What is a Mushroom?
A mushroom is a fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground, on soil, or on its food source. Mushrooms are the fungus’ way to disperse spores to create new colonies of fungus throughout the environment. The underside of the cap is the ‘spore factory’ where spores are created, a mushroom will either have gills, polypores, ridges, or teeth. Spores are dispersed by utilizing gravity and the wind to travel inches or miles away.
While mycelium can contain some of the beneficial compounds found in their fruiting body, the mushroom itself usually has the compounds at a much higher concentration, with the added benefit of flavor, nutrition, aroma, and aesthetic.
Mycelium
Mycelium is a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are found in and on soil, and many other substrates. Mycelium is the base, and extremely functional part of the fungus, and is usually below the surface. A mushroom is a ‘fruiting body’ of the mycelium, the reproductive structure of the fungus responsible for creating and dispersing spores.
A colony of mycelia may be tiny, microscopic, too small for the human eye to see, or they can be massive, spanning thousands of acres. In the Malheur National Forest, the Humongous Fungus is a massive interconnected mycelium that is considered to be the largest living organism on earth by mass, area, and volume. This contiguous specimen covers 3.7 square miles and possibly weighs as much as 35,000 tons!
Today, scientists have identified roughly 120,000 species of fungus and modern studies estimate that there are between 2.2 to 3.8 million species of fungus worldwide. This means that we have only discovered 3-8% of fungus out there.
Flavor and Nutrition
Mushrooms are a nutritious versatile ingredient in many food products. They are low in calories, high in protein, and are thought to be the only vegetarian source for vitamin D. We have long known of the unique taste and flavor of mushrooms, professional chefs and home cooks alike can utilize mushrooms to elevate their dishes. Research has defined several flavor attributes for commercially available mushrooms such as: earthy, fermented, leather (new), leather (old), cheesy, fishy, shellfish, woody, nutty, umami, yeasty, bitter, salty, sweet, and sour.
Cooking, and dehydrating fungus can further develop the flavor and nutrition availability.
Medicinal Properties
Medicinal mushrooms contain a variety of beneficial compounds that contribute to their therapeutic properties. Some of the main beneficial compounds found in medicinal mushrooms include:
Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates found in medicinal mushrooms such as beta-glucans and alpha-glucans. These polysaccharides have immunomodulatory effects, meaning they can modulate the immune system by stimulating the activity of immune cells like macrophages, T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. This helps enhance the body's ability to fight infections, viruses, and diseases.
Triterpenoids: Triterpenoids are a class of compounds found in medicinal mushrooms such as ganoderic acids (found in reishi mushrooms) and ergosterol (found in shiitake mushrooms). Triterpenoids have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. They can help reduce inflammation, neutralize harmful free radicals, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Phenolic Compounds: Phenolic compounds are antioxidants found in medicinal mushrooms such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. These compounds help neutralize free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. They also contribute to the overall antioxidant activity of medicinal mushrooms, which may help protect against chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Lectins: Lectins are proteins found in medicinal mushrooms that have been shown to possess immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. They can stimulate the activity of immune cells and inhibit the growth of certain pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Ergothioneine: Ergothioneine is a unique antioxidant compound found in high concentrations in some medicinal mushrooms, such as shiitake mushrooms. Ergothioneine helps protect cells from oxidative damage and may play a role in supporting overall health and well-being.
These beneficial compounds found in medicinal mushrooms contribute to their potential therapeutic effects, including immune modulation, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, antimicrobial activity, and potential anti-cancer effects. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of these compounds in medicinal mushrooms.
Mushroom Ecology
Mycelia are vital in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems for their role in the decomposition of plant material. Mycelium is an important food source form many soil invertebrates. They are vital to agriculture and are important to almost all species of plants, many species co-evolving with fungi. Mycelium is a primary factor in some plants' health, nutrient intake, and growth with mycelium being a major factor to plant fitness.
There are 4 types of mycelium, based on the nutrients they primarily consume:
Saprotrophic fungus feed on dead and decaying plants. The majority of the mushrooms we know and love are saprotrophic including 7 out of the 8 mushrooms promoted by Cap and Stem Northwest. Saprotrophic mushrooms are the easiest to cultivate of the 4 types, and are incredibly sustainable.
Mycorrhizal fungus forms a mutualistic relationship with the roots of plants, aiding in nutrient and water absorption for their host species. Estimates show that 90% of all plants have a mutually beneficial relationship with fungus.
Endophytic fungus is an endosymbiont that lives within a plant for at least part of its life cycle without causing apparent disease. Endophytes are ubiquitous and have been observed in all species of plants studied to date. However, most of the endophyte/plant relationships are not well understood. Some endophytes may enhance host growth and nutrient acquisition and improve the plants ability to tolerate abiotic stresses (such as drought, disease, insects, herbivores, etc).
Parasitic fungi feed living plants. These fungi absorb nutrients and can ultimately kill their host in the process. None of our 8 species of mushrooms are parasitic, but there are some valuable parasitic species of fungus like chaga and cordyceps.
How to Identify a Wild Mushroom
Properly identifying mushrooms is essential for safety, as misidentification can lead to serious health risks, including poisoning. Here are the general steps to properly identify a mushroom:
Use a Field Guide: Start by using a comprehensive field guide or mushroom identification book specific to your region. Look for guides that include clear photographs or illustrations, detailed descriptions, and information on key identifying features of mushrooms.
Observe the Habitat: Take note of where the mushroom is growing, including the type of habitat (e.g., forest, grassland, or urban area), the substrate it's growing on (e.g., soil, wood, or decaying matter), and any nearby plants or trees.
Examine the Cap: Pay attention to the size, shape, color, texture, and surface features of the mushroom's cap. Note any unique characteristics such as scales, ridges, or warts.
Inspect the Gills or Pores: If the mushroom has gills, examine their color, shape, spacing, attachment to the stem, and whether they are free or attached to the stem. If the mushroom has pores (as in boletes), observe their color, size, shape, and whether they bruise or change color when touched.
Check the Stem: Examine the stem's color, texture, thickness, and shape. Note any features such as rings, volvas, or annuli (partial veils) that may be present.
Look for Bruising or Color Changes: Handle the mushroom carefully and observe whether it bruises or changes color when touched or cut. Some mushrooms exhibit distinct color changes that can aid in identification.
Take Spore Prints: Collect a spore print by carefully removing the mushroom's cap and placing it, gills or pores down, on a piece of white paper or glass overnight. The spore print color can provide valuable information for identification.
Use Additional Resources: Consult multiple sources, including online mushroom identification forums, apps, or local mycological societies, for assistance with identification. Seek guidance from experienced mushroom hunters or mycologists if uncertain.
Avoid Risky Mushrooms: Unless you are highly experienced and confident in your identification skills, avoid consuming wild mushrooms, especially those with little-known or potentially toxic characteristics. It's better to err on the side of caution when unsure.
Keep Learning: Mushroom identification is a skill that improves with practice and experience. Continuously educate yourself about mushroom identification, attend workshops or classes, and learn from experienced foragers and mycologists to enhance your knowledge and confidence in identifying mushrooms safely and accurately.
Remember, never consume a wild mushroom unless you are absolutely certain of its identification and edibility. When in doubt, it's safer to leave the mushroom in its natural habitat and seek guidance from experts.
Mushrooms vs Cancer
Cancer is not one “thing”, it is a long-term process of mutation degenerative changes in our bodies. These negative changes are usually due to exposure of environmental toxins (radiation, chemicals, and heavy metals), drugs, dietary imbalances, and hereditary immunological and physiological deficiencies. Medicinal mushrooms have anti-cancer qualities which arise from beta glucan polysaccharides and polysaccharide peptides and have a direct effect on killing cancer cells. Mushroom polysaccharides prevent oncogenesis, show direct antitumor activity on various types of tumors, and prevent metastasis. They would be beneficial with either chemotherapy or alternative treatments.
In addition, psychedelic mushrooms are widely used for clients facing the end of their life. When confronted with death, many people experience high levels of fear, anxiety, and depression. This leads to psychological stress, which can have additional negative impact on your health and wellbeing. Psychedelics give a unique opportunity to process your emotions in productive way, and can help a client find acceptance in death. Please see our psilocybin page for additional information.
Psilocybin 101
Psychedelic compounds have been shown to promote neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. Research suggests that psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca can induce changes in brain structure and function that support neuroplasticity. These changes include increased synaptogenesis, dendritic branching, and alterations in brain connectivity patterns. By promoting neuroplasticity, psychedelics may facilitate learning, memory formation, and emotional regulation. Additionally, psychedelics have shown promise in the treatment of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, with neuroplasticity playing a key role in the therapeutic effects observed. Further research into the mechanisms underlying psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity may uncover new avenues for treating mental health conditions and enhancing overall brain function.
In 2023, the state of Oregon made the decision to allow legal access to psilocybin in controlled settings. The program establishes the therapeutic use of psilocybin under the guidance of trained facilitators within licensed facilities. All psilocybin products must be manufactured at a licensed facility, and tested by a licensed laboratory. These psychedelic services are accessible to any person over the age of 21 and does not require a doctor referral or prescription.
Click below to learn more about psilocybin, and how you can access legal psilocybin in Oregon!
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