Mushrooms are not just delicious food, but also a storehouse of useful substances: vitamins, proteins, polysaccharides, minerals. Some species contain specific components that have a positive effect on the human body. One of these groups is nootropics to increase performance, support the brain and improve cognitive abilities. In this article, we will consider which nootropics are best to take and how they affect the body.
What are nootropics?
Nootropics are substances that have a special effect on the human body, in particular on the nervous system, stimulating performance, increasing brain activity and the general psychological state of a person. The mechanisms of such an effect are complex and often associated with effects at the hormonal and cellular levels, which is why nootropic supplements are also called "smart drugs", "cognitive enhancers" or "brain support". Such substances are able to overcome the blood-brain barrier, which separates the circulatory and central nervous systems.
The role of the BBB is to protect the brain from contact with toxins, microorganisms and other potential destroyers contained in the blood, as well as with many drugs. Therefore, it retains a wide range of substances, which, on the one hand, maintains brain homeostasis, but on the other hand, complicates its treatment or drug support. However, nootropics for the brain easily and quickly penetrate the barrier and affect the nerve cell at the cellular level by binding to certain receptors.
The effect of such an effect is to stimulate mental activity, but is not limited to it. Nootropics are also used in case of migraine, depressive states, for the prevention of stress, as well as to protect the nervous system from adverse external factors, acting similarly to adaptogens. The potential of nootropics for weight loss is noted, which is achieved by influencing the synthesis of noradrenaline, dopamine, norepinephrine. Nootropic substances trigger mechanisms for controlling hunger, increasing the pain threshold and reducing fatigue during intense training. Many mechanisms of such a complex effect are still insufficiently studied and are the subject of interest of evidence-based medicine.
What are mushroom nootropics?
Nootropic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain substances with a nootropic effect or components from which the body can synthesize such substances. They can serve as raw materials for the extraction of specific active components, but are more often used in the form of biologically active supplements, which are taken in their natural form or in the form of extracts that increase the bioavailability of the corresponding components. Nootropic nutrients from mushrooms are distinguished by the following advantages:
- natural, environmentally friendly biologically active supplements effectively support the entire body in general, and the nervous system in particular;
- When taken simultaneously, nootropic mushrooms provide a synergistic effect, since the nootropic and neuroprotective effects are caused by different components and are carried out through different mechanisms;
- nootropic mushrooms are not addictive, so there is no regulation on how often you can use nootropics as a dietary supplement
- even in the case of a severe overdose, they do not have a detrimental effect on the body;
- medicinal mushrooms as nootropics are safe, as they have no contraindications or pronounced side effects when used in moderate doses;
- nootropic mushrooms or extracts contain not only nootropics, but also a complex of vitamins, polysaccharides, and other beneficial substances that have a general strengthening effect on the body and serve as a means of preventing a wide range of diseases;
- Nootropic mushrooms are sold without a prescription.
Nootropic dietary supplements from shiitake mushrooms, hedgehog mushrooms and reishi mushrooms, used in courses, are a multi-vector tool that helps protect the brain at various levels, from immune support to stimulation of higher nervous activity. That is why nootropics for the elderly are considered as potentially effective protective and therapeutic supplements, and in young people they help increase performance, attention and learning ability.
Useful properties of nootropics
Nootropics with proven effectiveness:
- improve cognitive abilities, helping with activities related to learning, cognition, creativity, and intensive mental processes;
- improve working (operational) memory, intended for short-term storage of information, for example, when performing logical reasoning, solving problems, etc.;
- sharpen attention, increase the ability to focus on a certain activity;
- increase performance and reduce body fatigue;
- promote the restoration and growth of neurons;
- have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, making them useful for maintaining brain health;
- Some nootropics have adaptogen properties, reducing the effects of stress and other factors on the entire nervous system and brain.
In addition to their general stimulating effect on the brain, a number of nootropics are considered a promising remedy for migraines, insomnia, dizziness, motion sickness, solving ophthalmological problems, compensating for the side effects of taking neuroleptics, combating excess weight, etc.
TOP of the best nootropic mushrooms
Nootropic mushrooms - list of drugs by effectiveness:
- blackberry comb;
- cordyceps;
- reishi;
- chaga.
Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is one of the most famous mushrooms with nootropic and neurotrophic effects. The following substances contained in the mushroom are important for improving brain function:
- hericenones;
- erinacins;
- Amicenone.
Numerous modern studies have shown that hedgehog-based preparations are the best nootropics, which are effective in stimulating nerve growth and promoting the secretion of proteins that play an important role in the protection and regeneration of neurons. A number of works, for example, in the study of Kazutoyo Inanaga (2012), Puei-Lene Lai et al. (2013) and Federico Brandalise et al. (2023), emphasize the prospects for the use of components synthesized from lion's mane in the treatment of dementia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other diseases.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a genus of fungi in which the main nootropic properties are exhibited by a specific component of cordyceps, as well as adenosine and a number of polysaccharides. A study by Dan Werb et al. (2013) showed that in animals, cordycepin directly and through adenosine initiates the release of dopamine, demonstrating a neuroprotective effect. The anti-inflammatory properties of cordyceps have a positive effect on the dynamics of the course of neurodegenerative diseases (Jin-Woo Jeong et al., 2010). Polypeptide complexes and other proven nootropics of Cordyceps militaris contribute to improving memory and increasing learning ability. The corresponding effect was shown in experiments on mice in a study by Guangxin Yuan et al. (2018).
Reishi
Reishi mushroom (Lingzhi, Ganoderma) is not a classic nootropic, but its ganoderic acid and other components have the potential to protect neurons and improve blood circulation in the brain, which can stimulate memory and improve cognitive function. Due to this effect, reishi has long been used in oriental medicine to treat and support the nervous system. In evidence-based medicine, which studies effective nootropics, its potential has become the subject of a number of scientific studies.
For example, Ming-Fu Wang et al. (2004) showed that when 0.6% and 1.8% Ganoderma were administered to mice that were "artificially aged", the aging process was significantly slowed down. In addition, the escape response (a behavioral strategy that helps to survive danger) was significantly increased in females compared to the control group. The Ganoderma groups had significantly higher activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase SOD, glutathione peroxidase GSH-Px and glutathione GSH-Rd in the brain compared to the control group, which could potentially improve memory, learning ability and antioxidant activity.
Chaga
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is also not a classic fast-acting nootropic, but instead of "enhancing" cognitive functions, it ensures their "preservation". This effect is manifested by the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases due to the suppression of autoimmune inflammatory reactions of the blood-brain barrier. The use of chaga as a dietary supplement allows you to maintain the functioning of the BBB, preserving memory, concentration and executive functions in the elderly. This same mechanism indicates the effectiveness of taking nootropics in case of depression and other pathological conditions associated with the nervous system.
Conclusion
Echinacea, cordyceps, chaga and reishi are medicinal mushrooms that have long been used in folk medicine, including for the treatment of diseases related to the nervous system. Their potential is also confirmed by positive reviews from customers of our online store. Containing active components-nootropics that cross the BBB and directly affect the brain, mushrooms are not only a means of rapid action, but also potentially improve the cognitive abilities of young and elderly people due to a long-term cumulative effect. In addition to nootropic substances, mushrooms contain "support components" for adults, which positively affect the general condition of the nervous system by preventing negative phenomena. These abilities are recognized by official science and are actively studied in order to understand the complex mechanisms of action of nootropic components.
If you are interested in using mushrooms as nootropic dietary supplements, then in our online store you can buy nootropics: hedgehog, cordyceps, chaga, reishi in the form of mushroom powder or dry extract. Our products are made from environmentally friendly raw materials using technology that allows you to maximally preserve and even increase the bioavailability of active components. Choose a product and place an order through the cart, and we will quickly send nootropic mushrooms to any city in Ukraine.
