Organic Cordyceps Sinensis [Mycelium] - 500 MG
Cordyceps sinensis, better known as the cordyceps mushroom, is a type of parasitic fungus that is native to various parts of Asia and which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for decades, due to the countless heath benefits that have been attributed to it.
Cordyceps sinensis is said to boost heart and brain health, cognitive function, immune function, testicle function, physical performance and brain cell growth, reduce inflammation, slow the signs of aging, and help treat conditions like arthritis, coughs, diabetes, diarrhoea, headaches, and even tumours.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of issues with the inclusion of cordyceps sinensis in the Genius Mushrooms supplement.
Not only is a little more evidence required to conclusively back up many of the claimed benefits of cordyceps sinensis, but even the people who support the use of cordyceps mushrooms say that the dosage present here is a little low to produce optimal results (1).
This means while cordyceps sinensis can potentially act as an effective means to cognitive enhancement, it is unlikely to produce great results when consumed in Genius Mushrooms.
Organic Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) [Mycelium & Fruiting Body - 500 MG
Reishi mushroom extract comes from a polypore fungus in the ganoderma family that is native to east Asia. Long used in various traditional Chinese medicines, they have recently started to be put in traditional remedies in Japan and Korea, as well as in dietary supplements in some western countries.
Reishi mushroom extract is highly touted for its claimed ability to be an immune system booster and an effective way to support brain health, while also being able to benefit the human body in a range of other ways as well. We wrote about that in more detail here, a lot of it's benefits come from a compound known as b-glucan.
The purported benefits of reishi mushroom extract include it being able to boost immune function and health, provide stress relief, improve mood, lower blood sugar levels, and either prevent conditions like metabolic syndrome and certain other chronic illnesses or combat the symptoms they can cause (2).
The problem is, while the early results look quite promising, clinical research has not yet produced any conclusive evidence to back up all of the claimed brain boosting benefits of reishi mushroom extract, especially when used in the dosage present here or when not combined with more other ingredients.
That means, despite the fact that reishi mushroom extract can offer immune system support and cognitive benefits, it is unlikely to do so in Genius Mushrooms.
Organic Lion's Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) [Mecelium & Fruiting Body] - 500 MG
The lion's mane mushroom is a tooth fungus found in Asia, Europe and North America that may be the most researched mycological species on Earth. An extremely popular cooking ingredient, due to their unique meaty taste and texture, they are often used as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes.
Lion's mane mushrooms are also widely used as a natural health remedy, due to the extensive range of health benefits that are linked to them, most of which are relate to brain function or immune support (3).
They are proven to provide memory support, boost your concentration and focus, reduce inflammation, work as a cognitive function, cognitive performance and immune system booster, prevent brain fog and cognitive decline, and improve blood flow to the brain, brain cell growth, and nerve growth factor.
The dosage of lion's mane mushroom extract present in Genius Mushrooms is also in line with what is usually seen in a top nootropic brain supplement, which means it should be able to deliver most of these immune system and brain boosting benefits to a recent degree.
Hypromellose Veggie Capsule
Hypromellose is a synthetic polymer that is used solely to make the vegetable capsule that the Genius Mushrooms powder is housed in, and it will not effect healthy adults in any other way, positive or negative (4).
Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C)
Vitamin c is an essential, water soluble vitamin that is one of the core building blocks of collagen.
It can aid the production of neurotransmitters and brain tissue, repair damage, maintain cartilage and the joints, improve joint flexibility and mobility, boost bone, muscle, and tooth strength, enhance nutrient absorption, provide immune system support, and prevent you from developing illnesses.
However, you need to consume at least 2,000 mg of vitamin c per day to see any of these effects (5). As it is in the "other ingredients" section of Genius Mushrooms with no dosage listed, it is almost certain that not enough is present to be of any use, and it is only used to boost the quality of the supplement.
Pros
Cons
References