As we entered into a new decade, this year will definitely feel like we are stepping into a whole new realm in terms of wellness. This new era has high-quality sleep hygiene, enhanced creativity, alkaline gut-microbiome, and beaming mental health as the new measurement of success. The fact is, functional mushrooms are so cool and have numerous benefits.
As researchers and industry pioneers take a deeper look into the brain, we are finding out that we have the stepping stones towards this new level of wellness right below our feet… literally. In fact, there are numerous benefits of functional mushrooms just waiting to be uncovered
From cannabis to mushrooms and other supreme adaptogenic herbs, these plant allies are elevating our minds, expanding our focus and enhancing our sleep quality. This blog is going to cover the benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms and explain how you can incorporate this superfood into your daily routine.
What are functional mushrooms?
Functional mushrooms, such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, even Shiitake, and Chaga mushroom have been known and studied to benefit the human body. In fact, they have been used for 5,000 years by humans all around the world. While the use of functional mushrooms is anything but new, modern science is still discovering so much about this incredible kingdom of fungi.
In a practical sense, all mushrooms serve a function, whether as food or part of the ecosystem. However the phrase ‘functional mushroom’ specifically refers to varieties that have a health benefit beyond providing nutritional value. These can also be known as adaptogenic mushrooms. With a kingdom that contains over 1.5 million fungi and mushroom varieties, it’s understandable to feel a little confused. After all, not all of those species are edible mushrooms. Some are poisonous mushrooms, some are psychedelic, and some are just plain tasty!
Why the ‘shrooms?
While each functional mushroom has its own unique characteristics and benefits, as a whole they are known to balance your energy levels, strengthen your immune function, soothe digestion, boost your resistance against stress, enhance your skin’s natural glow and so much more.
Here’s a simple break down each of the functional mushrooms that we’ve not-so-surprisingly taken a liking too.
Reishi
Known as the ‘nature’s Xanax’ due for its ability to help us manage stress, the Reishi mushroom is also known for its ability to reduce insomnia and help users make the most of their waking hours. If you were able to unwind with a cup of our holiday festive Reishi mushroom hot chocolate, you would be familiar with the ease and blissed state aiding in those restful nights.
Reishi is non-sedative and helps bring out your ultimate feelings of chill. It creates a sense of ease to your mind and body and this powerful fungi works to support the body’s natural sleep cycles.
Cordyceps
If you haven’t dropped (or at least reconsidered) the ultra-stimulated pre-workout – you may just be a little late to the party.
Where chemically induced pre-workouts simply stimulate the nerves and become extremely taxing on the adrenals, research from the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine showed that the Cordyceps mushroom helped people who struggle with fatigue by increasing energy levels and physical endurance naturally – without the crash.
In fact, many athletes have found Cordyceps beneficial for both recovery and performance as studies have shown that mushroom’s adenosine levels help increase the body’s supply of ATP, which is a primary source of energy during physical activity. Additionally, the Cordyceps mushroom can boost the body’s natural production of nitric oxide, optimizing oxygen absorption.
Lion’s Mane
This mushroom is a favorite amongst those who tried the potato salad, for its neuroprotective properties. 2018 research from Behavioural Neurology found the lion’s mane mushroom to be effective in improving mild brain function. Take it for increased daily focus – and your long term nerve and brain health. This ‘shroom could be your boost of clear-headed confidence you’ve been looking for!
In a 2018 study, researchers from Behavioral Neurology found the lion’s mane mushroom to be effective in improving mild cognitive impairments. Many have taken these fungi to increase daily focus, and support long term nerve and brain health while also providing immune support. This organic mushroom could be your boost of clear-headed confidence you’ve been looking for without the jitter or the crash.
Chaga:
Found on birch and other trees in cold climates, the chaga mushroom has been used as a folk remedy for digestive issues, fatigue, and chronic inflammation. Talk about a hard life, can you imagine being stuck to a tree in freezing cold weather for years on end just trying to survive?
Just like you need a healthy immune system, plants need the same thing to ensure their own survival. The benefits to you: they become loaded with biological chemicals that can enhance not only their lives but yours as well. Chaga is loaded with beta-glucans, antioxidants, melanin, triterpenes, and polyphenols (to name a few) which mega-mineral boost this odd, yet lovable fungus.
Maitake:
Known as the dancing mushroom, Maitake has been a celebrated mushroom for centuries. This mushroom assists the body in fighting against any type of mental or physical difficulty while regulating systems of the body that have become unbalanced. While this mushroom can be used in recipes for taste alone, it is also considered to be a medicinal mushroom.
Maitake mushrooms are said to offer a wide range of health benefits. A key component in maitake mushrooms is beta-glucan, a type of polysaccharide or long molecule of carbohydrates found to affect the immune system. With many immune-boosting benefits, Maitake mushrooms are also a natural way to reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol in some people. Adding a daily mushroom supplement can help regulate these symptoms.
CURED Mushroom Products:
When it comes to herbal medicine, sometimes the strength of a plant is in its many little variations. And in the case of cannabis and other complex botanicals, the collective activity of all these varied molecules contributes to the plant’s unique effects on people’s unique bodies.
Rise:
Meet our daytime must-have cannabinoid and mushroom blend, Rise. This carefully crafted dietary supplement boasts all-natural ingredients including Lions Mane, Cordyceps, Ginseng and B Vitamins that work synergistically to sustain focus and wakefulness, while combating the stress of daily life.
How/when to use:
On your way to an early morning workout? Pop some Rise! Is your brain foggy before your afternoon meeting? Pop some Rise! Planning a night out on the town? Pop some Rise!
This carefully crafted, non-stimulant medicinal mushroom formula can be taken at any time of the day to give your mind and body an extra pep in its step.
Aura:
Aura – the only supplement formulated to heal, seal and protect your gut. We’ve paired two of the most powerful immune-enhancing and gut healing mushrooms it the world, Turkey Tail and Chaga, with Zinc, Turmeric and Ginger to strengthen your body’s defense against the harmful effects of stress, while modulating the immune system and maintaining gut health and integrity. Say goodbye to bloating, indigestion and gut inflammation, for good!
How/when to use:
Is your gut feeling bogged down or backed up? Aura is your go-to. Just take 3 capsules with a meal or snack and you’ll be on your way to feeling your best, from the inside out.
Zen:
We’ve paired hand-chosen functional mushrooms with other adaptogens to take an average night of sleep to a whole new dimension. With soothing ingredients such as Magnesium, Reishi, Valerian, Ashwagandha, and Chamomile, Zen is designed to enhance sleep quality, elevate your nighttime bliss and melt away restlessness with our functional mushroom products.
How/when to use:
If sleepless nights, restless evenings and tossing and turning sound familiar, look no further. Functional mushroom products can help. Just a few caps of Zen roughly 30 minutes before bed will surely compliment your effects to unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and drop into the deep, relaxing REM sleep we all need.
On The Horizon:
The power of functional mushrooms is real – in fact, according to Grand View Research, the global mushroom market value is expected to exceed 50 billion USD in the next seven years due to growing demand. As they make their way into the mainstream media, our goal will be to continually share our passion and love for these incredible adaptogenic herbs and put them into the hands of more and more.
