Emily Johnson
Mushroom tea is a beverage made by infusing or steeping mushrooms in hot water. Although it may seem like a new trend, drinking mushroom tea for its health benefits is not a new concept. For centuries, indigenous Siberians have added powdered chaga mushrooms to their food, and they are claimed to have longer life spans and lower rates of cancer. Today, mushroom tea is becoming increasingly popular, with celebrities and health influencers endorsing it. However, it is important to consider the safety of consuming mushroom tea. While most people can consume certain varieties of mushroom tea without adverse effects, there have been no clinical trials to assess its safety, and potential risks include negative interactions with medications and long-term side effects such as paranoia and disorganized thinking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of mushrooms used | Reishi, Chaga, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Tremella, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, Maitake, Morel, Chanterelle, Oyster |
| Benefits | Adaptogenic properties, immune-boosting, anti-aging, energy-boosting, supporting digestive health, promoting balance in the body, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity, promoting longer life spans |
| Risks | Possible interactions with medications (e.g. blood thinners, insulin), not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, negative impact on mental health, physical side effects like nausea and increased heart rate |
| Preparation | Dried mushrooms ground into a powder and steeped in hot water, or mushroom extract capsules |
| Availability | Sold by brands like Buddha Teas, Baikal Tea, Traditional Medicinals, Tealeaves, The Republic of Tea, Tamim Teas, Full Leaf Tea Company |
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What You'll Learn
Potential health benefits
Mushroom tea is more than just a beverage; it's a way to integrate functional mushrooms and their potential health benefits into your diet. Although there is a trend of drinking tea made from psychedelic mushrooms, this response focuses on the health benefits of non-psychedelic mushroom tea.
Adaptogens
Mushrooms contain adaptogens, which are compounds that help the body manage stress by calming the central nervous system and moderating its response to the stress hormone, cortisol. By helping to manage short-term body stress, adaptogens may help prevent the long-term impacts of stress.
Immune-boosting
Mushrooms such as chaga and reishi are thought to have immune-boosting properties. Chaga mushrooms, in particular, are high in antioxidants, which support cellular regeneration and protect against cellular damage and genetic mutation. Indigenous Siberians routinely add powdered chaga mushrooms to their soups and stews, and they are claimed to have longer life spans and lower rates of cancer than neighbouring tribes who don't follow this practice.
Supporting digestive health
Chaga mushrooms contain manganese, thiamin, and important digestive enzymes, which help stimulate the liver to create digestive bile, which is important for the proper breakdown and digestion of food, especially protein.
Energy-boosting
Although more rigorous studies are needed, there is some evidence that mushroom tea may have energy-boosting effects. A small pilot study found that people taking mushroom extracts were able to exercise more heavily than those who did not. Additionally, some people have reported feeling more energetic after drinking mushroom tea.
Rich in nutrients
Mushrooms are a low-calorie food that is high in fibre and rich in antioxidants and nutrients such as protein, vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium, selenium, and choline. Varieties such as maitake, morel, chanterelle, oyster, and shiitake are also high in vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
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Lack of clinical trials
While mushroom tea has been touted for its health benefits, there is a lack of clinical trials and extensive research to support these claims. The popularity of mushroom tea as a health beverage has grown, with people incorporating it into their daily routines for its supposed health advantages. However, the absence of comprehensive studies leaves us with limited understanding of its potential benefits and risks.
Mushroom tea is often promoted as a functional food, containing adaptogens that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Adaptogens are compounds that help the body manage stress by influencing the central nervous system and moderating the stress hormone cortisol. While adaptogens in mushroom tea may aid in stress reduction, there is insufficient clinical evidence to confirm this effect. The lack of clinical trials means we cannot fully rely on these beverages as a stress management solution without potential unknown risks.
The safety of consuming mushroom tea has not been adequately assessed through clinical trials. While most people can consume certain types of mushroom tea without adverse effects, there are potential risks to consider. For example, Chaga mushrooms, a common variety used in mushroom tea, can interact negatively with blood-thinning medications and insulin. Additionally, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should exercise caution as Chaga mushrooms may have interactions with breast milk. The lack of clinical trials makes it challenging to provide definitive guidelines for safe consumption, especially for individuals with specific health conditions or those taking medications.
Furthermore, the long-term effects of consuming mushroom tea are not yet fully understood due to the limited number of clinical trials. While short-term benefits have been anecdotally reported, there is insufficient research to determine the impact of long-term consumption. The potential risks and benefits of regular, long-term mushroom tea consumption remain unclear. Without extensive clinical trials, it is challenging to make evidence-based conclusions about the safety and efficacy of mushroom tea as a health supplement.
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Side effects and risks
While most people can consume mushroom tea without adverse side effects, there are some potential risks and negative side effects to be aware of. Firstly, it is important to differentiate between the various types of mushroom tea. Most sources refer to the health benefits of teas made from chaga, reishi, lion's mane, cordyceps, tremella, turkey tail, and shiitake mushrooms. These teas are considered adaptogens, which help the body manage stress by calming the central nervous system and moderating the stress hormone cortisol. They also support digestive health and boost immunity.
However, there is another type of mushroom tea made from psychedelic or hallucinogenic mushrooms, which creates a very different effect. This tea is made from mushrooms that contain psilocybin and psilocin, which have psychedelic effects similar to LSD. The potency of this type of tea depends on the type of mushroom, the amount used, and the time they are boiled. Common side effects of consuming this tea include panic attacks, disorientation, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, vomiting, increased heart rate, urinary incontinence, nausea, and high blood pressure. Long-term effects can include flashbacks, visual distortion, and a "bad trip".
It is important to note that there have been no clinical trials to assess the safety of mushroom tea, and consuming any drug can cause physical side effects. Chaga mushrooms, in particular, may negatively interact with blood-thinning medications like aspirin and insulin. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid chaga mushrooms, and those with autoimmune diseases should avoid chaga and reishi mushrooms.
While long-term side effects of magic mushroom tea are rare, they can occur and may include paranoia, disorganized thinking, perceptual disturbances, and mood changes. It is always recommended to discuss any new supplement with a healthcare provider to determine if it is right for you.
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Magic mushroom tea
While short-term benefits can be found when consuming magic mushroom tea, there are also many negative effects. The negative effects of magic mushroom tea may be influenced by the environment or the mindset of the person consuming the tea, which can lead to a "bad trip". Once a bad trip has started, there is no way to stop it except by trying to improve one's mindset and setting.
Long-term side effects of magic mushroom tea are rare but can include paranoia, disorganized thinking, perceptual disturbances, and mood changes. It is important to note that there have been no clinical trials to assess the safety of magic mushroom tea, and it may interact negatively with certain medications. As such, it is important to approach magic mushroom tea with caution and be aware of the potential risks involved.
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Making mushroom tea
Mushroom tea is a beverage made by infusing or steeping mushrooms in hot water. It is believed to possess several health benefits, such as boosting immunity, improving cognitive function, and supporting digestive health. However, it is important to note that there have been no clinical trials to assess the safety of mushroom tea, and consuming certain varieties may lead to adverse side effects.
When making mushroom tea, the first step is to choose the type of mushroom. Popular varieties include Chaga, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Reishi, and Ashwagandha. Chaga mushrooms, known by the botanical name Inonotus obliquus, are commonly found in North America and Europe. They have a mild flavour with a slight hint of vanilla and are often consumed as a tea in Russia. Lion's Mane mushrooms are known for their sweet and savoury flavour and are believed to improve concentration and cognitive function. Maitake mushrooms, on the other hand, have a fruity, earthy, and spicy flavour profile and are commonly found in the northern parts of Japan and across the United States.
Once you have selected your mushroom variety, you can prepare them by grinding them into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or food processor. If using Chaga mushrooms, you can also break them into small chunks. For a single serving of tea, place approximately one teaspoon of the mushroom powder or chunks in a tea infuser or directly into a mug.
Then, pour boiling water over the mushrooms. The water level should be just enough to cover the mushrooms. Allow the tea to steep for 5-20 minutes, depending on your preference for mushroom tea strength. If using Chaga, aim for a steeping time of 4-6 minutes. For Lion's Mane, steep the tea for 10-15 minutes.
Finally, strain the tea into a cup to remove any remaining mushroom particles. You can use a coffee filter or a fine-mesh strainer for this step. At this point, you can also add optional flavourings such as honey, lemon, ginger, cinnamon, or maple syrup to enhance the taste of your mushroom tea.
Please note that consuming certain varieties of mushroom tea, especially those made from psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin and psilocin, may lead to various physical and mental side effects, including increased creativity, euphoria, happy feelings, panic attacks, disorientation, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, vomiting, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. Long-term side effects may include flashbacks, visual distortion, and changes in mood and thinking. Additionally, Chaga mushrooms may negatively interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners and insulin, and should be avoided by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always consume mushroom tea with caution and be mindful of any potential risks or interactions.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom tea is a beverage made by infusing or steeping mushrooms in hot water. It is usually made with functional mushrooms like reishi, chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, tremella, turkey tail, and shiitake. It is different from magic mushroom tea, which is made from mushrooms that contain the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin.
Mushroom tea is considered an adaptogen, a natural substance that helps the body adapt to stress and promotes balance. It is also believed to boost immunity, support digestive health, and provide an energy boost. Mushrooms are also a good source of protein, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium, vitamin D, and antioxidants.
While most people can consume mushroom tea without adverse side effects, there have been no clinical trials to assess its safety. Chaga mushrooms, in particular, may negatively interact with blood-thinning medications and insulin. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid chaga mushrooms. Additionally, magic mushroom tea can cause panic attacks, disorientation, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, vomiting, increased heart rate, urinary incontinence, nausea, and high blood pressure.
To make mushroom tea, mushrooms are dried and ground into a fine powder, then added to a pot of boiling water for about 20 minutes and strained. Alternatively, you can buy powdered mushroom extract blended with tea or pre-made tea blends that include whole, ground mushrooms.
