Critical… From the Mountains
Erik Vaughan
July 1, 2024
Revelations about critical periods and the power of psilocybin-assisted therapy integration
By Erik Vaughan, Epiphany Co-Founder
“Wait, wait, wait … this isn’t a mushroom! I’ve seen pictures of mushrooms and this is not a mushroom. It looks like a brain! Wish I had one…”
–David Moss, host of New Day Cleveland, in a cooking segment with Epiphany’s Don King
Of all the magic mushrooms you can find in the forest that are delicious, nutritious and can help change your brain – and are also NOT illegal to possess – my favorite is Lion’s Mane.
Meet Hericium erinaceus – also known as mountain-priest, bearded tooth, monkey’s head and yamabushitake:
These gourmet mushrooms – known for their meaty texture and mild, savory taste – are sometimes sold in Midwest grocery stores as “pom-poms.” They can be featured as a center-of-the-plate option for many meatless recipes – like the one referenced above by Epiphany’s own Director of Mycology, Don King.
Dehydrated Lion’s Mane products are also sold online and at health food stores – and the mushroom renaissance we’re currently experiencing has helped bring Lion’s Mane supplements into the Western culture mainstream.
These mushrooms can be cultivated indoors and are also found growing in forests throughout North America, Europe and Asia – typically on dead or dying hardwood trees. My family and I recently found a variation known as “Bears Head Tooth” at a park in our hometown of Hudson, Ohio.
Beyond its culinary value and striking good looks, the potential health benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms are what make it special. A quick Google search can point you to studies exploring its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and even potential antidepressant effects. But for me, the most compelling research is centered around what Lion’s Mane can do for our brain.
A 2008 study in Japan showed that adults with mild cognitive impairments taking Lion’s Mane powder over the course of 16 weeks (1) scored significantly higher on cognitive tests versus the placebo group, and (2) showed a notable decline in test scores once they stopped taking the Lion’s Mane powder.
Of note, tea made from this mushroom has a long history of use in meditative practices by Buddhist monks due to its perceived contemplative power. So while the magic of this amazing mushroom is relatively new to Americans, its potential has been understood and appreciated for generations in Asia.
If you haven’t had the pleasure, treat yourself to some Lion’s Mane from a trusted local grower (ours will be ready soon) or from a guided foray with a local mushroom expert!
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Ryan is a CPA with broad financial management expertise including a tenure at Ernst & Young. He has a master’s degree in accounting from Notre Dame and has supported everything from small businesses to global organizations. Ryan especially loves being active and outdoors including biking, running and skiing.
Dina has been treating youth and adults with chronic health illnesses – particularly pain and behavioral health conditions – for the past 15 years. Through her private practice and work in various academic medical centers, as well as Doctors Without Borders, Dina provides compassionate care for those wanting to create change and a greater sense of freedom in life.
For the past 25 years, Jana has been a beacon for adults facing the biopsychosocial challenges of cancer, chronic illness and loss in her role as a clinical health psychologist. She is the founder of Shift Healing | Health Psychology, and gratefully calls Golden, Colo., home.
Erik earned a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and completed his MBA at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. With 25 years of experience in finance and entrepreneurship, Erik’s enthusiasm and analytical eye have helped drive the success of numerous ventures. A Pittsburgh native and long-time Cleveland area resident, Erik holds a deep affection for all things Ohio – except when his beloved Steelers are playing.
For two decades, Stacey has artfully applied her discerning eye to high-level positions in marketing and design. She also founded a successful custom letterpress paper studio called RSVP Paper Company. Stacey earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Ohio University – and while she is the architect of all you see at Epiphany, she would rather die than sit for a public-facing interview.
As the head of government relations, Lauren brings decades of non-profit experience in fundraising, events, legislative action and direct service. She is a graduate of Xavier University with a B.A. in Political Science and is active in her community as a PTA volunteer, tutor and tennis coach.
A mushroom forager for five years, Jessica was drawn to Epiphany’s commitment to produce mushrooms through proven scientific methods and industry advocacy. She supports the company’s mushroom growth and production processes, and is also a volunteer sequence validator for the Ohio Mushroom DNA Lab.
Sarah began her career 25 years ago with Edelman in Chicago and has substantial experience in public relations, corporate and internal communications, content development, events and more. When she’s not on carpool duty, Sarah loves spending time with family and friends, cooking and attempting tennis.
For more than 30 years, Julie has been a pioneer in the Michigan alternative healing and psychedelic community. In addition to her work with Epiphany, Julie has devoted her practice at Blue Sage Health Consulting to helping clients find healing and relief while incorporating alternative practices.
Hope is a seasoned guide in holistic wellness, transformational coaching and spiritual enlightenment. Her previous career in the hospice sector helped patients bridge the gap between the spiritual and material worlds. At Epiphany, Hope is grateful to share her unique skill set, compassion and deep love of the work to meet the needs of each customer.
With close to 40 years of experience, Joni was lured out of retirement to handle accounting and payroll for Epiphany. Joni is an avid reader and gardener, and also loves hiking, pickleball and playing bridge and mahjong.
Zach is a classically trained microbiologist with a B.S. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Michigan State University and M.S. in Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University. With extensive experience in molecular biology, next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics, Zach leads Epiphany’s experimental design and stays focused on the latest scientific research in mycology. When not in the lab, Zach enjoys all things nature especially the Great Lakes.
