The Goal: Healing Earth, Humanity, and Systems Through Mycology
The purpose of this series is to highlight the transformative potential of wild-harvested mycology and systems. To learn to do things differently than we have.
By exploring Wild Harvest and bioactive properties found in mycology, their impact on human health, and their role in reshaping sustainable systems, we aim to showcase how we can drive long-term, regenerative change.
Earth: Wild-harvested fungi develop higher bioactive compounds due to harsh environmental conditions. In contrast, synthetic environments designed for rapid growth compromise quality. Nature teaches us that slower, more intentional cultivation leads to greater abundance over time.
Humanity: Fungi present immense market opportunities across health and wellness. How can we leverage this to enhance physical and mental health? What have we overlooked by not making fungi a staple of our diets?
Systems: Mycology reveals the interconnectedness of all living systems. Understanding fungal networks can guide us in building resilient, decentralized structures prioritizing longevity and sustainability.
The Inconvenient Truth: Evolution, Nature, and the Systemic Harm of Human Intervention
Human intervention is often seen as the path to progress and we may have lost sight of an undeniable truth: nature has always known best. The conversation sheds light on a systemic issue that transcends agriculture, medicine, and industry—it is about the fundamental disconnect between human decision-making and the evolutionary processes of nature.
"One common thread: it's an inflammatory response that is creating a lot of these [medical] disorders. It's because you're putting things in your body that the body doesn't recognize. Because man wants to make money and they make money by manipulating systems, right? Well, the body is complex. So it creates an inflammatory response to outside inputs." – Dr. Joe Gabriele.
Nature's Evolutionary Resilience
Nature operates on a fundamental principle: evolution. When a volcano erupts, it does not signal the destruction of life, but rather the creation of new, more fertile soil. A harsh winter is not a catastrophe—it is the precursor to a vibrant, rejuvenated spring. And yet, modern systems tend to resist change, boxing solutions into rigid, one-size-fits-all frameworks that contradict the natural order.
As Rache puts it, our inclination to "protect things in boxes" and seek permanent, unchanging solutions goes against how nature fundamentally works. Instead of evolving with change, we try to control it, often with disastrous consequences.
Wild harvest bioactives are derived from plants, fungi, and other organisms that are gathered from their natural habitats rather than cultivated. What sets these bioactives apart, especially in the context of high-grade wild harvest, is the environment in which they grow. Harsh environmental conditions—such as extreme winters, intense sunlight, or rugged landscapes—tend to make the plants or fungi more resilient, which can enhance the concentration and effectiveness of their bioactive compounds. These organisms have to adapt to these stressors, often leading to an increase in certain protective compounds like antioxidants, flavonoids, or other plant chemicals that are beneficial to human health.
Cody's insight into wild harvest bioactives aligns with this concept: the stressors of nature contribute to a higher "immunity" in the organisms, which in turn makes them more potent. While these bioactives are not yet widely known, the increasing interest in natural, sustainably sourced ingredients is driving demand.
In terms of what makes it "higher grade," it's largely about the purity and potency of these compounds, which are influenced by the natural environment. The longer exposure to these elements (like harsh winters or intense sunlight) can lead to plants or fungi that are more robust, offering greater health benefits. Additionally, ethical and responsible harvesting practices ensure that the ecosystem is not harmed, maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the process.
Cody's role has evolved from a hands-on harvester to overseeing the ethical and sustainable practices of the harvesting process, ensuring that the products are sourced correctly and expanded upon to support the business's growth while preserving the relationship with nature. His involvement in creating ethical avenues for business expansion reflects the growing awareness of sustainability and the responsible use of natural resources.
Dr. Joe believes that if we put our energy into looking at the inputs from nature and matching them with outcomes, we will have the perfect pairing. We do not want to try to replicate nature; as Branden would state, it would be impossible to do so; having the ability to ebb and flow with nature is essential, however.
The Hidden Costs of Human Interference
Dr. Joe's perspective aligns with this philosophy, pointing out that human intervention, particularly in medicine and food production, has often caused more harm than good. One key example is the rise of pharmaceuticals like Prozac, initially heralded as breakthroughs in mental health. However, autopsies have revealed structural changes in the brain, raising concerns that some interventions may have unintended long-term consequences. The placebo effect often matches or even surpasses the efficacy of these medications, questioning their necessity in many cases.
Rache Brand further expands on this idea, questioning whether fossil fuel-based products, including pharmaceuticals, are fundamentally unsustainable. She suggests that non-renewable interventions create adverse effects at a systemic level, rather than truly sustaining human health. Dr. Joe reinforces this, stating, "I'm not against pharmaceutical companies, but I am against pharmaceutical companies in the last four decades because they're not really up to help you. They're looking at the bottom line and they're making a pharmaceutical agent for every indication. That's wrong because it all starts with nutrition and bringing your stress level down."
Inflammation: The Silent Killer
The core issue linking modern disease epidemics is inflammation—our body's response to substances it does not recognize. The industrialization of food has resulted in mass consumption of products that do not align with human evolution. As Dr. Joe states, "All diseases are based on some kind of inflammatory response in the body." Whether it is highly processed foods, genetically modified seeds, or synthetic additives, these changes alter our biological equilibrium in ways we are only beginning to understand.
Dr. Joe likens pharmaceutical interventions to isolating a single instrument from an orchestra, stating, "I always give this analogy: if you have an orchestra and you take out the violin section, it just doesn't sound the same." He explains that nature works in synergy—natural molecules function collectively, whereas pharmaceutical companies extract singular compounds and modify them, ignoring the broader system. This reductionist approach leads to unintended consequences, exacerbating rather than alleviating health issues.
The Corporate Machine: Profit Over Health
Dr. Joe does not mince words when discussing corporate responsibility. He describes a conversation with a supermarket executive, who continued to consume and promote mass-produced, processed foods despite investing heavily in personal health monitoring. The irony is clear—executives who profit from the industrial food system are not immune to its health consequences.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, supermarkets thrived financially while many people's health deteriorated. The prioritization of economic growth over sustainable, health-conscious practices is evident. This mentality—profit at any cost—has led to a healthcare crisis where treating symptoms is more profitable than addressing root causes.
A Return to First Principles: The Wisdom of the Past
The way forward is paradoxically a return to the past. Dr. Joe advocates for a food system that mirrors the practices of our grandparents—growing food naturally, avoiding mass-produced, synthetic ingredients, and prioritizing whole, unprocessed nutrition. This is not about rejecting progress but redefining it in alignment with natural systems.
Superstruct's approach echoes this philosophy. If businesses and communities embrace ecological symbiosis—working with nature rather than against it—they can create sustainable solutions prioritizing long-term health over short-term profit.
Beyond Food: A Systemic Issue
The conversation highlights that these problems are not isolated to the food industry. The same systemic issues exist in medicine, urban planning, environmental policies, and economic structures. By interfering too much, we create brittle systems that lack the resilience of nature's evolutionary design.
Branden believes fungi are among the closest biological relatives to humans and have evolved sophisticated bioactive compounds that interact with human physiology in beneficial ways. Many pharmaceutical compounds, including statin drugs, were initially derived from fungi. Branden suggests that future medicine could standardize multiple natural metabolites rather than isolating single compounds to preserve their full therapeutic effect.
Cody builds on this, explaining that fungi and other natural resources can be cultivated in a way that respects ecological balance. His work in Canada's crown forests demonstrates how regenerative harvesting practices can maintain biodiversity while scaling up production for human benefit.
A Multi-Part Conversation for a Multi-Faceted Problem
As Rache Brand aptly states, "This is definitely a part one of a multi-series conversation." The willingness to confront uncomfortable truths is rare, but necessary. As long as human intervention prioritizes short-term gains over long-term well-being, we will continue to experience the negative consequences of these choices.
But there is hope. The growing recognition of these systemic flaws means that change is possible. By realigning our systems with the principles of nature—embracing adaptation, biodiversity, and resilience—we can create a healthier, more sustainable future for future generations.
The key takeaway? Nature does not need us to fix it; it needs us to stop breaking it. And in doing so, we just might heal ourselves in the process.
The Discussion: Experts in Mycology & Natural Medicine
Dr. Joe Gabriele: From Pharmaceutical Reductionism to Natural Products
Dr. Joe Gabriele, a faculty member at McMaster University with a background in molecular pharmacology and genetics, shared his transition from pharmaceutical reductionism to natural product research. He believes inflammation underlies most disease processes and that pharmaceutical drugs often exacerbate inflammatory responses. Our bodies have adapted to natural molecules through evolution, making fungi an ideal avenue for future medicine.
Branden Walle: A Lifelong Passion for Wild Fungi
Branden Walle has been foraging wild fungi since childhood. With a biochemistry background, he has worked in mental health, addiction, and psychedelics. His experience spans pharmaceutical research and natural molecule extraction. His insights highlight the synergy of fungal compounds in their natural state versus synthetic modifications. He lives in British Columbia.
Cody McElrea (TruNorth): Sustainable Harvesting & Forest Conservation
Cody McElrea, founder of Up North Naturals, shared his journey in wild harvesting and forest conservation. Living off-grid in remote Ontario, he has developed a data-driven approach to sustainable fungi harvesting. His company's work recently led to protecting one million acres of yellow birch forest, previously targeted for logging due to outdated policies viewing chaga-infested trees as diseased. His research demonstrates fungi's economic and ecological value beyond timber extraction.
Rache Brand (Superstruct): A Systemic Perspective on Fungi's Role
Rache emphasized the urgency of integrating fungi into broader sustainability and regenerative health conversations. With systems collapsing—financial, ecological, or agricultural—fungi offer a model for interconnected, adaptive growth. The challenge lies in shifting perspectives from pharmaceutical dependency to nature-based solutions. Rache is a board member of TruNorth and a shareholder. Together with Cody, Branden, and Dr. Joe, TruNorth intends to collaborate on a new product made from mycology to support mental health.
Key Insights: Lessons from Fungi
1. Wild-Harvested Fungi Have Higher Bioactivity
Lab-grown fungi often lack the full spectrum of bioactive compounds found in wild species.
The complexity of fungal interactions in nature—whether with trees, bacteria, or other organisms—activates genes responsible for potent medicinal properties.
Many pharmaceutical approaches fail to harness the full potential of fungi due to their reliance on isolated, synthetic compounds rather than holistic, synergistic networks.
2. Fungi Can Drive Regenerative Health
Incorporating fungi into daily diets can provide essential nutrients and bioactive compounds for cognitive function, immune support, and overall well-being.
Psychedelic fungi have shown promising results in mental health treatment, particularly in addiction recovery and neuroplasticity research.
The growing interest in functional mushrooms (e.g., lion's mane, chaga, reishi) signals a shift toward preventative health solutions.
3. The Mycelial Network as a Model for Sustainable Systems
Fungi demonstrate decentralized, adaptive growth—qualities essential for rethinking economic and societal structures.
By studying fungal resilience, businesses and policymakers can design systems that prioritize longevity over short-term gain.
Just as fungi regenerate ecosystems by decomposing organic matter and redistributing nutrients, we must transition toward regenerative industries that restore rather than deplete.
Looking Forward: The Infinite Potential of Mycology
This conversation reaffirms that fungi hold the key to revolutionizing health, sustainability, and systems thinking. This conversation showcases the untapped potential of wild fungi—both as medicine and as a framework for resilient, interconnected growth.
As a group we are working towards increased access:
Advocate for policies that recognize the ecological and economic value of wild fungi.
Invest in research that explores fungi's full medicinal potential beyond pharmaceutical reductionism.
Encourage sustainable harvesting practices that preserve biodiversity and forest health.
Integrate fungi into mainstream discussions on health, food security, and regenerative business models.
We collectively embrace fungi's natural intelligence, we have the opportunity to heal not just individuals, but entire ecosystems and societal structures. The future of fungi is the future of a more sustainable, interconnected world.
About Superstruct
Superstruct operates at the intersection of sustainable growth, climate resilience, and regenerative business practices. We collaborate with innovative companies that are shaping a future where businesses and nature work in harmony. By supporting initiatives like sustainable fungi harvesting, we aim to drive systemic transformation across industries and communities.
Comments