Discover the power of mushroom nootropics, with this full guide on what they can do, which mushrooms are best, how to use them, and what to look out for.
Mushrooms are quite the rage at the minute. Well actually, it’s having a sharp mind that is gaining these blends more attention.
Life is fast, and pressured, and demanding. A lot is expected of us professionally and personally, with a whole load of distractions thrown in the mix. We are having to digest more info in one day than one person would’ve managed in an entire lifetime a few centuries ago. It’s no wonder our brains are struggling to keep pace.
I personally suffer with that afternoon slump. I’ve gone all out on mental motivation in the morning, but around 2ish I’m starting to flag. I can’t think as clearly, I struggle to find mental motivation, and it takes a little while to become productive again. Most mornings I need something to sharpen my mind after I wake. Especially if I’m networking and need some fluid conversations flowing.
That’s how I got into nootropics. Smart, natural supplements. Today though, I’m talking specifically about the mushroom variety. I’ll tell you all there is to know about them, and why they’re becoming much loved dietary supplements for an optimized brain.
What Are Mushroom Nootropics?
If you’re a regular here at SOMA Analytics, you’ll know we have a passion for nootropics in general. They’re natural supplements that contain a formula of ingredients that can enhance mental clarity, energy, and health.
Some call them cognitive enhancers, and they improve our focus, and also reduce stress and anxiety. I’ve been using them for a few years now on and off – NooCube and Mind Vitality Focus being my two favorites.
But mushrooms are the superfoods that have been a part of medicine for centuries, increasing in popularity more recently with scientific understanding starting to stack up. They are blends of mushrooms that have nootropic qualities, and you can take them in various ways.
They may have other ingredients thrown in too – a little caffeine, or a non-stimulant with the same kind of effect.
But the star ingredient here is the mushroom.
Just For Supporting Brain Health & Function?
People always assume that nootropics are just to make us sharper, think ‘better’ and get answers quicker.
You do get this effect, but don’t think it’s like the film Limitless. It’s not as extreme! It does make a subtle difference that you’ll see more obviously in what you’re achieving.
You’ll find you learn more easily, can store and recall information better (which is why they’re popular with students), and you have a clearer mindset on what’s in front of you, whether it’s a load of information, or a challenge or task.
But cognition isn’t the only benefit we get from these mushroom blends.
✔️ General Mood Improvement
Being in a better mood is always a good thing, and something you’ll probably experience with these edible mushrooms blended into many nootropic products.
This is mostly because they can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. You get less brain fog, and a calmer mindset that supports our mental well-being and, actually, our general health and wellness.
✔️ Reduced Stress
Lion’s mane mushroom – one of the most popular choices of mushroom in nootropics – contains compounds that may reduce stress as well as improve cognition. These compounds are hericenones and erinacines, which can stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production and promote brain cell growth.
The antioxidants in mushrooms may also help combat inflammation and oxidative stress, while increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can improve our resilience to stress.
Yes, we need more research on this to prove just how much of a direct impact mushrooms can have on our stress levels; but from my own experience, even an indirect improvement is good enough for me. If I’m getting through more work and feeling driven thanks to the lack of mental fatigue, I’m going to be in a good mood.
✔️ Gut Health
Some mushrooms have prebiotics in them, which we all know is good for a healthy gut microbiome. If you suffer with poor digestive health, this could be even more noticeable for you.
✔️ Anti-Inflammatory Effects
This kind of plays into the reduced stress benefit, but also can be really helpful if you suffer with chronic inflammation.
✔️ Nutritional Benefits
Mushrooms are rich in nutrients, so we get lots of vitamins and minerals, and also plenty of fiber (another good thing for our digestive system).
So clearly, there’s a lot to be excited about here. Nootropics have been a game-changer for me, but remember, everyone is unique. Keep in mind the importance of due diligence – make sure you research a supplement before introducing it to your personal health regimen, and seek professional advice first if you have any medical conditions.
Overall though, the benefits these mushrooms can provide are undoubtedly impressive.
Different Type Of Mushrooms
When you start browsing for supplements, you’ll come across different types of adaptogenic mushroom. But which is best? Here are some of the most commonly used mushrooms, and what you need to know about them:
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane is probably the most loved and commonly used choice of mushroom. It’s the go-to for what we want in a nootropic – to see an improvement in our memory, focus, and concentration – and it achieves it successfully.
It also works on neuroprotection, managing neurological conditions or even preventing them from occurring. That’s quite a powerful benefit.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an ancient medicinal mushroom used in traditional Japanese and Chinese and medicine for centuries, right up to today.
Perhaps the biggest reason it’s one of the best mushrooms going is the impact it can have on our mental health. Lion’s Mane can help water down feelings of depression and anxiety.
These debilitating conditions are concerns for many people today, sadly. And while I always recommend you seek professional advice and support about it, it’s been noted that Lion’s Mane may contribute to an improvement.
Cordyceps
There are 600 species of Cordyceps worldwide, though you’ll likely come across either Cordyceps sinensis or Cordyceps militaris.
Sinensis is rarer and a lot more expensive – we’re talking around $20k per kg. So it’s more likely you’ll see militaris in your blend, which is produced commercially on a much larger scale.
All mushrooms are kind of weird when you think about them for long enough, but Cordyceps really is peculiar in how it forms. It starts with a Cordyceps spore landing and germinating on an insect, and consuming the insect from the inside out until it is replaced entirely.
Some say that sounds grim, but I think it’s fascinating, and it comes with some sensational benefits just for us.
Cordyceps has a very positive impact on our energy levels and mental stamina, and helps to get rid of stress. It also helps us focus better and for longer. If you’re in a job or lifestyle that requires long durations of high concentration, this is a great one.
Reishi
Reishi mushrooms form at the stumps of deciduous trees, often maples. And though they’ve been used for thousands of years, recently we’ve started to soak them up for their possible cognitive and health benefits. There’s a close link between the support they offer for our immune systems and what this does for our cognitive function.
Reishi mushrooms also have neuroprotective properties that support brain health, and they help reduce fatigue and stress, plus antioxidant effects.
Reishi mushrooms don’t get as much air time as the likes of Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, probably due to the lack of research done on them so far. However, they certainly deserve their place in the nootropics arena.
Shiitake
You’re more likely to know a little more about Shiitake, as they’re a Japanese form that taste so good we use them in our cooking. Flavor isn’t all they bring though.
This type of shroom is known for supporting brain health and cardiovascular health with its 1,3 1,6 beta-glucans. It also provides antioxidant support, which helps our bodies fight off free radicals which can cause tissue damage, and ultimately chronic health problems such as cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and even cancer.
They also contain a lot of Vitamin B, and research seems to show this may contribute towards an improvement in our cognitive performance.
Chaga
All the mushrooms we’ve listed here have been used traditionally for centuries or even thousands of years, and Chaga is another. It’s antioxidant-rich and offers a natural inflammatory response, but can also be helpful for our liver and digestive system. Oh, and it’s great for our skin, too!
The betaglucans in Chaga are what help reduce our stress levels and even have a calming effect on the brain. It’s also another one that’s great for our immunity, which is why we often see it in nootropic blends.
All these mushrooms are known to make a noticeable difference to our health and well-being. From cognitive benefits to helping settle the body’s stress levels, the bioactive compounds we’re treating our bodies to will help us physically and mentally, at home, at work, and even with physical performance.
Just bear in mind that your own response could be affected by your metabolism, dose, and tolerance – with special mention to any medical conditions or medications, which should always be discussed first with your healthcare practitioner.
How To Take Nootropic Mushrooms
There are a few ways you can get these rather incredible blends into your system.
Powder is perhaps the most common form these days. Many of us like to stir them into our coffees, entirely replacing a regular brew, or stirring it in (depending on the caffeine content).
You can also add them to smoothies or soups. They do have an earthy taste to them, but I quite like it – you can taste the goodness, and you get used to it. It’s probably the most cost-effective way, too.
Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee, Ryze Coffee and MUD/WTR are perhaps my favorites, and I’ve reviewed and fully trialed these recently, all with great results. They’re up there amongst the best mushroom nootropics.
There are also capsule forms, which are great if you just can’t suffer the taste or texture of a powder. They’re really convenient too, and hold high doses of concentrated extracts that you just swallow with water each day and be done with it.
The cons for this is that it is often more expensive, and can take a lot longer to get into your system.
That being said, manufacturers are using ingredients like turmeric and black pepper to increase bioavailability and help the supplement get to work faster.
Gummies are another good option. They don’t often have as high a dosage, but most people who take them have swapped naughty treats for a mushroom gummy – a treat with benefits, both delicious and beneficial.
If you specifically want a fast reaction, tinctures could be the best way. Just a few drops of mushroom tincture under your tongue can quickly reach your bloodstream so that the benefits surface faster.
It’s not the most pleasant method, but if you want to stick to it you can mix them into your drinks or meal.
Guidelines for Dosage
There isn’t any established safe and effective dosage for mushroom nootropics, and for good reason, as individual responses can vary. The wide variability in ingredients, coupled with regulatory limitations, make it almost impossible to answer this question simply.
The answer really is to go by how you respond. Start off on a low dose, especially if you’ve never supplemented with them before. This is what I did. I very slowly increased my dosage, and paid close attention to how my body responded to the benefits of mushrooms, and if there were any side effects creeping in.
We’re all unique with our own biochemical responses and tolerances, so it’s important you do this, and vital you check with your doctor first. As much as I love what they do for me, you must always approach mushroom nootropics cautiously.
What Are The Side Effects?
Again, it all comes down to you, the mushroom, the dosage, your metabolism, any tolerances you have… a whole collection of variables that could mean one person has a side effect and the next person has none.
For me, I did it gradually enough to not really experience any side effects. I started to notice a slight tummy discomfort as I increased a little higher than I should have, so I readjusted back down. Stomach upset is probably the most likely side effect, though other reported symptoms include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, itching, and a rash.
The biggest causes for concern are allergic or severe reactions, and increased risk of bleeding – which is why it is so important you seek medical advice first. A mushroom supplement could also be disastrous if you’re having surgery and is an absolute no.
If you do notice any side effects when taking mushroom products, stop immediately and speak to your doctor.
Mushroom Nootropic Supplements: My Verdict
So we’ve looked at why mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for so long, and what we’re learning about these functional mushrooms in a scientific light.
Derived from various sources and mystical ways, and finding themselves to be the star ingredient in a nootropic stack or blend, we’re discovering the benefits in our cognitive skills and overall well-being, just by adding them into our morning routine.
We’ve seen they can help with our focus, attention, mental energy and mood, and even our stress levels, immunity, and gut health. We know we need to be careful to ensure we supplement with the right amount unique for us, and that we must always check with our doctor first.
My preferred way is to add a scoop of something like MUD/WTR to my coffee everyday, and even play around with it by using a frother. You can do all sorts with it, and perfect your taste and create some variety in your routine.
The benefits are real, too. Centuries of use can’t be wrong. User experience is piling up in favour of mushroom nootropics. If you’ve got the go-ahead medically, give one a try and see what it does for you.
Sources:
- https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2017.00023
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-lions-mane-mushrooms
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/adaptogenic-mushrooms
