Medicinal – Page 13

Olive mill solid waste induces beneficial mushroom-specialized metabolite diversity revealed by computational metabolomics strategies

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This study shows how adding olive mill waste to mushroom growing substrate can increase beneficial compounds in mushrooms while reducing harmful toxins. Researchers grew two types of edible mushrooms (lion’s mane and king oyster) on substrate containing different amounts of olive mill waste and used advanced chemical analysis to identify how the waste affected the mushrooms’ medicinal compounds. Adding olive mill waste increased healthy compounds like hericenones and erinacerins while decreasing toxic enniatin compounds, potentially creating safer and more nutritious mushrooms for consumers.

Premorbid characteristics of the SAPAP3 mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder: behavior, neuroplasticity, and psilocybin treatment

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This research examined young genetically modified mice that lack the SAPAP3 gene to understand early signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder-like behavior. The study found that these juvenile mice showed anxiety-like behaviors before developing the excessive grooming typical of the adult model. Surprisingly, psilocybin treatment—which works in adult mice—did not help reduce anxiety in the younger mice, suggesting that the brain needs to mature for this treatment to be effective.

Domestication of a magic therapeutical wine glass fungus (Podoscypha petalodes) from Pakistan

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Researchers successfully grew Podoscypha petalodes, a medicinal mushroom known as wine glass fungus, under controlled conditions for the first time. The best growth was achieved using a mixture of sawdust and tea waste at 28°C, which produced high yields in just 10 days. This breakthrough means that this therapeutic fungus, which has antiviral and anti-cancer properties, can now be cultivated year-round commercially instead of relying on rare wild specimens.

Long-COVID symptoms improved after MDMA and psilocybin therapy: A case report

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A 41-year-old woman with Long-COVID experienced severe symptoms including fatigue, depression, anxiety, headaches, and brain fog that didn’t improve with traditional treatments. She decided to try psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA with guidance from a therapist. After multiple dosing sessions over several months, she reported roughly 80-90% improvement in her symptoms and was able to return to work and resume her studies. While this single case is promising, more research is needed to determine whether these psychedelics are truly safe and effective for Long-COVID.

Social pain: A systematic review on interventions

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This study reviews different treatments for social pain—the emotional hurt from rejection and social exclusion. Researchers found that regular pain reliever acetaminophen, mindfulness meditation, and the psychedelic compound psilocybin can reduce social pain, while placebo pills also help when people believe they work. Interestingly, combining acetaminophen with forgiveness works better than either alone, suggesting that both physical and emotional pain may use similar brain pathways.

Down the rabbit hole – the psychological and neural mechanisms of psychedelic compounds and their use in treating mental health and medical conditions

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Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and LSD are showing significant promise for treating various mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. These substances appear to work through multiple mechanisms, including inducing profound mystical experiences and increasing neuroplasticity in the brain. Research indicates that environmental and contextual factors significantly influence how effective these treatments are, and even virtual reality experiences mimicking psychedelic effects show therapeutic benefits. The field is moving toward responsible, evidence-based clinical applications of psychedelics in psychiatry.

A multilocus phylogeny of Hericium (Hericiaceae, Russulales)

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Researchers conducted the first comprehensive genetic study of lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium species) using advanced DNA sequencing techniques. The study resolved long-standing confusion about different species and their relationships, while also describing a new species from western North America. These mushrooms are prized both as food and for traditional medicinal uses, particularly in Asia, and contain compounds with potential anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties. Better identification of species will help both commercial cultivators and medical researchers work with the correct organisms.

Comparative evaluation of free radical scavenging activity and total metabolite profiles among 30 macrofungi species

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This study tested 30 different mushroom species to determine which ones are the best sources of natural antioxidants that can help protect the body from damage caused by harmful free radicals. Researchers grew the mushrooms in laboratory conditions and measured their antioxidant power and beneficial compounds like polyphenols and polysaccharides. Oyster-like mushrooms called Lentinula edodes and Fomitopsis pinicola showed the strongest antioxidant activity, making them promising candidates for use in health supplements and functional foods.

Potential Cosmetic Applications of the Combined Extract of Panax ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps militaris, and Several Asian Plants

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Researchers created a combination extract from four Asian plants including ginseng, medicinal mushrooms, and other herbs to treat acne. They tested this blend in laboratories and found it effectively killed acne-causing bacteria, reduced skin inflammation, repaired the skin barrier, and reduced oily skin production. The extract was safe for skin cells and appeared to work as well as or better than standard treatments.

The Potential of Mushroom Extracts to Improve Chemotherapy Efficacy in Cancer Cells: A Systematic Review

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This systematic review examines how mushroom extracts can make chemotherapy more effective at treating cancer, particularly by helping overcome cancer cells’ resistance to drugs. Researchers found that various mushroom species contain compounds that work together with chemotherapy drugs to kill cancer cells more effectively through different cellular mechanisms. The results suggest mushroom extracts could be a promising natural complement to conventional cancer treatments, though more research is needed before they can be used clinically.

Research Topic: Medicinal