Fungal States of Minds

Abstract

Fungal organisms can perceive the outer world in a way similar to what animals sense. Does that mean that they have full awareness of their environment and themselves? Is a fungus a conscious entity? In laboratory experiments we found that fungi produce patterns of electrical activity, similar to neurons. There are low and high frequency oscillations and convoys of spike trains. The neural-like electrical activity is yet another manifestation of the fungal intelligence. In this paper we discuss fungal cognitive capabilities and intelligence in evolutionary perspective, and question whether fungi are conscious and what does fungal consciousness mean, considering their exhibiting of complex behaviours, a wide spectrum of sensory abilities, learning, memory and decision making. We overview experimental evidences of consciousness found in fungi. Our conclusions allow us to give a positive answer to the important research questions of fungal cognition, intelligence and forms of consciousness.

The future of foods

“…Recent data regarding the abilities of plants and fungi, their mutual benecial interactions, and their adaptions to stressors and environmental changes offer new insights for future food production and processing. 52,73,74 Better interactions with natural resources rather than depleting them 55,75,76 have the potential for radical changes of our current food systems. Examples for unlocking the nutritional and functional benets of foods can include fungi-plant-soil interactions, nutrient xing microorganisms and plants, increased food diversity including underutilized plant and fungal sources, biofertilizers, alternative agricultural practices, product specic tailor-made innovative food processes, and environmentally responsible food handling, preparation and consumption.…”

“…74 As for fungi, production of patterns of electrical activity, similar to neurons, have been identied with low and high frequency oscillations and spike trains. 73 The authors 73 considered this neural-like electric activity as a manifestation of fungal intelligence. For example, it has been reported about an experiment with fungal hyphae nding the shortest ways out of a constructed labyrinth by diverting themselves around an obstacle.…”