Mushrooms are of a fungal kind and are used for breaking down organic material. Although we often call mushrooms a vegetable, they in fact belong to their own unique kingdom of fungi. Sandra Carter, Ph.D., creator of Om Mushroom Superfood, declares that mushrooms are more genetically alike to mammals than to plants. Mushrooms have an incredibly adaptive cycle, as they produce carbon dioxide and absorb oxygen, and ‘observe’ the environment in which they are ingested. This makes them a remarkable adaptogen, enabling the body to adjust to difficult situations and pressure more easily.
Millions of mushroom species exist and are typically divided into four distinct categories: culinary, medicinal, psychotropic, and toxic.
Culinary Mushrooms
Nine types of mushrooms are generally eaten by humans, including common ones such as white button, cremini, portabella, shiitake, oyster, enoki, beech, maitake, and royal trumpet. Additionally, morels and porcinis are occasionally available. Mushrooms are exceptionally nutrient-dense due to their high levels of B vitamins, copper, and potassium. What makes them stand out when compared to other plant-based foods is their capacity to provide a savory, meaty taste to meals.
One nutrient is especially exclusive to mushrooms: vitamin D. Mushrooms are one-of-a-kind due to the fact that they are the sole vegetable in the grocery store that contains Vitamin D and have the capacity, much like humans, to manufacture more Vitamin D when in contact with UV light or sunlight.
Pam Smith claimed that it was achievable to make store-bought mushrooms richer in vitamin D. You can cut the mushrooms into slices, or pluck off the stems – whichever you prefer – and then put the mushroom caps with their gills facing upwards on a metal rack that’s placed on top of a baking sheet. The best way to maximize the potential of the sun’s rays is to leave the items in direct sunlight from 10 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon for no more than 3 days. You will increase the necessary quantity of cremini mushrooms to above the prescribed amount per day!
Medicinal Mushrooms
Studies suggest that medicinal mushrooms can help boost the body’s immunity, increase endurance and stamina, reduce tiredness, stabilize emotions, and allow one to think more efficiently. Types of mushrooms like cordyceps, reishi, chaga, turkey tail, lion’s mane, and maitake are increasingly widespread, and there are many methods to include them in your routine. A few mushrooms, maitake and shiitake, can be eaten as well as used for their functional properties. However, most functional mushrooms are not suited for culinary purposes as they have an unpleasant taste.
Chris Kilham, an educator, and writer of 15 books regarding botanicals, such as The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook: The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying, states that it has something to do with consistency and intensity. Shiitake mushrooms are delicious, whereas turkey tail mushrooms have an unpleasant texture.
Functional mushrooms are heated and ground into a powder to make it easier to ingest. This process also helps to make some of the nutrients in them easier to absorb. The preparation of these components then continues in other forms, such as tablets, capsules, concentrates, beverages, decoctions, confections, and various other food items. Pam Smith, RD, formerly a nutritionist for the Orlando Magic and currently the chair of the Culinary Institute of America’s Healthy Menus R&D Collaborative, espouses the notion of strategic eating to keep the body running at its optimum. She points out that functional foods like mushrooms are especially beneficial to athletes. ” If you’re already a fan of coffee, why not give mushroom coffee a try? Are you considering consuming bone broth? Have you thought about trying out mushroom broth with a functional purpose?
Carter states that the majority of the studies carried out on adaptogenic mushrooms indicate advantages when taking 2 grams (1 teaspoon) of powder or pills daily and a dose that is double or triple the amount of 4 to 6 grams per day (2 to 3 teaspoons) to quicken the outcomes during the first few weeks.
Psychedelic Mushrooms
Although there is only a small part (1%) of mushroom species that have properties that can cause psychoactive effects and changes in emotion and awareness, those particular mushrooms have earned themselves notoriety for their ability to induce a hallucinatory state. Kilham states that the psychotropic component in hallucinogenic mushrooms interacts with the same brain receptors as serotonin, due to their analogous chemical makeup.
The practice of dosing oneself with minuscule amounts of psilocybin and psilocin, known as “micro-dosing”, is becoming more popular lately. These substances are the psychotropic tryptamines found in magic mushrooms. Natalie Kovach-Anta, MSEd, Co-Founder and Director of Education for Decriminalized Nature NYC, warns that one may experience side effects like abdominal suffering or queasiness when consuming magic mushrooms in their entirety. Due to the fact that mushrooms are minced to a fine quality and the consumption is significantly reduced, no intense adverse effects come from micro-dosing. The common consumption of micro-dosing includes 0.2 to 0.4 grams of mushrooms with psilocybin in a condensed fluid or powdered format.
For over four decades, those involved in extreme sporting have employed psychedelics to enhance their agility, hone their coordination to unequaled levels, boost their focus until they have a single-minded drive, and become immune to tiredness and hurt.
When a Decriminalize Nature bill is presented to a municipal government, it is certain to be accepted by all of the voting officials due to their knowledge of the effects of the legislation, as well as the public’s input, remarked Kovach-Anta. Researchers are examining whether the administration of small amounts of a drug might be effective in reducing symptoms of serious illnesses like depression, PTSD, alcoholism, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s. In 2020, a novel research center opened at Johns Hopkins University with the intention of researching the possibilities of using psychedelics—including magic mushrooms, acid, and ecstasy—to manage psychological issues. Those who strive to broaden their horizons are experimenting with small doses of drugs for non-overwhelming pain control, as well as improved mental and physical effectiveness.
All this sounds great, but … is it legal? Not really. Psychedelic mushrooms are included in the federal Controlled Substances Act’s Schedule 1, which makes it prohibited to produce, purchase, own, and consume them. Despite the fact that psychedelics are not officially on the list of forbidden materials issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the Food and Drug Administration recently granted psilocybin a special ‘breakthrough therapy’ distinction, permitting it to be tested in clinical settings.
Are you well-prepared now that you have the knowledge you need to enter the fungi forest? Consider venturing in. It could be possible to find the reinforcement of your well-being or performance needs.
Poisonous Mushrooms
An old proverb warns, “Although the majority of mushrooms are edible, a few are only edible once.” With the risk of poisonous forms lurking at around 3 percent, it is wise to approach mushrooms with a degree of care. It is extremely hard to tell a poisonous mushroom from an edible one, so it is highly recommended to avoid collecting mushrooms from wild areas. It is safe to handle the mushrooms, but ingesting small doses of toxic fungi will harm your liver.
5 Adaptogenic Mushrooms That Might Improve Your Workout
Adaptogens from herbs and mushrooms, such as ginseng and reishi, have become increasingly popular among athletes trying to maximize their performance when confronted with mental and physical strain. In olden times, Greek Olympians and Roman gladiators would eat a range of vegetation and fungi in order to enhance their athletic abilities in sports stadiums. So which ones have the most research supporting them?
1. Reishi / Lingzhi
Reishi mushrooms, often referred to as the “mushroom of immortality,” have long been revered in Japan as Ganoderma lucidum and in China as Lingzhi.
It is certainly an exaggeration, however, this kind of organism is highly prized for its immense quantity of biochemical substances. A medication based on the Lingzhi mushroom was endorsed by China in 2010 as a complement to chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer care to manage its side effects. Investigation into the possible application of G. lucidum in the treatment of other conditions such as diabetes and liver ailment has been conducted, unsurprisingly. Research indicated that taking G. lucidum (6 g daily for 6 weeks) could strengthen the physical endurance of female individuals afflicted by fibromyalgia, which is made known by extended muscular pain along with tiredness and sleep troubles.
It could be beneficial for altitude preparation as well, a system in which athletes practice at high heights to fuel the development of more red blood cells in the body, which support greater oxygen concentrations and consequently increase stamina. An article in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked into the consequences of G. lucidum on decreasing stress levels and influencing the immune system of footballers using the “living-high-training-low” methodology. The study’s findings were positive; noticeable improvements were seen in the individuals who had been taking 5g of G. lucidum extract each day for 6 weeks, indicating that G. lucidum could be beneficial in countering the alteration in immune cells related to strenuous exercise.
2. Cordyceps
Ophiocordyceps sinensis, otherwise known as Cordyceps, is an esteemed medicinal mushroom present in various Asian mountain regions. This mushroom has been long used by traditional healers in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicinal practices. It was claimed that the mushroom used as a restorative could boost your energy, encourage your appetite, increase stamina, revive your libido, increase stamina, and regularize your sleeping pattern. Recent research has demonstrated that it might be possible to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure levels through the utilization of modern technology. Consumption of cordyceps (240mg a day for a period of two weeks) was shown to be helpful in lessening weariness and enhancing energy usage, as noted by better processes of respiration and cardio.
It is suggested that cordyceps might be advantageous when it comes to altitude training due to its power to trigger blood vessel dilation, thereby intensifying blood circulation, and making oxygen use in body tissue more effective. The results of a research project indicate that when a 600mg-per-day dose of the cordyceps-based supplement was given during a two-week period of training, participants saw an increase in their capacity for aerobic activity and experienced a quicker adaptation to high altitude training.
3. Lion’s Mane
It’s possible to identify a lion’s mane mushroom due to its singular look; the fluffy straw-colored shaggy strands resemble a pom-pom, composed of long, wispy, crystalline-looking spines. The mane of a lion is held in high regard as a specialty food in many Asian locations and is gaining increasing attention due to its reported beneficial impact on general well-being.
Up until this point, numerous experiments on this mushroom have been conducted on animals or in laboratories, which suggest its beneficial capabilities such as anti-inflammatory benefits, protection of the nervous system, lowering of cholesterol, and anti-cancer effects. A recent laboratory investigation proposed that the mushroom extract exhibits prebiotic characteristics that appear to enhance intestinal wellness. An experiment conducted using mice found that consuming a diet enhanced with lion’s mane mushroom caused a considerable hike in physical strength and a decrease in exhaustion. Research conducted in humans found that older adults who took supplements of lion’s mane had an enhanced capacity to think.
4. Chaga
There has been escalating interest in this form of fungus in numerous formats such as capsules, powder, and liquid extract. Many people seem to be turning to chaga tea as the preferred way to enjoy its benefits. For centuries, Russia and other Baltic countries have employed folk medicine as a way to tackle a variety of health conditions, from digestive issues to tuberculosis and diabetes. Studies in recent times have explored the potential medicinal benefits of this substance which contain natural antioxidants, antivirals, and enhancers of the immune system. The lack of human studies so far has inhibited scientists from extensively using it in subject research, yet animals and laboratory studies have provided positive outcomes. For instance, a survey in rodents demonstrated that ingesting chaga enhancements for a time of 14 days had a calming impact on exhaustion, which was mirrored by improved exercise span and livers glycogen stores, and abatement in metabolic waste items from muscles, for example, lactic corrosive.
5. Shiitake
Nowadays, Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) have become a common ingredient in households around the world. The rich flavor and solid consistency make it an ideal ingredient in dishes such as soups, curries, and salads and also makes it an excellent choice for meat-free meals. Shiitake mushrooms have earned a reputation for being a nutrient powerhouse due to their high concentration of vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, vitamin B (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin), magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. In addition to its superior flavor, it has rightly earned its place as a suggested food for good health.
Shiitake mushrooms have proven to be beneficial in terms of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and even regenerative benefits. Shiitake mushrooms can be easily acquired from a grocery store, due to commercial farming of the fresh kind. Additionally, for those who are looking to include it in their nutritional diet, shiitake is offered in a dietary supplement form. In the first research examining the effects of shiitake supplements on those who exercise, researchers recommended that the intake of shiitake extract (1.4g per day) for 10 days before activity could potentially boost the antioxidant activity of exercise-induced muscle damage.
