In this episode of Brain We Are, we explore the amazing world of fungi with Merlin Sheldrake, biologist and author of Entangled Life. Fungi are more than just mushrooms – they form vast networks that communicate, process information, and have surprising effects on the world around us.

We discuss whether fungi could be conscious, how they communicate, and their potential role in shaping weather and even influencing our minds. Merlin also shares his personal experiences with psychedelics and how mushrooms can grow in the most unexpected places.

Tune in for a fascinating look at how fungi connect life on Earth in ways you might never expect!

This podcast was recorded during the MELTINGPOT forum in Ostrava in 2024

Timestamps:

01:06 Who is Merlin Sheldrake

02:01 How fungi differ from humans

04:42 Organisms are complex amplifiers of experience

05:16 Do any organisms have consciousness?

08:09 Are fungi conscious?

12:18 How fungi communicate

17:16 Electricity in fungi – can it store information?

20:50 Intelligence in organisms

23:31 How can we be inspired by mushrooms?

27:35 Do fungi spores affect our weather?

29:35 Mushrooms can grow anywhere – The story of a factory

32:39 Do mushrooms affect our minds on purpose?

35:53 The story of LSD & problem-solving abilities

44:19 Merlin’s experience with psychedelics

48:09 A few interesting things about fungi

51:20 How humans influence each other

53:36 How can we improve our health with mushrooms?

56:19 What is your favorite mushroom?

57:01 Ending