Psychedelic and Medicinal Mushrooms: Potent Source of Active Metabolites and Medicines

Background: Mushrooms, usually used for their nutritional and culinary properties, have recently gained attention for their medicinal effects, so that they are not only used as dietary foods but also as mycotherapeutics, nutraceuticals, and food supplements. Objective: The aim of this study is therefore to educate readers about various mushrooms with medicinal benefits. Methodology: A large number of English-language publications from different databases were analysed for this purpose. Results and Discussion: Medicinal mushrooms have been attributed various biological properties, e.g. prebiotic, antihyperlipidaemic, anti-allergic, antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. These properties are due to the presence of various bioactive compounds presentin the mycelium and fruiting bodies. The biological effects of these bioactive compounds vary according to their chemical nature, and their distribution varies according to the type of mushroom. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been consumed in different parts of the world for thousands of years. Originally they were used for ethnomycological purposes, but more recent evidence points to the pharmacological value of these mushrooms for the treatment of disorders related to oxidative stress. Conclusion: This review aims to discuss the prevalence and most studied bioactive compounds of psychedelic and medicinal mushrooms.