Fungi Friday fam,
Did you miss me? Well the good news is, i’m back! Yes, I know… I dropped the ball last week. Was traveling and all of a sudden, Friday had come and gone. Oh well, that just mean’s we’ll have to bring even more fire for you this week… and oh boy do we have a whole lot of fungi fun stored up for you. So let’s get into it!
In today’s email:
Fungi clothing capable of repairing itself?
Magic mushrooms to cure colorblindness?
Fungi are involved in all things design
Iowa Fungi’s Update of the Week
Another week passes, and still not much to share. Talked to the farmer last weekend, and he said he’s getting close, but until the trailer is moved, not a whole lot we can do. Hopefully soon, I know we’re as anxious to get going as you all are to follow along in our journey.
Clothing Made From Fungi-Based ‘Mushroom Leather’ Could Repair Itself, New Study Suggests
Ah, the fashion industry - a world of glitz, glam, and...a whole lotta waste. But wait, hold the phone! A biotech company called MycoWorks is here to shake things up with a new eco-friendly material made from mushrooms. Yes, you heard that right - mushrooms!
The material is called Reishi, and it's created by growing mycelium (aka the vegetative part of a fungus) on agricultural byproducts like sawdust, rice hulls, and corn stalks. The result? A versatile, leather-like material that's much better for the environment than traditional leather.
We're talking fewer resources used in production, fewer greenhouse gases emitted during the manufacturing process, and biodegradability at the end of its lifecycle. Reishi is a win-win for everyone involved.
Big brands like Lululemon have already jumped on the mushroom train, incorporating Reishi into their products. MycoWorks plans to scale up production, and we can't wait to see what other sustainable innovations they come up with.
Beyond just the environmental benefits, Reishi could also mean big bucks for the companies that use it. With consumers increasingly demanding sustainable products, MycoWorks' mushroom material could be a game-changer for the fashion industry. The future of fashion is looking bright - and a little bit funky.
Psychedelic Spotlight
Discover how Roland Griffiths is leading the way in the field of psychedelic research and paving the path for new treatments for mental health conditions in this insightful article.
America's First Legal Shroom Therapy Center Will Charge $3,500 for ‘High Dose’ Trips. Read more here.
Psychedelic medicine is coming—but who’s going to guide your trip?
MUSHROOMS’ REMARKABLE PROPERTIES CAN BUILD A NEW ERA OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Mushrooms have come a long way from just being a pizza topping or psychedelic experience. These funky fungi are now being used to create sustainable, eco-friendly materials that could revolutionize the world of design.
From packaging materials to furniture, researchers are experimenting with different types of mushroom-based materials to create a more sustainable future. One such material is mycelium foam, made from the root-like network of cells that grow beneath the mushroom cap. This foam is not only biodegradable but can also be used as a flame retardant. Talk about a double whammy!
Another mushroom-based material that's gaining traction is "grown leather." Similar to Reishi, grown leather is made by growing mycelium on a substrate, like sawdust or corn stalks. The resulting material can be dyed and shaped into leather-like products. But here's the kicker - it's much more sustainable than traditional leather. No more chemicals, water usage, or animal cruelty needed!
But that's not all. Mushroom materials are also being used to create eco-friendly building materials, like bricks and insulation. Researchers are even experimenting with using mushrooms to break down plastics in landfills. How cool is that?
It's clear that the future of design is looking pretty funky - in a good way. With mushroom materials leading the charge towards a more sustainable future, we can't wait to see what other eco-friendly innovations the design world has in store. Bring on the mushrooms!
More Mushroom Mentions
Prehistoric Fungal Spores Reveal Two ‘Waves’ Of Extinction In Colombia
Everything You've Always Wanted To Know About Fungi, But Were Too Afraid To Ask - Video
The Science Behind Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits—From Heart Health to Gut Health
Mushrooms found to keep themselves cooler than their surroundings
Man’s Color Blindness Improves After Taking Magic Mushrooms
Oh boy, do we have a story for you! A man's life was completely transformed after taking magic mushrooms - and we're not talking about just some trippy visuals. The man, who was born colorblind, suddenly gained the ability to see colors after consuming psilocybin mushrooms.
According to a case report published in the journal Neurocase, the man, who was in his mid-50s, had a long history of color blindness. However, after taking a dose of psilocybin, he experienced a "sudden and intense" shift in color perception. He was even able to correctly identify colors that he had never seen before!
While the man's newfound color vision only lasted a few weeks, the experience had a profound impact on his life. He reported feeling "more connected" to the world around him and said that the experience was "almost spiritual."
But how does this even work? Psilocybin is known to affect the brain's default mode network, which is involved in our sense of self and perception of the world around us. Researchers believe that this altered brain activity may be responsible for the man's sudden ability to see colors.
The case report is just one of many examples of how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin can have a profound impact on our brains and perception of the world. While more research is needed to fully understand these effects, it's clear that we still have much to learn about the power of these mind-altering substances. Who knows - maybe one day we'll all be seeing the world in a different light.
That’s all, folks… but before we let you go, leave a comment below on how we can make the publication even better! And if you haven’t yet, smash that SUBSCRIBE button below.
Thanks for reading as always,
BowTiedMushroom