Adaptogenic Mushroom Facts
The popularity of adaptogens has been increasing for a while now, extending to Adaptogenic mushrooms. You probably have already seen them in different places, but what do we know about adaptogens? During the 1940s, Soviet scientist N.V. Lazarev coined the word adaptogen.
It refers to a unique category of fungi and plants that allows the body to adapt to pathogens and stress. Stress describes anything that alters homeostasis or internal balance in the body. The term became popular in the health lexicon during the 1960s, and this was a result of herbal medicine research.
Today, the word is used in almost every household and by purveyors of natural wellness. Despite this, many still argue over natural products and plants to consider as adaptogens. Not all fungi and medicinal plants can be termed adaptogens. Adaptogen mushrooms help to improve resilience to environmental and physiologic stressors to stay healthy.
Incorporating adaptogenic mushrooms into your routine is easy regardless of how to take mushrooms. Continue reading to find out more about adaptogenic mushrooms.
What are Adaptogenic Mushrooms?
Fungi have many effects and therapeutic benefits, and research interest in them is increasing. The interesting thing is that we have a lot more in common with mushrooms than you imagined. Humans and mushrooms share about 50% of the same DNA and 85% of the same RNA.
This makes them more related to humans than plants. It’s also a reason for their high bioavailability. Here are the criteria for a mushroom to be termed adaptogenic:
- Work on maintaining homeostasis
- Increases the ability of the body to withstand different adverse conditions, including chemical, environmental, and biological
- Safe to consume, and it does not cause harm to the body.
In addition to helping the body adapt to stress, adaptogenic mushrooms enhance anabolic recovery via energy regulation. Whenever we are stressed, our brain receives information to process the stress stimuli via our nervous system. This then triggers the release of hormones to handle the stress. For emphasis, the relationship between our hormonal system and the brain is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
The need to keep this balance cannot be overemphasized. There are so many big and small stressors in our world today. However, adaptogenic mushrooms increase the body’s resilience to fight the negative effects of stress. Even though they are still recent, adaptogenic mushrooms have been used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine practices. During those times, they were used medicinally to boost vitality and enhance the body’s defense mechanisms. These mushrooms are a great source of triterpenoids, lectins, polysaccharides, and other bioactive compounds.
Are All Mushrooms Adaptogenic?
Most mushrooms are great sources of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and proteins, which is why they are considered a superfood. However, it’s important to note that not all mushrooms are adaptogenic. From the criteria above, adaptogens must be safe to consume without causing any harm to the body.
However, according to reports, there are about 643 species of poisonous mushrooms. Each mushroom species has one or more toxic constituents and is unsafe to consume. Another example is psychedelic mushrooms. Even though there are no claims that they cause harmful physical effects, they cause psychological effects when in excess. However, the psychological effects are not lethal. Psychedelic mushrooms are also considered adaptogenic as they don’t maintain homeostasis.
Benefits of Adaptogenic Mushrooms
In terms of stress relief, adaptogenic fungi and plants are not specific. This implies that they can fight stress in a general way, and they don’t target a specific ailment or problem. According to early literature, these are some of the benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms:
Strengthen the Immune System
They have high polysaccharide content, mostly beta-glucans, which allows them to stimulate immune cell activities. This includes activities of cytokines, natural killer cells, T-cells, and macrophages. They are all vital for strong immunity and increased ability to ward off infections and diseases.
Antioxidative and Reduces Inflammation
Many factors cause oxidative stress and inflammation in our bodies. They include exposure to volatile compounds that can damage cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and damaging free radicals.
Also, research shows that ROS damages DNA, which can cause heart disease, cancer, and other health issues. Generally, adaptogenic mushrooms are natural antioxidants that offer protection against ROS damage and inflammation. They also help to reduce oxidative stress and protect the body from chronic diseases.
Alleviates Stress and Promotes Relaxation
When the body’s ability to adapt increases, it allows us to stay relaxed and function efficiently. Adaptogenic mushrooms help in reducing fatigue and anxiety. They also help to increase energy levels and general ease.
Best Adaptogenic Mushrooms
There are many species of adaptogenic mushrooms, but we’ll only highlight the best species. Continue reading to find out about these species.
Reishi (Ganoderma)
Reishi has been used in many ways, since 502 AD, particularly in ancient China. The specie is popular in Asia and is considered a tonic for wellness. People also refer to it as a spiritual potency herb representing longevity, divine power, and well-being. The specie is rich in triterpenes, which is responsible for its bitter taste. Research shows that Reishi can boost the immune system, especially in cancer patients. The specie has more than 50 polysaccharides, peptidoglycan, and 120 other bioactive compounds.
Click here to buy your Reishi Organic Medicinal Mushroom Powder.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)
This is another adaptogenic mushroom with a long, white, shag rug-like appearance. Lion’s Mane is a delicacy in many Asian cultures, and it offers benefits associated with cognitive health. Today, Lion’s Mane is popularly known as a natural nootropic, implying that it increases mental clarity and focus. Studies also show its ability to stimulate neuronal growth factors, which is vital for neuronal growth in the brain.
Click here to buy your Lions Mane Organic Medicinal Mushroom Powder.
Click here to buy your Paul Stamets Stack Formula, which contains Lion’s Mane.
Turkey Tail (Trametes Versicolor)
The specie got its name from its ringed appearance and unique fan shape, like a turkey’s tail. Turkey’s tail is also a rich source of beta-glucans, which helps in boosting the immune system. Studies show that they activate immune cells. The mushroom specie is also rich in terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids.
Click here to buy your Turkey Tail Organic Medicinal Mushroom Powder.
Conclusion
Many studies show that adaptogenic mushrooms help improve our adaptability to stress. They are also believed to boost immunity, in addition to maintaining homeostasis. However, keeping track of your body and taking these mushrooms consistently is vital to maximizing these benefits.
These mushrooms are available in many forms, including tincture, powder, capsules, dried, and fresh. There are many also many ways to get these mushrooms, and an option you have is Microdose Bros.
We have Lion’s Mane and Magic Truffles, and we recommend checking our online store to buy magic truffles and get more information about microdosing. Also, we ship discreetly in Europe.
