Mushroom Revival Podcast

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Josh Bartch, the CEO of Mydecine, a research & development company with a special interest in psilocybin and psychoactive treatments. We discuss the origins of their work, their team, and current research and practices in the field.Topics covered:Mydecine's mission and commitment to human benefit via fungal discoveryPsilocybin treatment for PTSD and other mental health concernsMachine-learning based drug discoveryFormulation and commercialization of psychedelic therapeutics The deficiencies in chemical compounds in psilocybe mushroomsVarietals of psilocybin-containing mushrooms Collaborative and intern opportunities at Mydecine’s facilitiesDescribing new compounds in functional mushroomsBureaucracy of importing and researching psychedelic mushrooms Bioavailability of psilocybin Managing ethical clinical researchShow notes:Mydecine website: https://www.mydecine.com/Josh Bartch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-bartch-a5361b96MindLeap app: https://mindleap.health/www.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Energy (Cordyceps): Need a little pick-me-up before a workout or when you’re picking up your kids from school? The Energy Cordyceps is the mushy match for you.Focus (Lion’s Mane):  Needing a little more focus in your daily life? Lion’s Mane is known to be the mushroom for the brain and may support cognitive function.Calm (Reishi): Looking for some tranquility and zen in your life? Reishi will bring you into the zen state of mind you’ve been searching for.Daily 10 (Mushroom Mix): It’s like having 10 bodyguard mushrooms fighting off all those bad guys. This is a good place to start as it contains all of the daily mushies you need. Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

Zombie fungi aren't just cool — they're extremely useful. Dr. Brian Lovett is back on the show to discuss the powers of entomopathogenic fungi. We get into the weeds of what makes these fungi equip for success as carnivores, transgenic engineering, the evolution of pathology and more. Brian also shares cutting edge research from the MosquitoSphere in Burkina Faso, where he and his team work to combat malaria using Metarhizium fungi. Topics Covered:Defining entomopathogenic fungiChemical signaling and mechanisms of infectionCircadian rhythms in fungi, and how entomopathogenic fungi time keep in their hostsMycopesticides, especially to fight Malaria in mosquitoes Transgenic engineering of fungi with spider venom genes to target insects Metarhizium as a platform fungi for board and narrow range target specific Current practices, successes and challenges in the fight against malariaEthics of developing and deploying biotechnology in international local communities Synergies between bio and chemical insecticidesUnique chemical  compositions of entomopathogenic fungiShow notes:Brian Lovett's website: https://www.lovettbr.com/Cordyceps unilateralis on the BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8Genetically engineering fungal pesticides: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ps.4734The Insect Pathogens: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1128/9781555819583.ch45Zombie Insect Presentation with Genspace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF7NOiREHlUArticles mentioned: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48464510Transgenic Metarhizium: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/364/6443/894.abstractwww.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Energy (Cordyceps): Need a little pick-me-up before a workout or when you’re picking up your kids from school? The Energy Cordyceps is the mushy match for you.Focus (Lion’s Mane):  Needing a little more focus in your daily life? Lion’s Mane is known to be the mushroom for the brain and may support cognitive function.Calm (Reishi): Looking for some tranquility and zen in your life? Reishi will bring you into the zen state of mind you’ve been searching for.Daily 10 (Mushroom Mix): It’s like having 10 bodyguard mushrooms fighting off all those bad guys. This is a good place to start as it contains all of the daily mushies you need. Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is one of fungi’s most well known chemical analogues. Today we bring you a leading scientist, Dr. David Nichols who speaks to the history, chemistry, legality and so much more of this notable compound.  Topics covered:David Nichol’s career pursuing psychedelic pharmacologyPatent litigation, especially with psychedelic constituents Lab testing for new psychedelic analogues in ratsBureaucracy of working with Schedule I substancesHow to synthesize LSDLSD’s physical characteristics, structure and fluorescenceWhat happens to the LSD molecule when you adjust minute aspects, and what that tells us about itselfStructural similarities and differences in an array of psychedelic molecules / chemical ‘templates’ for psychoactive compoundsNeuro-mechanics of LSD and other entheogenic compoundsEvolution and function of serotonin receptorsHPPD: Hallucinogen Persisting Perception DisorderTrepanation: how does it affect neurochemistry, if at all?NBOMes (N-benzyl methoxy): What is it and how does it work?Metabolizing LSD and related compoundsChirality in psychedelics, especially LSDListener questionsShow notes:Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia feat. Dr. Nichols: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N4VoqeuK3sHallucinogens (2004) : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14761703/DEA 222 - https://dehs.umn.edu/using-dea-form-222-order-controlled-substancesMapping the Mind Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hfsIbib_50MAPS Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxjCSKMbZBATelluride Keynote presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlDCM5JQzRkLeo Perutz & the Mystery of St Peter’s Snow: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175169713X13589680082172Trepanation articles & video: https://lostmediawiki.com/Heartbeat_in_the_Brain_(partially_found_Amanda_Fielding_trepanation_documentary;_1970)Downloadable literature: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14N9VdXGFlLvjnShYRH2MRurNi54a77Ig?usp=sharingwww.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Find your mushie match and take our mushroom quiz here.Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

Ergot describes a group of fungi with powerful alkaloids. So powerful, that they have impact in history, medicine, and possibly religion. It's famous for the morbid poisoning in humans, for catalyzing the synthesis of LSD,  and its potential role in ancient ceremony. Today we are honored to speak with Dr. Daniel Panaccione, who is one of few ergot alkaloid specialists. Having studied their biosynthesis and genetics, he is a true expert on their chemical matters. Dr. Panaccione is a professor of plant and soil sciences at West Virginia University where he works on genetic manipulation and chemical analyses to understand underlying genes of ergot alkaloids and reconstruct its pathways.Topics CoveredDefining Ergot species & their respective metabolitesLife cycle of Claviceps purpurea and it's ecological rolesHow an ergot fungus may be behind the Salem Witch Trials and other historical eventsSynthesis of ergot alkaloid-based drugs and medicinesMechanisms of action with ergot alkaloids in the human bodyDEA regulation on ergot alkaloids and like compoundsEvolution of ergot alkaloid producing fungiPotential and unlikely organisms that contain ergot alkaloidsThe inadvertent discovery of LSDPharmacology of ergot alkaloids: challenges, history, methods and R&DShow notesDr. Panaccione's WVU profile: https://www.davis.wvu.edu/faculty-staff/directory/daniel-panaccioneHamilton’s Pharmacopeia feat. Ergot and Dr. Panaccione: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N4VoqeuK3sErgot Museum: https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2014/04/minnesota-wheat-fungus-helped-win-world-war-ii/Linnda Caporael's report on the Salem Witch Trials: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/witches-curse-interview/1502/Growing Ergot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrKfF-G_CugLife Cycle of Ergot: https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/fungalasco/pdlessons/Pages/Ergot.aspx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWH--o1ccMYStructure of Ergot Alkaloids: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5480214/Suggestive reports on Ergot in Sumerian Clay Tablets, Mesopotamian Temples, and Chinese literature: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1637017/The Immortality Key — How ergot may be involved in religious influence: https://www.vox.com/vox-conversations-podcast/2021/3/4/21759683/christianity-psychedelics-brian-muraresku-the-immortality-keyErgot as an ingredient in the Kykeon: http://www.psychedelic-library.org/paspali.htmDownloadable literature: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1g64gVETsao2bC_cDK1QjBYbBW7Uu0iHQwww.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements.  Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

To celebrate our 100th episode, we kick off the show with a compilation of all the responses to our classic question "If mushrooms had the mic and could say one thing to the whole human race, what would they say?"We also have some updates for you all, including a message of gratitude for making the podcast possible. Enjoy the condensed fungal wisdom and some candid conversation between your co-hosts Alex Dorr and Lera Niemackl.Featuring:Nathalie KelleyMyron SmithOmar ThomasSophia RoeEkaterina DadachovaTe'Lario Watkins IIRobin DivineLarry EvansCassie EttingerMatt ScullinLexie GropperAlexandra ElbakyanVanja PalmersThomas HartleRyan Paul GatesAlan RockefellerJones OmageGiuliana FurciMatthew MeyerSteve AxfordTom VolkAnna SitkoffTradd CotterBarry McClearyMario CeballosGunther WeilIan HallMerlin SheldrakeFor a clean compilation, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ayALSwU4Sswww.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Energy (Cordyceps): Need a little pick-me-up before a workout or when you’re picking up your kids from school? The Energy Cordyceps is the mushy match for you.Focus (Lion’s Mane):  Needing a little more focus in your daily life? Lion’s Mane is known to be the mushroom for the brain and may support cognitive function.Calm (Reishi): Looking for some tranquility and zen in your life? Reishi will bring you into the zen state of mind you’ve been searching for.Daily 10 (Mushroom Mix): It’s like having 10 bodyguard mushrooms fighting off all those bad guys. This is a good place to start as it contains all of the daily mushies you need. Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

We are humbled to be speaking with psychedelic pioneer, Dennis McKenna. Dennis and his late brother Terrence are some of the most influential figures in western psychedelic culture. The brothers contributed to the introduction to psilocybin mushrooms in the United States, including but not limited to, cultivation techniques, ethnomycology, user guidance, and providing spores. Dennis was active in the psychedelic movement in the 60s and continues to shape the 21st century renaissance through education and organizations such as the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy. Prepare for some serious wisdom and untold stories from the McKenna family. Topics Covered:The McKenna’s trip to La Chorrera in search of psychedelic Virola sap called oo-koo-hey, and the inadvertent encounter of Psilocybe cubensis in cow piesPsilocybin as an ideal oral form of DMTChemical composition of psychedelic mushrooms i.e beta-carboline content The McKenna family, from a small town in Colorado and the becoming of the most influential figures in western psychedelic use Psilocybin’s potential influence on hominid evolution including fossil records, ecological history, circumstantial evidence, epigenetics and moreProhibition and regulation of psilocybin and other entheogensOrganismic birthrights to form a relationship with the natural worldShow notes:McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy: https://mckenna.academy/Heffter Research Institute: https://www.heffter.org/Erowin reports on Virola sap: https://erowid.org/library/books_online/golden_guide/g71-80.shtmlPsilocybin: A Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/415951.PsilocybinLife with Terrance McKenna: https://www.amazon.com/Brotherhood-Screaming-Abyss-Dennis-McKenna-ebook/dp/B00A8KWLYKNotable Quotes:“Part of the message from nature is, [psilocybin] is the perfect psychedelic, you don’t really need to improve on it.”“We were approaching this like engineers, we wanted to build a machine out of our own bodies that would enable us to visit other dimensions.”“People should have a fundamental right to form symbiosis. And because we’re talking about alliances with non-human organisms, it's not even a human right, it's an organismic right.”“When you choose to use a drug, you’re choosing a relationship.... call it a symbiotic relationship.”www.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

A milestone for mycelium has emerged. Adidas has partnered with Bolt threads, a biomaterials company, to use mycelium in their Stan Smith Mylo Edition shoes.  Built with biology, crafted with humanity— Bolt Threads is pioneering the use of fungal materials into industrial commodities, and it's not something their team takes lightly. Today we are joined by the co-founder of Bolt Threads, Dr. David Breslauer, to discuss the philosophy and methodology behind their important contributions and innovative products. Topics Covered:Fundamentals in fungal biotechBiomimicry in materials scienceThe company history and culture of Bolt ThreadsEngineering yeast to make a spider silk-like proteinSilk as a base protein for innovative materialsEmergence of germ theory from silkworm factoriesThe industry of biomaterials: how do you scale a material or product to make a real difference?Mycelium leather — its performance, sustainability, engineer-ability and aestheticsFilamentous fungi in biotech and how it differs from yeastsShow notes:Stan Smith Mylo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R__xk0-z7lgBolt Threads: https://boltthreads.com/Mylo: https://www.mylo-unleather.com/Spider silk mechanics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xossR6eHv3IGerm theory: https://asm.org/Articles/2019/December/Sick-or-Silk-How-Silkworms-Spun-the-Germ-Theory-ofwww.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Energy (Cordyceps): Need a little pick-me-up before a workout or when you’re picking up your kids from school? The Energy Cordyceps is the mushy match for you.Focus (Lion’s Mane):  Needing a little more focus in your daily life? Lion’s Mane is known to be the mushroom for the brain and may support cognitive function.Calm (Reishi): Looking for some tranquility and zen in your life? Reishi will bring you into the zen state of mind you’ve been searching for.Daily 10 (Mushroom Mix): It’s like having 10 bodyguard mushrooms fighting off all those bad guys. This is a good place to start as it contains all of the daily mushies you need. Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

What does commercial mushroom farming look like in the United States? Today we welcome the production manager of Far West Fungi, Kyle Garrone, to share the history of commercial farming in the US. Far West Fungi has been in business for over 35 years, and the team has traveled far and wide to learn from mushroom farms around the globe. Kyle has designed systems for large scale cultivation in California for common culinary mushrooms like oysters, shiitake, lion’s mane, woodear, pioppini, reishi and more. Tune in to learn about Far West Fungi’s history and technique, as well as advice for fellow farmers, or anyone interested in making a business out of mushroom cultivation.Topics Covered:Family history of Far West FungiConverting Agaricus bisporus farms into an straw-based automated mushroom farmingMushroom farming methods from Asia, Europe and beyondMarket research for mushroom consumption in your area and beyondAdvice for mushroom farming businesses on where to start, what not to do, and how to scaleWhere to buy automated cultivation equipmentAging substrates to improve mycelial healthShow Notes:Far West Fungi website: https://farwestfungi.com/Kyle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylegarrone/Video tour of Far West Fungi Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH98i_Fs8K8Myco Systemics: https://mycosystemics.com/www.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Energy (Cordyceps): Need a little pick-me-up before a workout or when you’re picking up your kids from school? The Energy Cordyceps is the mushy match for you.Focus (Lion’s Mane):  Needing a little more focus in your daily life? Lion’s Mane is known to be the mushroom for the brain and may support cognitive function.Calm (Reishi): Looking for some tranquility and zen in your life? Reishi will bring you into the zen state of mind you’ve been searching for.Daily 10 (Mushroom Mix): It’s like having 10 bodyguard mushrooms fighting off all those bad guys. This is a good place to start as it contains all of the daily mushies you need. Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

If you aren't convinced that fungi are omnipresent, bizarre, and mighty, you haven't read Fungipedia. Today we are featuring some of our favorite segments from this book and are joined by the author himself, Lawrence Millman. Lawrence has traveled far and wide on quests for information on the fungal kingdom. Sit back and enjoy some wow factor fun facts on fungi. Topics Covered:Keratinophilic fungi - where they live and how they affect youThe Hair Ice Phenomenon from the fungus Exidiopsis effusaNaturally occurring anti-freeze in various states of fungiThe mushroom culture in Greenland and other Arctic & Antarctic areasCulturing mycelia from mummiesThe Pharaoh's Curse - was it really fungi?Finding the rare polypore Echinodontium ballouii, previously thought to be extinctHow a fungus helped the defeat of the South in the Civil WarThe ban of Shiitake mushroom importsField mycology as a dwindling practiceShow Notes:Buy Fungipedia: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691194721/fungipediaLawrence Millman's Website: http://lawrencemillman.com/Pyrithione Zinc soap for acne: https://www.amazon.com/Noble-Formula-Pyrithione-Zinc-Original/dp/B00G7TUDA0Pyrithione Zinc soap for dandruff: https://www.amazon.com/Pyrithione-Shampoo-Butter-Grace-Peppermint/dp/B07KX2WYNQHorn Stalkball Photography: http://goweros.blogspot.com/2020/03/horn-stalkball.htmlScience of Hair Ice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAoMURsb9lM&t=204sAspergillus & the Link the curse: http://www.antimicrobe.org/hisphoto/history/Aspergillus-Mummys%20curse.aspEchinodontium ballouii: https://www.mycobank.org/page/Name%20details%20page/330283www.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Energy (Cordyceps): Need a little pick-me-up before a workout or when you’re picking up your kids from school? The Energy Cordyceps is the mushy match for you.Focus (Lion’s Mane):  Needing a little more focus in your daily life? Lion’s Mane is known to be the mushroom for the brain and may support cognitive function.Calm (Reishi): Looking for some tranquility and zen in your life? Reishi will bring you into the zen state of mind you’ve been searching for.Daily 10 (Mushroom Mix): It’s like having 10 bodyguard mushrooms fighting off all those bad guys. This is a good place to start as it contains all of the daily mushies you need. Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom qu

Billions of cicadas are due to emerge, and some of them will be infected with a truly peculiar fungus, Massospora cicadina. Referred to as Flying Salt Shakers of Death, these infected cicadas have a grim and bizarre future above ground. We are joined by the brilliant mycologist and entomologist, Dr. Brian Lovett, who talks us through the mechanisms behind this insidious fungus and why it’s worth studying. Topics covered:Periodical vs annual cicadasBrood X life cycleMassospora cicadina life cycle and its selected hostsActive Host Transition methods in insect-eating fungiBehavioral changes in infected hosts Chemical expression of the massospora fungus especially psilocybin & amphetaminesThe significance of the 17-year cicada for researchers and why it's difficult to rear them in the labShow notes:Brian Lovett’s website: https://www.lovettbr.com/Cicada map: https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/docs/CicadaBroodStaticMap.pdfHow to Eat Cicadas: https://www.bustle.com/articles/155978-how-to-eat-cicadas-that-is-if-youre-brave-enough-to-tryCicada Mania: https://www.cicadamania.com/Cicadas peeing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QypzInWUpcI&list=PLMeYvbKcL_bJvLF0qVA-Mx8W6vZYlBumYHow to protect your trees from cicada damage: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/cicada-damage-to-trees.htmCicada Shell Art: https://www.thecrafttrain.com/cidada-shell-art/Cicada shells for biomaterials: sci-hub.se/10.1016/j.msec.2009.11.014Further Reading:Evolutionary relationship between Massospora cicadina and cicadas: https://sci-hub.se/10.1080/00275514.2020.1742033www.mushroomrevival.comWe are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form. Energy (Cordyceps): Need a little pick-me-up before a workout or when you’re picking up your kids from school? The Energy Cordyceps is the mushy match for you.Focus (Lion’s Mane):  Needing a little more focus in your daily life? Lion’s Mane is known to be the mushroom for the brain and may support cognitive function.Calm (Reishi): Looking for some tranquility and zen in your life? Reishi will bring you into the zen state of mind you’ve been searching for.Daily 10 (Mushroom Mix): It’s like having 10 bodyguard mushrooms fighting off all those bad guys. This is a good place to start as it contains all of the daily mushies you need. Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.