Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States, so if you’re dealing with it, know that you’re not alone. While if you’re experiencing high levels of anxiety you should always seek out the support of a mental health expert, a growing body of research suggests that functional mushrooms can be complementary to other forms of treatment for anxiety. Specifically, varieties like reishi and lion’s mane are proving their ability to foster mindset shifts that spark clarity and decision-making during worry-filled moments. According to Daniel Sanders, Chief Scientific Officer at Gwella, mushrooms considered functional or medicinal have an above-average impact on the human body. “Mushrooms, like nutrient-rich diets, work to support the underlying functions of the body that support us in our health and wellbeing. They address underlying issues of structural damage, imbalances, stressors and malfunctions,” he explains. Functional mushrooms don’t eliminate instances of anxiety outright, rather, they help us better adapt to stressful environments (hence why they’re referred to as adaptogens). For example, recent research suggests that reishi mushroom has anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects because it can reduce over-activation of the central nervous system (CNS). Since our CNS gets flooded with adrenaline and cortisol during anxious moments—resulting in physical symptoms like shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat—reishi’s de-escalating properties may be able to reintroduce a state of calm. Lion’s mane is another variety that may bolster brain function, according to research. “The compounds and actions of this mushroom actually incite the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which is involved in the growth, as well as maintenance, proliferation, and survival of nerve cells (neurons),” Sanders adds. The growth and maintenance of brain cells in our emotional regulation centers can support our stress response by making it easier to separate worries from reality, so we can make choices from a more grounded place. The case for taking functional mushrooms consistently is that they bolster our stress response cumulatively, making us more resilient against life’s challenges.
What about psychedelic mushrooms?
We’re mostly talking about functional mushrooms here. But the scientific community is actively studying the effect of psilocybin— the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms—on anxiety and related mental health challenges, too. At Johns Hopkins, for example, researchers have already found that psilocybin therapy can reduce existential anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer, and that along with psychotherapy, just two doses of psilocybin can reduce the symptoms of depression (which often manifests in tandem with anxiety). Another study led by the Pacific Neuroscience Institute explores how controlled psilocybin-assisted therapy can support healing from alcohol use disorder, a mental health condition strongly linked to anxiety and depression. Housed at St. John’s Health Center, participants in thisstudy view a video by filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg, whose 2019 Netflix film, Fantastic Fungi, employs high-end time-lapse cinematography to show how the interconnected, regenerative power of mushrooms can support human transformation. The video in the study uses the same techniques to highlight the rhythms and patterns of nature. “You want people to be able to feel opened up to that feeling of connection, that we are part of nature, that there is a oneness to the universe,” Schwartzberg explains. He believes that humans have barely scratched the surface when it comes to reaping the benefits of earth’s healing fungi—including those of the magic and functional varieties. Take mycelium, for instance. This multicellular network connects mushrooms to one another (often underground), but also supports the decomposition of plant material in the environment while making soil more nutrient-rich for other organisms. The function of mycelium makes it vital to nature’s cycles, yet early research shows it can also have powerful anti-anxiety effects in humans. While research is still being conducted on the potential benefits of psychedelics for mental health, Schwartzberg explains that psilocybin could reduce anxiety and its link to substance abuse because it sheds light on unresolved issues. “Addiction is [when] someone’s dealing with low self-esteem or has a trauma that’s been buried,” Schwartzberg says. “If [a psychedelic experience] helps you face issues that you’re not even aware have been lingering deep inside of you, that’s a giant benefit.” Consciously accessing those cataclysmic events could help with forgiveness and self-compassion, too, which can prevent the replaying of events that are so prevalent in anxiety disorders. “It eliminates rumination. We rehash this stuff in the past, and what we’re going to do in the future,” Schwartzberg says.
How to use mushrooms for anxiety
If reducing anxiety, fostering self-compassion, and cultivating more presence are priorities for you, experimenting with different functional mushroom products could be a good place to start. “It’s never too late to start and there is truly a mushroom for everyone,” Sanders adds. For example, gummies from Mojo are considered a modern (non-psychedelic) microdose, designed to deliver elevated mood, energy, and focus via active ingredients like lion’s mane, as well as cordyceps—which has demonstrated mood-boosting properties in preliminary research. You can also try a mouth spray from SuperMush, which offers a range of formulations for energy, relaxation, immunity, and more. Their “Chill” formulation may support anxiety relief because it includes reishi and lion’s mane. And if you’re seeking something more approachable, MUD\WTR makes a rest tea that combines functional mushrooms like reishi and turkey tail with caffeine-free chai and rooibos teas—plus relaxing herbs like ashwagandha and valerian. This blend also contains mycelium. No matter which route you take, keep in mind that functional mushrooms aren’t intended to be a cure-all, and they’re still being researched. If you have more questions about how to use them (or if you should use them at all) you can always talk to your primary care doctor or a mental health expert you work with. Next up: 15 Journals to Cope with Anxiety
Sources
Daniel Sanders, Chief Scientific Officer at GwellaLouie Schwartzberg, Filmmaker, Fantastic FungiBiochemistry and Biophysics Reports: Ganoderma MushroomJournal of Traditional and Complementary Mushrooms: Neuronal Health and Medicinal MushroomsBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies: Mycelium for AnxietyMiddle East Current Psychiatry: Anxiety and Depression in Substance UseJournal of Psychiatric Research: Anxiety and Depression ComorbiditiesJohns Hopkins: Psilocybin for DepressionJohns Hopkins: Psilocybin for Existential Anxiety
