Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms Safe? (2024)

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Health gurus claim that adaptogens can improve focus. But what does the research say? Let’s talk about the safety of adaptogenic mushrooms.

Functional mushrooms are fungi that some claim can help with stress and focus. They’ve cropped up in drink mixes, powdered supplements, and functional foods. But do they actually do what people claim they can? If you’re trying them, what precautions should you keep in mind? Let’s discuss the research on functional mushrooms and whether they’re safe.

Reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps, and ashwagandha are part of a subset of fungi that may help us adapt to stress. This is the idea behind “adaptogens,” substances that help improve well-being. Adaptogens have been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Kampo, and other ancient traditions and are now making their way into consumer products.

When it comes to functional mushrooms, companies claim their products will change your life. Subscription supplements and drink mixes state they’ll help improve your focus, relieve stress, and boost your immune system. But, what does the research say?

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At Psychedelic Support, we focus on therapy aided by entheogenic medicines like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA. We help educate providers and connect people with mental health professionals with vast knowledge of therapeutic interventions, techniques, and plant medicines. Unlike functional mushrooms, these substances create psychedelic experiences that people grow and heal from. Psychedelic therapy has been healing people with depression, PTSD, addiction, and more.

But we also know that adaptogenic mushrooms are on the rise, and we want you to have the best information about them. We’re all about education and arming people with the information they need to make better decisions for their mental and physical health. First, let’s get clear on what these substances are.

Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms Safe? (1)

Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms Safe? (2)

What Is a Functional Mushroom?

Functional mushrooms are non-hallucinogenic fungi that may have health benefits and have been around for quite some time. As early as 450 BCE, Hippocrates claimed that the amadou mushroom had benefits, especially as an anti-inflammatory tool for cauterizing wounds. The Ice Man, Europe’s oldest known human mummy, was carrying amadou when he died 5300 years ago1.

Functional mushrooms, also called “adaptogens”, are just as they sound – they help our bodies adapt. The term comes from a Russian scientist who trialed some substances on soldiers in the 1940s. He was looking for a way to boost Soviet troops during the Cold War and used ginseng to do so2. In 1962, the Soviet Ministry of Health declared ginseng the first official herbal medicine. But what mushrooms are considered adaptogens or functional mushrooms?

Which Mushrooms are Functional Mushrooms?

More than 1,000 species of mushrooms may be considered adaptogens. Here are some of the more well-known functional mushrooms:

  • Reishi
  • Ashwagandha
  • Lion’s Mane
  • Cordyceps
  • Chaga
  • Shiitake

Psst… We’ve got a whole guide on functional mushrooms and their properties. Check it out here.

Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms Safe?

Medicinal mushrooms are generally safe, but certain groups should consult their healthcare provider before trying them. These include:3

  • People with clotting disorders
  • People on blood-pressure-altering medications
  • Pregnant people
  • People with liver disorders or failure
  • Thyroid disorders

Do Adaptogenic Mushrooms Have Side Effects?

Yes, although they’re usually well-tolerated.

Some medicinal mushrooms can have gastrointestinal side effects. These include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach upset, with additional reports of individuals experiencing dry mouth and headaches.

Some specific mushrooms may have their own side effects, and they can interact with other medications. Consult your healthcare provider before starting an adaptogen regimen.

Do Adaptogenic Mushrooms Actually Work? Functional Mushroom Research

While research on dosage and outcomes is still limited, functional mushrooms have shown some benefits. And this research comes after these substances were used for millenniums by ancient peoples, which we can’t discount.

A 2022 literature review yielded about 130 medicinal properties in adaptogenic mushrooms. These properties included:

  • Protection from cardiac problems
  • Immune modulation
  • Antitumor
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-hypertensive
  • Liver-protective

But how can mushrooms carry so many valuable properties? The answer is in their diversity. Fungi create diverse bioactive compounds – chemicals that have biological effects within the body. One of these compounds is polysaccharides. These sugar chains, which mushrooms produce thousands of, have shown several beneficial effects on body systems4.

Functional mushrooms also produce medicinal proteins, which can have immune-modulating effects. Terpenoids and Terpenes are also very prevalent in mushrooms and have anti-carcinogenic, anti-infection, and immune-modulating properties.

Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms Safe? (3)

Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms Safe? (4)

Research into clinical outcomes is still early, and methodology can tend to be inconsistent, but check out these exciting research outcomes:

  • A 2020 review of eight placebo-controlled studies found promising results in cancer patients. Patients benefited from adaptogen therapy through improved quality of life. Participants also showed antitumor effects from these mushrooms through increased activity in natural killer cells5.
  • A 2020 trial of patients with Herpes (HSV 1) found that a compound from medicinal mushrooms significantly shortened cough duration6.
  • One 2022 trial studying an adaptogen-rich drink mix found good cognitive results in some participants7.

Initial research is promising, and these substances could yield benefits in the future. Trials on adaptogenic mushrooms are still in the early phases. But there’s an extensive list of companies touting adaptogens in their products, along with life-changing claims. For the most part, the dosage of these consumer products is very low, as most likely too low to create noticeable benefits.

Muchlike the supplement market, the adaptogen market doesn’t have to prove that its products do what they say they do. Let’s talk more about the research on these products.

What Do Studies Say About Using Mushroom-Based Supplements?

Not many trials have covered mushroom-based supplements. That’s because these products don’t have to show safety and efficacy before being marketed and sold to the public.

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Unlike psychedelic mushrooms, which are currently under extensive clinical testing, adaptogen mushroom supplements don’t have to meet FDA approval. Some of these supplements don’t even include the adaptogens they claim to, leading to the growth, processing, and packaging of these supplements not reaching optimal standardization. So be very careful if you’re looking for medicinal mushroom supplements.

Ultimately, some adaptogens have had specific and measurable benefits in trials. Future research may reveal more. But supplements may not be the way to get these benefits.

Key Takeaways on Adaptogen Safety

Mushrooms come in many forms and serve many different properties. Some give us a psychedelic experience, some are dangerous for consumption, and others make tasty dishes for our tables. Lastly, others could help our bodies recover and deal with stress.

Mushrooms are powerful fungi. Spiritually and physically, they can have strong effects on our bodies. While the research is relatively strong for adaptogens, and risk may be low, we can’t yet make recommendations. Keep in mind that supplements and drink mixes aren’t held to strict approval standards. Proceed with caution when it comes to medicinal mushrooms in products.

Unlike adaptogens, including adaptogenic mushrooms, psychedelics like psilocybin have been thoroughly tested through clinical trials. Strict therapeutic standards and safety precautions will help us deliver psychedelic therapy safely and with extensive research to back up the practice. FDA approval is coming sooner than you may think.
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References

  1. Stamets P, Zwickey H. Medicinal Mushrooms: Ancient Remedies Meet Modern Science. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Feb;13(1):46-7. PMID: 26770081; PMCID: PMC4684114.
  2. Liao LY, He YF, Li L, Meng H, Dong YM, Yi F, Xiao PG. A preliminary review of studies on adaptogens: comparison of their bioactivity in TCM with that of ginseng-like herbs used worldwide. Chin Med. 2018 Nov 16;13:57. doi: 10.1186/s13020-018-0214-9. PMID: 30479654; PMCID: PMC6240259.
  3. What are adaptogens and are they healthy? Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. (2022, April 13). Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-are-adaptogens-and-what-do-they-do/
  4. Chugh, R. M., Mittal, P., MP, N., Arora, T., Bhattacharya, T., Chopra, H., Cavalu, S., & Gautam, R. K. (2022). Fungal mushrooms: A natural compound with therapeutic applications. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.925387
  5. Jeitler M, Michalsen A, Frings D, Hübner M, Fischer M, Koppold-Liebscher DA, Murthy V, Kessler CS. Significance of Medicinal Mushrooms in Integrative Oncology: A Narrative Review. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Nov 11;11:580656. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.580656. PMID: 33424591; PMCID: PMC7794004.
  6. Urbancikova I, Hudackova D, Majtan J, Rennerova Z, Banovcin P, Jesenak M. Efficacy of Pleuran (β-Glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) in the Management of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Apr 13;2020:8562309. doi: 10.1155/2020/8562309. PMID: 32419831; PMCID: PMC7201855.
  7. Boolani, A., Fuller, D., Mondal, S., & Gumpricht, E. (2022). Trait energy and fatigue modify acute ingestion of an adaptogenic-rich beverage on neurocognitive performance. Applied Sciences, 12(9), 4466. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12094466

The content provided is for educational and informational purposes only and should be a substitute for medical or other professional advice. Articles are based on personal opinions, research, and experiences of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Psychedelic Support.

Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms Safe? (2024)

FAQs

Are adaptogenic mushrooms safe? ›

Are adaptogenic mushrooms safe? 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 ( 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ).

Are adaptogens actually effective? ›

There are many herbs and mushrooms that qualify as adaptogens, and what experts know about most of them is still limited. But growing research shows that adaptogens help the body regulate in many ways, including improving mood, balancing hormones, fighting fatigue and boosting the immune system.

Who shouldn't use adaptogens? ›

Pregnant and breastfeeding women. Diabetics. People with high or low blood pressure. People with stomach ulcers or history of them.

What are the safest adaptogens? ›

Three main adaptogenic herbs have been studied and found to be both safe and nontoxic: Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), Rhodiola rosea (Arctic root), and Schisandra chinensis.

Are mushroom tinctures safe? ›

While mushroom tinctures are generally safe for most people, some individuals may experience side effects such as digestive upset, allergic reactions, or interactions with certain medications. It's always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

Do adaptogens give you a buzz? ›

Yes, some adaptogens can give you a buzz. These include green tea, holy basil, ginseng, cordyceps mushrooms, Schisandra berries and maca root. Medicinal mushrooms and maca root are well known for giving you an energy buzz without the anxiety or accelerated heart rate that caffeine often entails.

What is the dark side of adaptogens? ›

Adaptogens are well tolerated by adults, but some noted common side effects include: Nausea. Diarrhea. Dry mouth.

What is the truth about adaptogens? ›

The theory behind adaptogens says they help your body adjust to physical, chemical, or biological stress. They're thought to stimulate your body's stress-protection response and help its systems return to a balanced state called "homeostasis."

What is the most powerful adaptogen in the world? ›

1. Panax Ginseng. Ginseng is one well-known adaptogen, and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is considered by many to be the most potent.

What does Mayo Clinic say about ashwagandha? ›

Ashwaganda is considered a safe supplement for most people, and may help with your low thyroid. But as with anything new to your body, be sure to consult your doctor before starting.

What are the side effects of mushroom adaptogens? ›

These include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach upset, with additional reports of individuals experiencing dry mouth and headaches. Some specific mushrooms may have their own side effects, and they can interact with other medications. Consult your healthcare provider before starting an adaptogen regimen.

Do adaptogens affect the liver? ›

Adaptogenic substances must affect the liver because of this organ's central role in metabolic and detoxification reactions. Ginseng affects the liver in several ways.

Should you take a break from adaptogens? ›

While adaptogens may seem a cure-all, they shouldn't be taken on a long-term basis, finishes naturopathic nutritionist Vanessa Rohmig. “Take a break from your adaptogen after taking it for six months as the body can build up resistance,” she explains.

Which is the king of adaptogen? ›

Eleuthero, often dubbed the 'King of Adaptogens,' is a powerful herb with a rich history in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Extensively researched, it has been shown to offer a wide range of health benefits, including immune support, stress relief, and enhanced physical performance.

What happens when you stop adaptogens? ›

What types of supplement withdrawal side effects are possible when you quit taking things like vitamins, minerals, adaptogens or pre-workout formulas? Depending on how you stop using them, how long you've been taking them, and your individual reaction, side effects may include: Low energy, fatigue and lethargy.

Who shouldn't take mushroom supplements? ›

Taking reishi mushroom may be riskier if you have low blood pressure or are taking therapy to raise your blood pressure, are taking diabetes medications, or have immune system disorders or medications. Higher doses of reishi mushroom might make bleeding more likely in people who have a very low platelet count.

What are the negative effects of cordyceps mushrooms? ›

It might cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and stomach discomfort. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cordyceps is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding or what the side effects might be. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

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