Mycoactive

23/04/2025

05/08/2024

These little iridescent spheres are neither fungi, plants, nor animals. They are actually distinct organisms called myxomycetes, which is a class of slime moulds. The species in question is Elaeomyxa cerifera, found in Tasmania in damp forests on moss or tree trunks. The reason for their iridescence is unclear, and it is uncertain whether it serves a specific function. However, some researchers suggest that the iridescence strengthens the myxomycete’s membrane and helps them resist fungal attacks.

Photo Credit Sarah Lloyd & John Robbinson

01/08/2024

Beautiful Forest light mushrooms (Mycena silvaelucens) captured in Borneo.

They are among only 100 known species of bioluminescent fungi out of the 155,000 named species of fungi on Earth, making them very rare. What makes this photo particularly special is that this species was still unnamed before the photographer, Tim Flatch, captured it. Two years later, Biologists Dr. Dennis E. Desjardin of San Francisco State University and Dr. Brian A. Perry of California State University East Bay named it Mycena silvaelucens.

Like other bioluminescent fungi, the forest light mushroom emits a constant light however it is only visible to us after sunset. At night, when humidity is relatively high, the fungus releases its spores, some of which settle on the nocturnal insects and other arthropods that have clustered around its glow; they later carry the spores away to colonise new terrain in the forest. As Dr. Desjardin explains, 'Natural selection may favour the metabolically expensive phenomenon of emitting light to attract spore dispersers over passive wind dispersal in closed-canopy forest.'

Image credit: TIM FLATCH

15/07/2024

This Supplements item is sold by Mycoactive. Ships from United Kingdom. Listed on Jul 13, 2024

13/07/2024

This Supplements item is sold by Mycoactive. Ships from United Kingdom. Listed on 13 Jul, 2024

02/07/2024

With functional mushrooms becoming more popular, in particular Lion's Mane, I've noticed something that doesn't sit right with me - not a single company that ive seen selling medicinal mushroom products is informing people on the potential risks, drug interactions and side effects associated with Lion's Mane. In my opinion, if you are selling something which interacts with someone's brain/body, or something which could interact with their medication, then it is your responsibility to provide that person with the information needed to keep them safe. With this in mind, I've taken the time to put together some information that some of you may find useful.

Lion's Mane info -

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interact with Lion's Mane.
Lion's mane mushroom might lower blood sugar levels. Taking it along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interact with Lion's Mane.
Lion's mane might slow blood clotting. Taking it along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interact with Lion's Mane.
Lion's mane mushroom can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking lion's mane mushroom along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS:

Auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pemphigus vulgaris (a skin condition), and others: Lion's mane mushroom might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using lion's mane mushroom.

Bleeding conditions: As mentioned above, Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting. This might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding conditions.

Surgery: Again, Lion's Mane can slow blood clotting and may reduce blood glucose levels. This might cause extra bleeding, and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using lion's mane mushroom at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Side effects are mild and may include stomach discomfort

Mush Love 🍄🍄🍄

13/04/2024

I currently have several different gourmet/medicinal species on agar. If anyone is interested in colonised plates pm me and I can grow them to order! Lead times are usually 2 - 3 weeks maximum.

I have the following available - £15 per plate, free shipping for UK orders

Lions Mane
Golden Oyster
King Oyster
Black Pearl King Oyster
Phoenix Oyster
Blue Oyster
Elm Oyster
Shiitake
Shiitake Night Velvet

I also have the following species in cold storage, but these will have slightly longer lead times as I'd need to grow a stock plate to save me using up my master slant:

Turkey Tail
Reishi
Beefsteak
Black Poplar
Nameko
Wine Cap
Buna Shimeji
Shaggy Inkcap
Milky Mushroom
Tinder Fungus

All of my gourmet/medicinal cultures are tried and tested clones, many of which were taken from wild specimens. I only sell young cultures, not more than one plate away from my own Master culture. All plates are sent in heat sealed bags, purpose designed by SacO2 for transporting live cultures to ensure your plates are extra safe from contamination in transit. Feel free to pm me for further details 🍄🍄🍄

24/11/2023

After a muchly needed break from my work and research, I'm finally back in thd lab and getting the ball rolling with Mycoactive again. I'll post updates when the shop's open again 🍄 🍄 🍄

10/03/2023

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