Iain Maclean Herbalist

25/01/2026

The narrative is slowly coming apart, it’s going to be a long road for some to accept it.

24/01/2026

Chemical constituents of microbes enacting upon the unbalanced cellular metabolism of the host that in actuality produce the disease. There’s always an endo-exo relationship and in some cases it’s purely an endogenous cause. The host is full of commensal microbes waiting the moment the host loses its ability to resist the microbe, the disease ultimately resides in the host.

21/01/2026

What is the glymphatic system?

The glymphatic system is a brain-wide waste-clearance and fluid-transport system that helps keep neural tissue healthy. It’s sometimes described as the brain’s version of the lymphatic system (hence “glymphatic” = glial + lymphatic).

What it does (in plain terms)

Your brain produces a lot of metabolic waste—broken proteins, toxins, and by-products of neural activity. The glymphatic system:
• Flushes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through brain tissue
• Washes away metabolic waste
• Helps remove proteins like β-amyloid and tau, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Why sleep is critical 💤

The glymphatic system is far more active during deep sleep:
• Brain cells shrink by ~40–60%
• Interstitial space expands
• Fluid flow increases dramatically
• Waste clearance becomes much more efficient

This is why chronic sleep deprivation is linked to:
• Cognitive decline
• Neurodegenerative disease risk
• Impaired memory and learning

18/01/2026

16/01/2026

Textbooks usually define health as the absence of disease, and vice-versa. These
“definitions” rest upon the assumption that the two conditions are the opposites of each other. Is this really so? Are they not rather different only in degree and in the position of vital phenomena proceeding within time-space?—Hans Selye, 1976

13/01/2026

I’m always up for a chat, the local is a great spot

10/01/2026

Scientists say the human gut contains roughly as many bacterial cells as human cells, making each person a living ecosystem. Modern life, however, is steadily damaging that system through processed food, chronic stress, and frequent antibiotic use, often leading to bloating, inflammation, and immune imbalance.

New research suggests mushrooms may help restore gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria. When consumed, mushroom compounds support key microbes such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. These bacteria then produce short chain fatty acids, which strengthen the gut lining, calm inflammation, and help regulate immune responses.

Different mushrooms appear to work in distinct ways. Shiitake supports beneficial gut bacteria directly. Lion’s mane influences the gut brain axis, linking digestion and mental health. Turkey tail has been studied alongside cancer care in Japan due to its immune effects. Reishi, one of the most researched mushrooms, has been linked to inflammation control and bl*od sugar balance.

Most evidence currently comes from laboratory and animal studies, and scientists are calling for more human trials to determine ideal amounts and combinations. Still, researchers believe future nutrition could involve personalized mushroom strategies based on individual gut profiles.

Do you think improving gut health could start with something as simple as eating more mushrooms?

04/01/2026

Replaces the old idea of germ theory

The germ theory of morphogenesis and differentiation holds that biological form emerges from intrinsic, negentropic, self-organising properties of living matter, with genes, epigenetics, and selection acting as modulators rather than sole causes.e

03/01/2026

Fantastic is a 2019 American documentary directed by Louie Schwartzberg. The film combines time-lapse cinematography, CGI, and interviews in an ...

01/01/2026

For thousands of years, sacred mushroom traditions treated certain fungi as tools for healing, balance, and reconnection, not as casual substances. Cultures that worked with these mushrooms understood their power and approached them with ceremony, intention, and respect. Central to this tradition is psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound found in specific mushroom species that interacts with the brain in highly precise ways.

Rather than overwhelming the mind, psilocybin appears to gently loosen rigid thought patterns, allowing emotional processing, insight, and psychological renewal. Indigenous practices emphasized guidance and context, recognizing that the experience depended as much on mindset and environment as on the mushroom itself.

Modern neuroscience is now revisiting what ancient cultures already sensed. Controlled research suggests psilocybin may support neuroplasticity, emotional flexibility, and long-term mental well-being when used responsibly in structured settings. This growing body of evidence is helping bridge ancestral knowledge with contemporary science.

Lawler’s words reflect a timeless perspective: healing does not always come from control or suppression. Sometimes, it comes from restoring balance by reconnecting with nature’s original design.

31/12/2025

Will it be year of the mushroom? Not only are mushrooms full of nutrients and tasty to eat but they also hold the potential to improve your mental and immune health. Without them we as a species wouldn’t be here, so let’s talk about mushrooms all year long. 🍄🍄‍🟫

31/12/2025

The Stoned Ape Theory proposes a bold idea about human origins. It suggests that early humans who consumed psychoactive mushrooms may have experienced changes that shaped the course of evolution.

According to the theory, small doses could have enhanced visual perception, helping early hunters spot movement and patterns more effectively. Over time, this may have supported better survival skills and sharper awareness of the environment.

Larger doses are believed to have influenced brain development in other ways. Researchers and theorists suggest these experiences may have encouraged creativity, symbolic thinking, and early language. This could help explain the rapid growth of the human brain compared to other primates.

The theory also points to social effects. Shared altered states may have strengthened group bonding, empathy, and cooperation, reinforcing tighter communities and deeper emotional connections.

While the idea remains debated and not fully proven, it continues to spark discussion among anthropologists, neuroscientists, and historians exploring how culture, biology, and consciousness may have evolved together.

Do you think altered states could have played a role in making us human?