“The difference between medicine and poison is dose” Paul Stamets on the Omphalotus Illudens or much commonly known as the Jack ‘o Lantern mushroom.
Stamets talked about the infamous poisonous mushroom and talks about its medicinal properties. The mushroom, according to Stamets, provides compounds that can be used to arrest tumor growth by preventing DNA replication and protein binding which makes tumors grow.
Though the mushroom has a wide array of medical uses, you shouldn’t be so quick as to cook and eat it. It highly resembles chanterelles that grow wildly and provide food for scavengers so you should be really cautious when foraging. Consumption of the poisonous mushroom could cause vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea.
The mushroom, while very promising, still imposes toxicity on a human body unless chemically modified. The main component of the mushroom, Illudin S, which helps with fighting tumors, is still highly poisonous that it can’t be used directly. That said, the Illudin S is what’s responsible for halting tumor growth by “damaging” DNA in such a way that the damage blocks further advancements.
MGI Pharma, who is now under Eisai Inc., has conducted clinical trials to try to make the Illudin S component into a viable treatment for cancer. The group has created an experimental drug Irofluven as part of their research. Irofluven, as of now, is still not open to the public due to risks that may arise due to consumption.
The Omphalotus Illudens provides a better insight on the correlation between poison and medicine. Poisonous mushrooms have been avoided almost everywhere since people fear its effects. It is highly relieving that these mushrooms are presenting to be of good use nowadays with medicinal advancements “It is very good example (of medicine from poison)” as per Stamets, “and it glows in the dark” he added.
Feature Image Via https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/2007-08-05_Omphalotus_illudens_(Schwein.)_Bresinsky_%26_Besl_1018098506.jpg
I cannot wait to see what mushrooms can offer in the future of medicine. I hope that this magical plant would not be abused and misused. Everything,
if used properly and moderately proves to be beneficial.
Mushroom is good for physical and mental health. It can be used as medicine. Sometimes it works like a magical thing. Your article is so useful. Thanks for sharing.
We can use mushroom in a various way. We can take it as a recipe, we can take it as medicine and also some other ways. I’m a mushroom lover, I love this article. Thanks for sharing.
There are pros and cons of everything. Everything that is used moderately is beneficial. I cannot wait for more discoveries so many people can benefit from this future medicine. Thanks for sharing!
The mushroom is the fruit of the mycelium network. What is the benefit to the mycelium to the mushroom being eaten (if any) or if poisonous, to not being eaten?
If not being eaten is so beneficial, why aren’t all fruit bodies (mushrooms) poisonous?
I ate a a mushroom that happened to be poisonous just recently. I felt weak, vomited, I had diarrhea, I felt cold. I slept through it, and when I did the strangest dreams came to me. I still have them. For some reason I think my body systems got flushed out including my nervous system and psychi.