The author discusses the recent trend of news stories about magic mushrooms and their potential medical use in treating depression, PTSD, and other conditions. They highlight the long history of magic mushroom use in Latin America and the efforts of scientists to understand how they produce their effects in the human brain. The author then delves into the evolutionary history of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, and how fungi have adapted over billions of years to make a living in various ways. The article concludes by exploring the idea that psilocybin may have evolved as a weapon against fungivores or a means of controlling a host’s behavior. The author also mentions a separate study on ancient DNA that links genetic mutations to current-day diseases like multiple sclerosis. Overall, the article provides an informative and unique perspective on magic mushrooms and their potential benefits.
https://buttondown.email/carlzimmer/archive/fridays-elk-january-12-2024/