From making biofuels to eating up harmful plastics, fungi could help us build a greener planet. Fungi could not just help rid the planet of plastic by degrading it, but by making it obsolete it, too. Research in the Kew report suggests that naturally made materials using fungal mycelia are being used increasingly often instead of more harmful materials such as polystyrene and leather.

"I felt as though I were communing directly with a plant for the first time."

While Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are busy debating whether a malevolent, future AI could dispatch machine-gun toting drones to kill us all, a current-day “revolutionary AI” could get you killed right now. Truffle, previously Mushroom, is an app that claim it can “identify any mushroom instantly with just a pic.” Mushrooms are famously hard to identify, even by trained mycologists (scientists who study fungi), so an automated app seems like a risky venture. You know, because many mushrooms are poisonous, and if you eat the wrong ones your organs will shut down and you will freaking die.

Earlier this month, mushrooms momentarily sprouted into the news when two studies from Johns Hopkins and New York University found that a single magic mushroom trip (a mushroom with the naturally occurring psychedelic ingredient psilocybin) produced immediate, substantial and prolonged improvements in the levels of anxiety, depression and hopelessness for cancer-stricken patients. The studies also noted significant increases in quality of life, life meaning and optimism for participants. Though studies measuring the effects of a positive mental outlook on fighting cancer are largely inconclusive, it was nonetheless a positive development...

Professor Richard Fortey delves into the fascinating and normally hidden kingdom of fungi. From their spectacular birth, through their secretive underground life to their final explosive death, Richard reveals a remarkable world that few of us understand or even realise exists - yet all life on Earth depends on it. In a specially built mushroom lab, with the help of mycologist Dr Patrick Hickey and some state-of-the-art technology, Richard brings to life the secret world of mushrooms as never seen before and reveals the spectacular abilities of fungi to break down waste and sustain new plant life, keeping our planet alive.

Amanita phalloides — the so-called death cap mushroom that poisoned someone in Victoria this week — is the deadliest mushroom in the world, responsible for an estimated 90 per cent of fatal poisonings worldwide.

A hallucinogenic chemical found in magic mushrooms has successfully lifted severe depression in previously untreatable patients. Scientists at Imperial College London induced intense psychedelic trips in 12 people using high doses of the banned substance psilocybin. A week after the experience all the volunteers were depression-free, and three months later five still had no symptoms of the condition.

The notorious death cap mushroom causes poisonings and deaths around the world. If you were to eat these unassuming greenish mushrooms by mistake, you wouldn’t know your liver is in trouble until several hours later. The death cap has been spreading across California. Can scientists find a way to stop it?

Dried porcini mushrooms lend themselves to a variety of savory and sweet dishes, bringing umami and depth of flavor to everything from gravy to deviled eggs to hot chocolate.  

According to a 2001 publication in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, the smell of the fresh fungus can trigger spontaneous orgasms in human females. In the trial involving 16 women, 6 had orgasms while smelling the fruit body, and the other ten, who received smaller doses, experienced physiological changes such as increased heart rate. All of the 20 men tested considered the smell disgusting.

Psychedelia today is coming of an age again. Millions of us from India have hopefully joined a journey into our souls, beyond history and religion – into the beginning. Armed with the knowledge of ancient spirit herbs like mushrooms, Ayahuasca and the modern science of LSD; a dedicated few in the modern era have processed information like Aldous Huxley, Terrence McKenna and our very own plant whisperer, Amit Tida.

From knowing where to find mushrooms to knowing how to clean and store them, mushroom hunters can benefit from these 10 expert tips.

One of the most valuable potential benefits of the classic hallucinogens (psilocybin mushrooms, peyote, San Pedro cactus, Ayahuasca) is what is known as "ego death". The death of the ego is often described as the experience of losing one's sense of identity. Typically occurring at or near the peak of a psychedelic journey, the phenomena of ego death is both feared and revered. Losing the sense of who you think you are can have dramatically powerful effects, both positive and negative.

A look at different growing methods and varieties enabling you to pick your own edible fungus at home.

With their dense texture and rich flavor, roasted portobello mushrooms make a satisfying vegetarian main course. You can also put the roasted caps between toasted slices of rustic country bread for...

Stumbled into this specimen while mushroom picking in the luscious forests of British Columbia.

Psychedelic mushrooms have been around for thousands of years, and have been used for research purposes and in religious ceremonies! How do these magic mushrooms work? Tara takes a look at this history of these mushrooms, and also explains how they expand one's mind.

Psychedelic drugs can do more than make you see the world in kaleidoscope. Research suggests they may have permanent, positive effects on the human brain. In fact, a mind-altering compound found in some 200 species of mushroom is already being explored as a potential treatment for depression and anxiety.

A cherry tomato salsa brings a bright flavor to this quick dish. Round out the meal with a salad of baby lettuce, radishes and red onion. For a special treat, replace the creminis with wild mushroo...

Sure, they technically are grown from fungus, but that's no reason to shy away from a shroom! Mushrooms are crazy versatile — set aside their many nutritional benefits (they're immune-boosting, full of antioxidants and packed with Vitamin D), the real magic is in their flavor. Eat them as a filling topping on salads and pizza.