Student uncovers elusive psychotropic mushroom species, which allegedly eluded the notice of the creator of LSD.
Freaking Out the Fungi Frontier: A Student Uncovers a Mysterious Mushroom Making LSD-Like Substances
Get ready for a mind-bending twist in the world of science! Corinne Hazel, an Environmental Microbiology major at West Virginia University, has stumbled upon an elusive fungus that produces chemicals reminiscent of the psychedelic drug LSD. This groundbreaking discovery was made while Hazel was examining Mexican morning glories, a family of flowering plants known to contain ergoline alkaloids similar to LSD.
Hazel's discovery happened during her exploration of specific varieties like "Heavenly Blue," "Pearly Gates," and "Flying Saucers." A recent study published in the journal Mycologia confirmed that the fungus can be found in these species, along with others [1][2].
Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who created LSD in the 1930s from the ergot alkaloids produced by Claviceps purpurea (a fungus common in rye), had long suspected that something similar was present in Mexican morning glories due to their hallucinogenic properties [2][3]. Yet, this fungus had managed to evade detection for decades.
Hazel's breakthrough came while collaborating with plant and soil sciences professor Daniel Panaccione at West Virginia University. The team is now working on cultivation methods to investigate the potential medicinal use of this newfound fungus, such as its possible application in treating conditions like PTSD [2][4].
"I couldn't believe my luck when I found this," Hazel beamed in a statement. "People have been looking for this fungus for years, and there it was – right under my nose!"
Researchers have previously identified two separate fungi producing ergot alkaloids on two other morning glory species, along with molecular evidence for the presence of ergot alkaloid-producing fungi on I. tricolor (the species of Mexican morning glory) [5]. However, the specific identity of the fungus remained a mystery.
With this new study, the enigmatic I. tricolor-associated fungus has finally been identified as part of the family of ergot-generating fungi, similar to Claviceps purpurea [1][2]. Hazel and Panaccione named the species Periglandula clandestina, reflecting the hidden, or clandestine, nature of the fungus.
P. clandestina is highly efficient at producing large amounts of ergot alkaloids [5]. It's believed that the toxic nature of these chemicals protects the plant and forms a symbiotic relationship. However, these chemicals can also be harmful in agriculture and pose a risk to humans and livestock when they contaminate food or grasses [5].
Despite these risks, ergot alkaloids can be useful in medicines for treating conditions like migraines. Given the potential therapeutic applications, this newly discovered fungus may have a role to play in both medicine and agriculture [5].
Remember, this information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to offer medical advice.
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This shocking discovery in the field of science highlights the potential medicinal use of a newfound fungus, identified as Periglandula clandestina, in the treatment of medical-conditions like PTSD. As an intriguing example of education-and-self-development, this discovery was made by a West Virginia University student, Corinne Hazel, during her exploration of health-and-wellness topics, specifically, the interaction between certain fungi and the psychedelic-like substances they produce.
