Paul Stamets – Founder and Chief Science Officer, Fungi Perfecti

Continuing the Revolution from the Fungal Underground

The Never-ending Story of Beneficial Mushrooms

Long ago the Provender community were early adopters in supporting Stamets and his colleagues in their research on mushrooms. Given recent scientific results, the importance of our native fungi is more profound than what can be imagined. Stamets’ talk will cover retrospective and current breakthroughs in the usefulness of mushroom mycelium and fruit bodies for supporting the immune system in human health.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Paul Stamets has been a mycologist for 40 years and is the author of seven books. His new book on psilocybin mushrooms is due out in Spring 2025. He is an invention ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was inducted into The Explorer’s Club in 2020. He has received numerous awards, including the National Mycologist Award from the North American Mycological Association, the Gordon and Tina Wasson Award from the Mycological Society of America, and the Disruptor Award from NextMed.

He has named four new species of psilocybin mushrooms, and a new species of mushrooms has recently been named after him: Psilocybe stametsii.

Paul is a dedicated Earthling, Knowledge Keeper, and is a leader in the protection of ecosystems focusing on the roles of mycelium and mushrooms. Paul’s philosophy is that “MycoDiversity is BioSecurity.” He funds research to save rare strains of mushrooms that dwell within the old growth forests. He believes the old growth forests contain a deep reservoir of species essential for pandemic defense. His contributions include supplying several clinical studies showing immune support with mushroom mycelium.

He is a collaborator with numerous scientific organizations and research institutes. His research is considered breakthrough by thought leaders for creating a paradigm shift for helping ecosystems worldwide.

His work has entered the mainstream of popular culture: In the new Star Trek: Discovery series on CBS, the science officer is portrayed by an astromycologist, Lt. Commander Paul Stamets. His work with mycelium has become a central theme of this series. In addition, he is the primary guide to the incredible mushroom documentary Fantastic Fungi, which first appeared in theaters in fall 2019, with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.