33 replies to this topic

[csrpj]

Does anybody here have experience with reishi mushroom? I've read that immense benefits manifest after weeks/months of use. I've only taken it for two weeks at normal doses without being able to say much about the trial, but lately I tried a very high dose and found myself feeling really nice and relaxed without any negatives. I'm wondering about taking a high-dose daily. Thoughts? I've also read that reishi spore oil is incredibly concentrated - can anyone subjectively confirm this beyond the rehashed (though possibly accurate) marketing material.

[Mescalito]

I made my own Reishi mushroom tincture out of some deliciously red whole mushrooms, I did not measure or weigh but I do know the tincture is some strong stuff, taking 1 dropper a day for 2 days in a row causes my nose to dry up, so much that I will wake up at night breathing from my mouth because my nose has dried out & clogged in my sleep. Blood seems to coagulate a whole lot easier and this may be what is causing my nose to dry out, not sure. I do not know if this is a typical reaction but I would work my way up slowly if I were you, the stuff seems to last for a few days at least. I think this one has potential for being mixed with other herbs but the dryness thing scares me a little bit!

Edited by Mescalito, 05 March 2013 - 10:38 AM.

[Galaxyshock]

Reishi is often combined with Cordyceps, which has similar medicinal mushroom properties. Both contain adenosine and thus affect energy-transfer (ATP), CNS, heart and lungs. The other active ingredients probably modulate the activity making these adaptogenic herbs. For me high dose Reishi is extremely calming and only suitable before bed. It can induce "learning/teaching" dreams. Looks like Reishi also contains steroid-hormone like compounds...

Edited by Galaxyshock, 05 March 2013 - 10:51 AM.

[BLimitless]

Yeah I dose it every so often. Truly a divine mushroom. The Diet Horizons brand, which is only mycelium, made me trip balls like no other. It felt to me like the framerate of reality was quadrupled. Everything took on a kind of fluidity that I had never quite seen before. You know those days where you get stuck in traffic and everything seems to get in your way and you manage to stub your toe on every corner? That phenomenon disappeared. Reishi felt like a cure for Murphy's Law. I'd pop 8 of the Diet Horizons capsules and I'd be floating in heaven for a day or two.

Got some here now, but it's the Planetary Herbals Full Spectrum one and it's not nearly as great as the Diet Horizons despite supposedly having more in it.

From the book Healing Thresholds: A Modern Journey into Taoist Health Philosophy, by Rehmannia Dean Thomas. (pp. 180–189)


I think reishi must have come to me because of my prayers. I'd been pleading to overcome the negativity I had built up over so many years, and Master Teeguarden introduced me to reishi. He taught me that reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum, Ling Zhi) is by far the most precious shen herb on the planet. I regard this herb's effect upon my life as the single most important thing that has ever happened to me, and I literally evaluate my life as pre– and post–reishi. The most revered herb in all Taoist Chinese medicine, it has a long history of use by Taoist monks and wise men/women throughout the ages for its superior shen opening capabilities.

I felt this substance was calling to me and I began taking large amounts of the herb, which is essentially a mushroom. Reishi has a long and illustrious history as an agent to access deeper perception. The herb is thought to open and clear the crown chakra (the energy center located at the very top of the skull), and to clear karmic obstacles and old psychic baggage.

I began to ingest fifteen capsules of pure reishi powder daily, nearly three times the recommended daily amount as suggested on the bottle. I found out later that reishi is so safe and free of side effects that I could have taken even more. On the third morning after beginning to take reishi, I awoke to find the light in the room infused with color and saturated with intensity. I got up, and immediately knew the dark clouds over my head had dissipated. It was as if I had taken off a shirt—it was that easy!

It still took another few years to completely rid myself of the "spiritual suppression" but reishi laid the groundwork. And once gone, the suppression has never come back; I still take reishi regularly. Within days after my breakthrough I seemed to feel the essence of Lao Tzu's brilliant insights more distinctly, and knew that the folklore about him taking reishi must be true. I believe reishi was instrumental in his crystal clear perception and connectedness to all nature's cycles, the laws of cause and effect, the expansiveness of the Yin and Yang. The herb started to quickly open my life to this vast and sensible consciousness.

Premium grade reishi is harvested in the Changbai Mountain region of China, and is also indigenous to the southern Appalachian Mountains of the U.S. The mushroom grows wild on trees and wood stumps. Reishi will often be found growing in the carbon dioxide–rich interior of hollowed out trunks of fallen deciduous hardwood trees and in conifer forests. It is considered an "advanced fungal," a polypore (mushrooms that grow on wood) with a phytochemistry that is quite complex and takes a relatively long time to mature into its fruiting body, the cap of the mushroom with which we are most familiar. At maturity it attains a tough woody structure not associated with most other mushrooms.

Reishi is a bitter mushroom, not fit for culinary consumption. Boiling the herb is required in order to release its constituents from the tough, woody cellulose. Due to living in wild diversity of old forests, reishi must develop internal resistance and immunity to genetic pollution from other life forms and fungals in its vicinity. Reishi contains a high proportion of immunoglobulins, polyglycans, polysaccharides, triterpenes (cholesterol regulating), beta-glucans (macrophage promoting), ganoderic acids (unique antioxidants) and other immune building components. Experience in China has indicated the herb is not just a powerful immune stimulant; it is an immune system "regulator", it is actually known to fine tune the immune system, helping bring excessive immune factors into balance.

According to Chinese medical documentation, allergies, arthritis, and many inflammatory responses in the body can be improved by the regular use of reishi. Research in Asia also showed it helps prevent leukopenia, or white blood cell death, which is associated with cancer and the use of chemotherapeutic drugs. Reishi is also used successfully in Japan and China as a treatment for cancer and other immune related degenerative diseases. One notable researcher is Fujimi Morishige of the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine.⁷¹

In Asia, pregnant women also seek the herb as an immune builder for themselves and the fetus. Master Teeguarden spoke of "reishi babies," as he called them, babies whose mothers took reishi throughout pregnancy. I saw some of these children, older and newborn, and they appeared uniformly calm and focused. The infants had little or no inflammations on their face or hands, cried little, and appeared to take in their surroundings with incredible acuity.

Recent Western health literature is replete with information on reishi's broad array of health benefits.⁷² I would suggest conducting an Internet search on this herb and you'll find more positive information than you can read.

Still, it is reishi's spirit opening powers that are the herb's main benefit. Here's how I believe it works: When we consume the herb it begins quickly to strengthen and fortify our general immunity. When one's immunity to pathogenic/environmental factors is enhanced, one begins to feel safer. The more we take herbs like reishi, the more we feel we have built a "wall of safety" around ourselves. Reishi has been shown to activate cytokines, agents that aid the body in increasing large white blood cells governed by our immune systems, which represent our first line of defense against microbial and carcinogenic invaders. Those big macrophages (giant white blood cells) are in there chewing up the bad guys, and our subconscious neurotransmitters are aware of this. We feel we can take on more in life and gain confidence that we are less susceptible to being knocked down by limiting and harmful factors. By taking herbs like reishi, we empower ourselves. When this empowerment starts to unfold, we let down some of the guards we've built up, easing fear-related stress. This winds up taking a big load of pressure off our adrenals, which sit right on top of the kidneys.

Luckily for us, the adrenals—once relieved of stress– and fear–related burdens—can actually replenish rather quickly. When the adrenals recuperate, the healthy energy resonates right down to the kidneys; our life force begins to get stronger, replenishing jing. Our light gets brighter.

Also, in ways that have not been determined, reishi seems to have a direct effect on the crown chakra, helping clear psychic obstructions. While many mushrooms have psychotropic effects on the brain, reishi does not alter perception. Its effects on neurotransmitters like dopamine, melatonin and DHEA may be enhanced—as any action or substance that promotes calm in the brain. The herb certainly somehow benefits the higher frequencies of mental perception. When our light gets brighter, we may tend to attract more light to us, in the form of people and circumstances. Reishi can be the initiator of benevolent energy that can, and often does, completely change a person's life for the better.

I have shared reishi with numerous young people who were disaffected from society, lost and imbalanced, and have seen profound changes in them very quickly. I've witnessed almost all of them regain their curiosity and sense of wonder about living.

One day, a young guy came into my elixir bar at Erewhon Grocery in Los Angeles. He sat down with a condescending grin and began shifting in his seat in an unsettled manner. I quickly determined by looking at his complexion, skittering eyes and body restlessness that he was extremely "windy." his liver was a mess and his neurotransmitters askew, probably from drug use. His face was broken out in acne, even though he was in his early twenties when juvenile acne should begin to recede. His posture was out of whack and he looked around in a vacant way. Then he asked, "What is this, man?"

While kind of chuckling, I said, "You've just come into a place where you will not be the same when you leave."

He laughed condescendingly and exclaimed, "man, does this kinda stuff really work?"

I replied, "Let's find out." I made him a drink containing high proportions of reishi with other shen herbs. I took steps to make sure the potion tasted good, as many people at his stage of health are heavily influenced by their taste buds, which are often polluted by excess sugar consumption.

He began to drink the tea, and didn't show any hesitancy; he liked the taste. It was then that I knew he would transformed into a much more enlightened person.

He quieted down, looked at his tea and at me, and said, "Dude, what's in this stuff?" I explained reishi's spirit power.

The next day he come up to the bar right after I opened. He was different. His focus was dramatically improved, and he asked for a double shot. We began on that second day to discuss our life potential, and he told me of his dreams.

By the third day his dreams had evolved into a driving desire to do good in the world, to go to Africa and help poor people. He brought in his friends, who were basically a bunch of rockers with some pretty wiped out jing. they gathered to hear what I had to say as if hungry to hear something with real meaning (for as I mentioned in the introduction, real wisdom is often inexplicably veiled, and we have to actively search for it). I served them reishi, and the discussion that ensued was a wonderful thing to behold: young men excitedly discussing how they could individually and collectively manifest a better world.

When I last saw the young man, he was a picture of health, the acne cleared dramatically, his posture straightened out, the windiness receded, his eyes and mind focused. I hope now he's in Africa following his dream.

When searching for reishi, which may be hard to find in your local health food store, make sure that the reishi contained in the bottle is the "fruiting body," the sexual apparatus of the mushroom, the part we actually associate with mushrooms visually. This part contains over twenty times the concentration of immune potentiators, beta 1–3, 1–6 and 1–9 glucans, than the "mycelium," which is the unseen part of the mushroom, the white fuzzy fungal part that has grown inside the log or underground and is feeding on the deteriorating wood and oxidizing decaying plant matter in the soil. This mycelium actually comprises the largets bulk of the fungal but has only a fraction of the immune and spirit power of the fruiting body. Many reishi products contain the mycelium. Check the bottle or ask the nutriceutical specialist at your local health food store about mycelium and fruiting body ratios in any reishi product you find. I have seen reishi supplements on store shelved which consisted of nothing but ground up mycelium. Bear in mind that even the mycelium alone has been shown in clinical studies in Japan and China to have positive results in fighting cancer and AIDS, and American mycologist Paul Stamets expresses high regard for the healing and therapeutic benefits of fungal mycelium, but according to Master Teeguarden's teachings, the fruiting body is more concentrated and thus more efficacious.

To test the quality of a reishi supplement, try opening a capsule and stirring it into an ounce or two of hot water. With good quality reishi, the color should be thick dark brown, and should taste like string, bitter black coffee. If the color reminds you of orange pekoe tea, and chunks of sediment are lying on the bottom, then the product is mainly mycelium, and is not as potent. Don't be afrand of taking a lot of reishi; it is very safe and contains more spiritually uplifting potential in larger doses. Twelve to fifteen capsules a day can help clear the fog quick. But one may want to start out by following the recommended daily amount as printed on the bottle, and working up as it feels appropriate. I put the powdered extract into teas and smoothies.

The spores of the mushroom are sixty times more potent still, but the cell walls of the spores must be "cracked" before they are bioavailable to us. Once cracked though, the spore will deteriorate, and the common practice is to combine them into oil for preservation. Dragon Herbs has an awesome cracked reishi spore oil. Cracked reishi spores will be almost impossible to find, so one should jump at the chance to take some if available, especially if one is dealing with an immune deficiency issue.

Master Teeguarden showed me ancient scroll paintings from China that depicted reishi perched on a rock in the middle of the artwork, with heaven depicted above and the nether world of lower frequencies below. He explained that this painting revealed reishi as a "bridge between Earth and Heaven." It was very popular among the elite classes during china's classical dynasties (approx. 1000 B.C. to 1915 A.D.) This was a period of great scientific and cultural advancement and rulers were said to govern the land with compassion; perhaps reishi had something to do with that.

There appears to be a symbiosis between this mushroom and our higher mind. Reishi may "unlock" the door to our connection with the consciousness of the crown chakra, our connection to the spirit, to our future DNA (it is thought that certain aspects of human DNA have not yet been activated), the genetic code that may contain our true potential as a species.

The class of living things on Earth called fungi is thought to be extraterrestrial; they do not appear to have a earthly origin and it is thought by mycologist Paul Stamets, that the "advanced polypores," complex fungals such as reishi, agaricus and corriolus originated somewhere else in the galaxy, and the dusts of their spores can survive the harsh oxygen– and light–deprived conditions in space, possibly for millions of years, and eventually some of these dusts land on earth. Stamets states that we humans are actually more closely related to fungi than to plants (we both breathe oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, the opposite of plants), and that images of fungal mycelia resemble the human neurological system.⁷³

I believe that fungi such as these advanced polypores could be involved in helping design the activating systems for the transmittal of information along neural pathways—consciousness, and our destiny. This could answer the heretofore–unexplained question of how 450 million years ago, single–celled organisms developed the process of differentiation into multi–cellular organisms. Various fungi may have had a role in drawing these early aquatic algaes onto land through their mycelial masses, and somehow imparted to the simple algae more complex neurological and vascular systems capable of transmitting and transporting information—and eventually aiding in the DNA design of humans. Mushrooms such as reishi may have very important messages to convey to us—once we're ready.
*Contraindications: none recorded in all Chinese medical literature.


71. Morishige, Fukumi, 1987. Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III, Page 12 - 23, ISBN4-88580-053-6 C-0077
72. Wood, R. The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia (New York: Penguin, 1988), 287.
73. Paul Stamets, Mycelia Running, How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World (Berkley: Ten Speed Press, 2005), 2-7.

Edited by BLimitless, 05 March 2013 - 02:41 PM.

[nootrope]

Water and alcohol extracts of reishi contain different active substances. I don't know if higher doses of reishi are contraindicated, but I've heard that taking medicinal mushrooms together with vitamin C helps in their digestion. Also, I've read that reishi should not be taken continuously for more than 2 months without a break. When I did that I got a bit dried out, and had frequent nosebleeds.

[son of shen nong]

Been taking reishi mycelium powder from Aloha Medicinals for the last approx 3 months on a daily basis.  Not uncommon for me to take 1 ounce per day in divided doses (usually 2 heaping tbspns).  Make thick milkshake like smoothies w my juicer & nutribullet.  Delicious.  Working thru my 6th kilo now.

Cheers.

[holdorfold]

I bought a big bag of whole dried reishi slices a couple of months ago. I break them up in to small pieces and simmer them in water for a couple of hours to make reishi tea. In a couple of minutes after drinking, I feel subtle perceptual effects and become a lot calmer. It tends to make me a bit tired so I find it best to take before going to bed.

It always gives me profound, interesting and lesson laden dreams like it's trying to teach me something. Though I've experimented with upping the does before bed and I find that if it's too much then I keep on waking up in the night after bursts of intense dreaming which makes me unrested in the morning.

With a brew of 7 cups of water for 5 grams of reishi, I find the ideal dose for me before bed is about 1/2 to 3/4 a cup of tea before bed. I took this last night and I had the most hilarious dream where I was making really elaborate, witty and eloquant jokes... I remember waking up and thinking, wow, I felt like I had tapped into super intelligence but I didn't write the jokes down unfortunately.

[YOLF]

IK just take Reishi bits like pills or powder with a protein mix to lessen the taste of it (I don't like it). But 5g/day is great and has an array of benefits you won't get with a tincture or extract. If you can take it, I'd recommend it. Reishi has alot of benefits to offer, might as well get them all. Just be warry of lead content... It is almost always near the 1ppm threshold. Be sure to take with Chlorella or other lead chelators. 

[VerdeGo]

Did you experience any side effects like rashes, changes in stool color, old memories resurfacing, etc.? I'd like to think these are detox reactions (except for the memory recall), but I can't find a clear answer.

 

I've also heard reishi opens up one's Third Eye and is a highly spiritual mushroom. For me it seemed like there was some sort of intelligence to it. Hard to explain.

 

[YOLF]

Anything with a net benefit to health may make you more perceptive to things. I didn't have any side effects whatsoever that I recognized. I've switched to an extract supplement which probably isn't as good though. Couldn't stomach the taste and the lead levels seemed to be on the rise. I'll probably keep checking and hope for higher quality. Price has also been going up. I'm giving serious thought to taking some of my supplements (including the Reishi, Chlorella, and others) via feeding tube! That decision will take some reading though.

[son of shen nong]

Anything with a net benefit to health may make you more perceptive to things. I didn't have any side effects whatsoever that I recognized. I've switched to an extract supplement which probably isn't as good though. Couldn't stomach the taste and the lead levels seemed to be on the rise. I'll probably keep checking and hope for higher quality. Price has also been going up. I'm giving serious thought to taking some of my supplements (including the Reishi, Chlorella, and others) via feeding tube! That decision will take some reading though.

 

Hi YOLF;

 

I guess this is my day to post on Reishi.  I have no trouble whatsoever consuming 6 tbsp or more of Reishi or Ling Zhi, as I prefer to call it, actually 灵芝, daily

.

This is a very basic recipe, no other shen, qi, blood, yin or yang tonics added, no supplements as well, just good quality Ling Zhi mycelium or powdered fruiting body.

 

2 tbsp Ling Zhi

1 banana

some milk you prefer

enough good quality raw honey to sweeten it to taste

put everything thru the nutribullet.

Then I pour everything into a container with a screw on lid.  Then I add maybe 1 tbsp of hempseed oil for fat, omega 3 & 6.  Put the lid on & shake it awhile. 

The only way I'm aware of to take large quantities of Chinese herbs on an ongoing basis, outside of possibly your feeding tube idea, is to harmonize the flavors & place them in a soothing neutral base.

Over the last 6 months I have progressed from this simple formula into more complex ones, guided chiefly thru my knowledge of TCM, my sense of taste, & my bodies various reactions to what I have been ingesting. 
 

[VerdeGo]

Can you elaborate on those "various reactions"? My issue with reishi is I don't completely trust it, because its complex nature is sort of an enigma. And the fact a coworker of mine who consumed it in tea every day had a mental breakdown after about three weeks of regular use. As far as my own experiences go, I've experienced some strange sensations in my day, but reishi is the most mysterious substance I have ever consumed. 

 

I'm glad it's working for you. I'm not ruling out future experimentation, just concerned about some of the uncomfortable physical symptoms it was bringing out. I think I've read one too many horrific experience reports online, along with some case studies of death from hepatoxicity. Perhaps I'm giving up too soon on reishi, or it's just not for me. I still use cordyceps, but its energy seems more invigorating while reishi's seems more sublime and somewhat relaxing. It's all very intriguing, and curiosity usually gets the best of me. 

[son of shen nong]

Can you elaborate on those "various reactions"? My issue with reishi is I don't completely trust it, because its complex nature is sort of an enigma. And the fact a coworker of mine who consumed it in tea every day had a mental breakdown after about three weeks of regular use. As far as my own experiences go, I've experienced some strange sensations in my day, but reishi is the most mysterious substance I have ever consumed. 

 

I'm glad it's working for you. I'm not ruling out future experimentation, just concerned about some of the uncomfortable physical symptoms it was bringing out. I think I've read one too many horrific experience reports online, along with some case studies of death from hepatoxicity. Perhaps I'm giving up too soon on reishi, or it's just not for me. I still use cordyceps, but its energy seems more invigorating while reishi's seems more sublime and somewhat relaxing. It's all very intriguing, and curiosity usually gets the best of me. 

Sure thing VerdeGo;

1st off, around the time I started swimming in the deep end w Ling Zhi, I was going thru a bout of bronchitis.  In retrospect, being sick w probably an impetus 4 taking more Ling Zhi, as it works great for lung ailments, ie bronchitis, asthma.  I have never felt an herb or any medication actually go to the source of my discomfort so quickly but I could w Ling Zhi going to my lungs.  Of course, I was taking it as a smoothie, so it was coating my esophagus  w it on the way down & the trachea connects w the esophagus.  The feeling was similar to the one you get when you suck on a lozenge when u have a sore throat or URI.  Sort of like a soothing coating.  2nd was a gnawing urge to meditate which came after approx 3 months of pretty much daily use.  3rd seems to be a more placid state of mind, altho I'm sure the regular meditation adds to that as well.  In short, I like how it makes me feel, the feeling is a subtle one, & I believe it's quite good for my health.

Show me that hepatoxicity link, if you don't mind.  Everything I've read on Ling Zhi (reishi) says it is good for the liver.

Using anything on a more or less daily basis demands you buy a quality product.  I can't speak to what your coworker was going thru & everything she may have been taking when she had a nervous breakdown, but as far as a direct one to one relationship between her affliction (hope she's doing better) & her tea, I'm clueless as to the brand she was using.

BTW, what type of Ling Zhi were u consuming (extract or just powdered mushroom/mycelium, alone or as part of a formula) & what type of strange sensations were u experiencing?

I like cordyceps too, but am only an occasional user.

 

[son of shen nong]

Can you elaborate on those "various reactions"? My issue with reishi is I don't completely trust it, because its complex nature is sort of an enigma. And the fact a coworker of mine who consumed it in tea every day had a mental breakdown after about three weeks of regular use. As far as my own experiences go, I've experienced some strange sensations in my day, but reishi is the most mysterious substance I have ever consumed. 

 

I'm glad it's working for you. I'm not ruling out future experimentation, just concerned about some of the uncomfortable physical symptoms it was bringing out. I think I've read one too many horrific experience reports online, along with some case studies of death from hepatoxicity. Perhaps I'm giving up too soon on reishi, or it's just not for me. I still use cordyceps, but its energy seems more invigorating while reishi's seems more sublime and somewhat relaxing. It's all very intriguing, and curiosity usually gets the best of me. 

Don't need the link on hepatotoxicity.  Found it.

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/17621752

[YOLF]

All the people who have taken Reishi and only these two have side effects? Unless they are related and having an allergy to it or have some other condition that caused this reaction... I just don't think it could have done that. 

 

Maybe there was too much lead in these? Red Reishi might mix well with lead oxide (red)? Some other adulturent? Anyone have access to the reports:

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/17621752

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/15464254

 

How did they determine that it had to be the reishi and what tests were done to determine if the reishi was pure?

 

Perhaps this guy had eaten something woody that the spores were able to live on?

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/17333761

[VerdeGo]

I used Nature's Way Reishi Extract in capsule form with 10% polysaccharides. I wanted to ease into it, and I thought this would be an affordable, trusted brand with a lot of positive reviews on Amazon. I'd mix mine in a small amount of water and drink it, like I do with cordyceps. My coworker used Hyperion Herbs reishi, which I don't believe is an extract, but removed from logs that are buried beneath the ground (again, I don't know how accurate this is). I now recall he was also adding goji berries into his tea as well. We both experienced changes in stool color (yellowish), and he told me it was a simple detox reaction. But when I researched this online, I came across information saying there was no such thing as a detox reaction, and something else was going on instead. So much conflicting information out there regarding adaptogens like reishi. Taurine also gave me this reaction, so perhaps it's not detox but increased bile production?

 

From what I can recall, the strange sensations involved body sensations of varying degrees in different parts of my body. It's very hard to explain, but I felt uneasy at times (like when I redosed like I normally do with cordcyeps) and life seemed dreamlike. Maybe the "alien inside me" at the time was really my Third Eye opening? I didn't get a chance to meditate on it, but if I take it again I certainly will. Maybe it didn't jive well with a work environment, I don't know. The last time I took it, I felt ill and anxious for days, and I actually took cordyceps to restore the balance. 

 

I'm very sensitive to substances. I can't take cordyceps extract (Aloha Medicinals) more often than 5-7 days apart because of strange head jolts and a hyper-stimulated feeling. 

[son of shen nong]

I used Nature's Way Reishi Extract in capsule form with 10% polysaccharides. I wanted to ease into it, and I thought this would be an affordable, trusted brand with a lot of positive reviews on Amazon. I'd mix mine in a small amount of water and drink it, like I do with cordyceps. My coworker used Hyperion Herbs reishi, which I don't believe is an extract, but removed from logs that are buried beneath the ground (again, I don't know how accurate this is). I now recall he was also adding goji berries into his tea as well. We both experienced changes in stool color (yellowish), and he told me it was a simple detox reaction. But when I researched this online, I came across information saying there was no such thing as a detox reaction, and something else was going on instead. So much conflicting information out there regarding adaptogens like reishi. Taurine also gave me this reaction, so perhaps it's not detox but increased bile production?

 

From what I can recall, the strange sensations involved body sensations of varying degrees in different parts of my body. It's very hard to explain, but I felt uneasy at times (like when I redosed like I normally do with cordcyeps) and life seemed dreamlike. Maybe the "alien inside me" at the time was really my Third Eye opening? I didn't get a chance to meditate on it, but if I take it again I certainly will. Maybe it didn't jive well with a work environment, I don't know. The last time I took it, I felt ill and anxious for days, and I actually took cordyceps to restore the balance. 

 

I'm very sensitive to substances. I can't take cordyceps extract (Aloha Medicinals) more often than 5-7 days apart because of strange head jolts and a hyper-stimulated feeling. 

Thanks for posting the different Reishi brands you & your coworker have experimented with to date.  There are so many sources of Ling Zhi out there; powder, extracts, tinctures, cracked spores, different strains, some grown in nature, others in controlled environments.  Makes me drool a little thinking about them, but for the most part, I'm happy w the Aloha Medicinals brand I take.  I take the red duanwood mycelium powder, buy it by the kilo.

[VerdeGo]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll use Aloha for reishi as well as cordyceps in the future. The quality of the cordyceps seems to be very high. Perhaps I got what I deserved after buying a $6 bottle of Nature's Way off Amazon. 

[normalizing]

"We both experienced changes in stool color (yellowish), and he told me it was a simple detox reaction" verdego, that cant be a good thing. its indicative of liver damage. ill experience the same thing with alcohol. its not good and im very certain perhaps some powders do cause liver damage.
 

Edited by normalizing, 30 April 2015 - 07:00 AM.

[VerdeGo]

Taurine caused the same experience, but there's evidence that taurine is beneficial to the liver and can reverse liver disease. That's why I'm thinking it has to do with increased bile, but I'm not knowledgeable about that kind of stuff. I did have my liver enzymes checked, but that was before the stint with reishi, but after cordyceps (which to my knowledge did not affect stool color). The discoloration appeared on my second day of using reishi and my first day of using taurine (both taken 6 months apart), and that is partially why I stopped. Taurine and reishi were the only substances that caused such a change, but everything returned to normal the following day when usage stopped. 

 

Can anyone back up the detox theory? I'd like to think reishi is just expelling toxins, and that is why rashes, stool changes, sore throats and other issues arise during its use, and go away when use is stopped. It appears this is a common thing when it comes to adaptogens. I see all medical studies pointing to how great they are for us, but nothing officially addressing or confirming what many people experience while on them. The word of advice I usually receive is "Just keep taking it. It'll go away after a week or two once the body flushes the toxins." I'm hoping this is the case rather than it causing damage to the liver, but I'm also too cautious to continue taking something that is producing such an effect on my body, and to those I know personally. 

[normalizing]

i was looking at liver damage signs while ago when i experienced it myself, and im pretty certain light colored stools is definitely related to liver. imcompensation to produce bile properly perhaps? where did you get your info taurine is good for the liver btw? taurine can be quite bad for the kidneys for one thing i have read, again, looking at its side effect profile.

Edited by normalizing, 01 May 2015 - 07:58 AM.

[VerdeGo]

Interesting. WebMD listed no cited side effects from any study, and said it was generally well-tolerated (taurine). I found some side effects in a study of patients with renal failure (see below). And apparently it's used as a liver flush (the same goes for reishi). If it truly is flushing the liver, then one would expect to see changes in stool as toxins are flushed. And apparently the lack of taurine can cause liver disease, and taurine supplementation can not only prevent but reverse alcohol-related and non-alcohol related liver disease in both animals and children. I'm emphasizing this statement because it could be beneficial for people who may be alcoholics or have a form of liver disease. Here's the studies I pulled up on it:

 

Effect of taurine on alcoholic liver disease in rats.

Wu G1, Yang J, Sun C, Luan X, Shi J, Hu J.

Author information

 

Abstract

To investigate the effect of taurine on alcoholic liver disease in rats, male Wistar rats were administered alcohol intragastrically for 3 months. The effect of beta-alanine-mediated taurine depletion and taurine administration on the development of alcoholic liver disease was examined. It was found that taurine administration produced lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline aminotransferase than that of the untreated group. In addition, the levels of hepatic total protein, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were higher in the taurine treated groups than in the untreated control or the taurine depleted group, while hepatic malondialdehyde content exhibited the opposite effect. Moreover, the content of hepatic hydroxyproline, serum hyaluronic acid, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and laminin were all decreased in the taurine treated group. The pathological changes showed that the percentage of fatty degeneration and inflammation in the taurine group were less than that of the control, taurine depleted and automatic recovery groups. These in-vivo findings demonstrate that hepatic disease caused by chronic alcohol consumption can be prevented and reversed by administration of taurine.

Effect of Taurine on the Fatty Liver of Children with Simple Obesity

This study elucidated the effect of taurine on fatty liver in simple obesity. Taurine was orally administered to 10 children with fatty liver. During taurine administration, the CT numbers of the liver, which were low in the beginning, increased. Serum ALT levels were improved, especially in those children whose weight was well controlled. Even in those who failed in weight control, serum ALT levels were slightly recovered. Ratios of glycine/taurine-conjugated bile acids were decreased. Thus, taurine was effective in treating fatty liver of children with simple obesity regardless of the success/failure of weight control. Taurine administration is considered to be helpful as an adjuvant therapy for fatty liver.

 

Chronic liver disease is triggered by taurine transporter knockout in the mouse

 

ABSTRACT Taurine is an abundant organic osmolyte with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Its role in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease is unknown. The liver phenotype was studied in taurine transporter knockout (taut−/−) mice. Hepatic taurine levels were ~21, 15 and 6 μmol/g liver wet weight in adult wild-type, heterozygous (taut+/−) and homozygous (taut−/−) mice, respectively. Immunoelectronmicroscopy revealed an almost complete depletion of taurine in Kupffer and sinusoidal endothelial cells, but not in parenchymal cells of (taut−/−) mice. Compared with wild-type mice, (taut−/−) and (taut+/−) mice developed moderate unspecific hepatitis and liver fibrosis with increased frequency of neoplastic lesions beyond 1 year of age. Liver disease in (taut−/−) mice was characterized by hepatocyte apoptosis, activation of the CD95 system, elevated plasma TNF-α levels, hepatic stellate cell and oval cell proliferation, and severe mitochondrial abnormalities in liver parenchymal cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction was suggested by a significantly lower respiratory control ratio in isolated mitochondria from (taut−/−) mice. Taut knockout had no effect on taurine-conjugated bile acids in bile; however, the relative amount of cholate-conjugates acid was decreased at the expense of 7-keto-cholateconjugates. In conclusion, taurine deficiency due to defective taurine transport triggers chronic liver disease, which may involve mitochondrial dysfunction.

 

Experimental evidence for therapeutic potential of taurine in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Abstract

The incidence of obesity is now at epidemic proportions and has resulted in the emergence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a common metabolic disorder that can lead to liver injury and cirrhosis. Excess sucrose and long-chain saturated fatty acids in the diet may play a role in the development and progression of NAFLD. One factor linking sucrose and saturated fatty acids to liver damage is dysfunction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Although there is currently no proven, effective therapy for NAFLD, the amino sulfonic acid taurine is protective against various metabolic disturbances, including alcohol-induced liver damage. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic potential of taurine to serve as a preventative treatment for diet-induced NAFLD. We report that taurine significantly mitigated palmitate-mediated caspase-3 activity, cell death, ER stress, and oxidative stress in H4IIE liver cells and primary hepatocytes. In rats fed a high-sucrose diet, dietary taurine supplementation significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, liver injury, inflammation, plasma triglycerides, and insulin levels. The high-sucrose diet resulted in an induction of multiple components of the unfolded protein response in the liver consistent with ER stress, which was ameliorated by taurine supplementation. Treatment of mice with the ER stress-inducing agent tunicamycin resulted in liver injury, unfolded protein response induction, and hepatic lipid accumulation that was significantly ameliorated by dietary supplementation with taurine. Our results indicate that dietary supplementation with taurine offers significant potential as a preventative treatment for NAFLD.

Now, for the kidneys....

 

Taurine and the renal system Abstract

Taurine participates in a number of different physiologic and biologic processes in the kidney, often reflected by urinary excretion patterns. The kidney is key to aspects of taurine body pool size and homeostasis. This review will examine the renal-taurine interactions relative to ion reabsorption; renal blood flow and renal vascular endothelial function; antioxidant properties, especially in the glomerulus; and the role of taurine in ischemia and reperfusion injury. In addition, taurine plays a role in the renal cell cycle and apoptosis, and functions as an osmolyte during the stress response. The role of the kidney in adaptation to variations in dietary taurine intake and the regulation of taurine body pool size are described. Finally, the protective function of taurine against several kidney diseases is reviewed.

 

Accumulation of taurine in patients with renal failure

1. Mohamed E. Suliman, 
2. Peter Bárány, 
3. José C. Divino Filho, 
4. Bengt Lindholm and
5. Jonas Bergström

+Author Affiliations

1. Divisions of Baxter Novum and Renal Medicine Department of Clinical Science Karolinska Institutet Huddinge University Hospital Stockholm, Sweden

Sir,

The amino acid taurine (2‐aminoethanesulphonic acid) is present in high concentrations in mammalian tissues, especially skeletal muscle, heart and the central nervous system. Taurine has several beneficial physiological and biochemical effects in vitro and in vivo in experimental animals. It has cardiotonic actions, participates in osmoregulation, stabilizes the membrane potential in skeletal muscle, affects calcium ion kinetics, has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties and acts as a neurotransmitter [1]. Clinical studies suggest that oral treatment with taurine improves symptoms and cardiac performance in humans with congestive heart failure [2].

Taurine is an ingredient in some so‐called energy drinks, which also contain caffeine, carbohydrate and B vitamins. Such drinks are taken to improve physical performance, although there is little evidence that taurine per se exerts any beneficial effects in healthy individuals or animals without taurine depletion. It has been suggested that daily intake for 3 weeks of 0.5 l Red Bull^®, providing 2 g of taurine and 1.2 g of glucuronolacton, increases endurance time slightly at maximum intensive exercise level, compared with drinks containing the same ingredients as Red Bull^® but without glucuronolacton and taurine [3]. Hence, the effect might have been due to either of these components.

Patients with end‐stage renal disease are reported to be taurine depleted with low plasma and muscle intracellular concentrations of taurine [4]. Since taurine depletion is potentially harmful for these patients, who frequently have heart failure, muscular fatigue and neurological symptoms, we decided to make an open, non‐randomized trial in ten chronic haemodialysis patients on the effect of daily oral taurine substitution for 10 weeks on various neurophysiological parameters, and plasma and muscle levels of taurine. The dose of taurine, 100 mg/kg/day, was similar to that previously used in human clinical trials [2]. The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital.

One patient completed the study with no symptoms or side effects. The second patient underwent kidney transplantation after 7 weeks of taurine, which was withdrawn immediately before transplantation. No symptoms that could be related to the intake of taurine were reported. The third patient completed the study but complained of dizziness at the end of it, which disappeared within 24 h after stopping the taurine intake. The fourth patient reported increasing dizziness and non‐rotatory vertigo and withdrew from the study after 2.5 weeks. The symptoms resolved within 24 h after discontinuing taurine. This patient was rechallenged after 3 days with half the dose of taurine (50 mg/kg/day) and the same symptoms recurred. The study was then immediately stopped before any new patient had been recruited. Results of taurine analyses of plasma and muscle before and at the end of the study were available in patients 1 and 3 but only initial values in patients 2 and 4, who withdrew from the study (Table 1).

Three of the patients were taurine‐depleted with markedly reduced muscle taurine concentrations and one patient (patient 1) had a marginally low level compared to the controls. After taurine treatment, the plasma levels in patients 1 and 3 had increased by 5513% and 1780%, respectively, and the muscle intracellular concentrations by 239% and 351%, respectively, i.e. far above the normal ranges. The accumulation of taurine was presumably due to lack of renal excretion, which in normal persons accounts for the excretion of excess taurine. The removal by haemodialysis was apparently insufficiently effective to control the body content of taurine. We conclude that the symptoms reported were caused by excessive extra‐ and intracellular accumulation of taurine. In keeping with this conclusion is the observation that withdrawal of taurine caused a rapid disappearance of the symptoms, which reappeared when one patient was rechallenged with taurine after a symptom‐free interval.

With this report we want to call attention to the risk of taurine administration to patients with renal failure and specially warn against the use of energy drinks such as Red Bull^® and +Battery^®, of which three cans of 33 ml/day provide 4 g of taurine (i.e. half the dose that caused excessive accumulation of taurine and neurological symptoms in our patients). Although the symptoms were relatively mild and rapidly disappeared after stopping the taurine intake, long‐term risks of excessive taurine accumulation cannot be ruled out. We strongly suggest that cans or bottles of energy drinks containing taurine should have a label, which warns against their use by patients with kidney failure.

 

From what I can gather from this last study, patients with renal disease can't properly process excess amounts of taurine through supplementation, and this may make the disease worse. However moderate intake of taurine in a healthy person without kidney disease, but with liver disease, can be highly beneficial, and taurine can actually protect the liver and possibly the kidneys. I will be doing further research of taurine on the kidneys before I supplement it again, and I'll post what I find here. 4 grams seems a bit excessive. 

 

Taurine seems to have far more science backing up its longevity claims and its protective effects of major organs, along with regulating the neurotransmitter system. I really should start a thread on Taurine itself, as this is starting to look like the Holy Grail of amino acids, but I'll wait for now. I just wish reishi was as well researched as taurine. 

Edited by VerdeGo, 02 May 2015 - 03:35 AM.

[normalizing]

then all the taurine present in energy drinks is good for you? its interesting because they have been set a limit of how much taurine is in energy drink now days, as if taurine does cause problems. but then when i was looking at supplemental taurine, it seems most of it manufactured in china with bad quality issues, you might not get full benefit from supplementation, yes?

[YOLF]

There may be problems coming from china, but most manufacturers will test their product before selling it. Look for third party testing or quality statements.

[VerdeGo]

The reason I haven't taken taurine a second time is because of the change in stool color, the sedation, and the warm, electric sensations that occasionally blanketed my cranium. Of course the first time I took theanine, I encountered some strange effects including major tooth sensitivity while it was wearing off, along with a few other issues. I stayed away from it for a year, only to take it again without issue and find it was actually beneficial. From what I remember reading, the amount of taurine in some energy drinks isn't enough for any therapeutic effect, so it probably isn't enough for any detrimental effect either (unless you have renal disease and cannot probably break it down). I think the real concern comes from a person chugging three or four energy drinks with high taurine content (up to 2 grams per beverage, but some as low as 20 mg). Since 3 grams appears to be the safe limit, a person can easily get too much taurine in their system, though the jury's still out on how dangerous this is compared to all the other shit they put into these drinks. These drinks already have their critics, who are ready to pick apart and label every ingredient as dangerous (and they probably are if someone consumes multiple drinks a day).

 

Here's a few more articles, one from the Mayo Clinic and another article on taurine toxicity. Not trying to prove any points here, as I'm still not convinced on its long term safety or effects on the kidneys (thanks for pointing that information out). All I can do at this point is to continue researching it and eventually try it again in a low dose (300 mg or so). Interestingly enough, it seems to synergize with caffeine, much like theanine, and theanine and taurine are quite synergistic themselves.

 

http://www.mayoclini...ne/faq-20058177

 

Taurine is listed as an ingredient in many energy drinks. What is taurine? Is it safe? Answers from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

 

Taurine is an amino acid that supports neurological development and helps regulate the level of water and minerals in the blood. Taurine is also thought to have antioxidant properties.

Taurine is found naturally in meat, fish and breast milk, and it's commonly available as a dietary supplement. Some studies suggest that taurine supplementation may improve athletic performance, which may explain why taurine is used in many energy drinks.

Other studies suggest that taurine combined with caffeine improves mental performance, although this finding remains controversial. And in one study, people with congestive heart failure who took taurine supplements three times a day for two weeks showed improvement in their exercise capacity.

Up to 3,000 milligrams a day of supplemental taurine is generally considered safe. Moderation is important, however. Little is known about the effects of heavy or long-term taurine use.

It's also important to remember that there may be high amounts of other ingredients in energy drinks, such as high amounts of caffeine or sugar. Too much caffeine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, interrupt your sleep, and cause nervousness and irritability. And added sugar may provide unwanted added calories.

 

http://www.news-medi...e-Toxicity.aspx

 

Taurine is involved in a number of crucial physiological processes. However, the role of taurine in these processes is not clearly understood and the influence of high taurine doses on these processes is uncertain.

A substantial increase in the plasma concentration of growth hormone was reported in some epileptic patients during taurine tolerance testing (oral dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day), suggesting a potential to stimulate the hypothalamus and to modify neuroendocrine function.

There is an indication that taurine (2 g/day) has some function in the maintenance and possibly in the induction of psoriasis.

It may also be necessary to take into consideration that absorption of taurine from beverages may be more rapid than from foods. as well as hair loss and tooth decay.

Decreased plasma taurine concentration has been demonstrated to be associated with feline dilated cardiomyopathy.

Unlike CRD, the condition is reversible with supplementation. Taurine is now a requirement of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and any dry or wet food product labeled approved by the AAFCO should have a minimum of 0.1% taurine in dry food and 0.2% in wet food.

Research suggests that taurine is essential to the normal development of passerine birds. Many passerines seek out taurine-rich spiders to feed their young, particularly just after hatching.

Researchers compared the behaviors and development of birds fed a taurine-supplemented diet to a control diet and found that juveniles that were fed taurine-rich diets as neonates were much larger risk takers and more adept at spatial learning tasks.

 

 

 

[Real Mushrooms]

What's important to understand about any medicinal mushroom product is that there is many different quality products.

 

Any commercial product made in the USA is mycelium on grain and not mushroom. That is very important to understand.

 

Mycelium on grain is high in residual starch from the grain it is grown on and low in beta-glucans.

 

Reishi mycelium on grain also does not contain the triterpenes in significant amounts that give reishi its bitter flavor. These triterpenes come from the mushrooms interaction with the log it grows on.

 

The majority of the reishi research is on fruiting body extracts. 

[YOLF]

So Reishi is grown on grain? Like wheat? I bet that's bad for us celiacs...

 

Saw dust seems like the best way to grow reishi that I've read, it doesn't have to be a log, or does it?

[Real Mushrooms]

Mycelium on grain is typically grown on rice, oats or sorghum which should be gluten free. 

 

The triterpenes in reishi come from the interaction with the log. That may happen with sawdust but i haven't seen test results from reishi mushrooms grown on sawdust. 

 

In China, they typically grow them on logs. 

[holdorfold]

... My issue with reishi is I don't completely trust it, because its complex nature is sort of an enigma. And the fact a coworker of mine who consumed it in tea every day had a mental breakdown after about three weeks of regular use. As far as my own experiences go, I've experienced some strange sensations in my day, but reishi is the most mysterious substance I have ever consumed...

 

Over the course of a year, I have since taken some high doses of Reishi. I use whole slices, break them and boil for hours to make a concentrated liquid.

I've heard that you can't take too much Reishi and there should be no psychological side effects, but I can absolutely testify that this is not the case for me. I always take it about an hour before bed, and what happens to me on high doses is first I get a strong pulsating feeling in my forehead followed by rapid and disjointed visions. My mind races with these visions, which seem nonsensical, for hours before I can finally get to sleep. Some of these pictures are clear as day with my eyes closed, e.g. I remember seeing these two humanoid alligators standing next to my bed and could make out the minute details of their scales and eyes. The next day after a high dose of Reishi I feel drained.

 

I'm very sensitive to herbs in general.

 

[apples-trees-water]

I love this stuff!!!! The energy is so subtle and mellow. I've had massive problems with getting overly caffeinated on coffee, easy to get a little angry sometimes with the brain buzz, so this is just working so great.  

I've had years of damage and addiction to drinking coffee, first thing usually on the empty stomach just to wake up, went to a juice bar and got the coffee, it was just under the sand of my perception. And it has wrecked my stomach, ripped all the acid out, so the reishi coffee is just a life saver right now.  

Bottle (Shaman shack) says you can drink 2 or 3 cups a day. I'm drinking 5 but I think I should stick to what they say, don't want to overdose on it.
Coffee has left me a wreck, battling the addiction for years, just an obsession, it just robs your gut flora and that affects your immune system. Years ago my intuition told me, coffee or my life passion. (destiny basically) I picked the coffee, this was all under my subconscious mind thought, I had no understanding of it, and since then, I've been unemployed! (Clueless, without direction of my destiny, I guess that is more away to describe it) This is not good. Feels like curious, vulnerable time is wasted. Well I've had other side jobs, I just didn't go for my destiny.

Over past few years, I've only gone three or four days without coffee. Not good. I'm on my 2nd or third day now, without coffee, snowed in here in a snowstorm and ran out of coffee!
 
I wonder if any famous writers or famous people drank it.
 

BLimitless, what a nice point! Thank you. I feel like I'm in a trap of bad luck sort of.
Would you care to show us how it unfolded? What about examples?
I do feel like my life is sometimes very stuck, not flowing like water. Maybe this reishi will be the godsend.

 

 

Yeah I dose it every so often. Truly a divine mushroom. The Diet Horizons brand, which is only mycelium, made me trip balls like no other. It felt to me like the framerate of reality was quadrupled. Everything took on a kind of fluidity that I had never quite seen before. You know those days where you get stuck in traffic and everything seems to get in your way and you manage to stub your toe on every corner? That phenomenon disappeared. Reishi felt like a cure for Murphy's Law. I'd pop 8 of the Diet Horizons capsules and I'd be floating in heaven for a day or two.

Got some here now, but it's the Planetary Herbals Full Spectrum one and it's not nearly as great as the Diet Horizons despite supposedly having more in it.