Health Benefits

Nootropic mushrooms, also known as medicinal mushrooms, have many potential health benefits, including:

  • Cognitive enhancement: Nootropic mushrooms can improve memory, focus, and mental clarity. Lion’s mane mushrooms are known for their ability to improve cognition and relief from anxiety and depression.
  • Neuroprotective properties: Some nootropic mushrooms, like lion’s mane, may promote neurogenesis, which is the formation of new neurons. 
  • Stress reduction: Reishi mushrooms have adaptogenic properties that can help the body adapt to stress. 
  • Improved sleep: Reishi mushrooms are known to promote better sleep. 
  • Antioxidant properties: Many nootropic mushrooms are rich in antioxidants that can combat oxidative stress. 
  • Gastrointestinal health: Lion’s mane mushrooms may inhibit ulcers by affecting the helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.




Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane mushrooms, also known as Hericium erinaceus, have a long history of use in traditional medicine and cuisine in Asia and Europe.

This mushroom contains many bioactive compounds, including:

  • Polysaccharide: Lentinan is found in lion’s mane mushrooms that may have anticancer effects. In some countries, an injectable form of lentinan is used to treat cancer.
  • Phenolic Acids: Gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid which are associated with antioxidant properties.
  • Terpenoids/Hericenones, Meroterpenoids: These are considered the main bioactive compounds responsible for the mushroom’s potential neuroprotective effects.
  • The mycelia contain erinacine A, C, and possibly S, which may target neuroinflammation




Shiitake

Shiitake mushrooms are estimated to have originated over 100 million years ago in the Cretaceous period. They are named after the Japanese tree shii (Fagaceae family) on which they often grow.

Shiitake mushrooms are the second most cultivated mushroom in the world, after the button mushroom. Japan is known for popularizing shiitake mushrooms in the West, but China is the largest global producer.

  • Lentinan:  A polysaccharide found in shiitake mushrooms that may have anticancer effects. In some countries, an injectable form of lentinan is used to treat cancer.
  • Protein:  The protein in shiitake mushrooms, called lentine, may have antifungal properties and suppress the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.
  • Whole shiitake extracts: May have antiproliferative, immunostimulatory, hepatoprotective, antimutagenic, and anticaries effects.




Reishi

Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum or lingzhi, have been used in traditional Eastern medicine for over 2,000 years.

Reishi mushrooms are used in supplements and are becoming more widely available for culinary use. They are also used by physicians in Asia to treat a variety of health concerns. In Japan and China, medicinal mushrooms have been approved as adjuncts to standard cancer treatments for over 30 years.

  • Immune system: Reishi mushrooms may help boost the immune system. 
  • Blood sugar: Reishi mushrooms may help lower blood sugar levels. However, taking reishi with other supplements that have a similar effect may cause blood sugar to drop too much. 
  • Heart health: Reishi mushrooms may help improve heart health. 
  • Liver health: Reishi mushrooms may help protect the liver from damage caused by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis B, and other conditions. 
  • Urinary tract symptoms: Reishi mushrooms may help reduce urinary tract symptoms in men. 
  • Fatigue: Reishi mushrooms may help reduce fatigue. 
  • Cancer: Reishi mushrooms may help decrease the size and number of tumors in certain types of cancer. 
  • Antioxidants: Reishi mushrooms have high antioxidant activity, which may help protect the body from cell damage.




NOTE: As with any product, we suggest you do your research on the benefits of nootropic mushrooms and formulate your own opinion. We do believe in our products and their health benefits and hope you’ll enjoy growing at home.