15 replies to this topic

[formergenius]

I'm considering taking Lion's Mane mushroom, however I found that certain other mushrooms (e.g. Reishi) also may have nootropic properties, aside from their various other benefits. So I thought it would be cost-effective and easy to have an all-in-one supplement.

I ran in to two issues:

• I want to take 1-2g of Lion's Mane a day, yet none of the mush-mixes have that amount of Lion's Mane.
• So far I've found products that also add under-researched mushrooms with unsubstantiated health claims, or just some random TCM ingredients.

So my questions are:
What is the best mushroom supplement in regards of cost, effectiveness, ingredients, and their proper dosages?
Or would I be better off just selecting the fresh mushrooms I want myself? I read Lion's Mane tastes like lobster, yum! Which mushrooms can you recommend and at what dosages? What's the deal with extracts? Avoid them?

Thank you.

Note: Not looking to treat anything in specific. Just for improving general health (and the feeling thereof), but it would be a plus if it would help with my cognitive dysfunction and chronic sinusitis as well.

[formergenius]

Well in case anyone comes across this who's interested, I decided to go with Fungiology's Powdered Lion's Mane from iHerb, and later I'll be buying their MushRex powder. It was the best deal I could find.

[iamtheastronaut]

Reishi is really good. It helps in a lot of ways (clear minded, boosted immune system, helps with allergies, increase blood flow, anti-inflammatory).

Also, look into Cordyceps. It maximizes your oxygen intake, so if you have trouble breathing for whatever reason, this will help.

Both of these increase the immune system & generally put you in a good mood & state of mind.

[fntms]

I found more affordable Hericium extracts on Aliexpress... 30% and 40% polysaccharides... Nice taste and very soluble. I also bought dry Hericium that took ages to arrive. Nice lobster (ish) taste.
I am even trying to grow the mushroom! There are many medicinal types you can grow apparently, including Reishi, it's quite interesting.

So I have been taking Hericium for a few weeks, also for general well being, to help concentration and to reduce anxiety. Can't say I notice much yet, although it might be helping a little. I am taking about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp 2 or 3 times a day.

I decided to avoid Reishi because of the aromatase inhibiton, and blood thinning which seems to make acid reflux worsen.
I also take Cordyceps powder from an amazon seller. Pleasant taste, myriads of benefits apparently, but I recently read pubmed research that showed nephrotoxicity in male rats... :- at high doses though... 1g/kg was safe, which is relatively much more than what I consume of course. A pity though (I mean, what other supplements can make your balls bigger? ;-)
And also Maitake from Fungiology, also pleasant as tea, no reported negative side effects, but I read it's quite strong on for blood sugar reduction, not sure I want too much of that.
Sometimes it seems from reading pubmed that medicinal mushrooms can save the world twice over, but some of the most promising do have side effects that can be inconvenient...

[Atropy]

Well in case anyone comes across this who's interested, I decided to go with Fungiology's Powdered Lion's Mane from iHerb, and later I'll be buying their MushRex powder. It was the best deal I could find.

Im interested in getting some of these mushroom complex powders myself,just after I start experimenting with Ginseng products.Im not too sure to start off with individual mushrooms or just dive into the complex.Starting with the complex should help to exclude side effects since each mushroom is included as a small dosage.

How was your experience with the Mushrex product and the Lion's mane from the same company?

I was considering this http://www.iherb.com...60-Tablets/1472

or this
http://www.iherb.com...w-90-Vcaps/2485.

[formergenius]

Hmm to be honest I have only taken it a couple of times, so I can't really say. Felt I was doing a little overkill because I recently introduced a range of new substances into my regimen. Didn't notice much. Taste is bearable, good for seasoning a meal.
I wouldn't go with NOW brand.. IME their quality isn't great, and Source Naturals only has the mycelia, so not full-spectrum if I'm not mistaken. If anything, go for Fungi Perfecti, but that's more expensive than Fungiology. It's Paul Stamets' brand (mycologist).

Edited by formergenius, 25 August 2013 - 03:50 PM.

[peterf]

is iherb a reputable site?

[blood]

is iherb a reputable site?

I think so. Placed many orders with them - so far no problems.

[William Sterog]

I tried tons of supplements and the only one, with mushrooms, I really feel kicking in is this:

 

Eclectic Institute, Mycetobotanicals, The Original 7 Mushroom Blend.

 

 

Fresh Freeze-Dried Mycelia of:   Royal Sun Agaricus (Agaricus blazei)   Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)   Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)   Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)   Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)   Maitake (Grifola frondosa)   Zhu Ling (Polyporus umbellatus)   Air Dried Fruiting Body of:   Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)   Maitake (Grifola frondosa)   Larix (Larix occidentalis) 75 mg Total weight per capsule 650 mg

 

 

I'm taking MushRex right now, but I feel nothing yet. 

[Real Mushrooms]

I tried tons of supplements and the only one, with mushrooms, I really feel kicking in is this:

 

Eclectic Institute, Mycetobotanicals, The Original 7 Mushroom Blend.

 

 

Fresh Freeze-Dried Mycelia of:   Royal Sun Agaricus (Agaricus blazei)   Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)   Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)   Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)   Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)   Maitake (Grifola frondosa)   Zhu Ling (Polyporus umbellatus)   Air Dried Fruiting Body of:   Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)   Maitake (Grifola frondosa)   Larix (Larix occidentalis) 75 mg Total weight per capsule 650 mg

 

 

I'm taking MushRex right now, but I feel nothing yet. 

 

Note that's not mushroom but mycelium on grain: "Fresh freeze dried mycelia"

 

Most of the mycelium on grain blends have extremely high starch content. 

[Real Mushrooms]

Our recommendations for any mushroom product:

• made from 100% fruiting bodies
• certified organic = low levels of pesticides
• water extracted (water/alcohol) to make the beta-glucans more bioavailable. 
• alcohol extracted where necessary (reishi, chaga)
• measured beta-glucans (polysaccharides include starch)
• optional but good to have: measured starch to show purity. it should be less than 5%.

[Real Mushrooms]

Looks like I need some references. Aka Poe already posted this thread: http://www.longecity...t-game-changer/ discussing a lot of what I'm referring to.

 

The Nammex study (http://www.nammex.co...inal-mushrooms/) results show mycelium on grain products being low in beta-glucans and high in starch. The mycelium on grain blends showing 27-66% starch. Cereal grains, which are used for the growth medium, show 58-74% starch for reference. 

 

This also shows whole mushrooms have <5% starch hence our standards for having <5% starch in your product to show purity.

 

If you look at the mushroom research, the majority is on fruiting body extracts hence all our products are based around fruiting body extracts. There is almost zero research on mycelium on grain. 

 

If you want me to clarify anything further, please let me know what. 

 

 

 

 

[William Sterog]

Stop bumping dead topics with you spam. Thanks. 

 

 

Edited by William Sterog, 06 November 2015 - 08:05 PM.

[Real Mushrooms]

Stop bumping dead topics with you spam. Thanks. 

 

I don't see how replying to topics where I can provide value indicates spamming.

 

I'm not allowed to educate the community about medicinal mushrooms? 

[EFTANG]

 

Our recommendations for any mushroom product:

• made from 100% fruiting bodies
• certified organic = low levels of pesticides
• water extracted (water/alcohol) to make the beta-glucans more bioavailable. 
• alcohol extracted where necessary (reishi, chaga)
• measured beta-glucans (polysaccharides include starch)
• optional but good to have: measured starch to show purity. it should be less than 5%.

 

 

A good guideline that sums it all up nicely with lots of details and references is this one, called "What you should know before buying mushroom supplements"  The title says it all.

[EFTANG]

I tried tons of supplements and the only one, with mushrooms, I really feel kicking in is this:

 

Eclectic Institute, Mycetobotanicals, The Original 7 Mushroom Blend.

 

 

Fresh Freeze-Dried Mycelia of:   Royal Sun Agaricus (Agaricus blazei)   Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)   Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)   Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)   Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)   Maitake (Grifola frondosa)   Zhu Ling (Polyporus umbellatus)   Air Dried Fruiting Body of:   Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)   Maitake (Grifola frondosa)   Larix (Larix occidentalis) 75 mg Total weight per capsule 650 mg

 

 

I'm taking MushRex right now, but I feel nothing yet. 

 

Not surprising you feel nothing because these are not extracted.

Most people can't digest raw/dried mushrooms at all, so won't benefit from them. The absolute minimal requirement you should look for is hot water extraction and preferably a specification of the active ingredients such as beta-glucans and triterpenes on the label. Many so-called extracts are not extracts at all but just dried powder (water has been extracted only...)