Various mushroom strains have been used for both medicinal and therapeutic aids for thousands of years. Although mushroom tinctures have recently become trendy, their use dates back centuries. Adaptogenic mushrooms are known for their ability to improve brain function, energy, balance hormones, and boost the immune system. Psilocybin tinctures are now growing in popularity due to their phenomenal healing properties but are still illegal in most states. If you are new to tinctures or want to learn more, here is our complete mushroom tincture guide!
Mushrooms vs Magic Mushrooms
The difference between psychoactive mushrooms and edible mushrooms is that one contains brain-altering compounds that cause hallucinogenic effects, and the other is used for nutritional value. Mushrooms are extraordinarily versatile with over 13,000 species known. Not all species of mushrooms are edible, in fact, some are poisonous.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that in 2019, there were 5,799 mushroom poisonings, including two deaths. These cases were in fact due to accidental consumption of mushroom that was thought to be edible.
The vast majority of medicinal mushrooms consist of fungi that are high in antibiotics, protein, and fiber— such as lion’s mane, oyster, shiitake, and plenty more. Their use has been around for ages due to their staggering health benefits and is currently becoming huge in the mainstream media. With its ability to boost our immune systems, help manage blood pressure, and increase energy and stamina, there is no doubt that medicinal mushrooms are a great addition to our lives, especially folks in holistic communities.
Psilocybin tinctures are now becoming exceedingly popular with their widely-known mental health benefits. Known for its hallucinogenic effects, psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound that was originally found in Mexico, Central America, and the United States. Although psilocybin is not approved quite yet, clinical trials are underway for its potential to treat mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and substance abuse.
According to NYU Langone Health, approximately 60 to 80 percent of participants met the criteria for clinically significant antidepressant or antianxiety responses at the 4.5-year follow-up. Participants overwhelmingly—71 to 100 percent—attributed positive life changes to the psilocybin-assisted therapy experience and rated it among the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant experiences of their lives.
What Are Mushroom Tinctures?
Mushroom tinctures are an extract of various kinds of mushroom liquified into a chemical compound named ‘ethanol’, which is essentially alcohol with its own chemical formula. Tinctures are prepared by soaking the mushroom, in ethanol, in order to extract some of its most vital components. Usually, concentrations of about 20-25 percent are common for tinctures, however, some have as much as 90 percent.
The rise in mushroom tinctures has become widely favored for its nutritional values. In fact, mushrooms overflow with nourishing nutrients such as polysaccharides and proteins — reishi, being one of these extraordinary fungi, are known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-tumor properties having been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.
Mushroom tinctures do vary, all having different health benefits, uses, and techniques. If you are curious about the different extracts, here are some of their most popular.
- Double Extraction Mushroom Tincture: Known as the most commonly used tincture technique, the Double Extraction Mushroom is supposed to be soaked in alcohol (ethanol) and immediately after, hot water. Both the hot water and ethanol extract various qualities from the mushroom.
- Water-Based Mushroom Tincture: A water based tinctures means that the mushroom can be rapidly absorbed and dissolve into the body much quicker than other types of tinctures. Considering how quickly the mushroom digests in the body, the tincture can be easily dosed and have longer lasting effects.
- Alcohol-Based Mushroom Tinctures: These are the most commonly available tinctures and are great at extracting acidic and basic compounds from the mushroom. Compounds like triterpenes and sterols do not dissolve too well in water, so alcohol based tinctures allow a higher concentration of these mushrooms.
- Glycerine-Based Mushroom Tincture: Known for being alcohol free and sweet tasting, this particular tincture has been designed using a variety of different medical mushrooms promoting a healthy response to our immune systems.
Understanding Mushroom Tincture Dosages
Doses vary depending on the individual’s response to the tincture. However, it’s usually recommended to take one full dose — which is approximately 1ML — one to three times a day. Depending on which tincture is being used, the dosage can be experimented with for different reasons. For example, Reishi and Chaga help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, so it’s recommended to take this dose later in the evening. As for tinctures like cordyceps and lion’s mane, which promote high energy and focus, these are usually consumed before work, or even before a workout.
Benefits of Mushroom Tinctures
There are a vast number of benefits when it comes to mushroom tinctures. Containing an abundant amount of herbs and/or herbal combinations, tinctures are known for their high demand in promoting therapeutic and medicinal benefits — including improved cognition, brain health, anxiety and stress reduction, and even minimizing allergies. Psilocybin tinctures, on the other hand, are still being evaluated and tested in clinical trials, but are known for their ability to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, and substance abuse disorder.
Can You Make Your Own Mushroom Tincture?
Making your own mushroom tincture is not as hard as you’d think. Depending on which tincture is desired, it may vary based on the type of mushroom, or if combining various types together. Each mushroom requires a different set of processes, however, one of the main processes begins with grinding, dicing, and then soaking the mushrooms in a solvent for weeks on end. Once completed, mushrooms then get strained, and the liquid is now concentrated.
Because tinctures are now in their highest demand it may be best to learn how to make your own. The process can be both gratifying and beneficial knowing its amazing effects on your mental and physical health.
What do you think about mushroom tinctures? If you’ve tried it or have made yours, let us know what you think in the comment section below. We want to hear from you!
