Podcast Summary: The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey

Episode 1327 – Eat THESE Anti-Aging Mushrooms to Live Longer

Guest: Paul Stamets | Release: September 12, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Dave Asprey welcomes legendary mycologist Paul Stamets, joined by industry expert Julian Mitchell, to explore the transformative power of mushrooms for human performance, longevity, environmental health, and the future of food. The conversation weaves through the ancient origins of fungi, their role in human evolution and planetary health, anti-aging mushroom varieties, safe and effective consumption practices, and the frontier science behind mushrooms as medicine, prebiotics, and even tools to save bees.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Future of Food: Mushrooms Ascendant

• Mushrooms as Sustainable Nutrition:
  • "Mushroom-based foods are going to play a huge role in the future of food as they grow quickly, require very little resources... and have an amazing nutritional profile." — Julian Mitchell [01:15]
  • Future diet estimates: 65% soil-based regenerative foods, 15% mushrooms, 15% grass-fed animal proteins, 5% cellular-based foods. [07:18]
• Algae & Cellular Meats:
  • Algae presents adoption and ecological challenges; cellular meat’s benefits depend on ingredient transparency and lack of additives. [07:18]

2. Ancient Fungi: Our Mycelial Origins & Ecological Role

• Fungi’s Evolutionary Primacy:
  • "Fungi were the first organisms to come to land... a billion years ago. These truly are terraformers." — Paul Stamets [03:34]
  • Mycelium networks facilitated plant evolution by unlocking mineral resources (mycorrhizal symbiosis). [03:34]
  • Humans as descendants: "We are actually mycelial beings... Fungi are our ancestors." — Paul Stamets [06:00]
• Mushrooms as Environmental Bridges:
  • Stamets draws a parallel between gut microbiomes and environmental immune systems, emphasizing that mushrooms serve as cellular bridges for both. [01:39]
  • Spirituality and science are converging: "Science and spirituality are now merging into a greater state of awareness." — Paul Stamets [05:23]

3. Safety and Bioactives: Unlocking the Benefits of Mushrooms

• Choosing Safe Mushrooms:
  • Thorough scientific review and testing of mushroom species is crucial for safety: DNA, heavy metals, and microbiological screening. [11:24]
  • Avoid eating raw mushrooms due to potential toxins and digestibility issues. [28:04]
• Prebiotic & Immune Properties:
  • Certain species serve as powerful prebiotics, e.g., turkey tail supports growth of good gut bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium), while stifling harmful microbes. [17:30]
  • About 2–5% of people may not tolerate mushrooms due to microbiome incompatibility. [01:28], [17:46]
• Bioactives & How to Maximize Them:
  • Cook mushrooms (never raw) to break down chitin and improve bioavailability. [28:04]
  • High-heat cooking with fat enables absorption of fat-soluble compounds (triterpenoids, terpenes); water cooking better for beta glucans and polysaccharides. [28:44]

4. Mushrooms for Performance, Immunity, & Longevity

• Ergothioneine & Anti-Aging:
  • Oyster mushrooms are rich in ergothioneine, an antioxidant that protects mitochondrial DNA and combats chronic inflammation—a key anti-aging factor. [19:17]
• Lion’s Mane for Brain Health:
  • Lion’s mane stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF), aiding myelin repair, memory, and focus. Notably increases REM sleep and dream vividness. — Julian Mitchell and Dave Asprey [27:07], [12:43]
• Chaga & Immunity:
  • More mycelium than mushroom, chaga activates B-cells and macrophages, supporting adaptive immunity and offering antioxidant protection. [26:10]
• Turkey Tail for Gut Health:
  • Rich in PSP (polysaccharide peptide), acts as a potent prebiotic. [11:24], [17:30]

5. Medicinal Mushrooms, Tinctures & Scientific Validation

• Mushroom Tinctures: Potency & Making:
  • Double-extracted tinctures (water + ethanol) yield highly bioavailable medicinal compounds such as beta glucans, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and terpenes. [21:28]
  • "In our case, we make a double extract... by doing the tincture process... you're getting all the medicinal compounds.” — Julian Mitchell [21:28]
  • Tinctures are compared to common extracts like coffee or tea ("tea is a tincture."). [22:38]
• Remarkable Antiviral & Bee-Saving Discoveries:
  • Mycelium extracts outperform pharmaceutical antivirals in in vitro studies, including ribavirin and cydofovir. [22:39]
  • Specific mushroom extracts dramatically reduce bee virus loads, supporting pollinator survival—key for global food security. [23:54–26:09]

6. Psychedelic Mushrooms, Microdosing, & Safe Practices

• Psilocybin Safety & Use:
  • “Psilocybin mushrooms... are non-addictive. ...You have a massive dose... the next day you look at those mushrooms, you go, ‘no friggin way am I eating those again.’” — Paul Stamets [14:21]
  • Microdosing is safe, non-addictive, and typically at 1/10 to 1/20 of a full dose. Used for neurogenesis and mental clarity. [15:03]
• Avoid Overuse:
  • Importance of cyclical use—resting the system—to keep the benefits fresh and prevent desensitization. [18:59–19:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Our Fungal Heritage:
  • “We are actually mycelial beings. ...You and I are descended from fungi. ...These mushrooms predate us.” — Paul Stamets [06:00]
• On Science & Spirituality:
  • “Science and spirituality are now merging into a greater state of awareness.” — Paul Stamets [05:23]
• On Bee Crisis & Mushroom Solutions:
  • “[For bees] there seems to be species specificity factors. ...once a beehive has 7% mite infestation, it’s terminal. ...Certain species of these polypore mushrooms are more active against certain viruses. ...We reduce [bee viruses] by 90% or more.” — Paul Stamets [25:16–26:09]
• On the Future of Food:
  • “Soil-based foods, regenerative farming... should take up to 65% of our plate... mushrooms being somewhere around 15%.” — Julian Mitchell [07:18]
• On Lion’s Mane Mushroom Effects:
  • “It will affect your REM and your dreaming, and also increase your ability to just find clarity on a mental space and focus.” — Julian Mitchell [27:07]
• Closing Wisdom:
  • “I feel the keen sense truly of future generations... calling to all of us... that we have an enormous influence on the future. And it is time for us to take up that responsibility.” — Paul Stamets [30:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mushrooms vs. Algae as Future Foods: [01:15], [07:18]
• The Ancient Origins of Fungi: [03:34], [06:00]
• Prebiotic, Immune-Boosting Effects: [11:24], [17:30]
• Ergothioneine and Oyster Mushroom Benefits: [19:17]
• Antiviral & Bee Defense Research: [22:39], [25:16–26:09]
• Lion’s Mane and Brain Health: [27:07]
• Cooking for Bioactive Absorption: [28:04], [28:44]
• Closing Words on Legacy & Stewardship: [30:16]

Practical Takeaways

• Add a variety of cooked mushrooms (oyster, lion’s mane, turkey tail, reishi, chaga) for daily nutrition and anti-aging effects.
• Use properly sourced tinctures for bioactive compounds; avoid raw mushrooms.
• Seek product and research transparency—DNA, toxicity, and origin matter.
• Mushrooms are ecological and personal health multipliers—what’s good for you is usually good for the planet.
• Be mindful of individuality; if mushrooms cause digestive upset, it may be a microbiome mismatch.

For further exploration, check out books by Paul Stamets (“Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms”) and his initiative 'beemushroomed.com'.