Mushrooms have been used holistically as medicine for many years, and there are various ways to prepare them. The potential health benefits of functional varieties have even led people to add them to their morning cup of coffee. If you don't want to give up your coffee, you can even buy them in the form of mushroom gummies.
Before you buy a bottle of mushroom gummies, you should know their benefits and side effects. We spoke with experts to keep you fully informed.
What are mushroom gummies?
Mushroom gummies are a supplement made with sweetener, gelling agents and flavor, as well as powdered functional mushrooms. Hallucinogenic mushrooms that induce an altered state of consciousness are also sold in gummy form but are usually illegal -- with the exception of states or cities where they have been decriminalized.
The gummies we're discussing here, however, focus on functional mushrooms. Such mushrooms are both nutritious and have promising health effects but don't induce the hallucinogenic state of consciousness of mushrooms like psilocybin.
Some of the more common nutritional mushrooms that may be included in popular mushroom gummies include:
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How do mushroom gummies work?
Like other gummy supplements, these are made using a gelling agent and dehydrated, powdered mushrooms to create a convenient and palatable option. Advanced equipment is used to preserve as much of the mushrooms' nutritional value as possible, and testing is done to determine appropriate storage and how long they'll maintain potency and flavor.
When you take a mushroom gummy according to its directions, the expectation is that you'll receive the health benefits that've been associated with the amount of the included mushrooms. This could include feeling like you have more energy, improved cognitive function, a boosted immune system or lower feelings of stress.
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