Journal of Fungi
March 11, 2022
Elaine Meade, Sarah Hehir, Neil J. Rowan et al.
24 citations
Mushrooms have a long history of traditional medicinal use and are the primary natural source of psychedelic compounds. Growing interest focuses on using fungal active compounds like psychedelics to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder, anxiety, and addiction. The anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anti-addictive effects of these compounds have spurred neuropharmacological investigations. Micro-dosing or acute dosing with psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin may offer treatment options for patients who do not benefit from current therapies. Studies suggest that either dosing regimen produces a rapid and long-lasting effect with a good safety profile.
Journal of Fungi
June 2, 2022
Curro Polo-Castellano, José A. Álvarez, Miguel Palma et al.
19 citations
A microwave-assisted extraction method was optimized for extracting the alkaloids psilocin and psilocybin from Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms. Using a Box–Behnken design, the optimal conditions were 50 °C, 60% methanol as solvent, a 0.6 g sample to 10 mL solvent ratio, and 5 minutes of extraction time. These mild conditions, combined with rapid UHPLC analysis, provide a practical and economical methodology. This approach can help control the production of these alkaloids, which have therapeutic potential as antidepressants and anxiolytics.
Journal of Fungi
January 28, 2025
Eyal Kurzbaum, Tomáš Páleníček, Amiel Shrchaton et al.
11 citations
The psychoactive mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, known for its historical and modern therapeutic roles, shows substantial variability in its psychoactive compounds, psilocybin and psilocin, due to genetic diversity, strain differences, and environmental factors. Advances in cultivation, such as submerged fermentation of mycelium, and improved analytical methods now allow more precise compound quantification and extraction. Despite nearly four decades of regulatory restrictions limiting scientific information, recent genetic and biochemical studies are beginning to reveal insights into its therapeutic potential. The review identifies key knowledge gaps and suggests future research directions to improve cultivation, document strain diversity, and address regulatory and therapeutic uses.
Journal of Fungi
August 18, 2022
Sen Yao, Chuanzheng Wei, Hui Lin et al.
6 citations
Psilocybin content in the fungus Gymnopilus dilepis is regulated by cysteine and methionine metabolism. Treating mycelia with S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine significantly reduced psilocybin levels, while the stipe contained more psilocybin than the pileus. Transcriptome analysis linked differential gene expression to cysteine and methionine pathways, with Cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH) transcription positively correlating with psilocybin content. Adding a CTH inhibitor lowered psilocybin and L-serine; supplementing L-cysteine restored both, suggesting L-cysteine or CTH positively regulates psilocybin synthesis via L-serine and 4-hydroxy-L-tryptophan. This reveals a new molecular mechanism for psilocybin biosynthesis.
Journal of Fungi
March 18, 2024
Wen-Qiang Yang, Mao-Qiang He, Dorji Phurbu et al.
3 citations
A molecular phylogenetic and morphological study of the wood-decaying mushroom genus Gymnopilus examined seventy-eight specimens collected from ten provinces in China. Using gene sequences from ITS, nrLSU, nrSSU, rpb1, rpb2, and tef1-α, researchers identified eleven species, including five new to science: Gy. gyirongensis, Gy. variisporus, Gy. tomentosiceps, Gy. tenuibasidialis, and Gy. aurantipileatus. Four of the five new species are native to the Xizang Autonomous Region, indicating specialization to that distinctive habitat. The work advances understanding of Gymnopilus diversity and provides a foundation for conservation and sustainable use of these fungi.
Journal of Fungi
January 7, 2025
Xi-Xi Han, Dorji Phurbu, Bin Cao et al.
2 citations
On the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, a region shaped by high altitude, plate collision, and crustal uplift, seven Conocybe mushroom species were identified from specimens collected over the past decade. Four of these—C. alticola, C. alticoprophila, C. versicolor, and C. yadongensis—are new to science. Multi-gene DNA sequencing (ITS, nrLSU, and tef-1α) confirmed their taxonomic placement within the genus. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and comparisons with related species are provided. This work expands knowledge of Conocybe diversity on the plateau, contributing to understanding fungal biodiversity in extreme environments. Some Conocybe species produce psilocybin and other compounds with potential medicinal value.
Journal of Fungi
July 2, 2026
Amiel Sharchaton, Shilat Parsha, Sara P. Azerrad et al.
Even when grown under identical conditions, different strains of the same mushroom species, Psilocybe cubensis, vary dramatically in their psychedelic compound content. Total tryptamine concentrations ranged more than 7.8-fold across 14 strains, from 2.62 to 20.65 mg per gram of dried mushroom. Psilocybin was always the most abundant compound. Individual mushrooms from the same strain also showed substantial variation, with psilocybin levels differing by 12.81% to 23.39% between fruiting bodies. This biochemical variability, both between strains and within a single strain, makes it difficult to standardize whole mushroom preparations for research or therapeutic use, emphasizing the need for careful strain selection, chemical profiling, and precise dosing.
Journal of Fungi
April 7, 2026
Eyal Kurzbaum, Tomáš Páleníček, Amiel Sharchaton et al.
correction
The text is a correction notice for an earlier publication and provides no substantive findings, arguments, or data to summarize.