Mushroom bioactives—polysaccharides to psilocybin: a viewpoint on the therapeutic use of mushrooms for consumers and patients for health and neuroplasticity
Translational Food Sciences January 1, 2025 Charles S. Brennan, Yanyi Huang, Margaret A. Brennan 3 citations
Mushroom-derived polysaccharides and phenolic compounds have well-established metabolic health benefits. Recently, attention has returned to traditional psychotropic mushroom ingredients, especially psilocybin, for treating trauma and promoting neuroplasticity in alternative therapies. Despite heavy regulation and lack of universal government acceptance, clinicians and psychotherapists are reimagining safe, controlled use of psilocybin-based compounds for health management. This viewpoint article debates whether polysaccharides and psilocybin compounds could—or should—play an alchemical role for consumers and patients in therapeutic use as foods or medicines, what level of regulation would be required, and what safeguards should be implemented.