Fantastic Fungi F E AT U R E - G O O D M I N D
Free Your Mind... The Rest Will Follow Heralded for health benefits beyond their nutritional compositions and favoured for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, functional mushrooms are non-toxic, non-psychoactive fungi and are known for their abilities to combat stress and aid in the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Functional Mushrooms contain adaptogens (nature’s miracle workers) – compounds that help bodies adapt to and fight off chemical, biological, and physical stress. They operate on a cellular level, ‘adapting’ their functions to our needs at any given time. In moments of stress, they train the brain to use oxygen more efficiently, energising the body and soothing the mind. They can also balance hormones, boost the immune system, improve cognitive function and reduce anxiety. In the same way that exercise trains the body to improve stamina, adaptogens train the mind to better handle the effects of stress. They work their magic on a cellular level, helping to stabilise the hypothalamic, pituitary and adrenal glands – all of which are involved in the body’s stress responses. Although functional mushrooms certainly have many magical benefits, they are not to be confused with psychedelic or magic mushrooms. They are legal and safe to use, with no toxins or risk of getting 'high'. Super mushrooms The three most powerful functional mushrooms are Lion's Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps. Each of these mushroom species has its own benefits… Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a powerful, mood-boosting, nootropic that helps protect and regenerate brain tissue, alleviating the feeling of brain fog and promoting overall cognitive health and sustained focus, it also promotes better sleep and slows the ageing process. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is an effective antioxidant-rich super mushroom that helps support the immune system and improve the body's natural response to managing stress. Celebrated for its ability to stabilise and calm the body, it also promotes better sleep and slows the ageing process. Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is an anti-inflammatory fungus that is praised for its natural support in athletic performance. Due to its ability to increase blood-flow and lower bloodsugar, they help the body reduce fatigue, optimise energy, and speed up muscle recovery. Functional mushrooms and cognitive health Stress has become a daily part of life for many. COVID and its resulting global concerns have compounded the stress of balancing work, life and everything else with fatigue becoming more and more of a problem for the average person still struggling to adjust to the ‘new normal’. Poor concentration and focus, low energy, and a general sense of mental fog have all become par for the course.
So what is cognitive health, exactly? A healthy brain is able to learn new things, concentrate on tasks, stay alert and focussed, retain information, and have the energy to get us through each day. Cognitive health does not only affect your brain right now in the present. It does not only impact your ability to have a calmer, clearer mind. It also affects your mental function as you age. Poor cognitive health can also make it harder to get through life on a day-today basis. As anyone who has ever had to juggle multiple deadlines with other responsibilities knows, there is no room for brain fog. Poor concentration and focus can increase stress. This has a knock-on effect, increasing the risk of physical fatigue and burnout. Polysaccharides found in Lion's Mane mushroom extract have shown to induce neuronal differentiation and promote neuronal survival. The mushroom had no adverse reactions and showed effectiveness in treating mild cognitive impairment. In addition to decreasing the risk of cognitive impairment, Lion's Mane mushroom has many other benefits that could help improve overall mental wellbeing. This mushroom can also regenerate brain cells and improve hippocampus functioning, making it easier to process memories and emotional responses. Taken daily as a health supplement, functional mushrooms can offer many benefits to the brain, including mental acuity. In the longer term, they could serve as a preventative measure to maintain a healthy brain.
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