Brain-altering fungi could lead the next frontier in mental health care

• The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where parasitic fungi take control of the human brain, turning people into killer zombies.
• Parasitic or “zombie” fungi that alter the mind and behaviour of their hosts do exist.
• When spores are ingested by insects, they germinate and grow, secreting molecules that travel to the host’s brain and interfere with its function.

Fungi that alter our minds

• In the case of humans, some fungi which produce small molecules, or metabolites, that alter our minds – and recent research shows these have therapeutic potential.
• Humans have known about the hallucinogenic properties of fungi for centuries.
• The Aztecs even gave magic mushrooms to people who were dying to promote a peaceful transition to the afterlife.
• But recently, there’s been an explosion of interest in fungal metabolites, specifically because of their neurological benefits and potential in treating mental health conditions.
• Additional studies demonstrate the positive effect of fungal metabolites in treating a range of conditions – including anxiety, depression and alcohol addiction.

No miracle cure

• That said, psychedelics should not be considered a miracle cure as there is still a lot we don’t know.
• Furthermore, most studies on psychedelics are still preliminary as they use a limited number of participants.
• Furthermore, psychedelics are powerful and unpredictable – and the safety and long-term effects of such treatment is unknown.