Psychologist Finds an Unexpected Similarity Between Mushroom Foraging and Gambling
Kate Marshal
09 September 2026
Comment 0
Lilia Gladkikh, psychologist
Mushroom foraging can trigger a rush of excitement: finding a good mushroom feels like a reward, and that feeling keeps people searching for more, according to Lilia Gladkikh, a clinical psychologist specializing in crisis and family therapy, who spoke with RIAMO.
Once someone makes a find, Gladkikh says, they want that feeling again — which can send them walking farther or deeper into the woods in search of more.
Gladkikh draws a parallel here to gambling. A gambler never knows whether the next bet will pay off, but an earlier win can encourage them to try again. Foraging works much the same way: “If I found one, there might be another nearby.”
That competitive streak can intensify in a group setting, with foragers comparing their hauls or competing to see who can find the most unusual specimen.
There’s one key difference, though, Gladkikh notes: mushroom pickers risk nothing financially, even if they come home empty-handed. In gambling, every bet carries real financial risk — and the potential for real loss.
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