Functional mushrooms have been found to confer a range of nootropic benefits, from enhanced focus and concentration to memory enhancement. We’ll discuss five great reasons to try a nootropic mushroom supplement and recommend one of the best brands on the market.
The medicinal use of mushrooms isn’t new – it dates back centuries to the archaic neolithic period in China – but interest in functional mushrooms, specifically nootropic mushroom supplements, only began in the 1970s and has grown steadily since. Nootropic mushroom supplements include several different species of fungi that all contain numerous compounds known to enhance brain cognition and overall brain health. Here are five reasons you might want to try them.
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Clear your head; the rest will follow
One of the driving forces behind the increased interest in taking a nootropic mushroom supplement is its proven potential to improve cognitive function. Many varieties of mushrooms contain compounds such as ergothioneine, and hericenones, both of which have been shown to enhance memory, focus, and overall cognitive performance. Additionally, mushrooms contain polysaccharides — long-chain carbohydrates that play a critical role in human health and the proper functioning and increased life span of a wide range of other living organisms.
Consuming lion’s mane mushroom extract, for example, has been shown in studies to improve cognition in individuals with mild impairment by enhancing their spatial memory function. Other studies point to its potential for taming symptoms of depression.
Inflammation:
Not so swell
Chronic inflammation has been linked to numerous health issues, including the above-mentioned cognitive decline. Many types of nootropic mushrooms contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. For example, reishi mushroom contains triterpenoids that have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. And, as with lion’s mane, reishi also contains those precious polysaccharides.
Chaga mushroom extract is another specimen shown to reduce inflammation in human cells. Additionally, this antioxidant-packed mushroom has shown promise in studies related to cancer prevention and slowing cancer cell growth. A carefully chosen nootropic mushroom supplement can potentially pull the plug on inflammation.
Amped-up immunity is our best armor
Battling everything from the common cold to more serious ailments, our immune system is our first and last defense against invaders attacking our bodies, both from within and without. Taking a nootropic mushroom supplement that contains immune-boosting compounds can provide the support our immune system needs to fight off or prevent both mild and not-so-mild attackers.
For example, shiitake are rich in polysaccharides like lentinans and other beta-glucans — compounds that protect your immune system by preventing cell damage and boosting white blood cell production for fighting off microbes. These functions benefit both healthy individuals as well as the immuno-compromised, and in addition to warding off and lessening the more dramatic, potentially life-threatening kinds of cellular damage, shiitake mushroom supplementation can even help you get a better dental exam by preventing or reducing gingivitis.
Life can break your heart, but a good nootropic mushroom supplement never will
Some kinds of heartbreak are more difficult to recover from than others, and most of us are guilty of not providing the proper protection our hearts deserve from time to time. Whether it’s a poor diet that clogs our arteries or the stress and strain exacted by bad romance, the human heart takes a lot of punishment, and its health is a critical component of our overall well-being. A high-quality nootropic mushroom supplement can provide an easy opportunity to support the heart and potentially help it heal.
Some types of nootropic mushrooms, for example, contain compounds that can handily support our cardiovascular health. For example, the triterpenoids in reishi mushrooms have been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels in people with metabolic syndrome, improving overall heart health. Studies have shown shiitake mushrooms have a similar effect on overweight individuals.
A quality nootropic mushroom supplement supports overall health and well-being
In addition to all the specific corrective benefits listed above, the big-picture beauty of using a nootropic mushroom supplement is that it will also support and protect overall health and well-being, even for those who are already in generally good health. Thanks to their rich array of nutrients, including important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, nootropic mushrooms are an excellent and beneficial addition to almost anyone’s daily regimen.
Finding the best nootropic mushroom supplement:
The real deal
Now that you know the real magic in mushrooms, it may be time to take a trip around the internet to find the best nootropic mushroom supplement for your needs. The good news is that there are some great options available, and the better news is that Real Mushrooms is one of the best. The company offers a broad selection of organic functional mushroom supplements, including all those mentioned in this article, plus a fantastic turkey tail mushroom supplement and a blended supplement called 5 Defenders, a one-stop supplement that can improve and enhance multiple functions in the body.
Real Mushrooms produces and sells supplements made from organically grown mushrooms. Furthermore, this standout company subjects its products to a rigorous battery of tests to ensure efficacy and purity. But one of the most important and defining advantages the company has over its competitors is that while many mushroom supplements are formulated from roots of these mushrooms (also called mycelium), Real Mushrooms, true to its name, is committed to producing and selling supplements made only from the mushroom’s fruiting body – the actual mushroom – not its stem. A mushroom’s fruiting body is proven to be the most concentrated and complex part of the mushroom and is packed with numerous beneficial compounds not found in the mycelium.
Functional Fungi:
The wrap-up
A carefully chosen nootropic mushroom supplement from a reputable seller can offer us so many potential benefits, including improving our cognitive function, reducing inflammation, boosting immune function, supporting cardiovascular health, and supporting our overall health and well-being. If you still have questions about their place in your supplement regimen, please refer to the links below.
Further Reading:
Beyond Psilocybin: These Mushrooms May Offer Brain-Boosting Compounds, Too; by Molly Glick
Mushroom Extracts: The Mycelium vs. Fruiting Body Dispute
Mushroom Extract Shown to Dramatically Improve Brain-Cell Growth in The Lab; By Russell McClendon
Mushrooms Magnify Memory by Boosting Nerve Growth; University of Queensland
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
