Novel Perspective of Medicinal Mushroom Cultivations: A Review Case for ‘Magic’ Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms, including both edible and psilocybin-containing types, are used to prevent and treat ailments and support healthy diets. Their fruiting bodies, mycelia, and cultured broth contain phytochemicals such as triterpenes, lectins, steroids, phenols, polyphenols, lactones, statins, alkaloids, and antibiotics. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been used by indigenous communities for generations for hallucinogenic, medicinal, and mind-manifestation properties. Recent clinical research suggests these psychedelics can treat addiction, depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns, increasing demand for natural products. This review examines therapeutic mushrooms, especially Psilocybe, and biotechnological approaches for cultivation and secondary metabolite production, aiming to guide sustainable production of functional foods and pharmaceuticals and reduce stigma around psychedelic mushrooms.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Fruiting bodies, mycelia, or spores in the form of extracts or powder of various medicinal mushrooms are used to prevent, treat, or cure a range of ailments and balance a healthy diet. Medicinal mushrooms are found in several genera of fungi and their fruit bodies, cultured mycelia, and cultured broth contains phytochemical constituents such as triterpenes, lectins, steroids, phenols, polyphenols, lactones, statins, alkaloids, and antibiotics. Edible mushrooms are considered functional foods that can be used as supplements for complementary and alternative medicines where the markets are growing rapidly. Several species of edible mushrooms possess therapeutic potential and functional characteristics. The psilocybin-containing types, sometimes known as magic mushrooms, have been utilized for generations by indigenous communities due to their hallucinogenic, medicinal, and mind-manifestation properties. Recent clinical research also convinces that these psychedelics have the potential to treat addiction, depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. This has escalated the demand for the natural products derived from the mushrooms of these sources, yet the agronomic aspect and biotechnology approaches to produce the active ingredients are not collectively documented. The objectives of this review article are to examine the general type and variation of therapeutic mushrooms, especially those belonging to the Psilocybe. The biotechnology approach for cultivation and the production of secondary metabolites is also appraised. The ultimate purposes are to provide guidance for farmers and companies to pursue sustainable ways to produce natural products for the development of functional food and pharmaceuticals and to support the alteration of the stigmatic drug concerns around psychedelic mushrooms.