The Future is Fungi

A Comprehensive Guide to the Hidden World of Fungi

Fungi have endured all five major extinction events, emerging as the architects of the natural world and essential to all life forms. They play a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems by recycling nutrients and connecting plants over vast areas. Additionally, fungi contribute to the production of many modern essentials, including wine, chocolate, bread, detergent, and penicillin. In response to today’s pressing ecological, societal, and spiritual challenges, fungi are being harnessed to grow meat alternatives, develop new medicines, create sustainable biomaterials, remediate the environment, and even expand our collective consciousness.

The Future is Fungi provides a thorough introduction to this hidden kingdom, exploring its past, present, and potential future impacts across four key areas: food, medicine, psychedelics and mental health, and environmental remediation. This book not only uncovers how fungi have laid the groundwork for modern life but also envisions how they might shape our future.

Rich in informative text, awe-inspiring 3D digital art, and practical tips for engaging with the world of fungi, this book serves as a manifesto for the future. It invites readers to cultivate a deeper understanding of our relationship with the natural world, each other, and ourselves.