While so-called “Magic Mushrooms” have long been the face of the mushroom industry, they are just a tiny facet of the greater family of mushrooms. Functional Mushrooms, fungi with medicinal, relaxational, and other health benefits, are increasingly making a name for themselves as a helpful alternative treatment in healthcare. However, some misconceptions have hampered their wider acceptance. There is a tie to psychedelic mushrooms that is difficult to shake, even though the well-studied health benefits of functional mushrooms are an immense differentiator from their more infamous psychedelic counterparts.
The primary misconception is that all mushrooms are illegal because people automatically assume that taking mushrooms is an automatic reference to magic mushrooms. This incorrect assumption is a basis for the public’s misconceptions about functional mushrooms. There is nothing illegal about functional mushrooms, and few, if any, contain intoxicating chemicals.
Functional mushrooms are legal in all 50 states and have, unfortunately, been incorrectly grouped with the intoxicating magic mushrooms. However, an increasingly more significant number of experts and individuals have recognized the benefits these unique fungi offer. Someone who suffers from chronic pain could find a functional mushroom that could ease their discomfort or a victim of constant stress can breathe a sigh of relief as a different functional mushroom calms them down. In this regard, these mushrooms are far more akin to a medicine than a magic mushroom.
The time is right for people to learn more about these unique mushrooms, and society is increasingly showing itself willing to explore alternatives as public perceptions are gradually shifting away from the standards of years past. To this end, many Functional Mushroom supporters are keen on using their expertise to educate those who are curious about this new health frontier.
Many proponents of Functional Mushrooms are approaching the desire for more information with transparency and enthusiasm. “Education about functional mushrooms is crucial,” says Elad Smadja of Magic Doze, a company specializing in Functional Mushrooms. “Understanding the differences between functional and psychoactive mushrooms can help consumers make informed decisions about what they’re ingesting.”
Indeed, we are in an era where information is everything to a consumer. People rightly want to know everything about the products they’re using, even more so when intended for ingestion. There is a comfort in understanding what people are getting into when they are looking into alternatives, and with the general hesitancy that pervades the industry when it comes to mushrooms, Functional or otherwise, there is a necessity for everything to be clear, concise, and informative.
“The more a consumer knows, the better they understand how the product works, the consistency required for consumption, and the results they can expect.” according to Smadja, highlighting the drive for information. “With knowledge comes the ability to select the right mushroom variety for specific needs.”
There is a great diversity in what Functional Mushrooms are able to provide; however, just like traditional remedies, there is no single answer for every ailment. Thus, understanding the varieties of Functional Mushrooms is critical when taking advantage of their unique properties.
For instance: Some Functional Mushrooms offer sleep aid benefits, while others are more for relaxation and anxiety reduction. Others provide more unseen benefits in the form of immune system support with strong antioxidant properties helping the body naturally build itself up. In this regard, it is just like any other supplement that helps someone become healthier when taken correctly.
Proponents of Functional Mushrooms are most keen on people understanding that Functional Mushrooms are just like any other medicinal aid. There are proper dosages, ingestion methods, and types of Functional Mushrooms that people must keep in mind when they are using these products. There is no benefit from taking too many or ingesting them just for the sake of ingestion. Functional Mushrooms are aid items and supplemental in nature, not recreational.
Similarly, proper Functional Mushrooms are cultivated and developed with the consumer in mind from the very beginning. It is encouraged that every batch has a Certificate of Analysis that proves the potency and safety of the product. “Make sure every Functional Mushroom you buy has a COA; otherwise, don’t trust the company that it’s attached to,” Smadja says of this. The importance of keeping quality and quantity of doses is a critical part of the process, and he encourages all enthusiasts to take their time and confirm everything when they are using their mushrooms.
It is clear that acceptance of Functional Mushrooms is growing across the country. However, there is still a long way to go to clear up all of the misconceptions and inaccuracies that are so prevalent in society. Developers like Smadja are enthusiastic about the future, seeing growing support for this alternative solution as indicative of a society ready to embrace new ideas.