5 Nootropic Mushrooms: Everything You Need To Know
Every now and then, life can get a little overwhelming — even for people who normally take the twists and turns of life in stride. Maybe you’ve had a day where Murphy’s law was in full effect, or maybe you’re on the other end of a sleepless night. No matter what form it takes, we’ve all had days that just felt blah.
Luckily, there are a few substances that can help give our bodies and brains a nudge in the right direction. These are called nootropics, and while there are tons of them out there, some of our favorites come in the most unlikely of forms: mushrooms. Read on to learn everything you need to know about nootropic mushrooms.
What Are Nootropics?
Put simply, nootropics are substances that can support brain function, opens in a new tab. You may have also heard them called “cognitive enhancers” or “smart drugs.” Depending on the supplement, these nootropics can help ease feelings of stress, increase energy, sharpen focus, and stave off exhaustion.
While the category of “nootropics” certainly contains some natural herbs and supplements, it technically also includes artificial substances or isolated compounds. For example, one nootropic is astaxanthin, a compound found in sea algae. Another is centrophenoxine, which is a completely man-made drug.
Some common natural nootropics include:
- Ashwagandha
- Caffeine
- CBD
- CoQ10
- GABA
- Ginseng
- Kava kava
- L-theanine, opens in a new tab
- Resveratrol
- Rhodiola
- Theobromine
5 Nootropic Mushrooms
Aside from fan favorites like ashwagandha and L-theanine, plenty of nootropics come in the form of mushrooms. In fact, here are five we can name off the top of our heads.
1. Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane is a fluffy white mushroom that can support overall brain health, opens in a new tab, memory, and focus. It can also encourage the body’s production of nerve growth factor, which tends to slow after a night or two of poor sleep. This mushroom can also support overall mental health, leading to a balanced state of mind.
2. Cordyceps
No, cordyceps won’t turn you into a zombie. In fact, its benefits are almost the complete opposite.
Cordyceps can be used to support energy and stamina, especially in athletes. The mushroom is used commonly in China, opens in a new tab, where athletes use it to increase their exercise tolerance and the elderly use it to increase their mobility.
3. Psilocybin
This wouldn’t be an article about mushroom nootropics if we didn’t mention psilocybin, would it? Taking psilocybin in small doses may have benefits for mental health, focus, and sleep. This mushroom is illegal to take in many states, but with all of the research coming out about its benefits, the future looks promising.
4. Reishi
Reishi mushrooms can reduce inflammation, opens in a new tab in the body, which can have a massive ripple effect. This can support healthy sleep, healthy stress levels, healthy brain function, and so much more. Reishi also has adaptogenic properties and is commonly used to support a healthy stress response.
5. Maitake
Early research shows that maitake can support a healthy mood by reducing feelings of depression, opens in a new tab. It can also help lower cortisol levels, which can help reduce feelings of stress and support overall health. This may also help support better sleep. More studies are needed to confirm these benefits, but we’re excited by what we’ve seen so far.
How Can You Take Nootropic Mushroom Supplements?
If you’re overwhelmed even thinking about trying to choose a supplement, take a deep breath — we’re here to make it as easy as possible. First, pinpoint the effects you’re looking for. Do you need something to help you handle stress, or do you need something to help you have more energy throughout the day?
Second, make sure you check whether a supplement is extracted or not. Mushrooms can have so many wonderful health benefits, but they have to be put through extraction processes before our bodies can make the most of their helpful compounds.
Third, check for combinations. You could get single, dedicated supplements for each nootropic you’d like to try… or you could just buy one supplement that has them all. This is called a stack.
Fourth, pick a supplement that you know you’ll have no problem taking with consistency. This means the supplement will need two key qualities: easy and delicious. Fortunately, our Mushroom Coffee+ fits both of these categories.
This formula is packed with nootropics like coffee extract, lion’s mane mushroom, and L-theanine, as well as collagen to support hair, skin, and nails and chaga mushroom to support the immune system. It tastes just like coffee, but the benefits are out of this world.
Plus, it’s one of the easiest supplements to take. Simply use the scoop it comes with to measure out one serving, then add water. You can even turn it into a mocha, opens in a new tab or a smoothie if that’s your thing. And, since many people already drink a cuppa every morning, incorporating it into your routine should be seamless.
The Bottom Line
Nootropics are supplements that can support your brain health and help you adjust to the curveballs of life. When you hear “nootropics,” you might think of herbs — however, nootropics also include mushrooms like lion’s mane, cordyceps, and reishi.
Here at Everyday Dose, we’re all about maximizing brain power and supporting the body with holistic and natural ingredients. That’s why our mushroom blends feature nothing but the absolute best of the best ingredients. To learn more about mushroom coffee, opens in a new tab and its benefits, visit our blog, opens in a new tab today!
Sources:
Anti-dopers can't hope to solve this Chinese puzzle | Athletics | The Guardian
Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) - Herbal Medicine | NCBI Bookshelf, opens in a new tab
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