An Introduction to Magic Mushrooms

All Mushrooms are fungi, and they spread or travel by the wind by producing spores, which are similar to pollen or seeds.

There are many different types of Mushrooms, some of which are edible, such as button, oyster, porcini and chanterelle. However, there are many mushrooms which are not edible and may cause stomach pains or vomiting if eaten, and in some cases may be fatal, such as the common death cap mushroom.

Mushrooms are being researched for their important health benefits, with a number of varieties demonstrating important medicinal properties.

• 6 Kcal / 23 KJ
• 0.8 grams of Protein
• 0.2 grams of Fat
• 0.2 grams Carbohydrates
• 0.6g grams Fibre
• 302 milligrams of Potassium
• 32 mcg Folate

An 80 gram serving counts as one of your five-a-day – that’s approximately 14 button Mushrooms.

Mushrooms are one of the few non-animal sources of vitamin D. When they are grown and exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as sunlight or a UV lamp, Mushrooms increase their level of vitamin D. You can even do this at home by leaving mushrooms out in direct sunlight for 15-120 minutes. Research indicates that this simple action may result in vitamin D levels as high as 10 micrograms per 100 g fresh weight.

One of the active ingredients in Mushrooms is a type of fibre called alpha-glucan. This compound helps your immune system fight infection and possibly even stop the growth or progression of tumours. Mushrooms are also a good source of B vitamins, as well as a powerful antioxidant called selenium. This helps support the immune system and prevent damage to cells and tissues.

Certain varieties of mushroom are referred to as ‘medicinal,’ because they are believed to have specific healing properties. Lion’s mane and reishi are types of medicinal Mushrooms that are often taken as a supplement or powder, rather than eaten whole. There is preliminary evidence that such medicinal mushrooms may be beneficial in the treatment and management of neurodegenerative diseases, and potentially for Alzheimer’s.

Mushrooms have been shown to possess some therapeutic properties which may help lower cholesterol, particularly in overweight adults. They also provide nutrients and compounds that may help prevent cells from sticking to blood vessel walls and forming plaque build-up. Maintaining healthy blood pressure and circulation helps protect the heart.

Mushrooms contain compounds such as beta glucan, which appear to act as prebiotics and fuel the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. This in turn promotes a favourable gut environment. Which is important because a healthy gut plays an important role in several important physiological processes, including maintaining our immune defences, digesting our food. This healthy state helps your brain through keeping nerves and hormones correctly balanced.

Most people should be able to eat shop-bought Mushrooms safely, as long as they are not allergic to mushrooms or mould.

However, with the growing popularity of wild food foraging comes more risk. With so many varieties of mushroom being unsafe for human consumption, you must be cautious before dashing out to your nearest woodland. It is best to forage with an expert and take photographs of the common edible varieties with you; make sure that the Mushrooms are cooked before you try them, as only a few are safe to eat raw.

Some types of Mushrooms contain a compound called psilocybin. These mushrooms have been used for millennia and are harmless if used properly. Psilocybin mushrooms are classified as a class A drug in the UK, which means it’s illegal to possess them for your own use, give them away, or sell them. This varies from country to country.

Copyright © 2022 Geoffrey David Cowne