Mushrooms of the Vikings with Silver Laus

In this episode of the Biohacker's Podcast, Teemu Arina is joined by Silver Laus to discuss the history of Estonia's resilient people and how the country's beautiful and potent nature helped them along the way.

Silver Laus is one of the leading voices in the functional mushroom space, combining deep knowledge of ancient fungal wisdom with the latest scientific advancements to help people live stronger, healthier, and more vibrant lives.

Estonia's unique position at the crossroads of northern Europe shaped its character through centuries of struggle. According to Laus, this small Baltic nation's history is deeply intertwined with Viking culture, an aspect many outsiders overlook.

This resilience manifested in the nation's relationship with nature. While Christianity swept through Europe, condemning practices like sauna use, Estonians maintained their traditional knowledge and connection to the forest.

As the CEO of Shroomwell, one of the world’s premier mycotechnology companies, Silver Laus has been instrumental in pioneering potent extraction methods, creating high-performance mushroom supplements, and shaping a global wellness brand rooted in wholesome principles.

Shroomwell's approach to mushroom cultivation blends ancient wisdom with cutting-edge techniques. Rather than harvesting exclusively from wild sources, the company has developed sustainable farming methods that mimic natural stressors while increasing yield.

Learn more about Silver and Shroomwell at https://shroomwell.com!

This conversation was recorded in April 2025.

Check https://hololifesummit.com for upcoming events & tickets!

Devices, supplements, guides, books & quality online courses for supporting your health & performance: https://hololifecenter.com

Key moments and takeaways:

00:00 Introduction by Teemu Arina

01:15 Who is Silver Laus from Shroomwell?

02:30 The significance of functional mushrooms in health

04:10 Personal experience with chaga and other mushrooms

05:45 Understanding product quality and sourcing concerns

08:30 Silver's background in Estonia and its Viking heritage

10:00 Resilience of Estonians throughout history

12:30 The cultural significance of sauna and its connection to health

15:50 How Estonia defended its heritage against invasions

18:20 The medicinal properties of chaga mushrooms

20:45 Overview of the various forms of functional mushrooms

23:15 Benefits of functional mushrooms in modern health

25:00 Importance of outdoor-grown versus indoor-grown mushrooms

28:40 The unique cultivation practices for chaga mushrooms

30:50 Insights into the extraction methods for bioavailability

34:10 The interplay of environmental stressors and mushroom potency

37:40 Introducing Shroomwell’s innovative product range

40:20 The challenges within the energy drink market and the shift towards wellness

45:30 Come to the HOLOLIFE Summit in Estonia, visit Shroomwell, try their products

47:50 More amazing facts about Estonia, fermented products and mushrooms

51:30 Shroomwell has an Open Door Policy