What Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms? Benefits and Facts
Have you ever wished there was a magic pill that would melt away your stress? While such a pill doesn’t exist (yet), there are ways you can support your ability to handle stress. Think of them less like a magic eraser and more like a helping hand.
If you haven’t guessed yet, we’re talking about adaptogens. While there are plenty of adaptogens out there, we aren’t just talking about ordinary adaptogenic herbs — we’re talking about edible mushrooms. Read along to learn more about these fantastic fungi and how to take them.
First Things First — What Are Adaptogens?
Essentially, adaptogens are supplements that can support our physical and mental ability to respond to stressors. You may have already heard of some of the more popular adaptogens, such as ashwagandha, rhodiola, and American ginseng.
By supporting a healthy stress response, these substances can also have effects throughout the body. For instance, many of them can support your immune system, encourage mental health, or even support metabolic health. These are all areas of health that can be affected by stress.
How Do Adaptogens Work?
Each adaptogen has unique health benefits and works a little differently, but many of them basically function by supporting the central nervous system (CNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord, and its main job is to pick up on stress signals and control the stress response. The HPA axis responds to signals from the CNS to produce stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
By supporting a healthy HPA axis and CNS response, adaptogens can encourage homeostasis, or full-body balance. These effects can be seen far and wide throughout the body.
3 Adaptogenic Mushrooms and Their Benefits
It might seem weird to think about mushrooms as being able to help you feel less stressed, but fact can often be stranger than fiction. However, we aren’t just talking about your average pizza toppings like shiitake or maitake mushrooms. Instead, we’re going to dive into the beautiful and powerful world of these superfoods, focusing on functional mushrooms and their health benefits.
1. Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane mushroom, opens in a new tab (Hericium erinaceus) is a white, fluffy-looking mushroom that has been a staple of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. This mushroom has multiple bioactive compounds.
Erinacines have antioxidant properties and can support nerve growth factor (NGF), opens in a new tab, encouraging a healthy nervous system. Meanwhile, hericerin can support memory-making and recall abilities.
Polysaccharides like beta-glucans work alongside these, providing non-soluble fiber that can encourage a healthy gut microbiome. Because of the gut-brain axis, opens in a new tab, this can further encourage mental health. All of these factors can work together to help you feel relaxed and support focus during seasons of stress.
2. Reishi
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) have been used for thousands of years to support mental wellness. Many people claim that reishi mushroom extract can relieve feelings of stress and anxiety.
While the mental health benefits of reishi are largely unproven, it has been shown to have immunomodulating effects, which can help your body stay healthy even when you’re stressed. These beneficial effects can combine to help your mind and body stay in tip-top shape even when you’re pulling long hours or navigating the challenges of life.
3. Cordyceps
Cordyceps mushrooms, opens in a new tab (Cordyceps sinensis) have adaptogenic properties, but they work a little differently than the other mushrooms on this list. While cordyceps can support your well-being during stress, they work mostly on the body instead of the mind.
This mushroom can physically increase our stores of energy, opens in a new tab, which can be very helpful for navigating the physical stress of a heavy workout or simply making it through a long day. Cordyceps can also encourage healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, which tend to become elevated with stress. Finally, this mushroom can also support immune function during times of stress.
When Should You Take Adaptogens?
While many adaptogens can instantly help you feel more energetic or less stressed, many of their other benefits take some time. Because of this, it’s important to take adaptogens consistently. You might want to keep some fast-acting herbs and mushrooms on hand for moments of sudden stress, but remember to take them frequently throughout seasons of stress to experience more long-term support.
When it comes to side effects, most adaptogens don’t have side effects — just benefits. That said, it’s still important to consult a healthcare provider if you have a preexisting health condition or are pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s possible that some adaptogenic mushrooms may interfere with certain medications, so check with your doctor to make sure you’re safe to take them.
How Can You Take Medicinal Mushrooms?
When it comes to these types of mushrooms, not all supplements are created equal. You may find a supplement that claims to contain any of the above mushrooms, but it’s important to look closely at how the supplement is made.
Here are some key things to look out for:
- Is the supplement made with mycelium or fruiting bodies, opens in a new tab?
- Is the supplement made with mushroom extract or mushroom powder?
- Is the supplement made with wood-grown or grain-grown mushrooms?
Here at Everyday Dose, we know that quality is king. Our mushroom coffee is made with only the highest quality lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms, L-theanine, collagen protein, and coffee extract.
Our mushrooms are foraged from trees, just as they grow in the wild. We use only 100 percent fruiting bodies, and all of our mushrooms are double-extracted so you know you’re getting the best of the best. All you need to do with our functional coffee is add hot water, grab a book (or Instagram — you do you), and enjoy the smooth coffee taste you love.
The Bottom Line
Adaptogens are substances that can help support a healthy stress response. This is more important than ever, as many people are trying to squeeze more and more activities into their days. Adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps can support focus, relaxation, and even energy production.
With today’s fast-paced world, we don’t have time for solutions that don’t work. That’s why our founder Jack took his time to create a mushroom supplement that can have noticeable benefits with just one dose. To learn more about our story and our mushroom blends, browse our collection, opens in a new tab today.
Sources:
Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug - Herbal Medicine | NCBI Bookshelf, opens in a new tab
Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) - Herbal Medicine | NCBI Bookshelf, opens in a new tab
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