Paul Stamets

Host Defense® Mushrooms™ was founded by renowned mycologist Paul Stamets with the goal of building a bridge between people and fungi. We specialize in mushroom mycelium-based supplements to support natural immunity and whole body wellness. Based near the Olympic Rainforest in Washington state, we are one of the best-documented and longest-standing mushroom supplement companies in the USA . Host Defense® Mushrooms™ began as a direct-to-store manufacturer of mushroom supplements more than 10 years ago. Today, we are the industry leader and the 1 best-selling mushroom supplement brand in the U.S.ꝉ Our continued mission is to explore, study, preserve, and spread knowledge about the use of fungi for helping bees, trees, people, and planet. + At Host Defense®, all of our product development and formulation is based on scientifically validated data to ensure the quality and efficacy of our supplements . Our mushroom mycelium and fruit bodies are grown on our farm in Washington state and are certified organic, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free. And all of our supplements are verified for identity, purity, composition, and strength by independent labs that use internationally recognized, validated testing methods. Having recognized the enormous potential for the use of beneficial mushrooms and, specifically, mushroom mycelium to support the health of both people and planet, Paul Stamets started Fungi Perfecti® in 1980 with the goal of bridging the divide between people and fungi. Since that time, Paul has become a world-renowned expert in all things mycological. His central premise is that mushrooms are vital to a healthy immune response in both people and habitats . Just like people, habitats have immune systems. And immune systems become weakened due to stress, disease, and exhaustion. Mushrooms are the cellular bridges to a healthy ecosystem in the habitats where they grow, and—when harnessed in the form of supplements—to support human health. Paul is considered an industry leader in fungi production, habitat, and medicinal use. He lectures extensively to deepen the understanding and respect for the fungal organisms that literally exist under every footstep taken on this path of life. Fungi Perfecti acknowledges that our facilities are located on the traditional lands of the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Nisqually Indian Tribe. We recognize and honor the Squaxin and Nisqually people and their ancestors who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. We express our respect for their sovereignty, their connection to the land, and their contributions to the rich ecological knowledge that guides us today. In the spirit of gratitude and partnership, we commit to working towards a future that upholds Indigenous rights and honors the land we are privileged to share. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Just as mycelium helps to support the immune system of humans, it also supports the health and immunity of the natural habitats where it grows. Mushroom mycelium is a cellular bridge connecting bees, trees, bears, plants and humans to the ecosystems in which they live. Our work is to build a healthier world with the power of mushrooms. Paul is the author of six books (including Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save The World , Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms , and Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World ), he has discovered and named numerous new species of psilocybin mushrooms, and is the founder and owner of Fungi Perfecti, LLC , makers of the Host Defense Mushrooms supplement line. He has received numerous awards, including: Invention Ambassador (2014-2015) for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Mycologist Award (2014) from the North American Mycological Association (NAMA), and the Gordon & Tina Wasson Award (2015) from the Mycological Society of America