Ep. 20: The Future Of Fungi: Medicinal Mushrooms & Mycelium Biotechnology | Julian Mitchell

In this episode we discuss:

• Julian’s journey from physiotherapist to oyster mushroom farmer

• The process of setting up urban mushroom farms using coffee waste

• Key medicinal mushrooms [AKA functional mushrooms] including chaga, turkey tail, lions mane and reishi

• How medicinal mushrooms can be used to support the immune system

• The research showing psilocybin [“magic mushrooms”] may help reduce depression and anxiety in terminally-ill cancer patients

• Mushrooms as a planet-friendly meat replacement

• The importance of soil health and regenerative agriculture

• Mycelium biotechnology and the circular economy business model

• The ethos behind Life Cykel and advice for would-be business owners

• And so much more…

Please note: Where possible I advocate for a whole-foods diet rather than using supplements. Mushrooms are among the few natural sources of dietary vitamin D - essential for bone health, blood pressure regulation and nerve function. Culinary mushrooms like shiitake are nutritionally rich and may support the immune system but mushrooms alone are not a cure-all. Instead, they should be included as a vital part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. With regards to COVID, several fungi experts, including Paul Stamets, suggest that you might want to stop using medicinal mushrooms if you get a fever and show symptoms of COVID-19. Some mushrooms may increase the production of inflammatory compounds in the lungs. These compounds are called cytokines, and the body may release them as a natural response to some polysaccharides found in fungi. Please consult a medical professional to discuss this fully if you become unwell. One last thing, please avoid eating foraged mushrooms unless they can be properly identified - some mushrooms are poisonous.

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