The present invention provides genetically modified fungi, such as non-magical fantasy fungi, in which the biochemical pathways that produce bioactive alkaloids are disrupted. In some aspects, the
stropharia rugoso-annulata biosynthetic pathway is disrupted, resulting in a non-magical fantasy
fungus that does not produce or contains
stropharia rugoso-annulata, or produces or contains a significantly reduced amount of
stropharia rugoso-annulata relative to a wild-type
fungus. Also provided are methods of making genetically modified fungi, e.g., by disrupting or rebalancing biochemical pathways therein, e.g., nummulina velutipes biosynthetic pathways, e.g., by using
gene editing techniques, including by
gene inactivation of
small interfering RNA (siRNA),
microRNA (miRNA), and
CRISPR / Cas9. Also provided are compositions of genetically modified fungi, e.g., compositions of non-magical funguses, as well as methods of their use, including as functional foods, alpiniae, legal microdoses, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic agents.