North Spore

North Spore Mushroom Cultivation, Foraging, and Education What began as a love for mushroom foraging has developed into an obsession with all things fungi.
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Our mission is to provide access to the mycological world through innovative mushroom cultivation, spawn production, and research. North Spore is the brainchild of three college friends with an admiration for all things related to the mycological world. That passion for foraging has evolved over time: these days any of us are likely to be found in our cultivation rooms growing oyster mushrooms, sh

iitakes, lion's mane, chestnut mushroom, king trumpets, and pioppinos, or tincturing the myriad medicinal polypores that grow in the Maine woods. Maybe we are at Fork Food Lab in Portland sautéing sh*takes with mirin and tamari; or perhaps it's the dried porcinis and chanterelles from our last mushroom walk that are taking the stage. North Spore produces 100% of the spawn used at its facility and also makes sawdust, plug, and grain spawn for other commercial and enthusiast growers. We take our commercial spawn customer's needs seriously and are fortunate to have both a mycologist with a Master's Degree in the field and a trained lab technician overseeing our in-house laboratory, culture bank, and spawn production. Regardless of whether we are sharing our favorite mushroom dishes, our knowledge of mushroom foraging and cultivation, or simply our overwhelming admiration for this often overlooked biological kingdom, we are striving to be a community hub for fungi enthusiasts; a place where people learn to love mushrooms as we do.

At Psychedelic Science 2025, one of the most powerful talks wasn’t about depression or PTSD - it was about IBS (irritabl...
07/30/2025

At Psychedelic Science 2025, one of the most powerful talks wasn’t about depression or PTSD - it was about IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

Dr. Erin Mauney of Mass General shared groundbreaking research exploring mushroom-assisted therapy for gut disorders shaped by trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Could psychedelics help reset the gut-brain axis for millions with chronic GI issues?

Read more here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/psilocybin-therapy-for-ibs

07/29/2025

Who’s coming to our Block Party?

For the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be highlighting one of the easiest kits for beginners to dip their toes in the proverbial mycelial web: Fruiting Blocks!

Fruiting blocks are amended sawdust blocks inoculated with mushroom mycelium - “Plant & Grow” fruiting blocks can be buried in your yard or garden. They help nourish your soil, and grow quickly - typically in about 2-3 weeks.

You can also grow fruiting blocks indoors - using a grow chamber like a BoomRoom tent or Boomr Bin monotub can be helpful for setting up the perfect environment for the mushrooms - but some can also be grown right on your kitchen counter.

Save 20% on all fruiting blocks here: https://northspore.com/pages/limited-time-offers

Can microdosing mushrooms support brain health?Supporters of the “Stamets Stack” - a combination of active mushrooms, Li...
07/27/2025

Can microdosing mushrooms support brain health?

Supporters of the “Stamets Stack” - a combination of active mushrooms, Lion’s Mane, and niacin - suggest it may promote cognitive function, improve mood, and support overall neurological well-being. While early research and anecdotal reports are promising, experts caution that more scientific studies are needed to fully understand its potential benefits. Could this be a step forward in mental wellness, or is it simply too soon to tell?

Learn more here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/what-is-the-stamets-stack-and-does

Ever thought about turning your mushroom hobby into a full-blown business? North Spore co-founder Matt McInnis shares fi...
07/26/2025

Ever thought about turning your mushroom hobby into a full-blown business?

North Spore co-founder Matt McInnis shares five honest lessons from the early days of building a mushroom company from a Craigslist outbuilding to a 70+ person operation. From DIY grow rooms to missed coffee trends, it’s a candid look at the pivots, pitfalls, and practical tips that helped North Spore grow.

Check it out here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/5-tips-for-making-a-successful-mushroom

Sometimes in your mid-summer foraging class, you hit the jackpot!A bold, bright orange mushroom that grows in shelf-like...
07/25/2025

Sometimes in your mid-summer foraging class, you hit the jackpot!

A bold, bright orange mushroom that grows in shelf-like clusters on trees, especially oaks, Chicken of the Woods is known for its meaty texture and savory flavor, it's one of the easiest wild mushrooms to identify, making it a great intro species for new foragers. It contains no gills and typically has a smooth or slightly wrinkled underside. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly and harvest young, tender specimens for the best texture and taste.

Learn more about Chicken of the Woods here: https://northspore.com/blogs/the-black-trumpet/how-to-find-identify-and-cook-chicken-of-the-woods-mushrooms

So who else should you get amped up to see at Mycology Outside 2025? Well our friend Jasper Degenaars from Fungi Academy...
07/24/2025

So who else should you get amped up to see at Mycology Outside 2025? Well our friend Jasper Degenaars from Fungi Academy!

Jasper is an ambassador to the Kindom of the Fungi and has dedicated his life to the sharing and growing of Fungal Wisdom. It all started over 13 years ago when he embarked on a journey to decipher the growing of active mushrooms. Since 2019 he has committed his full time and awareness in service to nurturing the connection between people and the Fungal Kindom.

Through radiating passion and inspiration evoked from his many years of traveling the world, Jasper has co-created 20+ educational experiences, online courses, and retreats that cultivated diverse communities of learners, empowering them to explore the symbiotic relationship between fungi, people, and their environments.

We can’t wait to see you September 5-7 in S**o, Maine!

Fungi have been quietly shaping the course of science for over a century. In collaboration with The ODIN, we’re spotligh...
07/23/2025

Fungi have been quietly shaping the course of science for over a century. In collaboration with The ODIN, we’re spotlighting four species that transformed biotechnology as we know it.

Penicillium chysogenum gave us penicillin and launched the antibiotic revolution. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the humble yeast, became a cornerstone of biotech, powering everything from fermentation to gene editing. Neurospora crassa helped unravel the fundamentals of genetics and fungal virology. And the last mushroom in our list, once relegated to counterculture, is now at the cutting edge of neuroscience and mental health research. These fungi aren’t just fascinating, they’re ground-breaking.

Learn more about these fungi and how you can use them in biohacking here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/four-fungi-that-changed-science

Long before the therapies made headlines, a grassroots network of underground cultivators was quietly shaping the psyche...
07/18/2025

Long before the therapies made headlines, a grassroots network of underground cultivators was quietly shaping the psychedelic movement. From early internet forums and amateur grow manuals to the first legal frameworks, these DIY pioneers pushed the boundaries of access, science, and culture.

Read the full article here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/growing-shrooms-through-the-ages-9b8

Part 1 (pre-history - 1989) here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/growing-shrooms-through-the-ages

At Psychedelic Science 2025, we got a chance to sit down and talk with Sam Chapman, Executive Director of the Center for...
07/17/2025

At Psychedelic Science 2025, we got a chance to sit down and talk with Sam Chapman, Executive Director of the Center for Psychedelic Policy.

In this interview, he shares insights from years of frontline work advancing legislation - most notably as campaign manager for Oregon’s historic Measure 109. He breaks down what’s working, what’s not, and how states can center affordability and access from day one.

Check out the full interview here: https://youtu.be/fAQqFbax6k0?si=vGe7WOkX5JcOFt0c

If you're interested in growing your own mushrooms, visit our website to at: northspore.comNorth Spore had the opportunity to sit down with Sam Chapman, the ...

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921 Riverside Street
Westbrook, ME
04103

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