Key takeaways

  • Adaptogenic mushrooms may help your body better handle stress, but they are different from hallucinogenic mushrooms and won’t alter your perception.
  • Research suggests that certain mushrooms like Cordyceps, lion’s mane, and reishi may have adaptogenic properties, but more studies in humans are needed to confirm these effects.
  • Before trying adaptogenic mushrooms, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional, as they may cause side effects or interact with medications.

From capsules to protein powders, products containing adaptogenic mushrooms have become quite popular in the health and wellness world.

As such, you may wonder whether adaptogenic mushrooms offer health benefits and if you should be adding them or related products to your diet.

This article explains everything you need to know about adaptogenic mushrooms, including the types, potential benefits, and possible risks.

Adaptogenic mushrooms are mushrooms that may help reduce the effects of stress on your body. Some people use them as herbal health products.

They’re not the same as hallucinogenic or “magic” mushrooms and do not act on the mind or perception.

In general, an adaptogen is a substance that works to reduce the negative effects of stress on the body.

Adaptogens increase the body’s resistance to physical, biological, and chemical stress, help promote healthy functioning during times of stress, and protect against stress-related damage.

Researchers have discovered that certain plants and fungi, including some mushrooms, have adaptogenic properties.

Research suggests that some types of mushrooms have beneficial effects on the body’s stress response.

It’s important to note that the terms medicinal and adaptogenic aren’t the same thing. Many mushrooms have medicinal effects, including anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties.

However, the term adaptogenic refers specifically to how a substance may affect the body’s response to stress.

The following mushrooms may have adaptogenic effects.

  • Cordyceps: Cordyceps is a type of fungus that may help to reduce the effects of stress on the body. However, scientists need to do more high quality research to understand how cordyceps may help the body adapt to stress.
  • Lion’s mane: Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as lion’s mane, is another mushroom thought to offer adaptogenic effects. Studies have shown that lion’s mane extract may help improve performance, overall mood, and reduce stress.
  • Reishi: Ganoderma lucidum, or reishi, is known to have adaptogenic properties and help the body respond to stress. Researchers believe that reishi’s ability to protect against multiple stressors, including low oxygen levels and cold exposure, may help people get used to high altitude environments and protect against mountain sickness caused by low oxygen levels.

Research studies have shown that lion’s mane, Cordyceps, and reishi mushrooms generally have good safety and tolerability when people take them in supplement form.

You can find them in a variety of forms, including capsules, tinctures, teas, and powders.

However, some studies have reported they may cause side effects, such as dizziness and headache.

Additionally, certain populations should avoid taking mushrooms, including:

  • those with bleeding disorders
  • people taking blood-pressure-lowering medication
  • those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or chest feeding

A person can safely use more than one adaptogenic herb or mushroom at the same time. However, some adaptogenic herbs may cause side effects and interact with common medications.

If you’re interested in taking adaptogens, including adaptogenic mushrooms, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional first to ensure the supplement is safe and appropriate.

Although certain adaptogenic mushrooms may be safe for some people, they’re not an appropriate or safe choice for everyone. Additionally, there’s always a risk involved with taking herbal formulations containing many ingredients promoted for their adaptogenic properties.

It’s a good idea to work with an experienced healthcare professional if you’re interested in using mushrooms or herbs for their adaptogenic properties.

Plus, although there’s some evidence supporting the role of adaptogenic mushrooms in stress management, research in humans is limited at this time. Scientists need to conduct more high-quality studies to fully understand the effects of adaptogenic mushrooms on the stress response.

Although certain supplements may help alleviate the symptoms of stress and mitigate its effects on the body, it is also essential to incorporate other stress reduction techniques.

Identifying the cause of stress in your life, getting enough rest, following a nutrient-dense diet, and using stress-management techniques like therapy, massage, exercise, and meditation are typically much more effective than using adaptogenic supplements.

Some mushrooms, including reishi, Cordyceps, and lion’s mane, may have adaptogenic properties and help reduce the negative effects of stress in the body.

However, research in this area is limited, and scientists need to conduct more well-designed studies to fully understand how these mushrooms affect stress response in humans.

If you’re interested in experimenting with adaptogens, including adaptogenic mushrooms, talk with a healthcare professional first to ensure they’re safe and appropriate for your needs.