One of the big takeaways from my inaugural foraging trip last year was just how incredible mushrooms are.
Not only do they possess their own kingdom (neither animal, vegetable nor mineral) which is impressive in itself, but, when the right ones are consumed (and there are plenty of poisonous ones out there to be avoided), they provide many benefits, including mind (neurogenesis creating/repairing neural pathways), body (nutritional boosts via vitamins and anti-oxidants) and soul (altered states of consciousness leading to an improved human experience).
Whilst I’ll come back to the mycelium later, stoned ape theory and psychedelics in future posts, it’s clear that my friends and family have cottoned on to the fact that I’m looking to grow more of my own produce more this year.
As a result, I received not one but two “grow-your-own-mushrooms” kits, one which cultivates oyster mushrooms via old/used coffee grounds, and a second which grows the standard breakfast white mushrooms via mycelium soaked wood chippings.
I decided to start off with the white mushrooms and got quite excited to unbox it and get mushrooming.











I have become patient in terms of waiting to harvest the fruits (and vegetables/herbs) of my cultivation activities (apropos my smart garden) so will do the same for the mushrooms.
Can’t wait to taste them in twenty-three days from now.
As I’ve mentioned in the past, I have suffered from tinnitus for almost three decades now and from time to time, spikes over a period of several weeks can negatively influence my mood, stress and sleep patterns.
I have habituated this well over time (on the basis that I had no other option as there is no cure for tinnitus) but was interested to find that mushrooms may be the answer.

Known as the ‘Mushroom of Immortality’, Lion’s Mane mushroom is one of the most important Chinese herbs and is a symbol of success, power and longevity.
Its benefits allegedly include the stimulation of nerve growth (reparation and new), especially in the brain, and as tinnitus is likely to be the noise generated by misfiring neurons connected to the synapses in the ears, and if damaged neural pathways can be repaired, then in theory the noises in side my head (excluding the voices, that’s a different topic altogether!) can diminished or be silenced.
There is also the notion that vitamin D3 can be stacked with the Lion’s Mane too and I have started taking this too today.
The final part of the stack is the micro-dosing of psilocybin mushrooms, which in small quantities again may also have curative powers, re-wiring the brain and improving perception of the five (and possibly sixth) senses. Clearly the untaxable and criminalised acquisition of such mushrooms is illegal in the UK (and most of the world), so my stack may just contain a double not a treble…
I will be fascinated to follow this mycelium journey. There is little research on micro dosing (as you will no doubt have found out for yourself) and much research on bigger doses of psychedelics on depression and PTSD. Big trips undoubtedly have a dramatic effect and in many respects change one’s thought patterns. Are they a cure? I do not believe so. So perhaps micro dosing deserves more clinical trials. Micro dose too much over a prolonged period and acute anxiety can result. The trick may be to ensure you feel no psychoactive effect whatsoever but then you will question whether you are benefitting from a placebo effect.
Regardless of your approach, I will be fascinated to follow your progress.
A
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Will do!
This is fascinating, was transfixed by Paul Stamets yesterday, binged this in one session.
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Hmmm…. Yes he is a bit of a nutter. But I think there is a kernal of truth in there somewhere.
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