By Jan Boal, RN
So what’s all the buzz about mushrooms!? Well, they really are pretty amazing. From radioactive clean up, regenerating of brain neuroplasticity, to therapy for long term trauma, depression and those facing death. These magic mushrooms have infinite healing properties for humans and the planet. And let’s not forget, they taste great too! These fungi can change our world and are capable of surviving long after any apocalyptic event.
The mushroom industry is booming. I remember when there was only one kind of mushroom to buy at the store. Now there is a large variety to choose from with their own unique taste. We even have a delicacy here in our own back yard, the Oregon Truffle! Practically worth it’s weight in gold.
Here a few favorites that can be found at your local store or can be ordered online; Crimini, Chanterells, Bella, Portabella, Shitake, Lobster, King Bolette to name a few. There are even home kits available and small logs for outdoors that have been injected with specific mushroom spores. Mushrooms have great nutritional value for us as well that I will explain as we go.
Environmentally, fungi are just as important to the forest as water and sunshine. Fungi keep the forest growing and be healthy via their enzymes being able to breakdown fallen trees, plants and dead animals into compost, soil. This material is converted into energy for sustaining all life in the forest. Many creatures in the woods, such as, deer, bears, rabbits, squirrels and insects all love to much on the delicious food source of mushrooms. Trees and fungi have a relationship. Many fungi grow from tree roots, having an underground food source for the trees by obtaining nutrients and moisture from the mushrooms. The fungi get access to sugars from the trees which in turn give them food to thrive. Trees also tend to be bigger, stronger and more resistant to disease that have this network collaboration. Some mushroom species have adapted to break down extremely potent substances such as crude oil, plastics and TNT! A fungi found in mining waste is actually radiation resistant and could clean up nuclear waste sites!
Wow! Now that’s some magic!
The latest news on mushrooms are how important they are for the brain and body. Here are a few of the newest stars in the fungi world.
Lion’s Mane has ingredients, polysaccharides, steroids and alkaloids to name a few, that help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and inflammation. They help promote the growth and regeneration of nerve cells. This fungi also helps protect against dementia and boosts cognitive function by release of a nerve growth factor, a protein that can increase the length of nerve cell process and reduce amyloid plaques which are related to Alzheimer’s. This magic mushroom is good for all five internal organs, the heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys. Reishi boosts our immune system, providing an increase in energy, decreases cholesterol, blood sugars and blood pressure. It contains 400 different nutrients! Cordyceps improves immunity as well by stimulating cells and specific chemicals in the immune system. They are also being looked at for shrinking cancer tumors in the lungs and skin.
Chaga is high in antioxidants and plant compounds that can benefit health by reducing oxidative stress, lower “bad” cholesterol and support immune function as well.
The “magic mushroom” that’s been in the news is Psilocybin therapy, that use specific types of mushrooms which contain the chemical psilocybin. In larger doses this produces hallucinative effects, mind altering thoughts and visions. Many who have experienced this, report it is a feeling of being more hypersensitive to colors, brighter, improved mood, a non reality experience, even spiritual. But, in smaller doses it has notable efficacy with those having conditions of treatment resistant depression, severe anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD and for those facing terminal diagnosis from a disease. Psilocybin creates greater connections between different regions of the brain. For those with severe depression this means their ruminating and excessive negative self focus beliefs and thoughts are no longer stuck in this same rut of this neuropathway. It is like having new roads opened up and they can now have free access to other healthier thoughts. With therapy-assisted psilocybin, the patient is in a comfortable safe room with a bed with the therapist and often another trained facilitator. For those trying to work through trauma or facing terminal illness, this one time session, rarely twice, therapy has amazing long lasting results. Psilocybin allows for regions of the brain to open up more and results with us getting out of our own way so to speak. Instead of blocking the trauma one is able to work through it less fearful, like observing it instead of fearing it. This is not a therapy to use just so one can “get high.” Far from it. Much like pain medicine, it is helpful to relieve pain and to allow one to be able to function in physical therapy. There are many therapeutic modalities that can do the same as in Shamanic journey work, hypnotherapy, breath work which all allows the patient to step out of their own way. Some more serious trauma requires more intense therapy than others.
Positive Vibes Holistic Care
janboalrn@gmail.com
janboal.com
