Turkey tail mushroom, with its colorful banded caps, is a common sight in woods around the world. But despite its psychedelic looks, turkey tail mushroom contains no psychedelic compounds.
So why does it have such vivid, trippy patterns? Let’s unravel the mystery behind this fascinating fungus.
What is Turkey Tail Mushroom?
Turkey tail mushroom, known scientifically as Trametes versicolor, is a common polypore mushroom that grows on dead logs and stumps It gets its name from the brown and tan rings on its caps that vaguely resemble the tail feathers of a turkey
It grows throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and many other parts of the world. Unlike psychedelic mushrooms, turkey tail is not edible due to its tough, leathery texture.
Turkey Tail Identification
Turkey tail is very easy to identify thanks to its unmistakable patterned caps. The concentric rings come in various shades of brown, white, blue, orange, green, red, and purple. The underside contains tiny pores instead of gills.
Some lookalikes like Stereum ostrea (false turkey tail) can be mistaken for turkey tail But lookalikes lack the distinctive pores on the underside
Psychedelic Properties of Turkey Tail
Despite its far-out looks, turkey tail mushroom does not contain psilocybin, psilocin, or other compounds that cause psychedelic effects in humans. Consuming turkey tail mushroom raw or dried has no psychedelic effects whatsoever.
However, turkey tail does contain polysaccharides and other compounds being researched for their medicinal benefits. In Asia, polysaccharide-K (PSK) extracted from turkey tail is used alongside chemotherapy. But human studies are still limited.
Why Does Turkey Tail Look Psychedelic?
Turkey tail’s trippy patterns likely evolved to attract spore-spreading insects. The more eye-catching, the better chance of spore dispersal.
Some experts believe turkey tail’s color spectrum also plays a role in thermoregulation. The rings help the mushroom regulate temperature and moisture absorption as environmental conditions change.
The striking colors may also serve as an aposematic warning, announcing the mushroom’s inedibility to potential predators.
Growing Your Own Legal Turkey Tail
While it won’t provide a psychedelic journey, growing turkey tail at home can be a fun, legal activity. Turkey tail mycelium grows readily on sterilized sawdust, logs, or cardboard. Fruiting usually requires high humidity.
You can find turkey tail liquid cultures, grain spawn, and grow kits from specialty mushroom suppliers. Make sure to purchase from a reputable source that provides the exact mushroom species.
The Takeaway
Don’t judge a mushroom by its colors! Though turkey tail mushroom looks like a psychedelic trip waiting to happen, its beauty comes from evolution, not psilocybin.
But even without mind-altering compounds, the turkey tail mushroom remains a fascinating fungus with many secrets left to uncover. Whether grown at home or spotted in the wild, turkey tail’s curiosity-sparking form will likely continue intriguing mushroom hunters and growers alike for many years to come.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi, also known as the mushroom of immortality, has a long history of use in Korea, China, and Japan. There is evidence it can have immunomodulatory (regulation of immune system) effects. Some countries, like China, will give cancer patients supplements containing Reishi. This functional mushroom has the strongest research behind it.
Randomized Controlled Trials:
- A trial published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2012 found that Reishi supplementation improved the quality of life in people with advanced-stage colorectal cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy.
- A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2008 found that Reishi extract improved immune function in people with type 2 diabetes.
The Six Main Functional Mushroom Types: Opportunities and Ongoing Research
With the exception of a few companies that have been authorized by the FDA to develop psilocybin therapies such as Compass, the majority of sales of psychedelic mushrooms in the United States violate both state and federal law, as psilocybin is a Schedule I substance and state licensure in Colorado and Oregon are still in process (Oregon licensed the first Psilocybin Service Center on May 5, 2023). While waiting for the emergence of state-regulated psilocybin markets or federal legalization, entrepreneurs interested in mycelium have other options to pursue.
One such option is functional mushrooms, which are non-psychoactive mycelium promoted for their energy and general health benefits. The functional mushroom industry focuses on selling non-psychoactive mushrooms as dietary supplements, food, or as an ingredient in conventional foods. Some common functional mushroom species include chaga, reishi, shiitake, lions mane, cordyceps, and turkey tail. This industry is quite large, with one firm estimating the global market for functional mushrooms at $25 billion in 2020.
Although there is a long history of cultural medical use of functional mushrooms, the evidence supporting their use varies between the species, and much of the research is from in vitro or animal studies. However, each major type of functional mushroom has had some randomized controlled trials with positive results. The below list provides an overview of the main types of functional mushrooms and two examples of randomized controlled studies showing the promise of medicinal benefits for each species. While the current state of research is very interesting, each type of mushroom requires further research to fully understand the potential health benefits and to determine optimal dosages and safety profiles.It should also go without saying that nothing herein constitutes medical advice and, even if it were, taking medical advice from a lawyer is very bad idea. Additionally, more research is needed to determine the optimal dosages, formulations, and potential side effects of functional mushroom supplementation in general.
Is Turkey Tail The Holy Grail Of Medicinal Mushrooms? (Ultimate Guide)
FAQ
How does turkey tail make you feel?
Is turkey tail a drug?
What happens if you take too much turkey tail mushroom?
Is turkey tail mushroom the same as Lion’s Mane?
What are the side effects of Turkey Tail mushroom?
Potential side effects of turkey tail mushroom may include interactions with other medications, precautions and warnings for certain health conditions, and the importance of correct dosage. It’s essential to be aware of these potential side effects before incorporating turkey tail mushroom into your wellness routine.
Are turkey tail mushrooms psychedelic?
However, unlike magic mushrooms such as Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe Mexicana, and Panaeolus cyanescens, turkey tail doesn’t contain any of the most well-known compounds that produce psychedelic effects . Where do Turkey Tail Mushrooms Grow? Turkey tail is a cosmopolitan mushroom species; it’s found almost all over the world.
Is turkey tail a mushroom?
Turkey tail ( Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) is a medicinal mushroom used for hundreds of years to treat various health conditions. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, turkey tail is packed with antioxidants and other health-boosting compounds.
Are turkey tail mushrooms edible?
Though turkey tail is not considered poisonous, its tough leathery texture is similar to bad beef jerky, so is generally not considered edible. Despite its inedibility, the compounds found in turkey tail are being researched for other medical uses, compounds like beta-glucans and polysaccharide K.