Low energy, a weakened immune system, mind fog, inflammation, high stress levels—all these things and more lead people to seek natural ways to boost their function and find relief. Mushroom capsules have risen to the top of many wellness aficionados’ lists thanks to their powerful and protective properties. If you want to choose the best mushroom capsules, though, you need to know yourself and what you want to achieve.
Mushrooms vary in their active ingredient and associated benefits. This might seem overwhelming at first, but don’t worry. We know a thing or two about fungus.
Mushroom capsules aren’t the only option for taking medicinal mushrooms, but they are one of the most common. Picking the right one for you starts with understanding what they actually are. Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Mushroom Capsules?
Mushroom capsules are a blend of extracts and powders from fungi proven to offer mental and physical boosts or relief. They offer varied doses of active ingredients—primarily mushrooms, naturally.
Some capsules may blend different mushrooms together to compound their effects, such as mood boosting and cognitive function. The dry blends are packaged in pill form for ease of use and dosage, allowing users to choose their preferred type.
What Are the Different Types of Mushroom Capsules?
Mushroom capsules are generally split between two types: functional and psychedelic.
Functional mushroom capsules contain nootropic, or medicinal, mushrooms, whereas psychedelics contain, well… psychedelics.
There can be a bit of crossover between these two categories, but the lines don’t often blur. Unless you happen to take a psychedelic mushroom capsule, in which case, any line you see around you may blur, or wave, or do a little dance.
Functional Mushroom Capsules
Functional mushroom capsules are nutrient-rich, contain antioxidants, are anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, can give cognitive boosts, and can improve your mood. These medicinal mushrooms have historically been used for everything from mental clarity to helping treat cancer, as well as to improve the quality of life for patients. They can support your mind, your body, or both, depending on the blend used.
There’s a variety of mushrooms used in these capsules, like:
- Lion’s mane
- Cordyceps
- Turkey Tail
- Maitake
- Reishi
- Chaga
- Shiitake
- Ashwagandha
Trippy Psychedelic Mushroom Capsules
“Magic” mushrooms, as they’re often called, are the ones used in trippy, psychedelic mushroom capsules. The euphoria these capsules offer has both recreational and therapeutic potential. For example, there have been positive studies indicating they could be used to treat conditions like PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders.
Psilocybin is what makes these shrooms psychoactive, and its hallucinogenic effect is both its selling point and its pain point. Mushrooms that have psilocybin are illegal in the US, apart from in two states—Colorado and Oregon. Fortunately, Amanita muscaria is a legal trippy option. This mushroom contains muscimol rather than psilocybin, and doesn’t interact with serotonin levels directly.
These are the main mushrooms used in trippy mushroom capsules:
- Amanita muscaria
- Psilocybe
- Conocybe
- Gymnopilus
Microdose Mushroom Capsules
Microdosing is fairly self-explanatory—the dose you take is much smaller! A microdose mushroom capsule will contain fewer mg of the main mushroom(s) and may account for that difference with other ingredients (cannabis compounds, for example). Taking a smaller dose this way avoids possible intoxication or hallucination.
It’s most common to microdose psychedelic mushroom capsules. Functional mushroom capsules don’t alter states of consciousness, and microdosing them wouldn’t offer a particular benefit. A psilocybin mushroom is the easiest to microdose.
Key Benefits of Mushroom Capsules
Each mushroom offers unique benefits. As for functional mushroom capsules, they mostly help with mental acuity, but certainly aren’t limited to that. Psychedelic mushroom capsules don’t boost the mind so much as help relieve its burdens. Though the benefits are many, here are the key ones:
Mental Clarity
Cognitive health is a major draw for mushroom capsules. Lion’s mane is particularly known for supporting mental focus and clarity.
Stress Relief
High cortisol levels are all too common, and the effects can be dangerous long-term. Mushrooms like ashwagandha, chaga, and reishi can lower stress and lessen its physical and mental toll.
Euphoria
From relaxation to tranquility, the euphoric effect of psychedelic mushroom capsules can unwind a troubled mind. Take care to ensure the type of trippy shroom you take is both legal and at a safe dosage.
Immune Support
Cordyceps (don’t listen to The Last of Us!), chaga, and maitake all have antioxidant properties.
Mushroom capsules made of these can boost not only your immune system but your energy levels to boot.
How to Choose the Best Mushroom Capsules for You
Choosing the best mushroom capsule comes down to understanding your needs and which type of mushroom will address those needs. There is no one-size-fits-all in the supplement world. Some mushrooms might be “magic,” but there’s no magic mushroom capsule to fix every problem.
Ask yourself these questions to help narrow down your options:
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What do you want to achieve by using mushrooms? Do you want a cognitive boost to stay focused? Look for a lion’s mane capsule. Need to relax or relieve stress? Try Amanita muscaria or reishi. Know your goal, and you’ll know your shroom.
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How often do you want to take mushroom capsules? Most functional mushroom capsules won’t have an immediate effect but rather a steady, long-term improvement. A steady, consistent regimen will always provide the best results, so think about whether you want a single experience or an ongoing one.
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How high is your tolerance? Should you microdose, or will you need something stronger? If you’ve developed a mushroom tolerance, you’ll probably need to adjust the dosage you take to get the results you want.
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What other supplements do you use? Always ensure any mix of supplements you take are compatible. If there are conflicting effects, or amplifying ones, the best thing you can do for yourself is to be aware of them.
Alternatives to Mushroom Capsules
Mushroom gummies are a fantastic option if a capsule doesn’t seem right for you. Maybe you can’t stand the thought of swallowing a pill. Maybe it’s a texture thing. Maybe there just isn’t a small enough dose in the capsules for your tolerance or preference.
No matter what, if you want the benefits of capsules in a tastier form, think about giving mushroom gummies a try.
As for dosage, gummies are a perfect option for microdosing mushrooms. They usually have a smaller amount of the active ingredient(s) anyway. Plus, they’re easy to find with other blends of compounds too, such as CBD or THC.
Shop Your Favorite Mushroom Products at Gold Dragon
If you’re a pro mushroom shopper or have found your way to this world of fungus for the first time, Gold Dragon has got you covered. We have a variety of edibles and balanced blends that can support your health and happiness needs.
Check out our full selection of mushrooms to find what’s new and what’s for you. If you want to learn more or need help getting started, reach out to our team for a free consultation. We’d love to help you along on your plant-based journey to wellness.
