Editing Mushroom (section)

==Human use==
{{further|Ethnomycology}}

===Edible mushrooms===
{{main|Edible mushroom|Mushroom hunting|Fungiculture}}
[[File:ChampignonMushroom.jpg|thumb|left|''[[Agaricus bisporus]]'', one of the most widely cultivated and consumed mushrooms]]
[[File:Pleurotus eryngii - Doğal Ortamında Çaşır Mantarı.jpg|thumb|left| ''[[Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae|Ferula]] mushroom'' in [[Bingöl]], [[Turkey]]. This is an edible type of mushroom.]]

Mushrooms are used extensively in [[cooking]], in many [[cuisine]]s (notably [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese]], [[Korean cuisine|Korean]], [[European cuisine|European]], and [[Japanese food|Japanese]]). Humans have valued them as food since antiquity.<ref>{{cite journal |title = Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life |year = 2015 |pmc = 4320875 |last1 = Valverde |first1 = M. E. |last2 = Hernández-Pérez |first2 = T. |last3 = Paredes-López |first3 = O. |journal = International Journal of Microbiology |volume = 2015 |page = 376387 |doi = 10.1155/2015/376387 |pmid = 25685150 |doi-access = free }}</ref>

Most mushrooms sold in [[supermarket]]s have been commercially grown on [[mushroom farm]]s. The most common of these, ''[[Agaricus bisporus]]'', is considered safe for most people to eat because it is grown in controlled, sterilized environments. Several varieties of ''A.&nbsp;bisporus'' are grown commercially, including whites, crimini, and portobello. Other cultivated species available at many grocers include ''[[Hericium erinaceus]]'', [[shiitake]], [[maitake]] (hen-of-the-woods), ''[[Pleurotus]]'', and [[enoki]]. In recent years, increasing affluence in developing countries has led to a considerable growth in interest in mushroom cultivation, which is now seen as a potentially important economic activity for small farmers.<ref name="FAO" />

[[China]] is a major edible mushroom producer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.isms.biz/articles/production-of-cultivated-edible-mushroom-in-china-with-emphasis-on-lentinula-edodes/|title=Production of Cultivated Edible Mushroom in China With Emphasis on Lentinula edodes - isms.biz|newspaper=isms.biz|language=en-US|access-date=25 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202040408/http://www.isms.biz/articles/production-of-cultivated-edible-mushroom-in-china-with-emphasis-on-lentinula-edodes/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The country produces about half of all cultivated mushrooms, and around {{convert|2.7|kg|lb}} of mushrooms are consumed per person per year by 1.4&nbsp;billion people.<ref>[[#Hall|Hall]] ''et al''., p. 25.</ref> In 2014, [[Poland]] was the world's largest mushroom exporter, reporting an estimated {{convert|194000|tonne|ton}} annually.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137929/Poland-The-worlds-largest-mushroom-exporter | title=Poland: The world's largest mushroom exporter | publisher=Fresh Plaza | date=8 April 2015 | access-date=23 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924110152/http://www.freshplaza.com/article/137929/Poland-The-worlds-largest-mushroom-exporter | archive-date=24 September 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Separating edible from poisonous species requires meticulous attention to detail; there is no single trait by which all toxic mushrooms can be identified, nor one by which all edible mushrooms can be identified. People who collect mushrooms for consumption are known as mycophagists,<ref name="Metzler1992"/> and the act of collecting them for such is known as [[mushroom hunting]], or simply "mushrooming". Even edible mushrooms may produce [[allergic]] reactions in susceptible individuals, from a mild [[asthma]]tic response to severe [[anaphylactic]] shock.<ref>[[#Hall|Hall]] ''et al''., pp. 22–24.</ref><ref>[[#Ammirati|Ammirati]] ''et al''., pp. 81–83.</ref> Even the cultivated ''A.&nbsp;bisporus'' contains small amounts of [[hydrazine]]s, the most abundant of which is [[agaritine]] (a [[mycotoxin]] and [[carcinogen]]).<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=19680875 |year=2009 |last1=Schulzova |first1=V |title=Agaritine content of 53 Agaricus species collected from nature |journal=Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=82–93 |last2=Hajslova |first2=J |last3=Peroutka |first3=R |last4=Hlavasek |first4=J |last5=Gry |first5=J |last6=Andersson |first6=H.C. |s2cid=427230 |doi=10.1080/02652030802039903 |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00577390/file/PEER_stage2_10.1080%252F02652030802039903.pdf |access-date=29 June 2019 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427040905/https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00577390/file/PEER_stage2_10.1080%2F02652030802039903.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the hydrazines are destroyed by moderate heat when cooking.<ref name="Sieger1998"/>

A number of species of mushrooms are [[Poisonous mushroom|poisonous]]; although some resemble certain edible species, consuming them could be fatal. Eating mushrooms gathered in the wild is risky and should only be undertaken by individuals knowledgeable in mushroom identification. Common best practice is for wild mushroom pickers to focus on collecting a small number of visually distinctive, edible mushroom species that cannot be easily confused with poisonous varieties. Common mushroom hunting advice is that if a mushroom cannot be positively identified, it should be considered poisonous and not eaten.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Preventing Poisonings - Bay Area Mycological Society|url=https://www.bayareamushrooms.org/poisonings/preventing_poisonings.html|access-date=11 May 2021|website=bayareamushrooms.org|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511050052/https://www.bayareamushrooms.org/poisonings/preventing_poisonings.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Toxic mushrooms===
{{main|Mushroom poisoning}}
[[File:Amanita phalloides young.jpg|thumb|Young ''[[Amanita phalloides]]'' "death cap" mushrooms, with a matchbox for size comparison]]

Many mushroom species produce [[secondary metabolite]]s that can be toxic, mind-altering, antibiotic, antiviral, or [[bioluminescent]]. Although there are only a small number of [[List of deadly fungi|deadly species]], several others can cause particularly severe and unpleasant symptoms. Toxicity likely plays a role in protecting the function of the basidiocarp: the mycelium has expended considerable energy and protoplasmic material to develop a structure to efficiently distribute its spores. One defense against consumption and premature destruction is the evolution of chemicals that render the mushroom inedible, either causing the consumer to vomit the meal (see [[emetic]]s), or to learn to avoid consumption altogether. In addition, due to the propensity of mushrooms to absorb [[Heavy metal (chemistry)|heavy metals]], including those that are radioactive, as late as 2008, European mushrooms may have included toxicity from the 1986 [[Chernobyl disaster]] and continued to be studied.<ref name="FreshPlaza" /><ref name="Turhan2007" />

===Psychoactive mushrooms===
{{Main|Hallucinogenic mushroom}}
[[File:Psilocybe.zapotecorum.1.jpg|thumb|''[[Psilocybe zapotecorum]]'', a hallucinogenic mushroom]]

Mushrooms with psychoactive properties have long played a role in various native medicine traditions in cultures all around the world. They have been used as sacrament in rituals aimed at mental and physical healing, and to facilitate visionary states. One such ritual is the ''[[Velada (Mazatec ritual)|velada]]'' ceremony. A practitioner of traditional mushroom use is the ''[[shaman]]'' or ''[[curandera]]'' (priest-healer).<ref name="Hudler2000" />

[[Psilocybin mushroom]]s, also referred to as psychedelic mushrooms, possess [[Psychedelic drug|psychedelic properties]]. Commonly known as "magic mushrooms" or {{"'}}shrooms", they are openly available in [[smart shop]]s in many parts of the world, or on the [[black market]] in those countries which have outlawed their sale. Psilocybin mushrooms have been reported to facilitate profound and life-changing insights often described as [[mystical experiences]]. Recent scientific work has supported these claims, as well as the long-lasting effects of such induced spiritual experiences.<ref name="Griffiths2008" />

[[File:Pschoactive Psilocybe distribution.svg|thumb|There are over 100 psychoactive mushroom species of genus ''Psilocybe'' native to regions all around the world.<ref name="Guzmán 1998">{{cite journal |vauthors=Guzmán G, Allen JW, Gartz J |title=A worldwide geographical distribution of the neurotropic fungi, an analysis and discussion |journal=Annali del Museo Civico di Rovereto |year=1998 |volume=14 |page=207 |url=http://www.magic-mushrooms.net/World_Wide_Distribution_of_Magic_Mushrooms.pdf |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-date=26 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626050845/http://www.magic-mushrooms.net/World_Wide_Distribution_of_Magic_Mushrooms.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>]]

[[Psilocybin]], a naturally occurring chemical in certain [[psychedelic mushrooms]] such as ''[[Psilocybe cubensis]]'', is being studied for its ability to help people suffering from psychological disorders, such as [[obsessive–compulsive disorder]]. Minute amounts have been reported to stop [[Cluster headache|cluster]] and [[migraine headache]]s.<ref name="Sewell2006" /> A double-blind study, done by  [[Johns Hopkins Hospital]], showed psychedelic mushrooms could provide people an experience with substantial personal meaning and spiritual significance. In the study, one third of the subjects reported ingestion of psychedelic mushrooms was the single most spiritually significant event of their lives. Over two-thirds reported it among their five most meaningful and spiritually significant events. On the other hand, one-third of the subjects reported extreme [[Anxiety (mood)|anxiety]]. However the anxiety went away after a short period of time.<ref name="pmid = 16826400" /> Psilocybin mushrooms have also shown to be successful in treating addiction, specifically with alcohol and cigarettes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maps.org/conference/clinicalsunday|title=Clinical Sunday|work=maps.org|access-date=20 March 2014|archive-date=5 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405103829/http://www.maps.org/conference/clinicalsunday/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A few species in the genus ''[[Amanita]]'', most recognizably ''[[A. muscaria]]'', but also ''[[A. pantherina]]'', among others, contain the psychoactive compound [[muscimol]].<ref>{{cite journal | pmc=7977045 | date=2021 | last1=Rampolli | first1=F. I. | last2=Kamler | first2=P. | last3=Carnevale Carlino | first3=C. | last4=Bedussi | first4=F. | title=The Deceptive Mushroom: Accidental Amanita muscaria Poisoning | journal=European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine | volume=8 | issue=2 | page=002212 | pmid=33768066 }}</ref> The muscimol-containing chemotaxonomic group of ''Amanitas'' contains no [[amatoxin]]s or [[phallotoxin]]s, and as such are not [[hepatoxic]], though if not properly [[Curing (vegetable preservation)|cured]] will be non-lethally [[neurotoxic]] due to the presence of [[ibotenic acid]]. The ''Amanita'' intoxication is similar to [[Z-drug]]s in that it includes [[Central nervous system|CNS]] [[depressant]] and [[sedative]]-[[hypnotic]] effects, but also [[Dissociative|dissociation]] and [[Deliriant|delirium]] in high doses.

A third type of hallucinogenic mushroom is [[hallucinogenic bolete mushroom]]s such as ''[[Lanmaoa asiatica]]'', which are said to cause people to experience [[Lilliputian hallucination]]s.<ref name="Guzmán2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Guzmán G | title = New Studies on Hallucinogenic Mushrooms: History, Diversity, and Applications in Psychiatry | journal = Int J Med Mushrooms | volume = 17 | issue = 11 | pages = 1019–1029 | date = 2015 | pmid = 26853956 | doi = 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.v17.i11.10 | url = }}</ref><ref name="YuGuerin-LaguetteWang2020">{{cite book | last=Yu | first=Fuqiang | last2=Guerin-Laguette | first2=Alexis | last3=Wang | first3=Yun | title=Mushrooms, Humans and Nature in a Changing World | chapter=Edible Mushrooms and Their Cultural Importance in Yunnan, China | publisher=Springer International Publishing | publication-place=Cham | date=2020 | isbn=978-3-030-37377-1 | doi=10.1007/978-3-030-37378-8_6 | page=163–204 | quote=Some boletes known as “jian-shou-qing” (turning blue when bruised or cut) are considered hallucinogenic, causing visions that Yunnan’s people call “xiao-ren-ren” (little men or little people, similar to the “Lilliputian hallucinations” found in the Kuma people from New Guinea) (Arora 2008). Among these boletes are Butyriboletus roseoflavus, Lanmaoa asiatica, and Sutorius magnificus, all commonly collected in Yunnan and even more popular than porcini (Fig.  6.10) (Wang et al. 2004). Though some of these species can cause gastrointestinal distress, the local people continue to consume them (Arora 2008).}}</ref><ref name="Arora2008">{{cite journal | last=Arora | first=David | title=Notes on Economic Mushrooms. Xiao Ren Ren: The “Little People” of Yunnan | journal=Economic Botany | publisher=New York Botanical Garden Press | volume=62 | issue=3 | year=2008 | issn=00130001 | jstor=40390492 | pages=540–544 | url=https://i.warosu.org/data/sci/img/0147/14/1659226200674553.pdf | access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref><ref name="PlazasFaraone2023">{{cite journal | vauthors = Plazas E, Faraone N | title = Indole Alkaloids from Psychoactive Mushrooms: Chemical and Pharmacological Potential as Psychotherapeutic Agents | journal = Biomedicines | volume = 11 | issue = 2 | date = February 2023 | page = 461 | pmid = 36830997 | pmc = 9953455 | doi = 10.3390/biomedicines11020461 | doi-access = free | url = }}</ref><ref name="DomnauerDentinger2022">{{cite conference | vauthors = Domnauer C, Dentinger B | title = Reports of Psychoactive Bolete Mushrooms | conference = ESPD55 (Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs 55) | date = 24 May 2022 | publisher = McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy | url = https://mckenna.academy/mka-speakers/colin-domnauer-reports-psychoactive-boletes/}}</ref> These mushrooms have unknown constituents and an unknown [[mechanism of action]], but appear to be distinct in their properties and effects from other hallucinogenic mushrooms and are currently being researched.<ref name="PlazasFaraone2023" /><ref name="DomnauerDentinger2022" /><ref name="Heil2023">{{cite news | last=Heil | first=Emily | title=Yes, Janet Yellen ate magic mushrooms. Here's why she didn't get high. | newspaper=Washington Post | date=16 August 2023 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/08/16/janet-yellen-magic-mushrooms-china/ | archive-url = https://archive.today/20250224071259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/08/16/janet-yellen-magic-mushrooms-china/ | archive-date = 24 February 2025 | access-date=24 February 2025 | quote=That’s the way locals in the Yunnan province, where they are wild-foraged, typically see these mushrooms, says Colin Domnauer, a PhD candidate at the University of Utah, who has been studying them. [...] Domnauer recently visited Yunnan to collect samples, [...] So what could explain those Lilliputian apparitions? Maybe something entirely novel, Domnauer says, possibly a compound that could have exciting uses in medicine or other applications. [...]}}</ref><ref name="DomnauerDentinger2023">{{cite conference | vauthors = Domnauer C, Dentinger B | title = OS52-003 Searching for Psychoactive Bolete Mushrooms | conference = 91st Annual Meeting of the Mycological Society of America | date = July 2023 | publisher = Mycological Society of America | url = https://msafungi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MSA-2023-Abstract-Book-1.pdf#page=31 | quote = [...] Despite the numerous anecdotal reports, the identity and nature of such psychoactive boletes remain unknown. Here, we present a preliminary phylogenetic study resolving taxonomic relationships to the suspected psychoactive bolete from Yunnan in the recently erected genus Lanmaoa. [...] early genomic analysis has revealed the notable absence of biosynthetic gene clusters known to be involved in the production of the psychoactive fungal metabolites psilocybin and ibotenic acid, possibly indicating a novel category of hallucinogenic mushrooms is involved.}}</ref>

===Folk medicine===
{{main|Medicinal mushrooms}}
[[File:2014-02-26 Ganoderma lingzhi Sheng H. Wu, Y. Cao & Y.C. Dai 574882.jpg|thumb|''[[Ganoderma lingzhi]]'']]

Some mushrooms are used in [[folk medicine]].<ref name="pdq">{{cite web |title=Medicinal mushrooms |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424937/ |publisher=PDQ Cancer Information |access-date=2 July 2021 |date=17 June 2021 |pmid=28267306 |last1=Pdq Integrative |first1=Alternative |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226152825/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424937/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a few countries, [[extract]]s, such as [[polysaccharide-K]], [[schizophyllan]], [[polysaccharide peptide]], or [[lentinan]], are government-registered [[adjuvant cancer therapies]],<ref name="cancer.org" /><ref name="Borchers" /><ref name=pdq/> but clinical evidence for efficacy and safety of these extracts in humans has not been confirmed.<ref name=pdq/><ref name="CancerResUK">{{cite web|url=http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/mushrooms-in-cancer-treatment?_ga=2.202576657.1691015314.1510713893-658116733.1510713893|title=Mushrooms in cancer treatment|publisher=Cancer Research UK|date=30 January 2015|access-date=15 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083457/http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/mushrooms-in-cancer-treatment?_ga=2.202576657.1691015314.1510713893-658116733.1510713893|url-status=live}}</ref> Although some mushroom species or their extracts may be consumed for therapeutic effects, some regulatory agencies, such as the US [[Food and Drug Administration]], regard such use as a [[dietary supplement]], which does not have government approval or common clinical use as a [[prescription drug]].<ref name=pdq/>

===Other uses===
[[File:Fomes fomentarius.jpg|thumb|A tinder fungus, ''[[Fomes fomentarius]]'']]

Mushrooms can be used for [[dyeing]] wool and other natural fibers. The [[chromophore]]s of [[mushroom dye]]s are organic compounds and produce strong and vivid colors, and all colors of the spectrum can be achieved with mushroom dyes. Before the invention of synthetic [[dye]]s, mushrooms were the source of many textile dyes.<ref name="BechtoldMussak2009">{{citation|author=Riika Raisanen|editor=Thomas Bechtold and Rita Mussak|title=Handbook of Natural Colorants|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hBFxuH5uXyIC&pg=PA183|year=2009|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-74496-3|pages=183–200|chapter=Dyes from lichens and mushrooms}}</ref>

Some fungi, types of [[polypore]]s loosely called mushrooms, have been used as fire starters (known as [[tinder fungi]]).

Mushrooms and other fungi play a role in the development of new biological remediation techniques (e.g., using [[mycorrhiza]]e to spur plant growth) and filtration technologies (e.g. using fungi to lower bacterial levels in contaminated water).<ref name="Kulshreshtha 2014" />

There is an ongoing research in the field of genetic engineering aimed towards creation of the enhanced qualities of mushrooms for such domains as nutritional value enhancement, as well as medical use.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Waltz |first=Emily |date=1 April 2016 |title=Gene-edited CRISPR mushroom escapes US regulation |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=532 |issue=7599 |pages=293 |doi=10.1038/nature.2016.19754 |pmid=27111611 |bibcode=2016Natur.532..293W |s2cid=4447141 |issn=1476-4687 |doi-access=free }}</ref>