Mushrooms Telomeres and Longevity: What the Science Says
- Kimberly ZAWI Carlson
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 26
Published: June 3, 2025
By Mushrooms Inc. | Ticker: (OTC:MSRM) $MSRM
As a follow up to our recent post of mushrooms and longevity (here) part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and education, we’re continuing our blog series with a deep dive into one of the most promising—but often misunderstood—topics in the wellness space: Mushrooms Telomeres and Longevity - how mushrooms support our health.
Mushrooms Telomeres and Longevity Key Takeaways:
Mushrooms are shown to support telomere maintenance—protecting.
Compounds like ergothioneine and mushroom-derived polysaccharides are under active investigation.
Extending telomeres beyond normal length carries potential cancer risks, but our products focus on safe, natural repair.
Ongoing clinical trials are exploring ergothioneine’s effects on aging and telomere biology.
Recap - What Are Telomeres? Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, crucial to healthy cellular aging. Each time a cell divides, telomeres shorten—an effect worsened by oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging. When telomeres get too short, the cell becomes senescent or dies. Thus, telomere length is a key marker for biological aging.
How Mushrooms Help Mushrooms are rich in antioxidants like ergothioneine, selenium, vitamin C, and polyphenols—all of which combat oxidative stress and may indirectly support telomere health. But let’s explore the more direct science:
1. Ergothioneine & Human Cell Telomeres (2022 Study)
A study in the PubMed treated human fibroblasts under oxidative stress with ergothioneine. The result: increased telomerase activity and significantly reduced telomere shortening over 8 weeks. It showed that ergotheoneine mitigates telomere shortening under oxidative stress conditions (2022).
Source: 2022 Samuel et al.
2. Polysaccharides & Telomerase in Animals (2024 Review)
A 2024 review in Journal of Fungi (Basel) showed that polysaccharides from mushrooms like Ganoderma lucidum and Agaricus blazei increased telomerase activity and helped maintain telomere length in mice and fruit flies.
3. There are many studies on Mushroom Consumption & Longevity -here I share links to three - 2021, 2022, 2024 Studies
A long-term epidemiological study found that Americans who regularly consumed mushrooms had a 16% lower all-cause mortality risk over 20 years 2021). A multi-year study showed that higher mushroom consumption may reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older adults (2022). The 2024 study showed multiple areas of benefit and states that mushrooms have demonstrated promising anti-aging potential due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins and peptides, lipids, and phenolic compounds, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, and cardiovascular disease-ameliorating properties (2024).
3. Psilocybin and Telomere Restoration: A Hypothetical Link
Emerging hypotheses suggest that psilocybin, the active compound in certain psychedelic mushrooms, may influence telomere length indirectly through its effects on mental health. The "Psilocybin-Telomere Hypothesis," proposed by Christopher B. Germann, posits that psilocybin's capacity to alleviate depression and anxiety—conditions associated with accelerated telomere shortening—could, in turn, help restore telomeres to their normal length.
This hypothesis is grounded in the observation that positive psychological states correlate with longer telomeres, while chronic stress and mental health disorders are linked to telomere attrition. Psilocybin's ability to induce meditative-like states and promote neuroplasticity may contribute to this restorative effect on telomeres.
Sources: PubMed research Gate Hypothesis
While this area of research is still in its infancy and requires empirical validation, it opens intriguing possibilities for holistic approaches to aging and cellular health.
Ongoing Clinical Trials Current trials are evaluating the effect of supplemental ergothioneine on telomere length, cognitive function, immune markers, and oxidative stress in aging adults. Blue California’s R&D team is currently researching the following.
1. Cognitive Function, Mood, and Sleep Study: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involves adults aged 55–79 and examines ErgoActive ergothioneine’s effects on cognitive performance, mood, sleep, and biomarkers like inflammation and telomere length. The study aims to determine if ergothioneine can help maintain telomere length, supporting brain health and overall longevity.
2. Immune Function Study: Another double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial targets adults aged 50–65, assessing ErgoActive ergothioneine’s impact on immune cell activation, antioxidant status, and markers of cellular senescence, which may include telomere length. This study explores whether ergothioneine can protect telomeres by reducing oxidative stress, a key factor in immune health.
Why Our Longevity Product? Our mushroom blends are formulated to:
Reduce oxidative stress
Support cellular repair
Maintain telomere length
Avoid overstimulation of telomerase
Some of the mushrooms we use, like Ganoderma lucidum, have been studied for their anti-cancer properties—further ensuring balanced, supportive action.
What’s Next We’ll continue to track and share the latest research as part of our commitment to transparency. Future studies and human trials will clarify the telomere-protective role of mushroom-based compounds.
Want to Learn About our Fruiting Mushroom Longevity Product? Visit: Here
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