What are the Best Nootropic Mushrooms? Find Out!
Ever since the beginning of time, humans have sought natural remedies to cure different mental states and health conditions.
Despite the evolution of medicine and technology, this trend continues to this day, with more and more people turning an eye towards mushrooms as a solution.
But not all mushrooms are the same. If you’re interested in the cognitive benefits of the spore-bearing fruiting bodies of the fungus, nootropic mushrooms is what you need.
In the following section, we explore some of the best nootropic mushrooms and dive deep into their properties. We answer the question are mushrooms nootropics in the first place, and gradually make things more interesting, offering a proprietary mushroom nootropic blend to try, and more.
What are nootropics?
In essence, nootropics are natural or synthetic substances that have powerful abilities to boost mental health performance.
However, they’re not limited to mushrooms.
For example, popular nootropics include caffeine, creatine, ginkgo biloba, and more.
Nootropics influence the creation and regulation of neurotransmitters to positively impact brain function. Based on the type of nootropic substance, the effects on the nervous system can differ, each providing a unique set of advantages.
While some increase dopamine production and, therefore, focus, others stimulate the production of GABA and reduce stress levels.
A brief recap on nootropic mushrooms
So what are nootropic mushrooms and how do they differ from traditional mushrooms?
These “smart drugs” represent a unique fungi category known for their potential to boost cognitive function, brain health, and mental clarity.
Mushroom nootropics aren’t just magical in their traditional sense. They also possess a different kind of magic, one that taps into the potential of the human brain, empowering individuals to think sharper, remember better, and feel more balanced.
Imagine a tiny, earthy powerhouse, packed with compounds that nature has carefully crafted over millennia.
When consumed, these mushrooms can invigorate your mind, offering a blend of ancient wisdom and modern science that can help you discover a natural route to mental enhancement.
The best nootropic mushrooms
Now that we have your attention, it’s time to move on to the meat and potatoes of this article (or in this case – mushrooms).
With more than 14,000 species of mushrooms, choosing the variety that will deliver the benefits you’re looking for can feel like playing Russian roulette.
Out of all these mushroom types, 2,000 are edible, and only a few are considered nootropic. They enhance the cognitive function of the brain and provide a ton of benefits for the consumer.
Here are the most efficient nootropic mushrooms you need to know about.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane or Hericium erinaceus is perhaps one of the most popular mushroom varieties when it comes to therapeutic properties.
This powerhouse grows in conifer trees located in Northern climates. It’s well-known for its hairy appearance that resembles the mane of a lion, just like the name suggests.
As a nootropic mushroom, this powerful fungus is recognized for its neuroprotective benefits and has been a staple in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries.
Recent scientific research has increasingly supported its use for cognitive enhancement and overall brain health.
But what makes this mushroom type so mighty?
The answer lies in its active compounds, some of which contribute to its nootropic effects.
These include:
- Hericenones and erinacines – able to stimulate the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) – a must-have protein for neuron growth, maintenance, and survival;
- Beta-glucans – polysaccharides that offer immune-modulating properties, which can help tackle inflammation;
- Antioxidants – protect the brain cells from oxidative stress.
Let’s find out more about how it works.
Neuroprotection
The most important nootropic effects of Lion’s Mane are related to the promotion of neurogenesis and neuroprotection. NGF is essential for the development of brain neurons and the maintenance of the peripheral nervous system.
By promoting NGF synthesis, Lion’s Mane can support the growth and branching of neurons, boosting connectivity in the brain. It can also help repair damaged neurons, enhancing memory.
Moreover, it can potentially slow down neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Cognitive function and memory
Research also proves the ability of Lion’s Mane to enhance memory and cognitive function.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving Japanese men and women diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, participants who took Lion’s Mane supplements showed substantial improvements in cognitive functions compared to those who took a placebo.
The cognitive function scores increased with the duration of the mushroom intake, proving the positive influence of the nootropic.
Anxiety and depression
Lion’s Mane is also advantageous when it comes to improving your mood and mental health.
In another study, the results demonstrated that although the mushroom’s antidepressant effects have not been validated, it can be a potential alternative medicine for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and irritation.
Part of the reason behind this is that this nootropic can reduce inflammation in the brain, often linked to anxiety.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Anxiety is not the only potential risk of brain inflammation. It can also lead to general cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
As a rich in antioxidants mushroom, Lion’s Mane helps combat oxidative stress. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce and prevent brain inflammation and can protect the neurons from damage.
By now you’re probably asking yourself how you can start taking Lion’s Mane.
The good news is that nootropic mushrooms high in such powerful compounds as the Lion’s Mane can be consumed in many different ways. Some of the easiest ways to get the most out of this powerful remedy is to drink tea infused with Lion’s Mane or take capsules that contain the mushroom.
At Three Amigos, you can discover a range of different products that contain Lion’s Mane, like
Chaga
Chaga or Inonotus obliquus is another value-rich nootropic mushroom. It’s considered a parasitic fungus that grows on birch trees in cooler regions like Siberia, Northern Canada, and Alaska.
It’s visually striking and difficult to forget – it looks like a burnt charcoal piece and nothing like a mushroom.
Despite its hard and cracked external layer, it’s known as the “king of mushrooms” as a result of its numerous health benefits.
This remarkable mushroom is packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. It contains several bioactive compounds that make it stand out from the rest as a powerful nootropic:
- Polysaccharides – beta-glucans, which can modulate the immune system;
- Triterpenes – provide anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties;
- Phenolic compounds – for example, melanin, which offers antioxidant features;
- Superoxide Dismutase – an enzyme with potent antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage
These bioactive compounds help Chaga provide key benefits for the mind and body.
Immune system support
The beta-glucans found in Chaga can support the immune system, resulting in improved efficiency and an improved immune response.
This can result in lower inflammation levels, which can help the brain function better and maintain its healthy state. After all, chronic inflammation is one of the most popular causes of cognitive decline.
Improved learning capacity
The ability of Chaga to minimize oxidative stress makes it a powerful solution to poor learning abilities or short memory.
For instance, a study shows that the mushroom dramatically improved learning and memory in mice with amnesia as a result of the provided boost to endogenous antioxidants.
Tackling and preventing cancer
Apart from the active compounds we mentioned above, Chaga also contains betulin and betulinic acid.
These compounds are known to provide anticancer effects by directly binding target molecules and influencing cellular pathways.
Naturally, in areas where Chaga consumption is high, the cases of cancer across the population are often lower than in other regions.
Consuming Chaga can undoubtedly help you experience a plethora or different benefits, both for the mind and body. To get started, choose the most preferred consumption method for you.
You can choose from teas, tinctures, powders, and supplements. The optimal dosage will vary based on the form of intake you’ve selected and your personal health conditions.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps or cordyceps sinensis, also known as the “zombie mushroom” is among the most intriguing mushrooms in the world.
Before you let the name scare you away, let’s take a moment to get to know this fungus better.
Just like Chaga, it’s parasitic and infects insects, making them dig holes underground or climb to the highest leaf. As a result, the insect dies, ultimately being consumed by the mushroom.
Despite its detrimental influence on insects in nature, it can deliver a multitude of positive impacts on the human body and mind. It’s another go-to Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries.
Cordyceps grows in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas in places like Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of China. It’s extremely difficult to harvest and very rare. These properties have won another name for the mushroom – “Himalayan God”.
In terms of bioactive compounds, Cordyceps is rich in:
- Cordycepin – a nucleoside analog that plays a significant role in many of Cordyceps’ medicinal properties;
- Polysaccharides – deliver immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects;
- Adenosine – helps improve energy production and has cardiovascular benefits;
- Ergosterol – a precursor to vitamin D2 with antioxidant properties;
- Beta-glucans – contribute to immune system modulation and overall health.
As a nootropic mushroom, Cordyceps shares some of the capabilities of Chaga and Lion’s Mane. For example, all three mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant effects, support neurogenesis and protect the neurons.
However, Cordyceps differs mostly when it comes to energy metabolism and physical performance.
Energy and metabolism
This nootropic is famous for its ability to boost adenosine triphosphate – the primary energy carrier in cells.
As a result, it can boost physical stamina and cognitive function, making sure that neurons have enough energy to perform optimally.
Its ability to substitute adenosine also means that it’s capable of terminating the synthesis of RNA molecules or ribonucleic acid, which is linked to interference in gene regulatory networks and cancer.
Physical performance
Cordyceps have been studied for their influence on physical performance.
The findings reveal that the mushroom can dramatically improve the way your body uses oxygen. In turn, this leads to enhancements in stamina and physical performance.
Just like Chaga, you can consume Cordyceps in the form of capsules, powders, tinctures, and tea.
For example, if you opt for a powder solution, common dosages include 1-3 grams per day. With capsules, you can take between 500 and 1000 mg per day.
Keep in mind that the recommended dosage will vary based on the type of product you’ve selected and the rest of the ingredients or compounds in the blend.
Reishi
Reishi or Ganoderma lucidum is another must-try mushroom nootropic. Often called the “mushroom of immortality”, this fungus has a lot to offer.
In China, it’s known as Lingzhi and has been used for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine. It grows in hardwood trees like oak, maple, and plum in Asia’s tropical regions.
Visually, this mushroom has reddish-brown nuances and looks like a kidney with a lacquered appearance, giving it a shiny, varnished appearance.
Some of the most important compounds that Reishi contains include triterpenoids and polysaccharides, but also:
- Peptidoglycans – Enhance immune function and have anti-inflammatory properties;
- Sterols – Plant sterols that help modulate cholesterol and support brain health;
- Ganoderma Lucidum Peptide (GLP) – A unique protein with potent antioxidant properties.
Reishi as a nootropic mushroom offers a range of different properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and more. But perhaps the most interesting ones include anticancer and antidiabetic.
Anticancer properties
Research suggests that Reishi can be directly linked to the prevention of cancer, specifically when it comes to prostate, lung, breast, and colon cancer.
The polysaccharides in Reishi stimulate the immune system to create cytokines and activate the anticancer activities of immune cells. They can also have a cytotoxic effect, minimizing integrin expression to prevent tumor cells from spreading.
Antidiabetic
Reishi has also been proven to be effective in preventing diabetes. During a study, researchers applied a feeding program including Reishi spore powder and oil to rabbits for four months.
The results were dramatic reductions in triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This ultimately has a positive effect on people predisposed to diabetes or who suffer from early stages of the condition.
Maitake
Maitake or Grifola frondosa is the “hen of the woods”. This name derives from its appearance – it looks like a feathered hen.
This nootropic mushroom is a highly valued medicinal and culinary gem. It has a rich flavor and numerous health benefits.
Maitake are native to northeastern Japan but can also be seen in North America and Europe. They grow at the base of oak, elm, and maple trees, usually forming large clusters.
It’s another nootropic that consists of multiple bioactive compounds, like beta-glucans and polysaccharides.
At the same time, it’s rich in:
- Ergothioneine – a unique antioxidant amino acid that protects cells from oxidative stress;
- Sterols – plant sterols that help modulate cholesterol and support brain health;
- Lectins – proteins that can modulate immune response and protect neurons.
Having this in mind, it’s easy to understand why it’s such a cognitive powerhouse.
Stress relief
When powered with Ashwagandha, this mushroom can lower the production of cortisol in animals, therefore, reducing stress levels.
By maintaining balanced cortisol levels, Maitake helps alleviate chronic stress and related symptoms like fatigue, cognitive impairment, and anxiety.
Influence on Alzheimer’s disease
The mushroom can also help tackle Alzheimer’s disease as a result of its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is known to contribute to the development and progression of the disease.
The beta-glucans and polysaccharides found in Maitake can minimize inflammation, protecting the neurons.
Getting started with mushroom nootropics
Without a doubt, mushroom nootropics can deliver unimaginable benefits to the human body, helping the brain function better and preventing a lot of common conditions and diseases.
You may have noticed that the five nootropics mushroom varieties we looked at earlier have their own individual properties and features.
To get the best of nootropics, it’s best to find a proprietary nootropic mushroom blend that offers synergies between different compounds. This will enable you to embrace all the therapeutic and medicinal perks of consuming nootropics all at once.
At Three Amigos, you can discover a range of different nootropic mushroom products, from mixed capsules to tasty teas. Explore a diverse and rich catalog and experience the power of nootropics from a first-hand perspective.
James Sullivan is a writer for Three Amigos, specializing in natural remedies and mental health. An advocate for the therapeutic use of psilocybin, he combines his passion for writing with his love for the great outdoors.
