be harvested in large quantities. And its bright sulfur color makes it easy to see from afar.
Be forewarned that Chicken of the Woods can rot quickly and if eager mycophiles do not cut away the blemishing regions, they can cause GI (gastrointestinal) discordance, i.e. a stomachache. So please be careful – and note that the edges are the most delicious.
Curiously, I have found huge swarms of mosquitos buzzing around rotting L. conifericola. See my YT channel. And for more information, see Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World for more information.
Filmed by Pamela Kryskow, MD
6 ways mushrooms can save the world | Paul Stamets
Mycologist Paul Stamets studies the mycelium — and lists 6 ways that this astonishing fungus can help save the world.
Can Psychedelics Cause a Psychotic Episode?
Paul Stamets: Mushrooms as Medicine
Leading mycologist, Paul Stamets shares his work exploring the diverse role medicinal mushrooms may have in activating our immune systems and helping treat cancer, to new data supporting the role of fungi in bio-security and the health of the bees that pollinate our planet.
All around the world (1), there grows an impressive array of mushrooms and fungi of all kinds. Over the centuries—even millennia—ancient cultures have made some startling discoveries about these fungi when it comes to their health properties.
Reishi, for example, is known to power up immunity and promote healthy aging. Cordyceps boost physical energy in rather incredible ways, while lion’s mane is especially known to boost mental energy. All of these mushrooms and fungi have fantastic claims to fame, both in the past realms of traditional healing and today’s scientific research.
For those of us who live in America, however, all these mushrooms may seem exotic, distant, and fairly unavailable—which is somewhat true. Most of these fungi are local and native to Asian countries or the far north, though reishi (and even the reputable chaga) can be found in certain corners of North America.
But it may surprise us that there does happen to be one mushroom that studies show number among the most amazing medicinal mushrooms, and it grows right under our very noses.
Scientifically, it is called Trametes Versicolor. In plain English, we call it the turkey tail mushroom.
TURKEY TAIL: THE HEALING MUSHROOM FROM OUR WOODS
That’s right: turkey tail is an incredibly common mushroom, native to forests all around the world, including our own. All the same, it’s quite difficult to identify, with many woodland fungi being very close imitators of this colorful wild inhabitant, usually found growing on the logs and limbs of trees.
The name of the mushroom has a lot to do with its appearance. It grows in a fan-like shape, showing many layers and rings of striking and contrasting colors—ranging from browns and tans to blues, creams, and even reds, making it look indeed quite like the tail of a wild turkey.
According to Josh Axe, a renowned health expert, turkey tail has a history as rich and colorful as its appearance, especially in Asia. “…turkey tail mushrooms have been brewed for thousands of years by the Chinese as medicinal teas,” said Axe in his article.
“It’s been used as early as the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty in China,” he continued. “The Japanese, who reference it as kawaritake or ‘cloud mushrooms’…have been well aware of [its] benefits…in fact, the cloud-like image symbolizes ‘longevity and health, spiritual attunement and infinity’ to these Asian cultures.”
THE HISTORY OF ITS HEALING USE
Is it any coincidence that Asian herbalists dubbed the turkey tail a symbol of health, longevity, and infinity? Hardly.
The mythos of this fungus’s cloud-like, heavenly appearance may be connected to its actual uses in ancient herbalism, and not just its symbolism. In Asia, records show it was used as both a food and medicine to strengthen the body and overall health.
Truth be told, however, turkey tail very likely was used for health and healing all over the world, since the mushroom is known to grow just about anywhere. This includes traditional European herbal healing, different First Nation herbal traditions, and many others.
While there isn’t much public history on what cultures outside of Asia used turkey tail for, today’s scientific forays into medicinal mushroom research suggest it may all involve turkey tail’s most well-researched benefit of all: its immune-boosting capabilities.
Back in the day, an immune-strengthening herb or mushroom could be translated as a tonic or even an adaptogen: something that reinforced health everywhere in the body and protected it against illnesses of all kinds.
WHAT DOES SCIENCE SAY ABOUT IT TODAY?
Do turkey tail’s benefits translate back clearly enough through today’s scientific lens, however? Apparently, yes, they do—and possibly much better than any other anciently used medicinal mushroom that has been researched thus far today.
As of today, there are far more studies and research confirming turkey tail as being unbelievably good at what it has always done in ancient herbalist tradition: empowering immunity, and thus, overall health by protecting the body from various diseases.
In non-scientific terms, turkey tail’s benefits sound quite simple. But take a closer look, and there are many more facets and layers to what it can do—each just as unique and striking as the colors in its appearance.
TURKEY TAIL HAS AMAZING IMMUNE BENEFITS
As stated before, the turkey tail is perhaps best known for being an immune mushroom. Like other mushrooms that help ramp up immunity, turkey tail contains polysaccharides which help it do the trick—though research also shows it has something a little more unique than all that.
A 2011 study on turkey tail found that it also contained a unique protein, called TVC, that both stimulated the immune system and modulated its response. This could possibly make it a great agent for protecting against illness, while also being great for controlling the immune system from harming itself, as in the case of autoimmune illnesses (like rheumatoid arthritis).
Turkey tail’s immune-protecting benefits may be so great, it could even be a potential antiviral treatment to combat and treat AIDS or HIV. Turkey tail was mentioned with many other mushrooms—like reishi and maitake—in a 2011 study where HIV-infected subjects took these mushrooms and experienced immune benefits comparable to mainstream HIV anti-viral drugs.
For any illness—serious or minor—turkey tail could be a marvelous ally to help revitalize weakened immune systems and assist the body with fighting off foreign invaders, from HIV infections to the common cold. Research is quite hopeful today, though still, more studies are still needed.
My recommendation: Afford yourself the time to watch all three videos in succession. This is essential wisdom for anyone interested in saving this planet.
Stamets 7 Daily Immune Support from Amazon is based on the solid reviews and trust gained by watching these videos and interviews with Paul Stamets. Update after 2 weeks of daily use of Stamets 7:
1) Noticeable increase in energy throughout the day
2) Improved memory function and greater overall facility with the creative process-improved acumen and application of skills acquired in the past.
3) Improved cognitive process overall observed by others and myself.
4) Improved digestion and regularity.
Host Defense Stamets 7 Mushroom Powder – 7 Species Blend – Mushroom Supplement for Immune Support with Royal Sun Blazei, Cordyceps, Reishi, Maitake,..
Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees
Waves of highly infectious viruses sweeping through global honey bee populations have contributed to recent declines in honey bee health. Bees have been observed foraging on mushroom mycelium, suggesting that they may be deriving medicinal or nutritional value from fungi. Fungi are known to produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, including compounds active against bacteria, other fungi, or viruses. We tested extracts from the mycelium of multiple polypore fungal species known to have antiviral properties. Extracts from amadou (Fomes) and reishi (Ganoderma) fungi reduced the levels of honey bee deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV) in a dose-dependent manner. In field trials, colonies fed Ganoderma resinaceum extract exhibited a 79-fold reduction in DWV and a 45,000-fold reduction in LSV compared to control colonies. These findings indicate honey bees may gain health benefits from fungi and their antimicrobial compounds.
Read the article right now on Nature Magazine.