Mushroom Revival Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Mydecine: Psilocybin Sciences Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

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 discovery
Psilocybin treatment for PTSD and other mental health concerns
Machine-learning based drug discovery
Formulation and commercialization of psychedelic therapeutics
The deficiencies in chemical compounds in psilocybe mushrooms
Varietals of psilocybin-containing mushrooms
Collaborative and intern opportunities at Mydecine’s facilities
Describing new compounds in functional mushrooms
Bureaucracy of importing and researching psychedelic mushrooms
Bioavailability of psilocybin
Managing ethical clinical research

Show notes:

Mydecine website: https://www.mydecine.com/
Josh Bartch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-bartch-a5361b96
MindLeap app: https://mindleap.health/

www.mushroomrevival.com

We 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.

Mycopesticides for Malaria Mosquitoes Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

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 fungi
Chemical signaling and mechanisms of infection
Circadian rhythms in fungi, and how entomopathogenic fungi time keep in their hosts
Mycopesticides, 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 malaria
Ethics of developing and deploying biotechnology in international local communities
Synergies between bio and chemical insecticides
Unique chemical compositions of entomopathogenic fungi

Show notes:

Brian Lovett's website: https://www.lovettbr.com/
Cordyceps unilateralis on the BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8
Genetically engineering fungal pesticides: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ps.4734
The Insect Pathogens: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1128/9781555819583.ch45
Zombie Insect Presentation with Genspace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF7NOiREHlU
Articles mentioned: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48464510
Transgenic Metarhizium: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/364/6443/894.abstract

www.mushroomrevival.com
We 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.

LSD & Psychedelic Chemistry Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

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 pharmacology
Patent litigation, especially with psychedelic constituents
Lab testing for new psychedelic analogues in rats
Bureaucracy of working with Schedule I substances
How to synthesize LSD
LSD’s physical characteristics, structure and fluorescence
What happens to the LSD molecule when you adjust minute aspects, and what that tells us about itself
Structural similarities and differences in an array of psychedelic molecules / chemical ‘templates’ for psychoactive compounds
Neuro-mechanics of LSD and other entheogenic compounds
Evolution and function of serotonin receptors
HPPD: Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder
Trepanation: how does it affect neurochemistry, if at all?
NBOMes (N-benzyl methoxy): What is it and how does it work?
Metabolizing LSD and related compounds
Chirality in psychedelics, especially LSD
Listener questions

Show notes:

Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia feat. Dr. Nichols: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N4VoqeuK3s

Hallucinogens (2004) : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14761703/

DEA 222 - https://dehs.umn.edu/using-dea-form-222-order-controlled-substances

Mapping the Mind Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hfsIbib_50

MAPS Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxjCSKMbZBA

Telluride Keynote presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlDCM5JQzRk

Leo Perutz & the Mystery of St Peter’s Snow: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175169713X13589680082172

Trepanation 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=sharing

www.mushroomrevival.com

Find your mushie match and take our mushroom quiz here.
Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

Ergot: Psychedelic Fungal Pathogens May 31, 2021

Show notes

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 Covered

Defining Ergot species & their respective metabolites
Life cycle of Claviceps purpurea and it's ecological roles
How an ergot fungus may be behind the Salem Witch Trials and other historical events
Synthesis of ergot alkaloid-based drugs and medicines
Mechanisms of action with ergot alkaloids in the human body
DEA regulation on ergot alkaloids and like compounds
Evolution of ergot alkaloid producing fungi
Potential and unlikely organisms that contain ergot alkaloids
The inadvertent discovery of LSD
Pharmacology of ergot alkaloids: challenges, history, methods and R&D

Show notes

Dr. Panaccione's WVU profile: https://www.davis.wvu.edu/faculty-staff/directory/daniel-panaccione
Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia feat. Ergot and Dr. Panaccione: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N4VoqeuK3s
Ergot 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_Cug
Life Cycle of Ergot: https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/fungalasco/pdlessons/Pages/Ergot.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWH--o1ccMY
Structure 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-key

Ergot as an ingredient in the Kykeon: http://www.psychedelic-library.org/paspali.htm
Downloadable literature: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1g64gVETsao2bC_cDK1QjBYbBW7Uu0iHQ
www.mushroomrevival.com
We are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

100th Episode Special May 26, 2021

Show notes

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 Kelley
Myron Smith
Omar Thomas
Sophia Roe
Ekaterina Dadachova
Te'Lario Watkins II
Robin Divine
Larry Evans
Cassie Ettinger
Matt Scullin
Lexie Gropper
Alexandra Elbakyan
Vanja Palmers
Thomas Hartle
Ryan Paul Gates
Alan Rockefeller
Jones Omage
Giuliana Furci
Matthew Meyer
Steve Axford
Tom Volk
Anna Sitkoff
Tradd Cotter
Barry McCleary
Mario Ceballos
Gunther Weil
Ian Hall
Merlin Sheldrake
For a clean compilation, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ayALSwU4Ss
www.mushroomrevival.com
We 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.

Psychedelic Symbiosis with Dennis McKenna May 18, 2021

Show notes

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 pies
Psilocybin as an ideal oral form of DMT
Chemical 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 more
Prohibition and regulation of psilocybin and other entheogens
Organismic birthrights to form a relationship with the natural world

Show 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.shtml
Psilocybin: A Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/415951.Psilocybin
Life with Terrance McKenna: https://www.amazon.com/Brotherhood-Screaming-Abyss-Dennis-McKenna-ebook/dp/B00A8KWLYK

Notable 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.”

Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.

Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.

Meet Bolt Threads: A Fungal Materials Company May 12, 2021

Show notes

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 biotech
Biomimicry in materials science
The company history and culture of Bolt Threads
Engineering yeast to make a spider silk-like protein
Silk as a base protein for innovative materials
Emergence of germ theory from silkworm factories
The industry of biomaterials: how do you scale a material or product to make a real difference?
Mycelium leather — its performance, sustainability, engineer-ability and aesthetics
Filamentous fungi in biotech and how it differs from yeasts

Show notes:

Stan Smith Mylo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R__xk0-z7lg
Bolt Threads: https://boltthreads.com/
Mylo: https://www.mylo-unleather.com/
Spider silk mechanics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xossR6eHv3I
Germ theory: https://asm.org/Articles/2019/December/Sick-or-Silk-How-Silkworms-Spun-the-Germ-Theory-of

www.mushroomrevival.com

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.

Mushroom Cultivation in the US feat. Kyle Garrone of Far West Fungi May 04, 2021

Show notes

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 Fungi
Converting Agaricus bisporus farms into an straw-based automated mushroom farming
Mushroom farming methods from Asia, Europe and beyond
Market research for mushroom consumption in your area and beyond
Advice for mushroom farming businesses on where to start, what not to do, and how to scale
Where to buy automated cultivation equipment
Aging substrates to improve mycelial health

Show 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_Fs8K8
Myco Systemics: https://mycosystemics.com/

www.mushroomrevival.com

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.

Fungipedia: Mushroom Stories from Lawrence Millman Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

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 you
The Hair Ice Phenomenon from the fungus Exidiopsis effusa
Naturally occurring anti-freeze in various states of fungi
The mushroom culture in Greenland and other Arctic & Antarctic areas
Culturing mycelia from mummies
The Pharaoh's Curse - was it really fungi?
Finding the rare polypore Echinodontium ballouii, previously thought to be extinct
How a fungus helped the defeat of the South in the Civil War
The ban of Shiitake mushroom imports
Field mycology as a dwindling practice

Show Notes:

Buy Fungipedia: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691194721/fungipedia
Lawrence Millman's Website: http://lawrencemillman.com/
Pyrithione Zinc soap for acne: https://www.amazon.com/Noble-Formula-Pyrithione-Zinc-Original/dp/B00G7TUDA0
Pyrithione Zinc soap for dandruff: https://www.amazon.com/Pyrithione-Shampoo-Butter-Grace-Peppermint/dp/B07KX2WYNQ
Horn Stalkball Photography: http://goweros.blogspot.com/2020/03/horn-stalkball.html
Science of Hair Ice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAoMURsb9lM&t=204s
Aspergillus & the Link the curse: http://www.antimicrobe.org/hisphoto/history/Aspergillus-Mummys%20curse.asp
Echinodontium ballouii: https://www.mycobank.org/page/Name%20details%20page/330283

www.mushroomrevival.com

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

Rise of the Zombie Cicada Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

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 cicadas
Brood X life cycle
Massospora cicadina life cycle and its selected hosts
Active Host Transition methods in insect-eating fungi
Behavioral changes in infected hosts
Chemical expression of the massospora fungus especially psilocybin & amphetamines
The significance of the 17-year cicada for researchers and why it's difficult to rear them in the lab

Show notes:

Brian Lovett’s website: https://www.lovettbr.com/
Cicada map: https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/docs/CicadaBroodStaticMap.pdf
How to Eat Cicadas: https://www.bustle.com/articles/155978-how-to-eat-cicadas-that-is-if-youre-brave-enough-to-try
Cicada Mania: https://www.cicadamania.com/
Cicadas peeing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QypzInWUpcI&list=PLMeYvbKcL_bJvLF0qVA-Mx8W6vZYlBumY
How to protect your trees from cicada damage: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/cicada-damage-to-trees.htm
Cicada Shell Art: https://www.thecrafttrain.com/cidada-shell-art/
Cicada shells for biomaterials: sci-hub.se/10.1016/j.msec.2009.11.014

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