Fungal Fragrances

Smell that? Could be a fungus. Aroma is everywhere, and much of that comes from microorganisms. Pheromones, toxins, attractants, hormones… chemicals are the language of fungi. Today we are joined by a mycologist and artist to discuss the olfactory world of fungi and how it is experienced by human beings. With an extensive array of scents, fungal fragrances inspired the first mushroom smell wheel created by Willoughby Arevalo and Isabelle Kirouac. Our conversation features stories around these unique aromas, the attempt to recreate the smells, the possible roles of these compounds in the ecosystem, and more!

Topics covered:

• Our sense of smell and our human relationship with it
• A brief overview of fungal aroma biotechnology
• 1-Octen-3-ol or “mushroom alcohol”
• The Mushroom Smelling Wheel: the variety of smells such as garlic, watermelon, DMT, sperm, shrimp, crayons, wet sleeping bag, etc
• Chemical communications and pheromones in mushroom forming fungi
• Willoughby & Isabelle’s artist residency in Mexico and the development of fungal fragrance catalogue
• Brief visitaitons on the sex life of fungi
• Willoughby & Isabelle’s Art & Fungi Project 

Show Notes:

Art & Fungi Project: https://artandfungi.org/

Walking The Mycelial Web: https://walkingthemycelialweb.org/

DIY Mushroom Cultivation: https://newsociety.com/books/d/diy-mushroom-cultivation?aff=20

Making Sense of Each Other Future Ecologies Podcast: https://www.futureecologies.net/listen/fe-3-6-making-sense-of-each-other

The Mushroom Smelling Wheel: https://www.futureecologies.net/listen/fe-3-6-making-sense-of-each-other

Fungal Aroma Biotech: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M9dG9bByudSDOvMXV2mF4sfQ7NEdLFr-?usp=sharing


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