Latest news with #Galerina
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Mushroom Testing Could Be Magic
Press Release – University of Auckland Magic mushrooms are typically either grown from spores or foraged, then prepared in various ways to preserve them and enhance their effects. The active ingredient, psilocybin, is relatively benign, but mushrooms contain other pharmacologically active … Scientists are researching how best to identify mushroom species as a basis for a potential drug-checking service. Magic mushrooms are coming under the microscope, as scientists at the University of Auckland forage for evidence to support a drug-checking service with the goal of reducing harm. Doctoral student Sam Lasham will research the science and the acceptability of such a service. 'We'd like to work out the effectiveness of a magic mushroom drug-checking service and the best way to run that, and, in the case of people who are seeking mental health benefits, reduce the risks and offer advice on safe consumption,' Lasham says. Lasham's interest grew out of his studies at the University of Otago in genetics and botany and focused on Aotearoa New Zealand's indigenous mushrooms. 'I was using environmental DNA from soil across our native beech forests in the South Island to estimate where species were and what species were around. 'A lot of that research was focused on DNA sequencing and something called 'DNA barcoding', which is using short genetic sequences to identify species. 'That's what has led into this, because the most important thing, from a safety perspective, is making sure you've got the right species of mushroom, and you haven't got a common lookalike that's poisonous.' At the same time, Lasham became interested in illicit use of psilocybin mushrooms and the need for harm-reduction measures, founding Students for Sensible Drug Policy Aotearoa in Dunedin. There has been increasing interest in the potential benefits of hallucinogenic mushrooms, including studies of microdosing for mental health and creativity at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Magic mushrooms are typically either grown from spores or foraged, then prepared in various ways to preserve them and enhance their effects. The active ingredient, psilocybin, is relatively benign, but mushrooms contain other pharmacologically active compounds. Adverse effects can include nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and headaches. If foraging, the biggest risk is accidentally picking a poisonous look-a-like species. 'Galerina are the best example of this as they are very similar to Psilocybe subaeruginosa but they contain some of the same toxins (amatoxins) as the death cap mushroom,' Lasham says. There are numerous reports of a syndrome termed 'wood-lovers paralysis', which seems to be caused by species of psilocybin mushrooms that grow on wood. Lasham is based in the School of Pharmacy using the lab to identify the constituent parts of various types of mushrooms. He is working in senior lecturer Dr Rhys Ponton's research group, which holds the only drug-checking licence specifically for research purposes in Aotearoa New Zealand. 'People can bring their mushroom samples in and know they are legally protected while we are doing a full, confidential and free check of their drugs,' Lasham says. 'We can test the samples to make sure they're not a poisonous species and also to tell them what dose they have got, which will be another innovation that's not currently being offered in any drug-checking service.' The researchers will interview and survey people across the country to see how mushrooms are being consumed, what mushrooms people are using, how they're using them and what sort of effects they are getting. An advisory group of people with lived experience of mushroom use will guide how the research is set up, implemented and interpreted. The research is supported by funding from the HRC and Ember Innovations. Success in the lab could enable a 'know your mushrooms' service to run in a similar way to current drug-checking services at festivals, events and in the community.
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Mushroom Testing Could Be Magic
Scientists are researching how best to identify mushroom species as a basis for a potential drug-checking service. Magic mushrooms are coming under the microscope, as scientists at the University of Auckland forage for evidence to support a drug-checking service with the goal of reducing harm. Doctoral student Sam Lasham will research the science and the acceptability of such a service. 'We'd like to work out the effectiveness of a magic mushroom drug-checking service and the best way to run that, and, in the case of people who are seeking mental health benefits, reduce the risks and offer advice on safe consumption,' Lasham says. Lasham's interest grew out of his studies at the University of Otago in genetics and botany and focused on Aotearoa New Zealand's indigenous mushrooms. 'I was using environmental DNA from soil across our native beech forests in the South Island to estimate where species were and what species were around. 'A lot of that research was focused on DNA sequencing and something called 'DNA barcoding', which is using short genetic sequences to identify species. 'That's what has led into this, because the most important thing, from a safety perspective, is making sure you've got the right species of mushroom, and you haven't got a common lookalike that's poisonous.' At the same time, Lasham became interested in illicit use of psilocybin mushrooms and the need for harm-reduction measures, founding Students for Sensible Drug Policy Aotearoa in Dunedin. There has been increasing interest in the potential benefits of hallucinogenic mushrooms, including studies of microdosing for mental health and creativity at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Magic mushrooms are typically either grown from spores or foraged, then prepared in various ways to preserve them and enhance their effects. The active ingredient, psilocybin, is relatively benign, but mushrooms contain other pharmacologically active compounds. Adverse effects can include nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and headaches. If foraging, the biggest risk is accidentally picking a poisonous look-a-like species. 'Galerina are the best example of this as they are very similar to Psilocybe subaeruginosa but they contain some of the same toxins (amatoxins) as the death cap mushroom,' Lasham says. There are numerous reports of a syndrome termed 'wood-lovers paralysis', which seems to be caused by species of psilocybin mushrooms that grow on wood. Lasham is based in the School of Pharmacy using the lab to identify the constituent parts of various types of mushrooms. He is working in senior lecturer Dr Rhys Ponton's research group, which holds the only drug-checking licence specifically for research purposes in Aotearoa New Zealand. 'People can bring their mushroom samples in and know they are legally protected while we are doing a full, confidential and free check of their drugs,' Lasham says. 'We can test the samples to make sure they're not a poisonous species and also to tell them what dose they have got, which will be another innovation that's not currently being offered in any drug-checking service.' The researchers will interview and survey people across the country to see how mushrooms are being consumed, what mushrooms people are using, how they're using them and what sort of effects they are getting. An advisory group of people with lived experience of mushroom use will guide how the research is set up, implemented and interpreted. The research is supported by funding from the HRC and Ember Innovations. Success in the lab could enable a 'know your mushrooms' service to run in a similar way to current drug-checking services at festivals, events and in the community.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning as deadly mushrooms take over Aussie gardens: 'Extremely dangerous'
Death cap mushrooms are springing up around Australia following heavy rains, prompting a warning from the Food Safety Information Council. "As soon as the soil gets cool, they pop up around the country. We're warning people not to pick or eat wild mushrooms," the Council's CEO Lydia Buchtmann told Yahoo News on Thursday. It's the second warning issued this year about the dangerous invasive fungus that flourishes in forests, backyards and gardens. While death caps appear similar to edible mushrooms, eating just a quarter of a teaspoon of one can kill a healthy adult. In March, the Council highlighted an increase in foraging for wild foods for two key reasons. With specialty mushrooms costing up to $250 a kilo, some are doing it to avoid paying premium prices for the fungi. Others have been encouraged by online communities dedicated to foraging. Buchtmann warns that identifying what's harmless and what's 'extremely dangerous' is a near-impossible task, and the consequences of mistakenly eating a poison mushroom can result in hospitalisation and even death. 'The poison immediately gets into your liver, then into your kidneys, and then goes around in a circle through your bloodstream, making you feel worse and worse,' she said. 'There is an antidote, but you have to be really quick in getting to hospital. It can help, but most of them only keep a couple of doses because it's quite expensive and doesn't last long. So perhaps if you're the third person who turns up, then you're probably less lucky than the first two.' Death caps have been documented in Canberra, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. They likely hitched a ride to Australia on the roots of oak trees that were planted by early colonists and while they can be seen throughout the year, they flourish when warm weather follows heavy rain. 🏡 Fate of 80-year-old tree to be decided in days after neighbourhood uproar 🔎 US tourist Sam Jones who snatched baby wombat 'accepts accountability' 🦈 Bali diver's face off with great white shark In May last year, a 98-year-old Victorian woman died, and her son became ill, after they ate death cap mushrooms picked from her garden. In April 2022, a child was hospitalised in the ACT after consuming a death cap mushroom, and a decade earlier two people died on New Year's Eve after eating them at a dinner party. Deaths from other types of wild mushrooms in Australia are rare. But Cortinarius (webcap) and Galerina species are poisonous if ingested. Another culprit is the ghost mushroom, which is often mistaken for oyster mushrooms, and the yellow stainer looks very similar to a field mushroom. It's not just foragers the Food Safety Information Council is concerned about. Death caps can also spring up in backyards where they pose a danger to children, who love to put things in their mouths, and they also present a danger to pets. Its advice for anyone who suspects they or a family member has eaten a poisonous mushroom is to seek immediate medical treatment. 'Don't wait for symptoms to occur but go to a hospital emergency department taking the mushroom with you if you can,' it said in a statement. 'You can also contact the Poisons Information Centre from anywhere in Australia on 13 11 26 (24 hours a day 7 days a week).' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning as 'extremely dangerous' growths appear in Aussie gardens: 'You feel worse and worse'
This autumn food safety authorities have issued a warning that a dangerous invasive species of fungus is flourishing in Aussie forests, backyards and gardens. While death caps appear similar to edible mushrooms, eating just a quarter of a teaspoon of one can kill a healthy adult. The Food Safety Information Council has noticed an increase in foraging for wild foods for two reasons. With speciality mushrooms costing up to $250 a kilo, some are doing it to avoid paying premium prices for the fungi. Others have been encouraged by online communities dedicated to foraging. But the group's CEO Lydia Buchtmann has told Yahoo News that identifying what's harmless and what's 'extremely dangerous' is a near-impossible task which even stumps horticultural experts. 'The poison immediately gets into your liver, then into your kidneys, and then goes around in a circle through your bloodstream, making you feel worse and worse,' she said. 'There is an antidote, but you have to be really quick in getting to hospital. It can help, but most of them only keep a couple of doses because it's quite expensive and doesn't last long. So perhaps if you're the third person who turns up, then you're probably less lucky than the first two.' Death caps have been documented in Canberra, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. They likely hitched a ride to Australia on the roots of oak trees that were planted by early colonists and while they can be seen throughout the year, they flourish when warm weather follows heavy rain. 🏡 Fate of 80-year-old tree to be decided in days after neighbourhood uproar 🔎 US tourist Sam Jones who snatched baby wombat 'accepts accountability' 🦈 Bali diver's face off with great white shark In May last year, a 98-year-old Victorian woman died, and her son became ill, after they ate death cap mushrooms picked from her garden. In April 2022, a child was hospitalised in the ACT after consuming a death cap mushroom, and a decade earlier two people died on New Year's Eve after eating them at a dinner party. Deaths from other types of wild mushrooms in Australia are rare. But Cortinarius (webcap) and Galerina species are poisonous if ingested. Another culprit is the ghost mushroom, which is often mistaken for oyster mushrooms, and the yellow stainer looks very similar to a field mushroom. It's not just foragers the Food Safety Information Council is concerned about. Death caps can also spring up in backyards where they pose a danger to children, who love to put things in their mouths, and they also present a danger to pets. Its advice for anyone who suspects they or a family member has eaten a poisonous mushroom is to seek immediate medical treatment. 'Don't wait for symptoms to occur but go to a hospital emergency department taking the mushroom with you if you can,' it said in a statement. 'You can also contact the Poisons Information Centre from anywhere in Australia on 13 11 26 (24 hours a day 7 days a week).' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
