ethnomycology

Ethnomycology is the interdisciplinary study of the relationships between humans and fungi, focusing on how societies identify, classify, use, and ritualize mushrooms and other fungi. It bridges ethnobiology, anthropology, linguistics, and mycology, and often complements ethnobotany. Ethnomycologists document traditional knowledge about fungal species, including names in local languages, ecological roles, harvesting practices, and culinary or medicinal applications.

Its topics range from edible mushrooms prized in cuisine to medicinal fungi used in traditional healthcare, such as Ganoderma lucidum and Lentinula edodes in East Asia, or turkey tail for folk remedies. It also covers psychoactive or entheogenic fungi, such as psilocybin-containing species encountered in shamanic or ritual contexts in Mesoamerica and parts of Siberia, as well as the contemporary, legal and ethical debates surrounding their study. Folklore, myths, and art connected to fungi are often analyzed alongside practical use.

Field methods include ethnographic interviews, participant observation, documentation of vernacular names and preparation methods, and collaboration with taxonomists to identify specimens. Ethical practice emphasizes informed consent, protection of Indigenous Intellectual Property, benefit-sharing, and safeguards against bioprospecting abuse. Conservation concerns, habitat loss, and sustainable harvesting are also considered as cultural knowledge depends on living fungal ecosystems.

Historically, ethnomycology gained attention in the mid-20th century through scholars who explored traditional mushroom use and its cultural meanings. While debates continue over the identification of ancient Soma and the interpretation of shamanic practices, ethnomycology remains a field that documents human–fungus relationships across cultures and time.