Mushroom tea has quickly become one of the latest wellness trends, with advocates touting its therapeutic properties such as reduced anxiety and improved cognitive function. But exactly what is mushroom tea, and does it live up to expectations? For our answers we contacted two registered dietitians–one who is an enthusiastic mushroom tea enthusiast, while the other who conducted scientific studies into its healing properties.

Mushrooms are fungi, making them particularly susceptible to mold and decay if stored incorrectly. Fresh mushrooms in particular are susceptible to this issue if exposed to too much moisture – rapidly turning slimy or developing spots if left out for too long. Dried mushrooms on the other hand have an indefinite shelf life as long as their packaging remains sealed and secure, though their medicinal benefits will diminish over time – it’s therefore vital that customers purchase dried mushrooms that have been packaged appropriately and ensured it has been sealed securely before buying them from stores or online sellers!

Making mushroom tea is relatively straightforward, yet there are endless combinations that people can create their own blends with. This typically involves simmering mushrooms in hot water for around an hour to extract their beneficial compounds, with steeping as the distinguishing factor between mushroom tea and other herbal beverages such as green or coffee tea – as this allows the mushrooms to break down water molecules into vitamins and minerals rich brew.

Popular choices include Reishi and Lion’s Mane mushrooms, both rich in antioxidants. Furthermore, Chaga, Turkey Tail and Cordyceps mushrooms are considered powerful adaptogens, often employed in traditional Chinese and Russian herbalist practices for centuries as immune system boosters and energy enhancing medicines. They have proven their worth through providing immune support, energy boosts, cognitive enhancements and cognitive wellness enhancement.

Consuming mushrooms safely with friends in a relaxed setting and without experiencing negative side effects is the key to reaping all the desired benefits of mushroom tea, without suffering from adverse reactions or worsening mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Mushroom tea should not replace traditional therapies in treating mental health conditions like anxiety and depression however as it could worsen these conditions by impairing judgement, leading to fear or paranoia feelings and altering judgment altogether.

As such, mushroom tea should only be taken with therapy from a licensed medical professional and in combination with other drugs or supplements that could affect how the brain metabolizes psilocybin – this could result in side effects including hallucinations or flashbacks of past traumatizing events.