Mushroom tea has quickly evolved from trendy health trend to medicinal solution. A blend of mushroom powders and other ingredients provides numerous health benefits such as increased immunity, gut health improvement, stress reduction, digestion assistance and energy boosts.

These teas can serve as an ideal morning wake-up, midday refresher, or soothing beverage before bed. Many are made with adaptogens – natural substances which help the body manage stress more effectively – as well as antioxidants which combat free radicals that contribute to premature aging and disease in the body.

There are various mushrooms used in the preparation of these beverages, each boasting unique properties. Reishi mushrooms provide a subtle energizing effect; Cordyceps is thought to boost athletic performance (though further research needs to be completed); Turkey tail acts as an immune booster and an effective anti-inflammatory.

How long the effects of mushroom beverages remain in your system is determined by their composition and preparation method. Different species contain differing concentrations of psilocybin; as with the amount of water used. If you make tea using 1 gram of mushrooms and 8 ounces of water, one serving would contain 0.04 mg of psilocybin.

Your own customized blend of mushrooms and ingredients can also achieve desired effects. Some individuals like to combine reishi with cordyceps for both an energizing and relaxing effect; others might try mixing in lion’s mane for durability and focus.

Mushroom tea can also be created from chaga and shiitake mushrooms, both known for their longevity in the pantry and potential to improve health and increase energy. They contain high concentrations of antioxidants which have been demonstrated to counter the aging process while supporting immunity, as well as beta-glucans which may promote healthier cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Not only can drinking mushroom tea provide physical benefits, but some also use it as a way to mitigate nausea associated with taking psilocybin. By extracting out indigestible chitin components of the fungus that could otherwise cause discomfort to their digestive tracts.

If you are making your own mushroom tea, be sure to finely chop or grind the mushrooms into pieces that have an increased surface area for faster infusion and an efficient dose. Also take care not to boil your tea as excessive heat may degrade psilocybin; bring mixture to simmer and allow it to steep for 10-15 minutes before taking it off the heat and straining out any extra herbs or spices that enhance flavor of tea.