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Mushrooms MagicThe Emerging Mycelium Revolution

Daniel Pieczarski

Mushrooms, also known as fungi, have been a perennial component of the human diet.Throughout history, mushrooms have been revered and worshipped by numerous civilizationsthroughout the world. For instance, the Chinese have been using mushrooms medicinally for overtwo thousand years (Ehler, 2009: 1); and many tribes in Mesoamerica have utilized thehallucinogenic properties of psilocybin containing mushrooms in shamanic rituals (Mckenna,1995: 6 ). Today, though still somewhat stigmatized, the preconceptions about mushrooms arebeing reassessed. Mushrooms are today considered more than just gourmet food items. The rolemushrooms have played in the past, the tremendous discoveries being made in the present, andthe anticipated functions that mushrooms will perform in the future give them a new andcompelling cultural significance.Wild mushrooms were among the first food items in the omnivorous diet of the

Homoerectus

. Some of the mushrooms consumed contained the psychoactive ingredient psilocybin,which may have been our first encounter with a hallucinogenic “entheogen.” Consumed in lowdoses, psilocybin enhances visual acuity, which provided early hunter-gatherers with considerableadvantages. Psilocybin is also an aphrodisiac, possibly contributing to the proliferation of the

species. In higher doses, it has a profoundly spiritual effect, which may have aroused the desire toexpress abstract ideas through language and symbols. (Mckenna, 1995: 48-39). On the otherhand, many mushrooms are also highly toxic.

Mycetism

, or mushroom poisoning, was no doubtthe cause of countless deaths throughout history. The infamous “death cap” mushroom wasresponsible for the deaths of many prominent historical figures, including Pope Clement VII andRoman Emperor Claudius. (Wasson, 197: 101) Mycetism, along with the illegal status of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, likely formed the bias and cultural stigma that is oftenassociated with fungi. However, “Renaissance Mycologist,” Paul Stamets hopes to dissolve thisinherent “

mycophobia

,” by elucidating our profound relationship to fungi.Many are unaware that humans are intimately related to fungi. Animals have a morecommon ancestry with fungi than with any other kingdom. Fungi and animals have been placedinto a new super-kingdom called, “

Opisthokonta

” (Wright, 2005: 93). We share many overarchingcommonalities with fungi. They inhale oxygen and produce carbon dioxide just as we do andfurthermore, the same pathogens that attack fungi also attack humans. It was recently discoveredthat

mycelium

, the interwoven network of single celled chains which the fruiting body ormushroom emerges from, may be the largest organism on the planet. In Oregon, a mat of mycelium covers twenty thousand cubic acres of forest floor. (Stamets, 2005: 9). These fungalmasses are the grand molecular recyclers of the planet, decomposing organic matter to createever-growing layers of fertile soil. They have the unique ability to break down complex carbon

molecules, which provoked mycologist Paul Stamets to pioneer the fields of “

mycoremediation

,”and “

mycorestoration

,” methods of utilizing the cultivation of mushrooms to decontaminate toxicwaste sites, and improve the earth’s ecology.A few years ago, Stametswas involved in an experiment to determine the best method fordecontaminating oil spills. Four piles of dirt were saturated in diesel. One pile was left alone, onewas treated with bacteria, another with enzymes, and the last pile was treated with

Oyster Mushroom Mycelium

. Six weeks later, the first three piles showed no signs of improvement,however the pile treated with fungi was overgrown with hundreds of pounds of healthy oystermushrooms. Eight weeks later, the level of contamination went from 10 thousand parts permillion to 200 parts per million. Moreover, the pile was carpeted by a variety of plant life.(Stamets, 2005: 91-91). Stamets believes that the industrial potential of fungi has not come closeto being fully realized. He declares that utilizing fungi for the restoration and remediation of ecosystems is now more necessary than ever and that fungi will spawn a whole new branch of environmental industries.In conclusion, the relationship between Fungi and the evolution of human culture runsdeep. Not only are mushrooms a highly nutritious part of the human diet, they are also the worldsmost important organism. They are considered the ecological guardians of earth, and withoutthem, all eco-systems would fail. Clear cutting, oil extraction, urban sprawl and commercial

of 00

sunsal

This is an excellent and well-written essay outlining the relationship between humans and fungi over history. The discussion of some of the newer applications and uses of fungi are fascinating.

reply05 / 25 / 2009

Mushrooms Human Relationship

A brief essay outlining the evolution of our relationship with mushrooms.

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Category:	Uncategorized.
Rating:	(1 Rating)
Upload Date:	04/04/2009
Copyright:	Attribution Non-commercial
Tags:	Biology Evolution anthropology ecology fungi mushrooms Psilocybin mycelium Biology Evolution anthropology ecology fungi mushrooms Psilocybin mycelium (fewer)