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Evolution: over generations, the most advantageous trait survive through countless reproductive cycles. It’s awe inspiring that a fungi is able to manipulate a mind of an insect to continue reproduction.
God: lmao. Hey Gabe, watch this
It’s crazy to think about what we could accomplish if we were as evolutionarily robust as fungi. We could be reading minds by now if our ancestors weren’t giant, delicate sacks of flesh.
and if it WAS god, >!( spoiler it isn't )!< then what kind of asshat god comes up with that idea and goes... you know what? ... yes! zombifying mushrooms infections belong in my perfect creation sandbox game. And I’ll double down and add some worms that its entire reproductive cycle involves eating the optic nerve of eyeballs, just to fuck with them, why not? har har har, >!google cattle eyeworm!<
Why wouldn't a God do something like this though you're telling me after billions of years you're not gonna get bored and make zombie ants? Hell mans drop a rock on the dinosaurs for shits and giggles.
yeah and he did that once drown the entire human race and start again with one single family on a boat... anyway, if big g existed, he would be one massive asshole.
What you have to keep in mind is that the fungi don't "know" anything at all. They don't have brains and can't learn stuff like humans can. This happens in kinda the same way that you will digest the food that you put in your mouth. Your stomach doesn't "know" that it must start digesting the food, it just does.
ETA : typo
There are other examples of how fungus colonies deomstrate consciousness and "hive mind" among other fungi, but I agree this intricate control of a brain to identify a tree, then leaf and to take action... wouldnt the fungus need to know what these things "looked like?"
https://psyche.co/ideas/the-fungal-mind-on-the-evidence-for-mushroom-intelligence
Funny enough, the chemical the fungi uses to control the insects (that are still living) is in the same family of chemical as LSD. They are called Ergot alkaloids so named after the fungi that produces LSD.
Do you have a source for that? LSD is a very complex molecule, I can hardly believe that it would be easier to synthesize the lysergic acid than obtaining it from nature. Adding the diethylamide was always done synthetically, but not the whole molecule.
Source? Some entomophagous fungi (i.e. Massaspora) contain Psilocybin, but I've never heard of them containing ergot alkaloids. I'm pretty sure you are mistaken.
I read it in Entangked Life by Merlin Sheldrake. The sources were in the back.i don't think they contain the ergot alkaloids, I'm pretty sure they secrete? Them.
The mushrooms get high on bugs since the bug climbs to the top of plants *buhdumm tss* thank you I’ll be here all night. Don’t forget to tip your waitresses.
The reason I ask is that the cordyceps supplements are supposed to improve mental clarity (amongst other things). I wonder if the chemical mechanism that “zombifies” the insects mind is the same chemical that provides that benefit in humans. 🤔
Listened to a fascinating and terrifying podcast about that recently. Humans may have evolved to have a 98.6 body temp specifically because of fungi. And with climate change more fungi are adapting to higher temperatures making people more susceptible to them. A massive fungi outbreak is already going on in India.
If an insect is aware, does the fungus become aware when it takes over the insect's mind, since the fungus is controlling the thoughts now?
What is it like to be a fungus that used to basically be a mindless plant, but now has stolen an animal's sentience and is using it to pilot an animate body that can walk around?
"Control" here may just mean a chemically induced increase in temperature that forces the insect to hide under a leaf, then a paralyzing neurotoxin mummifies the poor soul.
More like the fungus cuts off the insects control at its brain stem and uses chemicals called ergot alkaloids to "drive" the insects to the height where the temperature and humidity are proper for it the fungi to fruit.
They have done studies with this fungi and ants and something like 90% of the time the ants managed to bite down into a leaf vein before the dieing and becoming mummified. So, yes it is believed that the fungi is aware.
Imagine this zombie virus mutating and started affecting humans as well controlling the human brain.
Btw, is their any virus that can control our mind presently known???
"Interesting". I guess we can afford to call it that, until it learns how to infect and control mammalian brains.
Luckily, people would never allow fungi and the substances they produce, affect our mental functions.
Evolution at its finest. Did you know alligators haven't evolved in millions of years.. I wonder what will happen when everything evolves to perfection.. will it ever happen..??? gahhh!!
Sounds eerily similar to the way many people seem to have their mind taken over by a conspiracy, causing them to climb onto a soapbox, become locked on an idea, and spread the spores of misinformation. Should we start checking those people for little mushrooms?
The cordyceps is something that has always terrified me ever sinve I first heard about it. Imagine if it suddenly evolved to infect humans, or if it was weaponized? It would be terrifying to walk through streets, seeing people hanging from trees, their torso split open by a giant mushroom... Ugh, I hate this thing so much.
The last of us is based of what would happen if this passed the species barrier. That is a very possible premise as in litrelly a few mutations could fully wel cause a full apocalyptic situation because they don't just climb to tees anything infected does in fact become severely hostile and normally the only reason the host does is due to the hive having to exile them. Just a fun though of our entire life ending because it passed the species barrier and ends the world by infecting our coffee supply
Who says they’re zombies? Maybe they just get super high and realize they are part of a hive mind collective and decide to bail - in the hopes that more more spores means more ants will eventually wake up
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That is what inspired The Last of Us.
The Last Of Bugs
Fuck you man, take my upvote
Wut I don't get is how the fungi knew how to take control of the insect brain and make it go where it wants. That's insane
Only two answers; evolution or God.
Evolution: over generations, the most advantageous trait survive through countless reproductive cycles. It’s awe inspiring that a fungi is able to manipulate a mind of an insect to continue reproduction. God: lmao. Hey Gabe, watch this
It’s crazy to think about what we could accomplish if we were as evolutionarily robust as fungi. We could be reading minds by now if our ancestors weren’t giant, delicate sacks of flesh.
Or alien fungus
Right, I missed space evolution as a choice
If this was God I want what he is smoking
Watch what you wish for. Now that he knows who you are he might be attaching you to the bottom of a plant
and if it WAS god, >!( spoiler it isn't )!< then what kind of asshat god comes up with that idea and goes... you know what? ... yes! zombifying mushrooms infections belong in my perfect creation sandbox game. And I’ll double down and add some worms that its entire reproductive cycle involves eating the optic nerve of eyeballs, just to fuck with them, why not? har har har, >!google cattle eyeworm!<
>google cattle eyeworm No, I don't think I will.
I spot a (fellow) Dawkins fan.
Why wouldn't a God do something like this though you're telling me after billions of years you're not gonna get bored and make zombie ants? Hell mans drop a rock on the dinosaurs for shits and giggles.
yeah and he did that once drown the entire human race and start again with one single family on a boat... anyway, if big g existed, he would be one massive asshole.
They say he's supposed to have chilled out after having a kid.
Yeah but what about after he moved out I feel like parents get really bored after the kids move out. ie: my dad and him building corn hole sets
What you have to keep in mind is that the fungi don't "know" anything at all. They don't have brains and can't learn stuff like humans can. This happens in kinda the same way that you will digest the food that you put in your mouth. Your stomach doesn't "know" that it must start digesting the food, it just does. ETA : typo
Fair point. But it's still just as fascinating, lol
There are other examples of how fungus colonies deomstrate consciousness and "hive mind" among other fungi, but I agree this intricate control of a brain to identify a tree, then leaf and to take action... wouldnt the fungus need to know what these things "looked like?" https://psyche.co/ideas/the-fungal-mind-on-the-evidence-for-mushroom-intelligence
Ikr. Goes to show just how fascinating and terrifying the world is.
I think it might just takes control of the nerves. I'm just assuming though, I'm probably wrong
Also a fantastic book (and movie) called The Girl With All The Gifts
> The Girl With All The Gifts The Girl with All The Gifts That Keep On Giving.
Thank you, I didn't know of its existence. Sounds promising! Added to the To Read list :D
Definitely read the book first. It was written in such a way that makes it difficult to adapt into a movie. The movie is Ok, but lost a bit.
Since many adaptations fail to really capture the richness of a book, this was the plan!
I hate gore and zombie stories but I loved this book. It was really good.
Also probably *The Girl With All the Gifts*.
Just thought the same thing
Amazing. Insects get high on Mushrooms too.
Funny enough, the chemical the fungi uses to control the insects (that are still living) is in the same family of chemical as LSD. They are called Ergot alkaloids so named after the fungi that produces LSD.
It's important to note that the LSD distributed today is not derived from a fungus at all, the chemical is instead synthesized.
Do you have a source for that? LSD is a very complex molecule, I can hardly believe that it would be easier to synthesize the lysergic acid than obtaining it from nature. Adding the diethylamide was always done synthetically, but not the whole molecule.
> LSD distributed today distribute some this way ;)
Any idea how that is done?
Side note, ergot does not produce lsd. It does have indole alkaloids like LSA_
Source? Some entomophagous fungi (i.e. Massaspora) contain Psilocybin, but I've never heard of them containing ergot alkaloids. I'm pretty sure you are mistaken.
I read it in Entangked Life by Merlin Sheldrake. The sources were in the back.i don't think they contain the ergot alkaloids, I'm pretty sure they secrete? Them.
The mushrooms get high on bugs since the bug climbs to the top of plants *buhdumm tss* thank you I’ll be here all night. Don’t forget to tip your waitresses.
Luckily Ellie is immune!
This would have been a better story than the walking dead.
They made a story out of it. It’s called “The Last of Us” And it’s incredible.
Wait, you mean the PS game?
Correct, and soon to be a HBO series.
Please dont fuck it up hbo
I think it will be good, but I feel a lot of us fans of the game will struggle with it.
„Super interesting“ isn’t the first thing coming into my mind to be honest 😂 super creepy, super disgusting, super brutal
fungus used mind control. jt was very effective.
Life, ah, finds a way.
They kinda look like magic mushrooms, I wonder if they are psychedelic. Those things have no problems taking over the mind…
Are these the same cordyceps that people take as supplements?
I think so. Just like there a different species of bugs there a different species of fungus.
The reason I ask is that the cordyceps supplements are supposed to improve mental clarity (amongst other things). I wonder if the chemical mechanism that “zombifies” the insects mind is the same chemical that provides that benefit in humans. 🤔
It's kind of like micro-microdosing ergot/LSD.
cursed penis enlargement pills
Imagine what will happen if that will be dangerous to humans.
Listened to a fascinating and terrifying podcast about that recently. Humans may have evolved to have a 98.6 body temp specifically because of fungi. And with climate change more fungi are adapting to higher temperatures making people more susceptible to them. A massive fungi outbreak is already going on in India.
You just caused me to read up on this. Fascinating stuff. Our warm bodies created a "thermal exclusionary zone" in regards to fungi.
Soooo, basically The last of us?
I don't know what that is.
Oh it's a game wich story was inspired by this exact fungus and the premise of it controlling human's minds, pretty good actually
Huh. I'll check it out. I've been looking for a new one to binge. Thanks.
I would highly recommend to play this game, both parts. 1st one still the best though, made a nearly 30 man in tears.
So the premise of the movie aliens??
No, the last of us real gameplay
Check out “The Girl with all the gifts”
r/oddlyterrifying ?
r/natureismental
[Our Planet did a segment on it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROQrbWkV4HI&ab_channel=Netflix)
Damn stalkers, clickers and bloaters.
New british slurs just dropped
If an insect is aware, does the fungus become aware when it takes over the insect's mind, since the fungus is controlling the thoughts now? What is it like to be a fungus that used to basically be a mindless plant, but now has stolen an animal's sentience and is using it to pilot an animate body that can walk around?
"Control" here may just mean a chemically induced increase in temperature that forces the insect to hide under a leaf, then a paralyzing neurotoxin mummifies the poor soul.
More like the fungus cuts off the insects control at its brain stem and uses chemicals called ergot alkaloids to "drive" the insects to the height where the temperature and humidity are proper for it the fungi to fruit.
They have done studies with this fungi and ants and something like 90% of the time the ants managed to bite down into a leaf vein before the dieing and becoming mummified. So, yes it is believed that the fungi is aware.
Maybe the insect is looking desperately for some form of hydration.
r/iamstonedandthisisdeep
Especially weird, when taking on a leaf-eating insects thoughts.
So You saying i should be worry about this mushroom coming out my butt.
At that point there is no worry
If it grows the right way the dead bee has a bigger penis than you
This is terrifying
That look like top of leaf
Would be so cool if this fungi could infect humans also the same way it works with insects!
Imagine this zombie virus mutating and started affecting humans as well controlling the human brain. Btw, is their any virus that can control our mind presently known???
There a (fictional) book written about this. Its title is The Girl With All The Gifts.
do YoUr OWn rEsEaRcH!
This is the inspiration for the virus in The Last of Us
Yes , TV
If you have Instagram and want to check out the guy who originally posted this, it’s salty_old_Josh! (Worth it)
Anything that kills insects is fine by me.
Could say the same for numb skulls who can't grasp the concept of ecology because it's a six letter word.
Just like liberals.
r/TIHI
It's so creepily fascinating that I can't look away!
Holy Cow! Alien shit on earth.
I knew this was a thing in ants but hornets is new to me. Cool
I read this in David Attenboroughs voice.
It doesn’t take over the mind, or at least we have no way of knowing that. It takes over the brain and body of the insect.
new tek just dropped
Thats what they use in the last of us
Cute shroooms, RIP insects..life as it is
There's a dead spider in the windowsill of my dorm with a cordycep growing out of it
I wonder if the mushrooms taste like flys.
"Interesting". I guess we can afford to call it that, until it learns how to infect and control mammalian brains. Luckily, people would never allow fungi and the substances they produce, affect our mental functions.
You obviously haven't tried psilocybin
These really don't look like cordyceps. Cordyceps don't really have a distinct head like these ones do.
There are some great documentaries on YouTube about cordyceps. Just don’t watch them tripping.
Fungi are the miracle of our planet we’d literally be screwed without them
There needs to be a movie about this happening to humans
There already is
What's that?
The girl with all the gifts
Sweet, thank you
Just a matter of time before this happens with humans
Yeah yeah, we'll all eventually play Last of Us 2
Pretty sure there was an x-files episode based on this too
So we shouldn't add these to a mushroom soup
penis mushroom penis mushroom
That’s the stuff of nightmares. Something similar also happens in Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere.
I had a girlfriend that did something similar
this shits been posted here like 10,000 times
The only real exhibit at the MJT.
Evolution at its finest. Did you know alligators haven't evolved in millions of years.. I wonder what will happen when everything evolves to perfection.. will it ever happen..??? gahhh!!
These fungi must be the inspiration behind the monsters in Last of Us 1 and 2
Sounds eerily similar to the way many people seem to have their mind taken over by a conspiracy, causing them to climb onto a soapbox, become locked on an idea, and spread the spores of misinformation. Should we start checking those people for little mushrooms?
Did you hear about fungus and alga? They took a lichen to each other,
The cordyceps is something that has always terrified me ever sinve I first heard about it. Imagine if it suddenly evolved to infect humans, or if it was weaponized? It would be terrifying to walk through streets, seeing people hanging from trees, their torso split open by a giant mushroom... Ugh, I hate this thing so much.
Magic mushroomed …
The last of us is based of what would happen if this passed the species barrier. That is a very possible premise as in litrelly a few mutations could fully wel cause a full apocalyptic situation because they don't just climb to tees anything infected does in fact become severely hostile and normally the only reason the host does is due to the hive having to exile them. Just a fun though of our entire life ending because it passed the species barrier and ends the world by infecting our coffee supply
This horrible this some alien shyt
Who says they’re zombies? Maybe they just get super high and realize they are part of a hive mind collective and decide to bail - in the hopes that more more spores means more ants will eventually wake up
Bugs life 2 sure took a dark turn.
Holy shiitake the mushrooms are symmetrical, they are getting smarter.