Amanita muscaria extract potentiates production of proinflammatory cytokines by dsRNA-activated human microglia 2023, Wagner et al

Recent interest in mushrooms and their components as potential therapies for mental health, along with recent government and health authority approvals, has necessitated a more comprehensive understanding of their effects on the cellular microenvironment of the brain. Amanita muscaria has been ingested as a treatment for a variety of ailments for centuries, most notably those affecting the central nervous system and conditions associated with neuroinflammation. However, the effects of these extracts on neuroinflammatory cells, such as microglia, are unknown.

The effect of commercially-sourced A. muscaria extract (AME-1) on human microglial cell line (HMC3) expression of surface receptors such as CD86, CXCR4, CD45, CD125 and TLR4 was determined by flow cytometry. AME-1 upregulated expression of all of these receptors. The effect of AME-1 on HMC3 production of IL-8 and IL-6 was determined and compared to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], substance P and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), all known activators of HMC-3 and primary microglia. HMC3 produced both IL-8 and IL-6 when activated with LPS, TNF and poly(I:C) but not when they were activated with substance P.

Although AME-1 at higher concentrations increased IL-8 production of HMC3 on its own, AME-1 notably potentiated HMC3 production of IL-8 in response to poly(I:C). AME-1 altered expression of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) mRNA but not surface protein by HMC3. AME-1 also did not significantly alter expression of retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) or melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), both cytosolic sensors of dsRNA. Metabolomics analysis showed that AME-1 contained several metabolites, including the autophagy inducer, trehalose. Like AME-1, trehalose also potentiated HMC3 poly(I:C) mediated production of IL-8.

This study suggests that A. muscaria extracts can modify HMC3 inflammatory responses, possibly due to their trehalose content.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1102465/full

 

Discussion of Tamura et al: https://www.s4me.info/threads/anima...al-treatment-methods-2022-tamura-et-al.28604/

Amanita muscaria




or Fly Agaric is a beautiful but toxic fungal fruiting body with reputed psychoactive effects.

Psyched Wellness reveals path to market for AME-1, its Amanita Muscaria extract

 

It's been interesting seeing the criticism laid out against psychedelics within the mental health professions, all fair and valid, considering that it applies at least as much as, well, literally everything they do. For sure all the psychosomatic stuff is even worse, and it's super popular. Somehow in mental health care, the more something is used, the less evidence it needs, as being used is considered evidence in itself. Freaking sunk cost, real experts don't get swayed by sunk cost.

I even saw a French psychosomatizer, and prominent LC denier, arguing this yesterday about the criticism laid at the useless LC psychosomatic clinics, arguing that it has merit by simply existing, which is obviously absurd. As if it's just a jobs program.

In the end it all seems to be the immune system is the main determinant of health and illness, and that it probably influences mood far more than psychological factors.

But at least this here has some validity, if it does impact the immune system. There is an explanation, which the conversion disorder never bothered with, and being the foundational idea for modern mental health, it's showing incredibly hypocritical double standards. You could easily come up with examples that would get people in spitting rage about being invalid, by merely changing a few words from their own work. No one can even tell the difference, it's even plainly admitted.

Basically, this: