Fungi Friday - June 17th, 2022
Issue #36
Hey Fungi Friday fam, we’re back with yet another publication of your favorite fungi focused newsletter (we hope!) Managed to make it down to the farm last weekend, but to our dismay, more power issues. So we hopped up on the trailer and finally reset the panels. Check it out:
Hoping a slight tilt to the South brings a bit more electricity capture, but won’t know until we check in on the product this weekend. So fingers crossed we’ll finally have some good news next week! Unfortunately at this point, batch #1 is most likely a dud, as the humidity just hasn’t been consistent… but luckily we’ve got three more batches in varying states that still look decent. And if these three don’t work out, another order of spawn is on its way. We knew this would be an experiment from the beginning, and we’re glad to have you all along for the ride with us.
Now let’s get into the stories!
Can Psychedelics Help Alcoholics Quit Booze? New Studies Just Released on Psilocybin and Alcoholism
Feature number one this week showcases a new study looking into the potential of psilocybin to treat alcoholism. Through the pandemic, the US saw 99,000 alcohol related deaths, which was a 25% increase from the previous year. It’s actually believed that more “non-senior” adults died from alcohol throughout 2020 in the U.S. than died of Covid. And this public health issue is nothing new. Between 1997 and 2017, alcohol related deaths have increased by 100%. As you can see, alcohol addiction is a serious issue.
That’s where this study comes in… spearheaded by a neurobiologist, the study aims to find how psilocybin repairs brain molecular circuits in alcohol addicts. The first human trail took place with 60 adults and while the full results have yet to be published, those involved claim that the preliminary results are very promising. And while it’s too early to make any concrete conclusions here, larger studies should be kicked off based on this small studies findings, which will be fun to monitor going forward as we slowly crawl towards utilizing this substance for more and more positive treatments!
Shoppers Are Calling This Anti-Aging Mushroom Serum ‘Life-Changing’
For our second feature of the week, a new all natural, vegan, cruelty free mushroom serum hits the market. This mushroom based serum mainly consists of tremella mushrooms, a natural source of hyaluronic acid. This ingredient may help replenish moisture and provide anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, while also firming the skin. Tremella mushrooms have been found to have so many potential beauty benefits, and even health benefits too!
Reviewers of the product are calling this serum “life-changing,” reporting that it leaves their skin “feeling and looking fresh.” They say it “works better than most any other vitamin C serums they’ve tried” and that “nothing beats the texture” The product goes by the name Dew Drops, and at least from the article, seems to be the real deal.
Paul Stamets Earns the Prestigious Eco Hero Award!
And for the final feature of the week, the fungi king himself has earned quite the honor this week, but being awarded the Santa Barbara Permaculture Network Eco Hero Award. Stamets, the founder and chief science officer of Seattle based Fungi Perfecti has been involved in the industry for more than 40 years, making enormous contributions to the space.
In learning that he would be celebrated in this way, Paul said:
“I am so grateful to receive this Eco Hero Award. This is a shared journey as we walk upon the mycelial networks that support all life. These networks have deep knowledge that can help us become better stewards and Earth citizens. Thank you ALL for your support and kindness.“
The visionary research and stewardship of Paul Stamets has led to significant breakthroughs revealing the power of fungi. Research by Paul and his team at Fungi Perfecti has directly resulted in numerous innovative mycological solutions, including the use of fungi in everything from water filtration and ecological rehabilitation, to using beneficial mushrooms to combat Colony Collapse Disorder in bee populations, and as supplements to support human health.
Want even more? Here are some other interesting, mushroom focused reads of the week:
As always, thank you for reading this weeks edition of Fungi Friday’s! If you enjoyed what you found, please feel free to forward to friends also interested in the Fungi Community!
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