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Comment by amelius | Hacker News Reader

> Fungi are incredible - from healing humans

Does anyone know of an overview of evidence-based treatments based on fungi?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penicillin

There's a bunch of stuff coming out recently about using psylocibin and LSD (which is itself synthesised from a fungus) for treatment of many things from PTSD to addiction and other mental illnesses.

A good starting point is the Beckley Foundation - http://beckleyfoundation.org/

Also cyclosporine. Without that there would be no organ transplants. And LSD, without which there would be no psychiatric drugs. The top 3 most important drugs of the 20th century all came from fungi.

LSD does not come from fungi. It is derived from lysergic acid from the ergot fungus (the reason why witches have brooms - check it out), but it is synthesized

Lysergic acid related compounds are not unique from fungi tho. LSA is found in some botanical species like morning glory.

But I digress

Right the fungi doesn't actually produce LSD, but it's still usually described as a semisynthetic drug just based on the original synthesis.

>And LSD, without which there would be no psychiatric drugs.

[citation needed]

Before LSD, it wasn't widely believed that brain chemistry had any effect on the mind. It was LSD that created the framework that allowed for things like antidepressants and whatever. Can't remember any specific books about this right now, but I know there are several.

I think you are correct. This might help: https://maps.org/news-letters/v23n1/v23n1_p20-23.pdf

Paul Stamets is the foremost Mycologist in the world and holds several patents for his ongoing work.

https://patents.justia.com/inventor/paul-stamets

I think Paul Stamets is going to be one of those genius we will only learn to appreciate after their death. Those pioneers that are so far ahead they get dismissed. His applications of fungi go from medicine to pest control, and probably also touch material engineering.

I sometimes feel I should change field completele and study mycology due to the things I've read and seen from him !

Paul Stamets on the Joe Rogan Experience talking about Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and magic mushrooms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPqWstVnRjQ

Combining those two with Vitamin B3 (Niacin) supposedly does wonders for circulation or something along those lines. I can only attest that the niacin flush makes me want to rub and massage my body everywhere because it feels so nice and warm.

(Note: long term daily extreme doses of Niacin may contribute to liver problems)

Careful, because the niacin flush could come with a significant core temperature drop, along with unpleasant symptoms like headaches or nausea.

The book "How to Change your Mind" by Michael Pollan has a good profile of him (and several other people and groups mentioned in this thread).

Paul Stamets is incredible. Don't miss the many youtube videos and podcasts with him. Every single one will blow your mind.

I've read several things talking about shitake and reishi (sp?) mushrooms being used for treating sickness, perhaps helping the body fight viruses or bacteria faster than it would without. I am leaning towards seeing this in TC< (traditional Chinese medicine) things, but could have been in the book 'prescription for nutritional healing' -

having solid references for western studies would take some digging. I think the effects are similar to garlic?

It's been a while since I've read that info.

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