This calendar year, one could hardly throw a canister of natural and organic reishi capsules with out hitting a bottle of vitamins or fizzy canned beverage touting the health rewards of mushrooms. To be obvious, I’m largely not talking about psilocybin, the “magic” mushroom recognised for sending folks on trippy journeys into their psyche, however it was a massive 12 months for that far too. I’m also not talking about the maitakes, chicken of the woods, and king oyster mushrooms that dominated restaurant menus as much more folks throughout the region deemed going vegetarian. Nope, I’m speaking about “functional” mushrooms, like reishi, lion’s mane, and cordyceps, all of which are legal for use in the United States.
There are now mushroom-infused sparkling teas, fancy chocolate bars, mocktails, coffee mixes, and granolas that claim to improve your brain, boost your temper, or assist you dwell longer. Mud Wtr, a mushroom-primarily based beverage that’s explained as an adaptogenic coffee choice, has dominated my Instagram and TikTok feeds for pretty much all of 2022, while shroom-centered health supplements, like those people made by vitamin brand Fungies, have exploded throughout retail outlet cabinets and Instagram advertisements.
Mushrooms join an ever more well-known lineup of “functional foods” touting a huge assortment of overall health advantages, from improved cognition to less tension. In this category, brand names advertise the alleged capabilities of mushrooms like reishi and cordyceps alongside other natural vitamins, antioxidants, and other purportedly useful ingredients like shilajit resin and ashwagandha, a sort of shrub which is been utilised for 1000’s of many years in Ayurvedic medicine. The scientific establishment has not counted out the opportunity for the mushrooms in this new generation of health supplements to have sizeable health and fitness gains — some research do suggest that consuming far more mushrooms could possibly lessen your threat of most cancers, for example — though the study is nowhere near conclusive. Still, it’s not precisely surprising that, as we are all hoping to determine out how to cope in a post-COVID world with out losing our minds, we’re clamoring for foodstuff and beverages that assure “healthy mood” and leisure.
The progenitor of this individual mushroom instant is, arguably, Amanda Chantal Bacon’s notoriously woo-woo empire, Moon Juice. Established in California in 2011 as a juice bar, Moon Juice was trafficking in the “bioactive super-shroom” cordyceps and the “protective” gains of chaga, a sort of tree fungus, prolonged right before most of us ever read of practical mushrooms. Once lampooned as an out-of-contact and self-absorbed rich girl who put in something like $800 for every working day on many health food items, Bacon now heads a organization in the “top position in the ingestible wellness category.”
And in 2022, what was when the realm of fringe natural wellness fans has turn into a industry on keep track of to mature into a multibillion-dollar business. This is thanks to a pair of elements: Foraging for mushrooms, ramps, and other wild components applied to only be for cooks and serious botany nerds now it’s an increasingly mainstream pastime. At the similar time, psilocybin, the genuine “magic mushroom,” is attaining acceptance in the health care group as a possible treatment method for a vast selection of psychiatric conditions. A couple of states, together with a smattering of personal metropolitan areas, have legalized or decriminalized magic mushrooms, and therapists are utilizing them to treat PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Even in destinations in which psychedelic mushrooms have not been legalized, the acceptance of microdosing — in which persons ingest smaller, sub-perceptual doses of psilocybin to improve their mood with or with no the path of a therapist — is also on the rise. Microdosing is not just for hippies and different medicine varieties any more it’s some thing that soccer mothers and tech execs alike are undertaking in an effort to handle depression, conquer panic, and perhaps unlock some hidden brain prospective.
As such, it’s not a shock that some of the purposeful mushroom brands are making an attempt to capitalize on the trappings of magic mushrooms. Consider, for illustration, Popadelics, a brand of dried shiitake mushroom “chips” in flavors like Thai chile and Parmesan truffle. The name aside, the Popadelics branding is the definition of trippy — all swoopy bright hues and fonts that appear like they’re melting. “The very first bite is almost a non secular encounter,” the brand’s internet site reads. “Send out fantastic vibrations with just about every and just about every crunch.” The ’60s-esque branding is so rigorous, in point, that the website even involves a disclaimer noting that Popadelics do not actually incorporate any psilocybin. They do, even so, style just good.
What is happening with purposeful mushrooms is comparable to the big CBD boom of the late 2010s. As additional states legalized the cultivation of equally hemp and cannabis, drinks and candies and baked products of all forms emerged to capitalize on the purported wellness benefits of cannabidiol, even though there are even now several questions about its efficacy as a treatment method for challenges like suffering and panic. Now it is a multibillion-dollar market.
In the coming a long time, it’s possible that your Nana may well be buying up shroom gummies alternatively of CBD for her achy knees and getting older brain. Whether or not or not anybody is really acquiring any demonstrable wellbeing added benefits from consuming mushrooms is even now up for debate, but useful mushrooms aren’t likely everywhere due to the fact mushrooms aren’t going wherever. They’ve been sustaining daily life on this world for actually one particular billion years, and there is seemingly no finish to the means in which makes can package mushrooms as cures for what ails us.
Marylu Herrera is a Chicago-based artist with a focus on print media and collage.
Medicinal mushrooms are defined as macroscopic fungi used in the form of powder or extracts for the prevention, alleviation, or healing of multiple diseases, and for balancing a healthy diet.
It’s well known that medicinal mushrooms were a key treatment modality in ancient medicine. Centuries-old treatment plans included medicinal mushrooms as antibacterial agents, remedies to combat metabolic conditions, fatigue, and inflammation, and as immune-boosters. No longer a method of treatment for ancient medicine alone, supplementing current care plans with medicinal mushroom compounds has recently gained momentum here in the West.
Although research and clinical trials are still in their infancy, there have been numerous human clinical trials published and over 600 studies conducted worldwide. While the majority of the recent studies have been geared towards medicinal mushrooms’ effect on various cancers, the preliminary results on overall health and wellness are encouraging.
Medicinal mushrooms are functional fungi that are believed to have around 130 medicinal functions. Medicinal mushrooms contain multiple nutrients with health benefits, including beta-glucans and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds called ergothioneine. They are also a great source of fibers, vitamin D, B, and C, and minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, potassium, selenium, and many other biologically active compounds.
While there is some scientific evidence to suggest they can help manage diabetes, promote liver and lung health, reduce inflammation, and support the immune system, they are mostly known for their potential to fight cancer.
Scientists have explored numerous types of functional fungi, and though many species remain unstudied, others have increased in popularity.
1. Lion’s Mane
Found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Lion’s manes are best known for their potential to support brain health. They have antidepressant qualities that could be beneficial in reducing brain damage following stroke, and they may be helpful in preventing brain degeneration.
The active components in lion’s mane are Hericenones and erinacines. Hericenones are known to help the brain produce more Nerve Growth factors while erinacines are said to boost neuron production.
(Fotografiecor.nl/Shutterstock)
Two placebo-controlled trials suggest that lion’s mane may improve cognition. In one small study, patients with mild cognitive impairment took 3 grams of lion’s mane over a four-month period. Research showed improved performance on cognitive tests; however, cognitive performance diminished when the treatment period ended.
Preclinical findings indicate that lion’s mane may reduce inflammation and biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease, improve cognition and increase the release of nerve growth factor.
A small, 49-week clinical study in patients with Alzheimer’s disease suggested that lion’s mane treatment improved activities of daily living. There were no significant improvements in cognition when compared to the placebo group, but the author noted that may be due to the low number of patients who participated in the study.
The clinical trials performed have been small in participation and have not yet determined if lion’s mane is beneficial for Alzheimer’s disease in humans; however, the mushroom appears to enhance mental functioning. Further study is needed to properly evaluate its effectiveness in supporting Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Reishi
Most commonly found in Asia, reishi is best known for its immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties. While the reishi mushroom remains popular in Eastern medicine, there are few human studies on the effects of this mushroom.
The clinical trials that have been performed have occurred on animals or in labs. These studies have not produced similar outcomes, which may indicate that the mushroom is not as beneficial to humans.
Investigation and clinical trials continue in an effort to better understand these functional fungi and their benefit to human health. While there is some test tube evidence to suggest that reishi may be effective in fighting cancer and shrinking tumors, high-quality human studies are necessary before scientists can fully understand its benefit.
3. Turkey Tail
Routinely used by doctors in Japan and China, turkey tail is best known for its use in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-cancer agent.
T. versicolor extract (i.e., PSK), extracted from turkey tail, has been approved in Japan as a pharmaceutical grade medication used to treat cancer. PSK has been used as an accessory to chemotherapy to support management of gastric, colon, and colorectal cancer, while turkey tail’s PSP extract has been beneficial in treating late-stage lung cancer and as a prebiotic.
This mushroom is also commonly used in China to treat lung disease and has the potential to help manage colds and flu.
4. Shiitake
Native to Southeast Asia, shiitake is broadly used in Japan for the treatment of cancers, particularly stomach cancer. Evidence supports that Lentinan, a polysaccharide extracted from the mushroom, may support some cancers when used in conjunction with chemotherapy.
Laboratory testing indicates that lentinan improves a number of aspects of the immune system, which may help slow tumor growth. Research through clinical trials demonstrated that lentinan was effective in extending survival in patients with stomach, pancreatic, colorectal, and liver cancers.
Shiitake mushrooms have been a part of many medical traditions for centuries. Now researchers are uncovering why.(Amarita/Shutterstock)
Another study showed that dried shiitake extract caused apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma, which is cancer cell death. This finding seems promising, but more studies are needed to determine effectiveness.
5. Maitake
Routinely used by doctors in Japan and China, maitake is best known for its effects on the immune system.
This mushroom is known as an adaptogen. Adaptogens help the body fight chemical, physical, or biological stress. In other words, they stimulate your body’s immune system.
Maitake mushroom is like a hen’s ruffled feathers. (Ken Lucas/Visuals Unlimited, Inc.)
Maitake has also been studied for its anti-cancer effects. When compared to other mushrooms, maitake has shown better outcomes in preventing and treating cancer and other chronic conditions. A previous study demonstrated suppressed tumor growth in mice and an increased number in the cells fighting against the tumor. These findings suggest that oral maitake could be effective in managing cancer in humans, but further research is needed.
6. Chaga
Native to the cooler northern regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, chaga is best known for its anti-cancer and immunity boosting properties. Grown on birch trees, chaga pulls the nutrients and extracts from the inner layers of the bark, which are thought to be betulinic acid, sterols, and polysaccharides and which have demonstrated repressive effects against colon cancer and hepatoma cells.
A study performed in Ireland found that chaga slowed the growth of breast, lung, and cervical cancers, while also reducing toxicity associated with radiation and tumor cell growth in animal models.
Chaga mushrooms are very nutritionally dense mushrooms, and contain an immense amount of melanin, and it was known by the Siberians as the “gift from God” and the “mushroom of immortality,” by the Japanese as “the diamond of the forest,” and by the Chinese as the “king of plants.” (exebiche/Shutterstock)
In some studies, chaga reveals selective apoptosis in tumor cells with no impact on healthy cells. No clinical trials have been performed to assess chaga’s safety and effectiveness for disease prevention or for the treatment of cancer.
Is there a difference between regular and medicinal mushrooms?
There’s no clear division between the two. Culinary mushrooms, such as portobello and shiitake, are mainly used in cooking because they have a pleasant taste. Many medicinal mushrooms, on the other hand, are known to have a more bitter taste and are predominantly used as a supplement to achieve various health benefits.
You probably noticed that the shiitake mushroom is considered both a medicinal mushroom and a culinary mushroom. So, does that mean all culinary mushrooms contain immune-boosting compounds too? Research suggests that they do. But it’s important to remember that each mushroom varies in their dosing ratio and their individual effect on human health and wellness.
As with any other supplement, it’s critical that you seek the advice of your primary care provider, especially the ones with a background in herbal medicine or medicinal mushrooms, before adding any supplement to your daily routine. Your physician will evaluate your personal health and help you determine if you could benefit from medicinal mushrooms and if so, which ones would best support your personal health goals.
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