Our nutrition expert and PT James Dixon examines this popular supplement used for its nootropic, immune system and energy boosting benefits – find out how he got on in our Genius Mushrooms review.
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Written by James Dixon – fact checked by Jason M & the editorial team
James Dixon is one of the key players in the SOMA Analytics’ team. He is a personal trainer and is educated to Masters level in Philosophy. He is a published author and is a keen advocate of high quality nootropic supplements.
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We all need a little brain boost from time to time. Modern life is packed to the gills with things for us to do – to think about, to worry about.
It can drain us quickly.
Nootropic and other cognitive and energy enhancing supplements are therefore very welcome on today’s market.
But the nootropic market is becoming increasingly crowded. There are some fantastic products out there. You need to be good if you’re going to go up against the likes of our top rated product NooCube – one of the best supplements going.
Are Genius Mushrooms good enough to hold their own? Let’s find out in this Genius Mushrooms review…
Genius Mushrooms – Quick Verdict
Genius Mushrooms is a viable supplement. It has three ingredients that have all been used in natural medicine for hundreds of years. But are they as effective as the competition?
We prefer NooCube – a more potent, entirely natural nootropic that is cost effective and highly impactful in the areas that Genius Mushrooms promise. NooCube gives a lot more not only in its ingredients profile, but all in efficacy, owning all the best benefits you can get from a quality nootropic.
Genius Mushrooms is good. Just not as good as the likes of NooCube.
Genius Mushrooms Explained
Genius Mushrooms is a supplement brought to us by The Genius Brand, alongside quite a variation of their other nootropics.
Which is unusual in itself – most nootropics brands focus on the one formula to tackle all cognitive areas a nootropic should. Focus, attention, memory, clarity, health… all these wonderful benefits I’ve experienced with other nootropics.
The Genius Brand, however, seem to have taken the nootropics sphere as an opportunity to offer multiple products.
A marketing tactic I’m not too much a fan of. I much prefer one nootropic that offers it all – why would you want only some of them?
That being said, the recipe makes great use of its star ingredient Lion’s Mane mushroom extract, commonly found in nootropic supplements. I’ll go into this in more detail in the ingredients section.
There are, of course, many, many different types of nootropic mushrooms, all of which have their own uses. Genius Mushrooms makes full use of them – a blend of three different mushrooms all designed to give you some rather brilliant improvements.
Genius Mushroom Benefits
There are lots of potential benefits to be gained from taking Genius Mushrooms. I say potential, as it still isn’t quite clear how or why they work, at least in their entirety. The science is still catching up with tradition here.
The compound cyclosporin A (CsA) has been shown to prevent new neuron growth and development. It has been shown to elicit memory problems when given to animals. The incredible thing is that these issues were mitigated or even reversed by mushroom use. This suggests a possible use for Genius Mushrooms in improving memory.
Genius Mushrooms may also work as effective antidepressants, in large part by leading to improved mood and energy levels, and cognitive health and mental clarity. They can lead to reduced levels of stress and anxiety, and may improve quality of sleep.
Signaling between the brain’s nerve cells and the spinal cord is also thought to benefit from taking Genius Mushrooms.
And these are just the benefits you gain to your cognitive health and energy levels. Genius Mushrooms are also thought to boost your immunity, lower cholesterol levels, and aid liver health.
Cordyceps mushroom, one of the three main ingredients (see below) and has been shown to improve athletic endurance and stamina, in large part by bringing more blood and oxygen to the muscles. They are a great source of antioxidants that will inspire healthy nervous system function.
However, in the absence of high-quality human trials into Genius Mushrooms themselves, rather than just some of their constituent parts, these all remain claims. Significant, often strong claims, but claims, nonetheless. Rigorous clinical trials are needed before we can speak in certainties.
There are few side effects associated with Genius Mushrooms. Those that have been found are often minor and generally are not severe. Nevertheless, no studies have as yet proven their safety for long-term human consumption.
This might not be too much of a problem. We can see where the science is taking us, there is more than enough anecdotal evidence, and the individual parts have been investigated, albeit sometimes a little lightly.
As we’ve already seen, there are some genuinely fantastic, very highly researched, well-proven products available in the nootropic sphere. You can’t afford any chinks in your armor if you want to go up against the likes of NooCube, for instance.
NooCube is amongst the stronger nootropics out there. It uses completely natural ingredients like Ginkgo Biloba and L-theanine to elicit similar effects to those claimed by Genius Mushrooms. In full, it should improve cognitive function, including improved focus, concentration and memory, boost energy levels, mitigate symptoms of stress and anxiety, and enable a more positive mindset and outlook.
These claims are backed by solid scientific data and come free from any side effects. NooCube has been shown to be safe and effective, whilst being one of the highest-quality supplements going. It is what Genius Mushrooms should realistically aspire to.
Genius Mushrooms Ingredients
Genius Mushrooms relies on three main ingredients: Lion’s Mane mushroom, organic cordyceps, and reishi mushrooms. Combined, they give a very good effect.
Lion’s Mane is one of the more thoroughly researched of Genius Mushroom’s ingredients.
Numerous strong studies have backed up its claim to support cognitive function and memory function and overcome mild cognitive impairment.
This bolsters centuries of traditional use in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean medicine, explaining in large part the reams of anecdotal evidence attached to it.
Lion’s Mane mushroom has been shown to aid brain tissue development and health. It can stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in your brain. NGF helps to stimulate and regulate neural regeneration, including the replication of brain cells and brain cell growth, and enables synthesis of myelin nerve sheaths.
Lion’s Mane mushroom can also boost immune function. It may help with reducing inflammation, which brings about a host of benefits, not least of which is mitigating the symptoms and effects of depression, stress, and anxiety.
Cordyceps mushrooms also have a long and illustrious history. In fact, there is evidence dating its use as far back as at least the Ming Dynasty in China.
It is known in traditional Chinese medicine to improve energy levels, including boosting athletic performance and endurance, and enhancing memory processes. It is also used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
Cordyceps mushrooms have shown promise in protecting against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and even mitigating apoptosis (cellular death) in cancer patients.
The reishi mushrooms used in Genius Mushrooms are laboratory grown and are significantly more potent than those found in the wild. This is no bad thing – the benefits, if verifiable, can be quite astounding.
Once more, we are looking at an ingredient with a great pedigree in traditional Chinese medicine. Reishi mushrooms have been used for centuries to the immune benefits they offer. They are also well-known for their ability to boost brain health and cognition, memory, and mood, whilst offering neuro protection.
Again, more research is needed into them, though the results thus far seem promising.
Genius Mushrooms is a good overall formula, too. Though hardly tested in its entirety, if it is anything near the sum of its parts, it should give some great cognitive and health-boosting benefits. It is certified organic, is free from pesticides, heavy metals, and gluten, and is completely non-GMO.
Genius Mushrooms Pros And Cons
Pros
- Traditional ingredients with a proven track record over centuries
- Proven cognitive, mood, memory, and energy enhancing properties
- Anti-inflammatory and immune boosting
- Certified organic
- Free from pesticides, heavy metals, and gluten
- Completely non-GMO
- Gives many benefits of caffeine with none of the negatives
- Few side effects
Cons
- Exists in a crowded marketplace without being the most competitive
- Overall formula is poorly scientifically backed
- Cannot guarantee a lack of side effects
- A little overpriced for what you get
How to Take Genius Mushrooms
Don’t worry, you don’t have to eat a full plate of mushrooms every single day. Genius Mushrooms is very much a condensed form of all their goodness – it comes in capsule form, with 30 – 180 servings to a pack.
You should take 3 capsules per day, with water and about 20 minutes before your meal. You also have the option to take them one at a time, three times a day before your meals. The first option is of course much more convenient.
From a side effects perspective, we all have different tolerances and allergies. It may be that you experience nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, or an allergic reaction. If you do, stop immediately and seek health care advice.
Of course, not all users will experience these symptoms, but there it is a possibility, especially in the early days.
You should avoid taking Genius Mushrooms if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you suffer with any pre-existing medical conditions, you should speak to your doctor before taking them. It is always a good idea to get your healthcare provider’s advice on any new supplement regime, especially if you are on any medication.
FAQs
❓Can you take mushroom supplements every day?
Yes, you can. They are abundant in natural, plant-based ingredients such as sterols, terpenoids, and beta-glucans, which will all bring numerous health benefits. Specific mushrooms, like those in this list, bring a great many more benefits.
You can generally source mushroom supplements as powders, tinctures, or capsules. Genius Mushrooms come in capsule form and are recommended for daily use.
❓Are Genius Mushrooms safe?
Genius Mushrooms are largely safe. They may bring several potential side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. However, these are often mild and will generally diminish after the first few weeks of taking them.
Genius Mushrooms are recognized as safe by the FDA.
❓How long can you take mushroom supplements?
It depends on the supplement in question. Always follow the manufacturer’s dosing instructions. When in doubt, speak to your healthcare provider.
However, most mushroom supplements can be used in perpetuity.
Verdict
Genius Mushrooms represent a bit of a mixed bag, to me. On the face of it, they are a very good idea. The individual inclusions are great. All three of the main ingredients – Lion’s Mane, cordyceps, and rishi mushrooms – are well-known, proven ingredients known for boosting brain health and immune function, among other things.
They should do this. You should benefit from them.
However, I do have some qualms.
Firstly, they claim a host of unproven benefits. This is a gray area. When I say unproven, this is a little disingenuous of me. The effects are relatively well-documented and proven for the individual ingredients. All three mushrooms have been studied in-depth and used for centuries.
However, the formula as a whole lacks rigorous clinical testing. There is a dearth of data testifying to the whole product’s efficacy.
Secondly, I question the validity of the product as a whole in today’s market. Simply, whilst it is undoubtedly a good product, there are a lot of much better ones out there.
There are plenty of nootropics that do everything that Genius Mushrooms do and more, including many of the same ingredients plus added extras. There are plenty of nootropics that are much higher quality, that are underpinned by far more high-quality data.
Genius Mushrooms are decent. NooCube is better. I don’t know why you wouldn’t skip over the mushrooms and go straight for the good stuff.
NooCube – Our No.1 Rated Nootropic
Whilst Genius Mushrooms have three mushrooms that have been shown to give a cognitive boost, there is little evidence to support the supplement itself.
We prefer NooCube – a more potent, all natural nootropic that is cost effective and highly impactful in the areas that Genius Mushrooms promise.
This article was written by: James Dixon – SOMA Analytics PT, Nutritionalist & Published Author
James Dixon is one of the key players in the SOMA Analytics’ team. He is a personal trainer and is educated to Masters level. He is a published author and is a keen advocate of high quality nootropic supplements. James enjoys helping others to reach their peak both physically and mentally and believes that expressing his knowledge through his writing is an effective way to positively impact the wellbeing of others on a larger scale.