The Mycelial Mind

In his seminal book, Mycelium Running, legendary mycologist Paul Stamets christens Part I, ‘The Mycelial Mind.’ Confronting every assumption we’ve ever made about life’s third kingdom, he begins Chapter 1:

When we think about consciousness, we tend to associate it with animals and humans. However, recent studies have revealed that the fungal kingdom, which includes mushrooms, yeasts, and molds, may have more in common with us than we ever imagined. Paul Stamets’ words suggest that fungi might be more than simple organisms but rather a hidden network of consciousness that works as nature’s internet.

Fungi are often overlooked or even feared; molds and slimes are associated with death and decay. But in reality, fungi play a critical role in the earth’s ecosystems, breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients, and have been used for centuries for food, medicine, and other purposes.

The concept of fungi potentially being conscious raises many questions. Do fungi have a sense of self? Do they experience subjective awareness? And if so, how does their consciousness compare to that of animals and humans?

Defining Consciousness

Consciousness is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is difficult to define. At its most basic level, consciousness implies awareness of and responsiveness to one’s environment. But consciousness is even more than that; it is the awareness that one has an awareness of their surroundings. It is a state of being self-aware and introspective.

In humans and animals, consciousness is closely associated with the brain. The brain is the organ responsible for processing information, making decisions, and generating the subjective experience of consciousness. However, in fungi, things are not as clear-cut. Fungi do not have a brain, at least not in the traditional sense. Instead, they have a complex network of underground threads called mycelium, which serves as their “nervous system.”

The mycelium allows fungi to communicate with each other and their environment, exchanging information and resources. This has led some researchers to speculate that mycelium might be capable of some form of consciousness, even if it’s different from what we are used to. However, before we can answer whether fungi are conscious, we need to understand more about these remarkable organisms and how they work.

Understanding Fungi and Mushrooms

Fungi are not plants, nor are they animals. They are their own unique kingdom, with a range of characteristics that set them apart from other organisms.

Mushrooms, the most visible fungal appendage, are nothing more than the reproductive organs of fungi. The real deal hides deep below the ground as a network of microscopic filaments known as hyphae. These hyphae form colonies called mycelia that create a vast network connecting plants to each other. In essence, the mycelium acts as a vast, interconnected web that allows different organisms to communicate and exchange resources.

The mycelium plays a vital role in the ecosystem’s health, breaking down dead organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil. Without fungi, the earth’s ecosystems would be unable to function.

Investigating Fungi Intelligence

Recent research has revealed that fungi may be capable of more than just breaking down organic matter. In fact, they may be surprisingly intelligent.

For example, one experiment involving a slime mold, Physarum polycephalum, found that the mold could choose the shortest route between two food sources in a maze, disregarding dead ends. The mold solved the problem of finding the most efficient path without a brain, raising questions about the nature of intelligence and problem-solving.

In another experiment, oat flakes were used to replicate the most visited locations in Tokyo. The same slime mold was then introduced and allowed to form a network. The result was a more efficient network than Tokyo’s subway system.

These findings suggest that fungi are capable of some surprising behaviors that may indicate a form of intelligence. However, it’s important to note that this does not necessarily mean that fungi are conscious. Problem-solving abilities may result from complex biological processes rather than subjective experience.

The Limits of Fungi Consciousness

While it’s tempting to attribute human-like consciousness to fungi, we need to be careful not to overstate their abilities. Although they may be capable of problem-solving and other complex behaviors, these behaviors may not necessarily indicate an awareness of the problem itself.

In other words, while fungi may be able to solve problems, they may not be conscious of the fact that they are doing so. Their behavior may be the result of complex biological processes that do not involve subjective experience or self-awareness.

Nevertheless, the fact that fungi are capable of such remarkable behaviors suggests that there is much we don’t yet know about these mysterious organisms. As our understanding of the natural world continues to evolve, we may one day discover that consciousness is a much more widespread phenomenon than we currently believe.

I’ll leave you with this. When we venture through a forest, the floor beneath us is spongey because of the dense mycelial network. As our foot presses on the floor, the fungi sense that we are there. Deep in the soil, they reach back.

References:

• https://psyche.co/ideas/the-fungal-mind-on-the-evidence-for-mushroom-intelligence
• https://mindmatters.ai/2021/09/mushrooms-have-minds-well-if-you-doubt-humans-are-exceptional/
• https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/11/fungi-earth-secret-miracle-weapon
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45486844
• ‘Mycelium Running’ by Paul Stamets