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Mushroom magic

A trip into the world of all things mycological, exposing the good, the bad and the ugly side of fungi.

In Australia, more than six people were hospitalised suffering from hallucinations and persistent vomiting. The thing they all had in common? They ate a specific brand of hemp-infused mushroom gummies, which have since been recalled.

But why take mushroom supplements in the first place? Social media claims fungi harnesses the power to unlock your hidden potential, to increase concentration and reduce stress. This week’s panel looks into the evidence. Will these claims crumble under scrutiny?

Professor David Nutt pulls magic mushrooms out of the magicians hat to expose its secrets. These recreational drugs are classified as a psychedelic, causing users to hallucinate. Find out what hallucinations are and why David believes this shroom, illegal in much of the world, could become a key ingredient in medicinal treatments sometime soon.

Also, the first chemist on record, how touch screens can tell the difference between your finger and an inanimate object, and why some songs get stuck between your ears.

Presenter: Alex Lathbridge
Panellists: Christine Yohannes and Godfred Boafo
Producers: Harrison Lewis, Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Noa Dowling and Florian Bohr

Available now

49 minutes

Last on

Sat 6 Jul 2024 14:06GMT

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 5 Jul 2024 09:06GMT
  • Fri 5 Jul 2024 23:06GMT
  • Sat 6 Jul 2024 03:06GMT
  • Sat 6 Jul 2024 14:06GMT

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