329 - The Healing Power of Mushrooms for Brain Health, PTSD, Stress & Inflammation | Kaitlyn Kuehn

Episode • Jul 2 • 59m

“Mushrooms are so crazy. That’s why I love them. It’s healing. Some can kill you. Some can heal you. Some are just delicious. There’s just so many different ways mushrooms are used. A lot of people struggling with PTSD, you kind of just have that calming effect, where you can now kind of go out in the real world and you’re just not ambushed by all of these different emotions and other things that has happened to you. You just re-homeostasis.” —Kaitlyn Kuehn

“Is there any evidence showing that mushrooms can slow down cognitive decline?” —Jason Wrobel

“Reishi mushroom is the oldest studied mushroom and used for so many different things, like detoxing to inflammation, diabetes, cognitive benefits, nerve healing, digestion health. There’s so many different medicinal aspects to different mushrooms and they do have overlapping benefits.” —Kaitlyn Kuehn

“I have such a deep love as a chef for using mushrooms in recipes for their medicinal benefits. The texture. The flavor.” —Jason Wrobel

“All mushrooms help lower inflammation. As little as a quarter cup a week actually can lower inflammation markers. So it just naturally lowers blood pressure.” —Kaitlyn Kuehn

“Why would someone want to take mushrooms on a daily basis? Whether or not they’re battling disease or some disorder. Are you a proponent for someone to be taking mushrooms medicinally as a supplement each day?” —Jason Wrobel

“It really depends on…” —Kaitlyn Kuehn

This week’s guest, Kaitlyn Kuehn, also known as KK, is a plant biologist and mycology enthusiast on a mission to decode the secret life of plants and fungi. As the host of the Flora Funga Podcast, she blends science, storytelling, and curiosity to spotlight the unsung heroes of our ecosystems. From underground networks and plant-to-plant communication to medicinal mushrooms and microdosing, she invites us to see the natural world with fresh eyes.

In this episode, KK unpacks how fungi could help solve human challenges, busts common mushroom myths, and shares her personal journey managing rheumatoid arthritis with the help of mushrooms. Whether you’re a nature lover or just mushroom-curious, this conversation will leave you inspired to look closer, and dig deeper.

Tune in and see the world beneath your feet in a whole new light!

What we discuss in this episode: