The psychedelic varieties often grab headlines; even gourmet culinary mushrooms appear to offer antioxidants and nutrients. And now Western science is taking notice of certain species for their unique potential pharmacological actions. Extracts and compounds from reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane, and other fungi show promise in studies for effects ranging from supporting immune function to enhancing cognitive abilities. Though research continues, some data suggest specific mushrooms may balance inflammation, curb oxidative stress, protect nerve cells, and support cellular energy production.
Many perk of medicinal mushrooms
- Boost immune surveillance– Certain shiitake, maitake, and reishi extracts seem to rev up pathogen-fighting white blood cell activity. This makes sense since fungal cell walls carry beta-glucans able to elicit immune responses.
- Balance inflammation– Chronic inflammation underlies numerous diseases. Compounds in turkey tail, chaga, cordyceps, and other fungi appear to suppress certain inflammatory chemicals.
- Offer antioxidants- Oxidative stress also drives disease. mushroom gummies provide diverse antioxidants like ergothioneine, selenium, and glutathione precursors that neutralize free radicals.
- Protect cognitive health– Lion’s mane extract seems to stimulate nerve growth factor production, which helps maintain neurons. It shows the potential to curb cognitive decline and peripheral neuropathy.
- Enhance respiratory health– Beta-glucans especially may thwart upper respiratory tract infections. And in Asia, many use medicinal mushrooms to support lung health and function.
- Boost exercise recovery– The ergogenic effects of cordyceps show promise for athletic performance and endurance. The fungi seem to dilate blood vessels, enhancing oxygen utilization while curbing oxidative damage.
- Support metabolic health- Compounds in turkey tail, shiitake, chaga, and others may balance blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, and other markers. This promotes favorable weight and metabolic health.
- Regulate stress- Adaptogens modulating stress pathways may explain some mushrooms’ varied benefits, from easing anxiety to enhancing energy. Reishi, cordyceps, and others may support healthy stress adaptation.
The mechanisms behind such mushroom benefits likely involve multiple components working synergistically in ways science still aims to understand.
Promising data on mushrooms for health
Thousands of studies suggest medicinal mushrooms may profoundly, if delicately, tune immunity, stress adaptation, cognition, cardiovascular health, liver function, inflammation regulation, viral defense, and natural antioxidant capacity through nuanced biological signaling.
Brain health
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) excels at stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF). This compound protects cognitive function and may aid neuropathy. Lion’s mane mycelium extracts boosted NGF by over 40% in human trials. The fungi seem to also curb beta-amyloid plaques linked to dementia progression.
Heart health
Data indicate reishi and chaga extracts regulate lipid and cholesterol metabolism, enhancing cardiovascular function. Compounds also boost antioxidant capacity and guard vascular epithelium cells. Maitake and shiitake support healthy blood pressure, platelet aggregation, and plasma lipids as well.
Immune modulation
Beta-glucans in medicinal fungi activate neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells able to attack pathogens and cancer cells. Maitake D-fraction appears able to stimulate or curb immune activity as needed. And turkey tail polysaccharides boost CD4 T-helper cells and interleukins regulating immunity.
Antioxidant protection
As natural antioxidants, ergothioneine from mushrooms along with selenium, glutathione, and carotenoids help prevent diseases driven by oxidative stress and free radicals. Compounds in reishi and cordyceps trigger genes that produce antioxidants intracellular as well.