Mushroom-based anxiety treatment is just spiritual pseudoscience, right? Wrong! Mushrooms are scientifically shown to improve blood flow, support the immune system, and fight back against insomnia. Get ready for a showcase of the best mushrooms for relaxation and some of the best rated mushroom supplement brands.
For centuries people have used mushrooms in tea, cuisine, and powder to treat various health conditions. Many Eastern medical practices, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic medicine, prescribe mushrooms for insomnia, anxiety, pain, immune support, and even cancer treatment. Today, numerous studies demonstrate how the compounds found in many mushrooms can help to reduce anxiety, pain, and other forms of inflammation. Keep reading for our review of some of the best mushrooms for relaxation.
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Curb Your Anxiety: The Best Mushrooms for Relaxation and Why You Should Incorporate Them into Your Health Plan is an original (HealthXWire) article.
Best mushrooms for relaxation:
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane, also known as white pom pom, Bear’s Head, Old Man’s Beard, Bearded Tooth, and its scientific pseudonym Hericium erinaceus, is one of the best mushrooms for relaxation.
Various studies have demonstrated that Lion’s Mane’s may help to lower inflammation, improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety and depression, and support cognitive health. While further human research is necessary, one 2010 study in which women ate Lion’s Mane cookies over four weeks concludes that “HE intake has the possibility to reduce depression and anxiety.”
Best mushrooms for relaxation:
Reishi
Ganoderma lucidum, more commonly known as Reishi or Lingzi, has been used for centuries in TCM and Japanese herbalism to treat insomnia, relax muscles, and reduce stress. The compounds in Reishi promote muscle relaxation, which can help to encourage a good night’s sleep and reduce stress.
Reishi contains adenosine which “causes skeletal muscle relaxation, has a calming effect, and inhibits the stimulating effects of caffeine.” Muscle relaxation encourages a reduction in anxiety, which can make it easier to fall and stay asleep.
Best mushrooms for relaxation:
Cordyceps
Used in TCM for over 2000 years, Cordyceps has over 300 known species, including the most well-known Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis. Traditional Sikkim healers recommend Cordyceps for insomnia and relaxation.
Furthermore, Cordyceps may help to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is produced by the body in response to a perceived threat and helps to keep you alert and energetic. By reducing your cortisol levels, Cordyceps may play a key role in inducing relaxation.
Best mushrooms for relaxation:
Maitake
Maitake has been used globally for centuries to reduce inflammation, manage cancerous cells, and regulate blood sugar levels. Research shows that the high level of beta-glucans in Maitake mushrooms can help the body to cope with stress.
Furthermore, these nutrient-rich mushrooms can help to support the immune system, lower lipid levels, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation in the body.
Best mushrooms for relaxation:
Chaga
Chaga, also known as birch fungus, white rot fungus, and i. obliquus, is an antioxidant-rich fungus. One article reviewed by a registered dietitian claims that these antioxidants “help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals or oxidants.” When the body cannot produce enough antioxidants to prevent this damage, oxidative stress occurs, potentially leading to the development of diseases such as cancer.
Research shows that “anxiety disorders [are] associated with enhanced inflammation.” Theoretically, in some people, oxidative stress may lead to neuroinflammation, which can result in the development or worsening of an anxiety disorder. Further studies are needed to support this phenomenon and to clarify whether oxidative stress is a cause or consequence of anxiety. However, Chaga’s role in preventing oxidative stress may have a link to reducing anxiety.
Where to purchase mushrooms for relaxation
Real Mushrooms offers consumers some of the best mushrooms for relaxation. Organic Lions Mane Mushroom, Organic Reishi, Organic Chaga Extract, and Organic Cordyceps Extract are available as both powder extracts and capsules. Maitake can be found in their 5 Defenders Organic Mushroom Complex. Furthermore, these products contain no mycelium or grain and are 3rd-party tested for quality. They are certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan. Their mushrooms are sourced from China, the “birthplace of mushroom cultivation.”
According to the founder Jeff Chilton, Real Mushrooms is a “supplement company that seeks to break the mold by offering top-quality mushroom supplements made from the nutrient-dense mushrooms (fruiting bodies) without grain fillers or carriers.” Furthermore, Real Mushrooms works with over 1500 healthcare providers to ensure their products are prescribed to the patients who need them most. Sourcing, quality, and ethics separate Real Mushrooms from their competition.
Keep calm and try these mushrooms
In a world where people are constantly bombarded by stressors, it becomes increasingly important to find the best mushrooms for relaxation. A daily mushroom supplement can help to relax the body, promote a good night’s sleep, and decrease anxiety. If anxiety is getting the better of you, try to keep calm and experiment with these powerful mushrooms.
Further Reading:
Herbalgram: Commercial Labeling of Medicinal Mushroom Products
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms: Nutrient Compositions of Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia
International Society for Mushroom Science, Science and Cultivation of Edible Fungi, Jeff Chilton: A New Analytical Fingerprinting Method for Quality Control of Medicinal Mushroom Products
Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology: Applied modern biotechnology for cultivation of Ganoderma and development of their products
Nammex, Jeff Chilton: Redefining Medicinal Mushrooms: A New Scientific Screening Program for Active Compounds
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 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.
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