Mushrooms are as diverse as their uses. Most mushrooms are used in food as a nutrient-dense and tasty addition to all types of cuisine.
Others, like magic mushrooms, are used to send one to the furthest depths of their consciousness. Yet, another classification of mushrooms is still known as medicinal (or functional) mushrooms.
These mushrooms are used for their unique health benefits to aid, prevent, or alleviate symptoms of various illnesses and diseases. Many medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and are still helpful today.
Only now are scientists finding out how medicinal mushrooms can help people boost their wellness and fight disease.
If you’d like to know more about medicinal mushroom benefits, then continue reading below.
What Are Functional Mushrooms?
Medicinal mushrooms are like any other type of mushroom, except that they’re used for specific health benefits. Medicinal mushrooms are also known as functional mushrooms, and they’re found in all different parts of the world.
Overall, medicinal mushrooms can help boost brain function, immune response, heart health, reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar, and increase wellness in general.
If that all sounds too good to be true, then don’t worry because it isn’t. Scientists have found that medicinal mushrooms do indeed have a diverse set of benefits, as we’ll see.
This is mostly thanks to certain compounds within functional mushrooms, like polysaccharides.
What Are Polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are long chains of carbohydrates that are connected by glycosidic bonds. These large and complex molecules are only found in certain plants and fungi.
The most important of these polysaccharides are called beta-glucans. Some medicinal mushrooms are absolutely packed with beta-glucans and other polysaccharides.
Researchers have found that β-glucans can help boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and even help people with cancer. However, medicinal mushrooms have more to them than just polysaccharides.
Common Medicinal Mushrooms
Countless medicinal mushrooms have been used throughout the ages. In fact, functional mushroom use goes back thousands of years.
Some of these ancient mushrooms are still in use today and are only getting more popular worldwide. The most common medicinal mushrooms are:
- Lion’s Mane
- Red Reishi
- Chaga
- Cordyceps
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Perhaps the best-known medicinal mushrooms in Canada are known as Lion’s Mane. These fuzzy-looking fungi are not only delicious but loaded with immense healing potential.
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are most well known for their ability to stimulate brain cell growth. That’s because Lion’s Mane is packed with a compound called hericenones.
Scientists have found that because of these compounds, Lion’s Mane may aid in fighting depression and anxiety and can even keep dementia at bay. That makes Lion’s Mane a popular functional mushroom to keep the brain fresh and sharp.
Red Reishi
Red Reishi has been in use in Asia since as far back as the most ancient civilizations. It’s a staple part of Asian medicine because it can help with various ailments.
In fact, Red Reishi mushrooms can help boost the immune system, fight cancer, and relieve anxiety and depression. That’s primarily thanks to a mix of beta-glucans we mentioned and some other compounds.
Chaga
If there’s one medicinal mushroom that’s good for the heart, it’s Chaga. That’s because Chaga has the ability to enhance heart health through cholesterol.
After all, bad cholesterol is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Too much bad cholesterol can lead to the restriction of blood flow in the heart.
However, Chaga can help lower the amount of bad cholesterol in the body. That can lead to lower blood pressure and a reduced heart attack and stroke risk.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps are fantastic fungi with an utterly alien appearance and parasitic lifestyle. Don’t let that scare you because cordyceps medicinal mushrooms have many benefits.
Scientists have found that cordyceps can help boost the immune system and stimulate cells to produce more energy. That means that these fungi can reduce inflammation and give the body a boost of energy.
How Are Medicinal Mushrooms Taken?
Medicinal mushrooms are usually taken in two ways—either by eating them or consuming a powdered supplement.
The easiest way to get a dose of medicinal mushrooms is by buying a powdered supplement. Depending on where one lives, getting a hold of freshly grown medicinal mushrooms can be challenging.
It’s much easier to shop online and get high-quality medicinal mushroom supplements. These supplements are usually dried mushrooms ground into a fine powder and bottled up or put into capsules.
Just be sure to find the best functional mushroom supplements by looking closely at the labels. Some retailers will try to sell mushrooms with empty fillers or subpar mycelium, so be on the lookout for supplements that use only whole mushrooms.
Are Magic Mushrooms Medicinal Mushrooms?
Yes, magic mushrooms are indeed medicinal mushrooms. Some people may dispute this fact, but magic mushrooms have been used for spiritual, psychological, and physical healing for thousands of years.
We can say without a doubt that psilocybin itself is a therapeutic compound. Researchers have found that not only does it cause the trip, but it can help grow neurons.
Not only that but magic mushrooms are also packed with beta-glucans that are responsible for a number of health benefits.
All this together means that magic mushrooms may be the most functional mushroom of all.
Can I Get Medicinal Mushrooms in Canada?
If you’re in Canada and want to get the most out of medicinal mushrooms, then all you need to do is start stacking. Stacking is the idea of combining magic mushrooms with other functional mushrooms.
Imagine the incredible health benefits of combining both psilocybin mushrooms and mushrooms like Lion’s Mane or Red Reishi.
If you live in Canada, then all you need to do to get started is to go to Get Magic Mushrooms. GMM is the one-stop shop for all Canadians looking to purchase high-quality psilocybin mushrooms online.
With just a few clicks, you can have professionally grown magic mushrooms headed straight to your door, whether you live in British Columbia or Ontario.
Not only that, but Get Magic Mushrooms also stocks cutting-edge products that combine magic mushrooms with functional mushrooms to provide wellness in wonderful microdose capsules.
So don’t hesitate any longer–try all the best that medicinal mushrooms have to offer in Canada by heading to Get Magic Mushrooms.