Mushroom Science
Oyster Mushroom Compounds Explained
Oyster mushrooms are nutritious food with several compounds of research interest. This article introduces ergothioneine, beta-glucans, nutrients and sterols, and how they behave in extraction.
The Spore & Bloom Library
Mushroom Science
Beta-glucans, fungal compounds and how to read mushroom research.
Articles in Mushroom Science
Mushroom Science
Chaga Compounds Explained
Chaga’s chemistry reflects its life on birch. This article introduces its melanin, polysaccharides, triterpenes and birch-related compounds, and explains its high oxalate content.
Mushroom Science
Cordyceps Compounds and Chemistry Explained
Cordyceps militaris has a distinctive chemistry. This article introduces its nucleosides, including cordycepin, polysaccharides, sterols and carotenoids, and how they behave in extraction.
Mushroom Science
Cordycepin Explained
Cordycepin is the compound most associated with Cordyceps militaris. This article explains what it is, where it’s found, how it’s extracted and how to read cordycepin...
Mushroom Science
Reishi Research: How to Read the Evidence
Reishi is one of the most studied mushrooms, yet its research is hard to interpret. This article explains the naming problem, the different materials studied, the...
Mushroom Science
Reishi Compounds Explained: Triterpenes, Polysaccharides and More
Reishi’s two headline groups of compounds, triterpenes and polysaccharides, behave very differently. This article introduces both, plus other compounds, and why they matter for extraction.
Mushroom Science
Lion's Mane Compounds Explained: Hericenones, Erinacines and Beta-Glucans
Lion’s Mane contains compounds found in few other organisms. This article introduces hericenones, erinacines, beta-glucans and more, and where each ends up in an extract.
Mushroom Science
How to Judge the Quality of a Mushroom Study
Not all studies are equally reliable. This article gives you a practical seven-point checklist for judging the quality of a mushroom study.
Mushroom Science
In Vitro, Animal and Human Studies: What's the Difference?
A result in cells, in mice and in people are not the same thing. This article explains in vitro, animal and human studies, and systematic reviews,...
Mushroom Science
How to Read Mushroom Research
Headlines about mushroom research often overstate the findings. This guide gives you seven simple questions for reading mushroom research for yourself, from study type to funding.
Mushroom Science
Chitin and the Fungal Cell Wall
Chitin is a tough material at the heart of the fungal cell wall. This article explains what it is, how the cell wall is built and...
Mushroom Science
Triterpenes in Mushrooms Explained
Triterpenes are a major group of compounds in mushrooms such as Reishi and Chaga. This article explains what they are, where they’re found and why they...
Mushroom Science
Cordyceps Research: What Does the Evidence Show?
Cordyceps attracts some of the boldest claims of any mushroom. This article explains where Cordyceps research came from, which species and materials have been studied, looks...
Mushroom Science
Fungal Sterols Explained
Sterols are a small but characteristic part of mushroom chemistry. This article explains ergosterol, its link to vitamin D2 and how sterols behave in extraction.
Mushroom Science
Erinacines Explained
Erinacines are often mentioned in Lion’s Mane marketing. This article explains what they are, why they’re found mainly in the mycelium and what that means for...
Mushroom Science
Hericenones Explained
Hericenones help make Lion’s Mane chemically distinctive. This article explains what they are, where they’re found, how they’re extracted and the state of research.
Mushroom Science
What Is Bioavailability? A Mushroom Extract Context
“Bioavailability” appears often in marketing. This article explains what it means, why it’s complicated for mushrooms and how to read bioavailability claims.
Mushroom Science
Correlation, Mechanism and Causation in Mushroom Research
Research language often blurs correlation, mechanism and causation. This article separates the three, explains markers versus outcomes and applies it to mushroom research.
Mushroom Science
Polysaccharides in Mushrooms Explained
“Polysaccharides” appears on many mushroom labels. This article explains what polysaccharides are, the kinds found in mushrooms, how they differ from starch and what a polysaccharide...
Mushroom Science
Understanding Mushroom Science: A Beginner's Guide
A beginner’s guide to mushroom science: what mushrooms are made of, the main groups of compounds researchers study, the different kinds of evidence and how to...
Mushroom Science
Lion’s Mane Research: What Does the Evidence Actually Show?
Lion’s Mane attracts bold claims. This article takes a careful look at the research: where it came from, the compounds studied, each of the main human...
Mushroom Science
Ergothioneine Explained: A Fungal Amino-Acid Derivative
Ergothioneine is an unusual compound made by fungi, and mushrooms are its richest dietary source. This article covers its history, the discovery of its dedicated transporter,...