Not long after Denver voters passed an initiative decriminalizing magic mushrooms and their psychoactive ingredient psilocybin, local coffee shops began planning ways to incorporate the fungus into their caffeinated beverages. One such business is Strava Craft Coffee – an upmarket retailer which sells ethically sourced coffee and mushroom tea.

Tea infused with Mycolove Farm in Fort Lupton’s Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract for optimal immune system function and cognitive performance. Studies conducted have confirmed this fact.

1. L-Theanine

L-theanine, an amino acid naturally present in green tea leaves and some mushrooms, is frequently supplemented to promote relaxation and calmness, but has also been proven to support cognitive function and focus. As it crosses the blood-brain barrier it increases levels of neurotransmitters such as GABA, glycine, serotonin and dopamine* which have been found to reduce everyday stress in humans as well as cognitive performance through clinical trials*. Furthermore it may offer neuroprotective properties while supporting self-renewal of human embryonic stem cell populations*.

Theanine may induce anxiolytic effects by increasing levels of GABA, dopamine and serotonin in the brain – although the precise mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, it has been reported to possess antioxidative activity in rats by decreasing malondialdehyde levels as well as increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities within their livers; furthermore it was also shown to increase effectiveness of an anxiolytic benzodiazepine midazolam during elevated plus maze test (Heese et al. 2009).

In a placebo-controlled study, subjects took either placebo or 200 mg of l-theanine with a control capsule. They completed mental stress tasks to evaluate psychological stress as well as undergoing cold pressor tests to measure physical stressors such as cold pressors. Unfortunately neither l-theanine nor caffeine reduced rises in blood pressure during psychological or physical stress tests – this may be related to differences between psychological and physical stressors when it comes to how blood pressure increases; more research should explore this hypothesis further.

2. Adaptogens

Adaptogens have recently gained significant attention in nutrition and holistic wellness circles. According to theory, adaptogens such as ginseng, ashwagandha and schisandra berry possess normalizing effects that help balance out our bodies when under stress. Furthermore, adaptogens may improve focus and concentration while decreasing fatigue levels, improving mood levels, strengthening immunity systems, decreasing stress hormone levels, supporting memory retention, supporting cognitive performance as well as supporting brain functions such as memory.

These herbs and plants are used extensively in traditional herbal medicine practices such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda (an ancient form of Indian healing), yet only recently adopted by Western consumers, making not all claims regarding their benefits conclusively proven through scientific research studies.

Adaptogens have long been touted for their positive impacts on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the body’s stress response system responsible for managing physical and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, certain adaptogens are thought to possess ergogenic properties which may help combat fatigue.

Other adaptogens have more widespread effects, including decreasing oxidative stress, decreasing anxiety, and improving sleep quality. Ashwagandha can help lower cortisol levels; Rhodiola rosea has also been noted as having stress-reducing and energy-enhancing properties.

Adaptogens may cause side effects that go beyond their intended purposes, so it’s wise to consult a healthcare practitioner prior to taking them. It would also be prudent to use adaptogens alongside healthy diet and lifestyle habits, including adding exercise, meditation or other stress reduction techniques in your routine to maximize the effects of adaptogens.

3. Mushrooms are a good source of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an incredibly vital nutrient with numerous health benefits ranging from improving bone resilience to decreasing cancer risk. Unfortunately, this nutrient cannot be produced within the human body so must be obtained through diet alone; oily fish, fortified dairy products and juices are good sources.

Mushrooms contain vitamin D when exposed to UV radiation, making them a potential source of this vital nutrient. While most mushrooms already contain small amounts of this important nutrient, their levels can be drastically increased when exposed to ultraviolet radiation before harvest. One study discovered that supplementing with 2000 IU of vitamin D2 daily from mushrooms for three months could raise and maintain total 25(OH)D levels at levels similar to healthy individuals who consumed fortified milk, orange juice or supplements containing vitamin D2.

Mushroom tea is known to enhance immune function and bone health. Fungus cordyceps is particularly favored among athletes as it increases stamina, oxygenation and performance during exercise sessions; furthermore it reduces fatigue and speeds up recovery time.

While all mushrooms provide some level of vitamin D, their amount varies greatly depending on how they are grown and stored. Commercially produced mushrooms typically grow in dark conditions with only limited sunlight exposure as part of preparation for sale; as such, they often contain only negligible amounts of vitamin D.

4. Mushrooms are a good source of Vitamin C

Mushrooms are an excellent source of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient essential to many bodily processes. It helps protect against oxidative stress, support iron absorption and enhance bone health; additionally it has antiviral and immune modulating properties which may help fight common infections like the flu. mushrooms are a rich source of antioxidants and have been shown to significantly lower the risk of certain cancers, particularly colon, pancreatic and lung. Furthermore, mushrooms may help protect against age-related memory loss while improving mental health overall. Resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant is abundantly available from mushrooms as are beta glucan, thiamine potassium riboflavin. Furthermore, mushrooms contain selenium, an essential element for immune health and metabolism.

Studies demonstrate that mushroom lectins can aid, augment or activate an individual’s natural immune response to viruses and tumours by altering cell surface receptor activity and stimulating production of lymphocytes and cytokines (71, 72). They have immunomodulatory effects on NK cells, macrophages, neutrophils and phagocytic cells while simultaneously having strong anticancer properties to decrease proliferation and growth (73).

Mushrooms contain naturally-occurring Vitamin D precursor ergosterol, which can be converted to vitamin D2 with UV exposure. By adding UV-exposed mushrooms as part of the vegetable core food group in diet guidelines, more people would receive their recommended daily allowance of this vital nutrient.

Mushrooms are an excellent source of B vitamins, particularly riboflavin and pantothenic acid. Furthermore, they’re packed with potassium and choline – two key players in controlling blood pressure and heart health – making them low-cal, saturated fat, sodium free foods without cholesterol content. Furthermore, mushrooms contain phytochemicals such as the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin which have been linked with eye health benefits.

5. Mushrooms are a good source of Calcium

Though mushrooms are technically not plants, they can still provide us with important sources of minerals like calcium. Studies have revealed that certain varieties, like the lion’s mane mushroom, are excellent sources of this mineral and can even help prevent Alzheimer’s disease by increasing brain cell growth and memory recall. Other benefits of mushrooms include reduced blood pressure, cholesterol reduction and stress relief – making these nutrients vital to overall health and well-being. Finally, mushrooms are natural decomposers which break down plastic and oil, making them great bioremediation agents when used in landfills or oil spills as bioremediation agents!

Fatty acid content of edible mushrooms varies significantly across species and continents due to climatic differences between regions. Linoleic and oleic acids tend to be predominant fatty acids while many species also contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Mushrooms can provide an excellent source of phosphorous, potassium, copper, iron, and zinc – but their mineral content depends on both type of mushroom and habitat where it grows – for instance amanita caesarea has the highest concentrations of copper and zinc while chanterelle boasts higher potassium amounts.

Mushrooms can also provide a rich source of calcium, an essential mineral essential for bone development and strengthening immune systems. However, it’s best to consume them cooked due to their less soluble calcium forms when eaten raw; additionally it’s suggested combining mushrooms with foods rich in calcium such as leafy vegetables or legumes.