In this episode I provide an overview of the evidence that certain chemicals produced by plants and fungi are beneficial for brain function and health. I focus on the fact that the function of these phytochemicals or mycochemicals in the plants or mushrooms is to defend them from being consumed by insects and other animals. We and other animals evolved mechanisms to tolerate the noxious chemicals. We avoid too much of them because they have a bitter taste, and our cells respond to the chemicals by activating adaptive stress responses (antioxidant enzymes, protein chaperones, neurotrophic factors, etc). By these hormesis-based mechanism way plant-based diets enhance brain resilience and counteract aging and disease processes.
LINKS
Articles on dietary phytochemicals and brain health
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4081729/pdf/pr.113.007757.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5841445/pdf/nihms946635.pdf
https://www-sciencedirect-com.proxy1.library.jhu.edu/science/article/pii/S0166223606002001
Review article on mycochemicals
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10647524/pdf/ijms-24-15596.pdf
Evolutionary perspectives
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4586293/pdf/nihms678801.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087184523000439?via%3Dihub
Recent Nature Medicine study
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03570-5
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.