If you thought mushrooms were just another fad food, you might be amazed to learn they are one of the oldest healing foods ever produced. Cultivated and used medicinally since at least 450 BCE, these fungi have recently made an incredible comeback thanks to companies such as Four Sigmatic which make incorporating medicinal mushrooms easily and tasty into our diets. While psychedelic mushrooms may only be appropriate for experienced users in controlled environments; medicinal mushrooms provide mood-balancing effects which promote relaxation while simultaneously relieving stress; plus they contain plenty of antioxidants!

At Natural Products Expo West this month, the dietary supplement industry’s fascination with mushrooms as “superfoods” was evident everywhere. From Shrooms’ shiitake jerkies and Pan’s Mushroom Jerky’s mushroom chips, vendors are creating nutritious snacks using mushrooms as part of their offerings to meet consumer demands for nutritious alternatives to meat products. Some companies even used mushrooms to augment existing offerings!

Mushrooms have recently become increasingly popular as an ingredient for coffee and tea beverages, thanks to medicinal mushroom varieties which contain less acidity and can be easier on digestion issues or acid reflux. Furthermore, their lower caffeine levels won’t produce as many jitters that interfere with sleep.

Green tea’s antioxidants, particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), have been demonstrated to effectively lower inflammation and enhance immunity. Furthermore, its digestivly beneficial tannins may ease digestive discomfort while simultaneously aiding with fat absorption from food sources.

Mushrooms and green tea both can play an essential role in strengthening immunity. Both work differently; mushrooms can act as adaptogens, helping the body adjust to stress by normalizing cortisol levels and encouraging relaxation; Reishi is one such variety, known to both strengthen the immune system and protect against cancer.

Coriolus is another adaptogen which has been demonstrated to relieve stress and strengthen immune systems, as well as improving memory and concentration.

Though some use mushrooms to experience an adventure trip, others utilize them for healing and wellness purposes – or simply to lead a more relaxed life. No matter their purpose, new users of magic mushrooms should seek guidance or an “experience sitter” who can guide them through the experience; someone to talk to, keep you safe, and provide peace-of-mind can make all the difference between a positive or negative journey.

As popularity of supplements continues to increase, AHPA urges its members to pay special attention to the quality and identity of raw materials they use, such as mushrooms that contain fruiting bodies or mycelium; labels should clearly display this information to avoid confusion and potential mislabeling which could result in FDA warnings.