In this episode, Eric Puro joins Teemu Arina for a broad exploration of Functional Mushrooms. As the CEO of KÄÄPÄ Biotech, a pioneering biotechnology company, Eric is at the forefront of unraveling the science behind fungi and their profound impact on human health.
With a passion for pushing boundaries, Eric has revolutionized mushroom cultivation in Finland, setting new industry standards. His expertise extends beyond entrepreneurship; he's a member of the executive committee of the International Medicinal Mushroom Society, amplifying his commitment to advanced use of Medicinal Mushrooms.
In the ever-evolving landscape of health and wellness, functional mushrooms have become a top-selling ingredient category. Eric delves into the traditions surrounding them across cultures, the importance of proper lab testing and high production standards, and the massive but as of yet barely explored potential of mushrooms in contemporary medicine.
Learn more about Eric and Kääpä at https://www.kaapamushrooms.com!
This interview was recorded after Biohacker Summit Amsterdam 2023.
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Key moments and takeaways:
00:00 Introduction by Teemu Arina
01:27 Eric's background & the origins of Kääpä
03:56 Nature connection & superfood abundance in Finland
07:51 How Eric got "into mushrooms"
09:34 Compounds found in functional mushrooms
11:39 Erroneous lab testing procedures
14:10 Those products are not cheap, so you better not be paying for sawdust
15:32 EU regulations are a good thing
16:30 10 years of Biohacker Summit, 10 years of mushroom products
17:52 The mystery around Soma, "magic" mushroom marketing & psychedelics
20:20 How functional mushrooms became a trend
21:32 Specific uses of different mushrooms
24:10 Cordyceps sinensis vs. militaris
26:13 Cordyceps approval in EU
27:16 How to get your hands on "free samples" from Kääpä!
27:43 Amanita Muscaria
33:20 Other psychedelic compounds
34:23 Be very careful and identify mushrooms properly when picking them!
36:30 Psychedelics and the endocannabinoid system
37:06 The Default Mode Network
38:54 Finnish state-supported functional mushroom therapy trials
41:35 Boundary dissolution and empathy
42:45 Psychedelic Mushrooms for World Peace
44:17 It starts with deprogramming yourself
45:07 Prominent figures experiencing life change after psychedelic use
47:18 Empathy and sense of community
48:53 The cultivation of mushrooms
50:18 The Global Mycelial Network
51:49 The theme for the Biohacker Summit Anniversary and its meaning
55:49 The nutraceutical industry vs. the public healthcare system
59:06 Mushrooms are closer to humans than plants
60:07 What real healthcare is actually like
60:47 The red conk mushroom as an example of what could be
64:34 Why it's so very important to check your sources & lab tests
67:08 Only the best quality companies will survive the "mushboom"
67:45 Kääpä as a supplier for other high-quality brands
68:08 Chaga Risotto
69:02 Words of gratitude and The Mushroom Coffin
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