Live from the Expo West 2026 trade fair in California, US, Nutrition Insight speaks to renowned mycologist and Fungi Perfecti founder Paul Stamets. Featured in the Netflix documentary “Fantastic Fungi,” Stamets spotlights how mycelium’s potential reaches far beyond human immunity, offering a critical defense for bees and livestock against emerging viral threats.

New clinical research has found that a blend of fungal extracts from Fomitopsis officinalis (agarikon) and Trametes versicolor (turkey tail) mushroom mycelia is an effective adjunct supplement that helps reduce side effects from COVID-19 vaccinations. Fungi Perfecti supplied the study with capsules containing the blend, which was cultivated on organic brown rice.

“To the best of my knowledge, this study is the first placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study ever conducted using a fungal component to enhance the efficacy of vaccines in healthy individuals,” he notes.