Michael Davis
Adaptogenic mushrooms are a category of mushrooms that help the body resist stress and improve overall health. They are known for their adaptogenic properties, which help the body adapt to various stressors, whether physical, mental or environmental. Adaptogens are substances that support the body's ability to maintain balance or homeostasis. They are not limited to mushrooms and can be found in many foods and beverages such as coffee, blueberries, turmeric and nettles. However, adaptogenic mushrooms have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential health benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue and overall well-being |
| Types | Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Amanita, Psilocybin, Lion's Mane |
| Benefits | Improve mood, balance hormones, fight fatigue, boost the immune system, improve memory, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, improve skin health, improve gut health, improve athletic performance, improve heart health, reduce symptoms of depression, help treat ulcers, heart disease and diabetes |
| Uses | Tea, extract, powder, capsules, tinctures, food and beverages |
| Precautions | Adaptogens are not a solution for long-term stress. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA and FDA approval does not equate to safety. |
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What You'll Learn
- Adaptogenic mushrooms are used to treat stress, anxiety, and fatigue
- They are distinct from psychoactive mushrooms, which are regulated
- They are available in tea, coffee, chocolate, supplements, and more
- Ancient cultures used adaptogenic mushrooms for their health benefits
- Modern research supports their use for immune support and skin health
Adaptogenic mushrooms are used to treat stress, anxiety, and fatigue
Adaptogens are substances that reduce the negative effects of stress on the body. They are active ingredients in certain plants and mushrooms that may impact how your body deals with stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Adaptogens work by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a hormone signaling pathway integral to the stress response. They increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, and chemical stress, helping to promote normal functioning during stressful periods.
Adaptogenic mushrooms are a type of functional mushroom with adaptogenic properties, meaning they may help reduce the effects of stress on the body. They are not hallucinogenic or "magic" mushrooms and do not act on the mind or perception. Some of the most common adaptogenic mushrooms include reishi, cordyceps, and lion's mane. These mushrooms are simple to add to food and drink, making them an easy way to support the body in managing stress.
Reishi is a type of mushroom that studies suggest may help protect against stress-induced anxiety and exercise-induced damage to muscle cells. Cordyceps is a fungus studied for its potential to reduce the effects of stress on the body. Research in rodents suggests that it may reduce stress-related markers and increase resistance to stress-inducing activity. Lion's mane is a mushroom with growing research behind its cognitive-enhancing benefits, often called the "smart mushroom." It may help improve mental clarity and stabilize levels of serotonin and dopamine, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Adaptogens can be consumed in various forms, including capsules, tinctures, teas, and powders. However, it is important to note that they are not a solution for long-term stress, and it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider before adding them to your diet.
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They are distinct from psychoactive mushrooms, which are regulated
Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and overall well-being. They are non-toxic when taken in normal doses and help the body cope with stress by returning it to a state of balance, or homeostasis. Adaptogens are often consumed as supplements in capsule form, or in teas or powders added to soups, smoothies, and other foods.
Adaptogenic mushrooms are a small fraction of the over 10,000 varieties of mushrooms. They are used for their health benefits and do not induce psychoactive effects. They are distinct from psychoactive or hallucinogenic mushrooms, such as the Amanita and Psilocybin mushrooms, which affect mental states and are regulated by law.
Amanita muscaria, also known as fly agaric, contains the psychoactive substances ibotenic acid and muscimol. Psilocybin mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, which can induce hallucinations and alter perception. While Amanita muscaria is not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act at the federal level in the United States, some states may have specific regulations or classify it as a controlled substance.
Adaptogenic mushrooms, on the other hand, are largely legal and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly in East Asian countries. Examples of adaptogenic mushrooms include Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail, and Lion's Mane. These mushrooms are known for their medicinal properties, such as boosting the immune system, improving digestive health, and reducing inflammation. They can be consumed in various forms, including tea, extract, powder, or as a functional food or beverage, such as coffee, chocolate, or supplements.
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They are available in tea, coffee, chocolate, supplements, and more
Adaptogenic mushrooms are a small fraction of the over 10,000 mushroom varieties. They are used for their health benefits and are distinct from psychoactive mushrooms, which alter mental states. Adaptogens are non-toxic plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and overall well-being. They bring the body back to a steady balance by managing physical and mental stressors.
Adaptogenic mushrooms are available in various forms, including tea, coffee, chocolate, supplements, and more. Tea is a popular way to consume adaptogenic mushrooms, as it allows you to pause and reduce stress with each warm, calming sip. You can find tea blends on the market that use adaptogenic mushrooms as the main ingredient, such as GT's Living Foods ALIVE Ancient Mushroom Elixirs. These teas support immunity, help balance moods, and provide a natural energy boost.
Coffee is another beverage option for consuming adaptogenic mushrooms. You can add mushroom powder to your coffee, such as Chaga powder, to make a nutritious latte. Chocolate is also a tasty way to incorporate adaptogenic mushrooms, as suggested by Jacob Hammer, Executive Sous Chef at JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside. He recommends steeping Turkey Tail mushrooms in chocolate to create sweet confections, which can be paired with raspberries or a dulce de leche ganache.
Supplements are another common form in which adaptogenic mushrooms are available. These can be taken as capsules or tinctures (liquid plant extracts). It is important to note that while adaptogenic mushroom supplements may provide health benefits, they are not regulated by the FDA, and it is always advisable to consult with your healthcare provider before incorporating any new supplement into your routine.
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Ancient cultures used adaptogenic mushrooms for their health benefits
Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and overall well-being. They are non-toxic, help the body cope with stress, and allow the body to return to a state of balance, or homeostasis. Adaptogens are often consumed by adding them to food or beverages, or by taking them as capsules or tinctures.
Adaptogenic mushrooms contain many beneficial compounds, including polysaccharides, such as beta-glucans, which are large, complex sugar molecules. These compounds can be extracted using water or alcohol. The water extraction method involves breaking down the mushroom cell walls to release immune-boosting and gut-health-promoting compounds. The alcohol extraction method targets the remaining compounds, such as triterpenes (including ganoderic acids).
Lion's Mane is another adaptogenic mushroom that has been studied for its potential health benefits. Rodent studies have shown that Lion's Mane extract may help reverse stress-related changes to neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. It may also reduce levels of inflammatory markers that increase in response to stress. However, research on the adaptogenic effects of Lion's Mane is still in the early stages, and more human studies are needed.
While adaptogenic mushrooms have been used by ancient cultures and are generally considered safe, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before consuming them, as they may have side effects and interact with common medications.
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Modern research supports their use for immune support and skin health
Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and overall well-being. They bring the body back to a steady balance by managing both physical and mental stressors. Adaptogenic mushrooms are distinct from psychoactive or hallucinogenic mushrooms, which affect mental states and have varied legal statuses globally.
Modern research supports the use of adaptogenic mushrooms for immune support and skin health. In terms of immune support, studies have shown that adaptogens can improve cancer treatment and patients' survival. Mushrooms have been reported to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-protective, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. They are adept at immune modulation and can affect hematopoietic stem cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and natural killer (NK) cells. Additionally, mushrooms have potent antineoplastic properties that slow the growth of tumors, regulate tumor genes, decrease tumoral angiogenesis, and increase malignant-cell phagocytosis. Evidence also suggests that medicinal mushrooms may safely boost chemotherapeutic efficacy and protect against bone marrow suppression.
Furthermore, adaptogenic mushrooms contain beneficial compounds with unique properties and health benefits. These compounds can be extracted using water and alcohol methods to maximize their bioavailability and therapeutic properties. For example, polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, are water-soluble compounds that can be extracted using hot water. Beta-glucans have been shown to bolster immune responses and promote gut health.
The use of adaptogenic mushrooms for skin health is also supported by modern research. Stress can negatively impact skin health by increasing inflammation, contributing to premature aging, and triggering hormonal imbalances. Adaptogenic mushrooms help mitigate the skin's response to stress and improve overall skin health and youthfulness. For example, the reishi mushroom is a potent adaptogen that can reduce stress, balance the skin's pH, and promote a healthy, radiant glow. It has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years for its purported effects on longevity. Other adaptogenic mushrooms, such as cordyceps and astragalus, have also been shown to improve skin health by boosting collagen production, enhancing cell regeneration, and providing antioxidant and antimicrobial protection.
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Frequently asked questions
Adaptogenic mushrooms are a type of mushroom with health benefits that help the body adapt or respond to stress. They are distinct from psychoactive or hallucinogenic mushrooms, which affect mental states and have varied legal statuses globally.
Adaptogenic mushrooms are used for their health benefits and can be consumed in various forms, including tea, coffee, chocolate, supplements, and more. They are also known to boost spirits, increase vitality, and improve overall well-being and recovery. Additionally, they have been studied for their effectiveness in treating cancerous tumours.
Adaptogenic mushrooms contain many beneficial compounds, including polysaccharides, triterpenes, and antioxidants. These compounds are extracted using water and alcohol methods to break down the mushroom cell walls and enhance the bioavailability of the compounds. The goal of taking adaptogens is to return the body to a state of balance or homeostasis.
