I was reading some pamphlets sent out by some “Paras Preservation Society”, and I figured I’d go to the experts to ask. Does evolving into a Parasect really reduce the quality of life for them that much?

While paras by and large retains its own mind before evolution and can potentially regain some semblance of independence (such as in the case of paras separating from their mushrooms when exposed to hot, dry environments), the truth is, not really, anonymous. Prior to evolution, the mushroom feeds on paras, which doesn’t necessarily kill them but does actually hinder their growth. Paras that never evolve tend to be weaker and more lethargic as time goes on (more so than most other bug-types, that is), and their life expectancy is less than fifteen years.

However, upon evolution, the host’s mind is completely absorbed by the mushroom, resulting in an organism that’s essentially a mushroom driving an insect body. While this may seem gruesome, the mind of the paras still exists within the complete organism; it’s simply mixed into that of the mushroom. (That is, your parasect can still remember you and everything it experienced with you. It’s simply a mix of mushroom and bug that’s mostly mushroom.) Moreover, because the parasect’s body is essentially that of the fungus, the fungus stops feeding on its host, allowing it to grow in tandem with itself. That is to say, a parasect’s life expectancy is far longer than that of a paras, and it wouldn’t be unusual to have a parasect experience a sudden boost in energy and appetite.

In other words, while it’s true that the parasect host had been taken over and essentially “swallowed” by its mushroom parasite, on the other hand, the act of doing so allows it to live a longer, pain-free life. Meanwhile, it’s true that paras has more independence than its evolved form, but it also is constantly hindered by its own parasitic mushrooms. So … quite honestly, one could argue either way, but I personally think that being taken over by a different species that grants me a boost in energy, special abilities, and a longer life span is a fair trade for a bit of bodily autonomy.

But then again, I’ve also been told I’m odd like that.

I work as a Pokemon breeder, but recently my Parasect has been giving me a bit of trouble… She’s unusually protective of the eggs we keep, and considering what they’ve been known to do with their eggs, I’m a little worried? Is there any chance of them being infected by the Paras fungus?

Quite honestly, no. The tochukaso mushroom (that is, the one that grows on paras backs) requires a very specific host.

Allow me to explain with an example. The fungus O. unilateralis is a rather unassuming-looking organism, consisting of a single fruiting body (bit that reproduces and releases spores) in the form of a tiny stalk. However, the problem that O. unilateralis faces is that the floor of the forests in which it exists do not harbor the right conditions for it to thrive. The moisture there isn’t optimal, and never mind releasing spores when you’re surrounded by tall plant life.

Thus, the spores of the O. unilateralis make do … by infecting the ants it shares its habitat with. Over a matter of days, O. unilateralis’s signature stalk will grow out of the infected ant while its mycelium reaches inward and seizes control of the ant’s body. It then drives the ant to crawl up a stalk of grass or other plant, clamp down hard onto the stem, and stay there until it dies. Meanwhile, O. unilateralis draws in the moisture it needs to release its spores, and its spores travel much further than they would have if the fungus were stuck on the ground. Yet all other wildlife is more or less unaffected by O. unilateralis’s presence. Birds can eat infected ants without being infected themselves, pokémon can brush up against entire fields of it without feeling any effects whatsoever, and even humans—who are admittedly less equipped to survive the deadlier parts of nature than animals or pokémon—can touch the fungus without any ill effects (for the most part).

In the same way, tochukaso is to paras and parasect as the O. unilateralis is to the ant. It thrives on the backs of that evolution line and only that evolution line; any other organism that touches it is completely unaffected by it (assuming they’re not allergic to mold, anyway). So while it comes as no surprise that your parasect is protective of the eggs in your care (she is following her own/her parasite’s instincts, after all), it’s very, very unlikely that any of the hatchlings are actually infected.

However, it is very likely that she’s spraying your eggs with spores anyway (as per her instincts), so it’s important that you wipe each egg shortly before hatching and try to keep your parasect from spraying the newborns.

Paras and Parasect

Paras
The Mushroom Pokémon
Type: Bug/Grass
Official Registration #: 46
Entry: The mushrooms that grow on the backs of these small, mite-like pokémon are called tochukaso (not to be confused with caterpillar fungus, which is also known as tochukaso among the people of Johto, Kanto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh). In East Asian medicine—particularly in the Tibetan, Indian, and Chinese traditions—tochukaso that are gathered and dried may be powdered and included in pastes, teas, and other recipes that either cure or alleviate a wide variety of ailments. (This process does not harm the paras, and in fact, the mycelium of their mushroom system is usually left intact, meaning the fruiting bodies may regrow within a few days.) Contrary to popular belief, despite its status as a keystone for traditional medicine, tochukaso is not a psychedelic. It is, however, mildly poisonous when consumed raw and may lead to acute stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting. Also contrary to popular belief, the author does not know this from experience.

Parasect
The Mushroom Pokémon
Type: Bug/Grass
Official Registration #: 47
Entry: The evolved form of paras, by battle experience. Upon evolution, the paras mite’s mind is wholly suppressed by the mushroom growing on its back. If left to its own devices, the mushroom will puppeteer its mite host from one food source to another, typically the sap-rich trees of the Safari Zone or the mineral-rich salt deposits within the cave systems of Johto and Kanto. If tamed, however, the mushroom may be placated with pokémon kibble, but it will likely prefer virtually anything that can rot, from old food to gym socks. Trainers should note, however, that using your pokémon as garbage disposals is not exactly harmful but still not a habit that the author particularly recommends.