Stress is a huge issue around the world. Many people struggle with stress in their daily lives, so it makes sense to look for ways to reduce stress so that we can better focus on the better things in life.
In recent years, many people have turned to supplements as wellness solutions. Supplements can be fantastic for your general health, as they have specific nutrients and amino acids that your body needs to function correctly. If you know what you’re eating, you can figure out what would be best for your needs.
This post will focus on the mushroom family. Mushrooms are incredibly varied and can be a fantastic addition to your diet. Different mushrooms have different benefits, and this article will specifically explore adaptogens and functional mushrooms.
Why Adaptogens for Stress?
Stress is a complex response. You might be very familiar with the emotional symptoms of stress, but it also causes mental and physical symptoms. When you’re in a stressful situation, your body is trying to survive.
It raises your heart rate, makes you feel more alert and aware of potential dangers, and essentially primes your body and mind to react. Stress is supposed to be temporary, and your body naturally winds down after the fact.Unfortunately, modern stress is constant and this stress response can damage your health in the long-term.
This is where adaptogens can help. Adaptogens aren’t just mushrooms, they can consist of any plant substance or herb. The key way to identify an adaptogen is the substance's impact on stress levels and how it naturally provides stress relief.
An adaptogen should support the body’s ability to manage stress and help it return to a stable state. It should also be non-toxic at normal doses and safe to use.
It’s thought that adaptogens work by interacting with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is part of your body’s homeostasis system. This part of your brain initiates the stress response and keeps your body in balance by releasing hormones and other chemicals.
Adaptogenic or Functional Mushrooms
As mentioned before, adaptogens can be any plant matter, but a lot of mushrooms have adaptogenic properties. These are known as functional mushrooms, because they do more for your body than simply taste great.
As well as helping to manage stress levels, some mushrooms have other beneficial effects.
Some well known adaptogenic mushrooms include reishi mushrooms, which is known to have immune-boosting properties as well as providing stress relief. Lion’s mane mushrooms may protect against heart disease and cognitive issues.
Other functional mushrooms have other benefits, helping you feel more alert, and of course, managing stress and modulating cortisol levels.
Mushrooms were used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, but they’ve only become the subject of serious study during the past few decades. However, results so far have been promising and many people experience health benefits and stress management after changing their diet to include more functional mushrooms.
It does often take some time before you notice any effects, but after a few weeks or months, your body should be able to better handle stress.
How to Take Functional Mushrooms
The most obvious way to take a functional mushroom is by eating it, but this won’t necessarily net the best results. People have traditionally drank tea and infusions to get as much goodness out of their mushrooms as possible.
The adaptogenic compounds in mushrooms aren’t always accessed as easily as you might hope, which is why eating mushrooms has a limited benefit. Some adaptogens are soluble in water, while others need to be extracted using alcohol. You also need to consider what part of the mushroom is being used.
You’re likely familiar with the fruiting body of the mushroom, the stem and cap. But much of the mushroom is under the earth and makes up the mycelium. This mycelium can also be beneficial, and some supplements try to use as much of the mushroom as possible.
Once all of the goodness has been extracted from the mushroom, the adaptogens can be used as supplements. These supplements might be taken in liquid, capsule, or powder form. You can also find teas with adaptogens added to them.
Amount and Potential Dangers
As adaptogens are non-toxic by nature, most functional mushrooms are considered safe to consume. However, there are a few things to consider before you start taking these supplements.
Functional mushrooms have an effect on your body, which is why they’re so good for you. But these effects could cause issues for some people. For example, reishi mushrooms may lower your blood pressure. While this can be beneficial, if you take blood pressure medication or have low blood pressure to begin with, it can cause issues.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult a doctor before taking any supplements. The same applies if you have a chronic health condition or are on any prescription medications, as some herbal supplements can interfere with medication. It’s also a good idea to be aware of any allergies that you might have.
While functional mushrooms are incredibly helpful, you need the right amount to get the best results. Simply taking some every now and then won’t provide a lot of benefits.
Most studies suggest that people need to take these supplements regularly to notice any real impact. This is why teas and coffees that include functional mushrooms are often so helpful, because people drink it anyway.
Functional mushrooms, like any other supplement, aren’t regulated in the same way as medication. This means that you have to do your research so you can find the right amount for you. There’s a wide range of mushrooms, which means that there’s a wide range of recommended quantities.
Make sure that you research the specific mushroom or blend that you’re taking, so you know the recommended dose for the best results.