My ongoing Journey with Turkey Tail mushrooms
So, let me start off by thanking Paul Stamets for showing me the vast potential of Turkey tails. They are so much more than a “supplement”. My own experience with microdosing Turkey tails has been very eye-opening. One of the first things I started to notice was decreased anxiety. I am not sure if this is a common benefit from taking it, but they do seem to have that effect on me. After a week of taking 2 capsules a day, I also noticed my allergy symptoms improved a bit (I suffer from allergies almost all year round and also get sinus infections often). I will update when I notice more changes.
The famous mycologist Paul Stamets has used Turkey tail mushrooms to save his mother’s life. She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and was told she had less than 3 months to live. He had his mother take 8 Turkey tail capsules along with Taxol and Herceptin twice a day every day. That was back in 2009, and by 2011, she had no detectable tumors. Her cancer had been completely destroyed. Sounds crazy as heck, but there have been many reports just like this of cancer patients entering remission after self-medicating with Turkey tail. I think there is much more this mushroom can do that we have yet to unlock. This is only the beginning.
The science behind it
The therapeutic effects of Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, can be attributed to their rich content of polysaccharides, particularly beta-glucans, which possess immunomodulatory properties. These compounds stimulate the activity of various immune cells, such as natural killer cells and macrophages, enhancing the body's ability to combat infections and diseases. Additionally, Turkey tails contain antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Studies have also shown that certain compounds in Turkey tails exhibit anti-cancer properties by inhibiting tumor growth and promoting apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. Furthermore, the prebiotic fibers present in these mushrooms may contribute to gut health, which is closely linked to overall immune function. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind Turkey tail's therapeutic effects, the existing scientific evidence highlights its potential as a valuable adjunct to conventional medical treatments.
