Psilocybin in Therapy: A Brief Chronology

Messenger of the Ineffable
       
      Sixty years ago on this day, R. Gordon Wasson received two letters: one from the poet Robert Graves, containing clippings from a pharmaceutical journal that quoted the ethnobotanical legend Richard Evans Schultes describing a mushroom cult in Meso-america; the second letter was from Giovanni Marderseig, with an enclosed sketch of an artifact from Meso-america- a stone carving, clearly of a mushroom.[i] This synchronous arrival of information would spark the pursuit and eventual emergence of the 'Magic' mushroom in North American culture. 
              
       While the story of how that happened describes a peculiar and intriguing course of events, it must wait for another day. In the fifty years past, of all the influences and integrations, the development of Psilocybin- the principal psychoactive compound within 'Magic' Mushrooms- as a medicine has revealed an ocean of potential for modern therapeutic practice. Still, relatively little water has been explored. This post will cover not all, but what I have interpreted as being the most significant examples of psilocybin applied in medical settings.
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"Psychedelic therapy should be made legal and insurance coverage extended to include it." -Terence McKenna, 'Food of the Gods' [ii]

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1961-63: The Concord Prison Project
               The notorious Harvard psychologist Timothy Leary, along with a group of selected graduate students (including Ralph Metzner) undertook an experiment that would explore whether psilocybin (synthesized) could be used in therapy for the prison's inmates in order to reduce recidivism after release. Leary insisted that psilocybin would be taken not only by the patients, but also by the psychologists involved with the experiment, in order to increase comfort and trust between the two roles. Visiting academics to Harvard would be invited to come take part in the project- including the philosopher and author Alan Watts, as well as the author Aldous Huxley. Follow up programs with prisoners were completed two years after, which led Leary to claim that 75 percent of inmates released had stayed out of jail- cutting the average recidivism rate in half.[iii] Many didn't believe Leary's optimistic claim. Since there was no control group it was difficult whether to tell if it was the psilocybin, or just spending a great deal of time individually with each inmate over the course of the project, that really made the difference.

      The validity of the project's results were discussed in a 34 year follow up study completed by Rick Doblin. In Doblin's follow-up, he concludes by suggesting that this failed experiment should not be interpreted as to make psychotherapy of prison inmates with psychedelics seem innefficacious, but to show that psychedelic therapy cannot act as a 'magic bullet'- working with one or very few experiences and expecting long term positive results. [iv]
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 1999: 'Hallucinogens and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder'

          Anecdotal evidence of the efficacy of psilocybin in the treatment of a 34 year-old male suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).[v]

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2001-2004: Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

9 Subjects were each given a up to 4 single-dose exposures to lab-sythesized psilocybin, ranging in sub-hallucinogenic doses to frankly hallucinogenic doses. Conclusions in this study both confirm and elaborate on anecdotal reports concerning the treatment of OCD symptoms with Psilocybin.[vi] ___________________________________________

2006: Response of Cluster Headache to Psilocybin and LSD

      Authors of this study interviewed 53 patients who suffer from cluster headaches and use psilocybin and/or LSD to treat their condition: Significant instances of psilocybin use showed the substance's abilities to absorb attacks, termination of cluster period and remission period extension.[vii] 
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2005-2008: End of Life Existential Anxiety in Patients with Terminal Cancer
         Conducted with 12 individuals suffering from terminal cancer and the existential implications of their disease, this research showed psilocybin as a impressive agent in reducing the terrors and depression that patients feel when facing the loss of their own life.[viii]

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     These are just a few of the breakthrough studies that have been completed, or are still ongoing, in efforts to bring Psilocybin into medicine and therapy. For more information on Psilocybin research, as well as many other psychedelic studies, I urge you to visit and support M.A.P.S. (www.maps.org).

     The lessons of the past are evident in the attitudes and professionalism of psychedelic researchers in the past 10 or 15 years: learning more from the likes of Stanislav Grof, than the self-promotional antagonistic approaches of Timothy Leary. Due to legal prohibition of these substances, getting permission to undertake these studies is a long and difficult process that many haven't succeeded in completing. Thanks to many individuals and organizations we are in what is known as a 'Second Infancy', or better yet a 'Renaissance' of psychedelic study. Whether this will continue to flourish, or be once again oppressed and prohibited, is a matter of professional discipline, scientific consistency and unbiased observation. Psilocybin has demonstrated a great deal of potential for therapeutic application, I hope to see great success in further study of this complex substance.

S. HobDawson

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[i] R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofmann, and Carl A. P. Ruck, The Road to Eleusis, (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanich, 1978), 26.
[ii] Terence McKenna, Food of the Gods:the search for the original tree of knowledge , (New York: Bantam Books, 1992), 269.
[iii] Don Lattin, The Harvard Psychedelic Club:How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass. Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the fifties and Ushered in a new age for America, (New York: HarperCollins, ), 68-72.
[iv] Rick Doblin, "Dr. Lear'ys Concord Prison Experiment: A 34-Year follow-up study ," Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 20, no. 4 (1998): 419, http://www.maps.org/research/1998_Doblin_ConcordPrisonFollow-up.pdf
[v] DM Perrine, "Hallucinogens and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder," American Journal of Psychiatry, no. 156 (199): 1123.
[vi] Fransisco A. Moreno, Christopher B. Wiegand, E. Keolani Taitano, and Pedro L. Delgado, "Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder," Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67, no. 11 (2005): 1735-20, http://www.maps.org/w3pb/new/2006/2006_Moreno_22868_1.pdf
[vii] RA Sewell, JH Halpern, and HG Jr. Pope, "Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD,"Neurology, 66, no. 12 (2006): 1920-2.
[viii] C.S. Grob, "The Use of Psilocybin in Patients with Advanced Cancer and Existential Anxiety,"Psychedelic Medicine: New Evidence for Hallucinogens as Treatments., 1 (2007): 205-216,

'Summer Plant; Winter Worm': Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps ophioglossoides

    "Whatever else can (or should) be written about these strange fungi, they afford one of the most astonishing examples of structural variation manifest among multicellular organisms, consisting as they do of so few cells that one may think of them as having very little to work with" - Harold Johnston Brody, 1907 [i]
       
      Any individual with a mushroom field guide can prove H. J. Brodie's claim to be true: from the cascading white tendrils of the Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus), to the obscure pillars that are Stinkhorns (Phallus impudicus), the undeniability of the Fungi kingdom's originality is evident in its many forms and processes. In the case of the genus Cordyceps, the eerie creativity of the mushroom's parasitic relationship is nothing short of peculiar.
This curious group of mushroom species may grow from hosts such as beetles, caterpillars, moths and other fungi, but also contain an abundance of medicinal compounds that impressively compare to many of the most well documented medicinal mushrooms we have today- but this is not all new information, since humans and cordyceps are old friends, in the east at least.

     Cordyceps sinensis
      The first literary mention of Cordyceps sinensis- club-like mycelium protruding from the exoskeleton of a caterpillar -was determined to be from 620 C.E. and claimed that these organisms were able to shift form: from animal to plant, and back again. One name for C. sinensis, "Summer Plant, Winter Worm" is a clear descendant of this literature. The benefits of C. sinensis are thought to have been first discovered by traveling yak herdsmen of Tibet and Nepal. Yaks could ascend higher in elevation, as long as they were successful in finding C. sinensis mushrooms protruding from mycelium-mummified caterpillars hidden beneath the snow, and in the sparse mountain grasses.[ii] 

      Herbalists, doctors, monks and other discoverers had, over centuries, spread the word of this wondrous mushroom, meanwhile,  its rarity and value increased. At times, wild C. sinensis was worth 4 times its weight in silver, and only emperors could afford to purchase them.[iii] Trying to conceive of mushroom with so much value is difficult for some, but likely to be far more understandable when the hidden medicinal secrets of this mushroom are unveiled.

     Recent research studies concerning the application of  C. sinensis for the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels have shown promising results. In studies conducted with patients afflicted by hyperlidemia, daily supplementation of C. sinensis showed a remarkable decrease of cholesterol blood levels by 17.5%, as well as a decrease of triglyceride  level by 9.9%.[iv]  3 Grams of C. sinensis taken over 12 weeks showed a drop in cholesterol by 21%. [vi] Chinese and Japanese studies have shown hypoglycemic (sugar-lowering) effects.[ii] 

       This mushroom has been classified as a 'sexual restorative' because of its impressive benefits for sufferers of erectile dysfunction. In a study of 286 impotent males, one gram of C. sinensis was administered daily and showed improvements in 183 of the subjects. [viii] Overall sexual function has been noted in many C. sinensis studies, for both male and female subjects.

   These are only a few examples of the benefits of this mushroom. I haven't even scratched the surface in terms of immune function, heart health or vitality increase.

         Cordyceps militaris
     Also known as 'Northern C. sinensis', the bright orange to red fruiting body of C. militaris extends from the mycelium-mummified pupae of moths.[vii]  Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide (CPS-1 and CPS-2), extracted from mycelium of C. militaris, have shown considerable positive results with the treatment of liver fibrosis. This mushroom has shown efficacy in leukemia inhibition, and has been said to rival C. sinensis in sexual function benefits.


     Cordyceps ophioglossoides
    Cannibalistic? Perhaps, since the host of this Cordyceps species' is also a member of the fungi kingdom. Feasting on False Truffles of the genus Elaphomyces, the mycelium of C. ophioglossoides has remained an old member of the ancient Chinese pharmacopoeia. [v] Tonics of this fungus have been known to increase sperm production, as well as blood production. [iv] This fungus was, as written by ancient chinese herbalists, to be prepared inside a cooked duck- a method suggested for C. sinensis and C. militaris as well. Traditional Chinese medicine also prescribes C. ophioglossoides for menstrual pain and issues.

      More sophisticated cultivation techniques have made Cordyceps more available and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The use of agar preparations allows Cordyceps to grow without the necessity of host caterpillars or beetles- so don't think you have to start eating caterpillars to get the benefits of these great mushrooms. There are many reliable companies that supply organic agar-cultivated C. sinensis, but it is difficult to find the same standards for C. militaris and C. ophioglossoides. 

S. HobDawson


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[i] Harold J. Brodie, Fungi: Delight of Curiousity, (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1907), 87.

[ii] Georges M. Halpern, and Andrew H. Miller, Medicinal Mushrooms: Ancient Remedies for Modern Ailments, (New York: M. Evans and Co., 2002), 61-2.

[iii] Mark J. Plotkin, Medicine Quest, (New York: Viking Penguin, 2000), 46.

[iv] Christopher Hobbs, Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing and Culture, (Summertown: Botanica Press, 1995), 84.

[v] Steven L. Stephenson, The Kingdom Fungi, (Portland: Timber Press, 2010), 72-3.

[vi] Robert E. Rogers, Fungal Pharmacy, (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2011), 122-3.

[vii] Hui Yan, Dongjie Zhu, Dabao Xu, Jie Wu, and Xuyun Bian, "A study on Cordyceps militaris olysaccharide purification, composition and activity analysis," African Journal of Biotechnology , 7, no. 22 (2008): 4004-4009,

[viii] Georges M. Halpern, Cordyceps: China's Healing Mushroom, (New York: Avery Publishing Group, 1999), 51.

Invisible Revolution, In Visible Revolution: Glimpses of Psilocybin in Modern Art

Kat Harrison 

"All the spore mass is going into the soil, so as the seeds are being harvested later on, then that spore mass is being spread- to golf courses, government buildings, yards.. It truly is an invisible revolution." 
-Paul Stamets, 1999 Psychoactivity conference, Amsterdam.

      As well as many musicians, poets, and writers, visual artists have successfully expressed many of their experiences with psilocybin in their creative works- taking a thimble full of water from that ocean of creativity, as Terence McKenna would describe. At times, the aesthetics and themes found within magic mushroom experiences are resonant and reflective of the work of many artists, even those who do not favor these substances. This post is aimed to elaborate on three interesting individual artists that I find to be the best modern examples of the creative resonance of psilocybin mushrooms.


DANNY GOMÉZ

Danny Goméz

       Perhaps most well-known for the psychedelic internet video 'Flashback', in which a patient seeks help from his therapist. Set to the song 'Divine Moments of Truth' by British group 'Shpongle', the therapist attempts a new treatment, which sends the patient into a visually accelerating journey through Mayan art-like jungles of symmetry, as well as witnessing  the patient's self realization and disintegration.

Danny Goméz

Goméz produces unmatched vibrancy in his paintings, rich with intensity and symbolism. Within many of his paintings one finds their self immersed in the company of entities common to psilocybin mushroom experiences, found more commonly in higher doses.

  
ALEX GREY

Alex Grey

 One can't say enough for the tremendous skill that Alex Grey has refined over his lifetime, earning him a reputation unmatched by any other psychedelic visual artist. From album covers to book covers, stickers to t-shirts, Alex Grey's work is widely available. Grey is also a fine photographer, with enticing and elaborate portfolios.
A supporter of psychedelics, Grey pours immense meaning into every piece he creates, integrating spirituality and personal experiences, as well as myth, prophecy and science.


ANTHONY FRANSISCO SCHEPPERD

Anthony Fransisco Schepperd

This animator and visual artist has impressed many with the music video 'The Music Scene' by the musician Blockhead, which featured an array of bursting color, gorgeous patterns and fluid dance. Whether this artist has experimented with mushrooms or not, the video beautifully, and quite masterfully, captures aspects of the mushroom experience and visual style.

These artists are among many who help clarify the beauty, and abolish the fear of psilocybin mushrooms.  Their work describes experiences dear to themselves, of which many may have included a significant and positive experience with this interesting, peculiar and important hallucinogen.

 S. HobDawson

Images in this post do not belong to S. HobDawson

Lichens: 'Fungi That Have Developed Agriculture'

Cladonia chlorophaea

      As I discussed in '5 1/2 Things You May Not Know are Fungi', lichens are composite organisms consisting of fungi and algae, fungi and cyanobacterium, or both, who can serve as pioneers for the creation of ecosystems. Scientists today are speculating whether the relationship that merits the term 'Lichen', is in fact parasitic, not symbiotic.[i]  This is because when the fungus is separated from the other organism(s), they thrive much more than with the fungus. The interesting thing to note is that even though the fungus limits the growth of its host, some conditions that lichens can flourish in would be impossible for either organism on their own.

     For centuries, lichens have been used as medicine and food by many cultures - as there are very few poisonous species of lichen, this is not surprising. These poisonous lichens were not useless, since they were used by several native american nations for hunting and warfare. The 'Wolf' lichen (Letharia vulpina) was used to create poisonous arrowheads. Lichens also were, and remain to be, used as dyes for baskets and clothing. Depending on addmixtures such as sap or ash, colors such as red, purple, green, orange and brown can be made. Some lichen species are a staple food for animals such as caribou and reindeer.[ii]

White Lichen growing on moss.

     Perhaps the most well-known medicinal lichen species are found within the genus Usnea. Known to be used as an antibiotic and antifungal remedy for over a millennium, these lichens hang from tree branches resembling long beards. When scientists bean researching Usnea hirta, they found the exterior surfaces of the organism to be rich with anti-biotic compounds, while the interior held polysaccharides that were capable of inhibiting tumor growth.[iii] 

Conceptual design of farming structure
in Dubai. * 

       As I mentioned in the title, a lichenologist once claimed that lichens where fungi that had developed agriculture.[iii] A strategy to work with other biological kingdoms to ensure mutual survival and prosperity. When I look at lichens with this in mind, I am reminded of science fiction novels - complex futurist farming structures surviving in the most desolate and extreme climates and environments. It is humbling to ponder the question:

   "Why is it that our fantastic visions of our species' future technology seems much like a reflection of an ancient relationship between seemingly primitive organisms?"




Another strong example of the potential of mushroom consciousness, and the complex creativity that organisms demonstrate for survival.

S. HobDawson

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[i] Bruce McCune, and Linda Geiser, Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest, (Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 1997), viii-xi.

[ii] David H Richardson, The Vanishing Lichens, (New York: Hafner Press, 1974), 121-130.

[iii] Robert E. Rogers, Fungal Pharmacy, (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2011), 441,484-9.

*Image does not belong to S. HobDawson
  

Under the Shade of the Mulberry Tree: Phellinus linteus

     'Song Gen', in Chinese medicine - 'Hed TheenChaank', in Thai: This seemingly modest mushroom, a conk-like basidiomycete, grows mainly on mulberry trees in Korea and Japan, as well as other parts of the world.

     It is favored in Chinese medicine - steeped as a tea, this wood-like fungus would enhance longevity and refresh the body.[i] Now favored by scientists and doctors alike, extracts of Phellinus linteus have been a valuable introduction to the treatment of many varieties of cancer.

      Significant inhibition of cell proliferation and colony formation in breast cancer patients has shown this relatively newly famed mushroom to be an exciting addition to the collection of known cancer-fighting medicinal mushroom wonders that we have today.[ii]
Although P. linteus does not kill cancer cells directly, it is known to inhibit metastasis.[iii] Thus, playing a key role in preventing the spread of the cancer.

 An equalizer of the body - P. linteus polysaccharide balances the immune system. Increase in the rate of immune system cell repair - after chemo therapy- is clear when extracts of P. linteus are applied as a supplement to the treatment.

This mushroom has shown potential for lowering blood glucose and triglyceride levels by acting as a therapeutic and preventative aid in diabetes types 1 and 2.[iv]

This mushroom is marketed heavily in South Korea for its benefits for health and is currently surfacing in the health world of the west as well. I am particularly interested in the anti-inflammatory properties. It will be interesting to see the progress with research on this mushroom, as it already has proven to be a potently intriguing newcomer.

S. HobDawson
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[i] Byung-Hyouk Nam, Gi-Young Kim, Hyung-Sik Park, Sang-Joon Lee, and Jae-Dong Lee, "Molecular Detection of Phellinus linteus and P. baumii by PCR Specific Primer," Mycobiology, 30, no. 4 (2002): 197-201,

[ii] D. Sliva, A. Jedinak, J. Kawasaki, K. Harvey, and V. Slivova, "Phellinus linteus suppresses growth, angiogenesis and invasive behaviour of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of AKT signalling'," Br J Cancer, 98, no. 8 (2008): 1348-1356

[iii] Georges M. Halpern, and Andrew H. Miller, Medicinal Mushrooms: Ancient Remedies for Modern Ailments, (New York: M. Evans and Co., 2002), 96-7.

[iv] Robert E. Rogers, Fungal Pharmacy, (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2011), 325-6.

Images in this post do not belong to S. HobDawson 

Sentience in the Soil: Examining Interactions with Mushroom Consciousness

 In the last few days of spring, approaching the summer equinox of 2011 I attended the 'Plant Spirit Medicine' conference at the University of British Columbia. Ethnobotanists, physicians, and other speakers from around the world including Dennis McKenna, Gabor Mate,  and Kat Harrison would deliver workshops and talks on the medicinal and spiritual significance of psychedelics. At the time, I could only afford the entry fee for one of the three days. After reviewing the schedule of speakers and workshops, I had decided to go on the final day of the weekend, the Sunday - the day that both Kat Harrison and Dennis McKenna would be speaking.

In the morning of the Sunday, I had received my lanyard and proceeded into a large room of empty chairs, where Kat Harrison would be the first speaker of the day. I had wanted to meet Kat harrison ever since I  found the literature, and audio recordings of Terence McKenna.  Contributing to much of McKenna's work, including drawings of artifacts and specimens, her own research and being present at many of McKenna's speaking gigs, Harrison was also married to McKenna, and had two children together. As I chose my seat I turned and saw a familiar face entering the room. For a moment, I had met eyes with Kat Harrison, and she gave me the warmest smile I could have hoped for.

While her talk was centered on the shamanic practice and her experiences with ingesting Salvia divinorum, she had mentioned a very interesting point about the psilocybin mushroom experience. She claimed that upon ingesting psilocybin containing mushrooms, the indivual would be initiated into a temporary state of shared consciousness - between human and mushroom.                                                                                                                                                            "It is a teaching voice that speaks to you in your language", McKenna describes the psilocybian vocations in his 1993 talk 'The World and its Double', "It would make declarative sentences, each followed by the word 'says'.". Referencing recordings made by R. Gordon Wasson while attending one of the sacred mushroom Veladas with Maria Sabina, McKenna notes that in her songs and chants, the same phenomenon of a 'poly-lingual mushroom entity' is described.[i]

                                                                                                                                       McKenna claimed that many of his radical theories and ideas began in conversation with the Other; crediting psilocybin for enabling him to speak for great lengths of time at lectures and debates - suggesting that he was a sort of mouthpiece for the psilocybian fungi. With humble humour, sharp wit, and an intimidating vocabulary, McKenna would prove this claim of vocational stamina - delivering ethno-botanical and philosophical prose that would last for hours.  The Mazatecs of the Sierra Mazateca region of Mexico - including the famed Maria Sabina - have ceremoniously engaged with this entity for centuries. Speaking to them in their language, the mushroom would provide healing wisdom that would be graciously accepted and practiced by the shamans.[ii]                         

Terence McKenna

 The passionate McKenna scholar Simon G. Powell elaborates on this subject in his novel and film "Manna: The Psilocybin Solution". "We also have an informational entity which we can call the Other", Powell describes, "able to communicate its intent through the agency of entheogenic alkaloids like                   psilocybin."[iii]                                                                                                                               Paul Stamets - perhaps the most well-known mycologist these days - speaks about mushroom consciousness in his books, as well as workshops and lectures. Last summer, I remember attending a workshop with Stamets, at Foxglove Farm on Salt Spring Island. He showed images of mycelium growth patterns and compared them to the neural networks found in the human brain - a lesson learned from McKenna, of which Stamets proudly classified as an inspiring figure and teacher. "When I look at this I feel as I if I am looking into the neural network of the Gaian consciousness.", Stamets would descibe, "The earth's natural internet."                                                                                                                                                                                            
      
As I summarized in 'The Role of Psilocybin in the Development of Spoken Language', McKenna's theory regarding psilocybin ingestion by early ancestors acting as a significant catalyst for speech and language progression is given a new light when we consider the mushroom experience as a conversation or an internal dialogue.


 While this mushroom entity can be generous to those who respect it, it can prove otherwise to those that do not. Improper consideration of dosage, set and setting can demonstrate the mischievous side to this personality, as many individuals experienced with psilocybin mushroom experimentation can confirm.  From my research and personal experiences, the mushroom voice seems to have a lot of material to communicate, with only a few hours to do so. Frantic yet controlled, rushed yet thorough, general yet explicit, the mushroom will not waste any time in teaching us what it has to offer.

S. HobDawson

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[i] McKenna, Terence. "The World and It's Double" 1993, Sound Photosynthesis

[ii] Munn, Henry. "The Mushrooms of Language" from "Hallucinogens and Shamanism" by Michael J. Harner, ed., © Oxford University Press.

[iii] Powell, Simon G. "Manna: The Psilocybin Solution" 

Immune Strength for the Modern Feline and Canine

         It is not uncommon to find mycophagous (fungi-eating) creatures in the animal kingdom. At times, the foraging and ingesting of mushrooms is evident on bear paw strikes on trees. Spores from a recent feast of fresh mushrooms cover the claws and upon striking the base of trees to expose grubs, the tree is inoculated, and potential for future mycelial growth is established. It is now known that the growth of trees inoculated with mycelium, most noticeably with Fomitopsis pinicola, is increased by 300%. [i]

        The mushroom provides a nutrient-rich meal for the bear, as well as delicious flavour-fueled incentive to continue this mutualistic relationship. This is only one example of the importance of fungi-derived compounds that are valuable, if not essential for maintaining healthy immune, mind and body function in animals.

Our feline and canine companions are no exception. The respected mycologist Dr. John Holliday, of Aloha Medicinals Inc. has invested a great amount of time and research focussing on the many forms of cancer in dogs. Holliday and his company have been experimenting with the supplementation of selected fungi species in the diet of canine patients undergoing radiation and/or chemo-therapeutic treatments. 

The selected fungi species included: Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), Agaricus blazei (Almond portobello or Sun Mushroom), Cordyceps sinensis (Caterpillar fungus), Grifola frondosa (Maitake), Lentinus edodes (Shiitake) and Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail).  

It has been observed that this supplementation greatly increases the efficacy of the treatment(s), even more so than any human undergoing similar treatment(s). [ii] 

Maitake

It is clear that these medicinal mushrooms are valuable when paired with treatments for canines and felines diagnosed with cancer. That being said, one must emphasize the importance of  empowering the animals' immune system while the animal is healthy. Since at its root, cancer growth in animals and humans is the result of immune system dysfunction, or suppression. By maintaining a regular routine of ingesting potent imuno-modulating medicinal mushroom supplements,                                                      the immune system is strengthened and efficiently                                                destroys cancerous cells, before they are beyond control.[iii]    
 I'd encourage those with cats and/or dogs in their family to consider adding medicinal mushroom supplements to their diet. Powders and capsules are a very practical and effective way to keep your animal's immune system strong. Suggested doses (relative to body weight) are usually listed on the product packaging. Make sure that the product is Certified Organic and that the ingredients do not contain grains of any kind.

Turkey Tails

Dr. Holliday has suggested that for the first time that the animal tries the mushroom supplement, it is important to hide the powder or capsule within something very favorable to it's taste buds, such as a piece of cheese or  mixed into peanut butter. This is only necessary once, as the animal will likely understand the connection between feeling healthy and smelling the familiar smell of the food that helps them reach that immune strength.

 I must advise that not all species of mushroom are friendly to animals. For example, there have been recorded canine deaths caused by ingestion of toxins from Amanita phalloides, the 'Death Cap', as well as other wild species. Also, not all mushrooms that are known as edible to humans are safe for animals to ingest. 

S. HobDawson

[i] Stamets, 2000. 'Mushrooms as Planetary Healers'
[ii] Holliday, http://www.oneradionetwork2.com/
(...mp3/health/diet/holicay_john_dog_cancer_immune_system_medicinal_mushrooms_april_27.mp3)
[iii]Holliday et al. 2009. ‘Preclinical Evaluation of Concurrent Medicinal Mushroom–Based Immune-Enhancement Supplementation in Dogs Undergoing Chemotherapy for Various Cancers’, International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 11(2):167–184 

Health, Hermits and Hericium erinaceus

Hericium erinaceus. Photograph by Mycologista*

Cascading teeth-like tendrils cover the exterior of the glorious fruiting body of H. erinaceus, The Lion’s Mane. This curious mushroom is usually found on dead, or dying trees around the globe and can grow to be 40cm in width. Collected and cooked for centuries, Lion’s Mane has a distinct flavor that several palates compare to seafood such as fish, crab and lobster. 


         This species is also known as: 'Houtou', 'Pom Pom Blanc', 'Shishigashira', 'Old Man's Beard', 'Monkey's Head' and many other interesting titles. In Japan, H. erinaceus is known as 'Yamabashitake', which translates to: ‘Those who sleep in the Mountains’, referring to the hermit monks from the Shugendo sect of Ascetic Buddhism. The fruiting body is known to resemble the 'Suzukake', a garment known to be worn by these hermit monks.[i]

A closer look into the tendrils.
                       Photograph by Mycologista*

This unique mushroom holds within itself a panoply of compounds that are medicinally significant in treating ailments caused by, or in relation to: bacteria, inflammation, candida, tumor growth, and (most notably) nerve damage and/or degeneration.[ii] Erinacines, a class of cyathane derivative compounds isolated from the mycelium of H. erinaceus, have demonstrated positive results in anti-convulsive properties that can be protective in epilepsy and stroke[iii].  It is an intriguing observation that Erincacines are only found within the mycelium of the fungus, while Hericenones, another class of compounds, are found only in the fruiting body of the organism [iv]

Small fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus.
             Photograph by Mycologista*  

Impressive progress has been made with Erinacines and Hericenones in correlation with the biosynthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein molecule that is essential for the brain to develop and maintain important sensory neurons [iv]. Research has suggested that the use of NGF could be efficacious in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other dementia.[v] NGF has also been suggested to encourage myelin repair for patients afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis. [vi]

In Chinese medicine, it has been used for centuries as a nerve tonic, as well as a remedy for gastro-intestinal distress. Currently, a sports-drink distributed in Asia under the name 'Houtou' (translates as 'Baby Monkey') contains isolated ingredients from this mushroom.  


Personally, I find it very difficult not to fall in love with this species, if not only for its potent medicinal benefits (of which I have only scratched the surface), but also for its arresting beauty. It has an appearance that emanates an almost mammalian glow of warmth, and within the symmetry of all its delicate tendrils, I sense a wise and ancient teacher, with so much to share.






S. HobDawson

                 


 *All photos in this post were photographed, edited and copyrighted by Lisa K. Suits, better known as Mycologista. I encourage everyone to explore her Blog (http://mycologista.blogspot.com/) and her Photo Gallery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mycologista/). 

[i] Halpern, Miller, 2002 ‘Medicinal Mushrooms: Ancient Remedies for Modern Ailments’ 106-111

[ii] Stamets, 2005. ‘Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World’

[iii] Rogers, 2011. ‘Fungal Pharmacy: Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America’

[iv] Bing-Ji Ma, Jin-Wen Shen, Hai-You Yu, Yuan Ruan, Ting-Ting Wu & Xu Zhao (2010): Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus , Mycology: An International Journal on Fungal Biology, 1:2, 92-98

[v] Neal Prakash, Susana Cohen-Cory, Silke Penschuck and Ron D. Frostig J Neurophysiol, January 1, 2004: Basal Forebrain Cholinergic System Is Involved in Rapid Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)-Induced Plasticity in the Barrel Cortex of Adult Rats, 91 (1): 424-437.

[vi] Althaus HH (2004). Remyelination in multiple sclerosis: a new role for neurotrophins?. "NGF and Related Molecules in Health and Disease". Prog. Brain Res.. Progress in Brain Research 146: 415–32