The Texas Mushroom Conference wrapped up another year in Austin, drawing hundreds of attendees to the University of Texas campus.
Now in its fourth year, the event brought together vendors, researchers and enthusiasts from all across the United States and Mexico. Organizers say interest in mushrooms continues to grow—spanning industries from food to environmental restoration, and increasingly, mental health research.
“So it could be food, psychedelic research, environmental restoration—fungi really play a key role and a growing role in these different industries and spaces,” said Maximilian Esparza, co-founder of the Texas Mushroom Conference. “I think that’s a really surprising thing for a lot of newcomers.”
That growing interest comes as psychedelics—particularly a compound known as psilocybin that’s produced by certain fungi—gain more attention for their potential therapeutic uses.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to accelerate research into psychedelics – including psilocybin – to be used to treat PTSD, severe depression and other mental health ailments.
Esparza says public support for psychedelic research is expanding, alongside legislative efforts across the country.
“It’s really cool to see the general public start to support this psychedelic research through legislation, through bills, through laws, through regulation,” Esparza said. “It helps this movement grow so we can learn more about what happens when people take psychedelics.”
Supporters hope that research could eventually lead to new treatments for mental health conditions in the United States.
“Just better understanding, better transparency on what goes on when we consume these substances—how can they help us, and how can we minimize risk?” Esparza said. “That’s why we have research going on for medicinal use.”
Organizers are also watching developments in neighboring states. New Mexico is expected to roll out a medical mushroom program in 2027, something Esparza said could provide insight into how similar efforts could take shape elsewhere.