You're Not Trippin', Mushrooms are everywhere.
11/1/2023
Target presently offers over 100 books centered on mushrooms for sale. Joe Rogan frequently expresses his admiration for them on his podcast, while Gwyneth Paltrow is marketing them through the GOOP store. Wiz Khalifa has recently unveiled a new mushroom wellness brand. Fungi have made their way into our diets, skincare products, and even our coffee. They've even taken on the role of the fictional zombie-inducing antagonist in HBO's popular show, 'The Last of Us.' As Ivy Elrod pointed out in Departures, 'Mushrooms are thriving in the collective consciousness.'
What's driving this mushroom mania?
Certainly, the resurgence of psychedelic research has stoked our intrigue. However, sales of non-psychedelic mushrooms, often referred to as functional or medicinal mushrooms, have also skyrocketed. Even common mushrooms like button, shiitake, oyster, and chanterelles have witnessed a significant surge in demand. Valued at nearly $2.3 billion in 2020, experts anticipate a compound annual growth rate of 9.3% for mushrooms from now until 2030.
The worldwide increase in mushroom consumption can be attributed to a multitude of factors, yet they can all be distilled into a fundamental concern: well-being. Many consumers perceive a strong connection between mushrooms and both mental and physical health
Functional Mushrooms Wont Make you Trip, But They Are Still Medicinal.
The concept of mushrooms as contributors to health is not a recent revelation. Throughout human history, fungi have served as both sustenance and natural remedies, with a legacy dating back to prehistoric times. Traditional Chinese medicine, with its nearly 3,000-year history, notably incorporates mushrooms as a foundational element. Ancient herbalists regularly 'prescribed' mushrooms such as chaga, reishi, cordyceps, and lion's mane to address a spectrum of maladies, from common colds and infections to chronic pain and fatigue.
Modern scientific research now substantiates the beneficial properties of many compounds found in these mushrooms, affirming their potential to enhance energy levels, support brain health, aid digestion, bolster immune function, facilitate recovery, and promote longevity. Mushrooms have earned the moniker 'the ultimate superfood' due to their abundance of essential vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, as well as the presence of bioactive compounds like beta-glucans and polysaccharides, which contribute to improved immunity, digestion, stamina, and even neurological well-being.
How COVID Fueled Our Growing Love For Mushrooms
Beyond consumer choices and potential advantages for businesses, the surge of interest in fungi can also be partially attributed to an increased focus on personal health. In 2020, health took center stage for nearly everyone. The dietary supplements market experienced rapid growth, and while some dubious products were undoubtedly bought and sold, there is substantial scientific evidence demonstrating that specific mushroom varieties promote a healthy immune system:
A report published in Integrative Medicine affirms that mushrooms are well-recognized for their immune-modulating properties and suggests that they should be considered as a supplementary therapy for cancer patients. Studies indicate that Reishi mushrooms can enhance the activity of certain immune cells, including natural killer cells and T-cells. UCLA medical experts note that turkey tail mushrooms serve as non-specific immune modulators, effectively boosting immune function. Cordyceps and lion's mane mushrooms are also acknowledged for their immune-boosting attributes.
Statistics reveal that the countless individuals who initiated the use of immune supplements at the peak of the crisis have maintained this practice. Fresh Plaza, a global trade media platform for the produce industry, declared that "Mushrooms emerged as the primary beneficiaries of the pandemic.
How Mental Health Concerns Drove Sales of Mushroom Supplements
Another element of the year 2020 that influenced consumer preferences for mushrooms was the isolation and uncertainty that persisted throughout the year and beyond. This period had a detrimental effect on our collective mental health. The widespread isolation, extensive job losses, and a grim toll of over a million deaths contributed to a national mental health crisis that continues to persist. According to Pew Research, "three years later, Americans have largely resumed normal activities, but challenges with mental health persist."
In 2021, a survey revealed that two out of every five American adults reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. By 2022, 90% of surveyed U.S. adults acknowledged that the United States was grappling with a mental health crisis. In 2023, half of young adults between the ages of 18-24 reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. These sobering statistics have prompted Americans, researchers, and health organizations to reevaluate their approach to mental health. While discussions about the relationship between mushrooms and mental health have primarily focused on psychedelic varieties, it's important to recognize that mind-altering substances aren't suitable for everyone, as certain populations should avoid them.
In search of non-mind-altering solutions, some consumers are turning to non-psychoactive fungi that can positively affect their brain and mood.
A study spanning over 11 years and involving more than 24,000 American adults found that individuals who included mushrooms in their diets had reduced odds of experiencing depression. A six-year study involving 663 seniors, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, demonstrated that those who consumed two or more servings of mushrooms twice a week had a 50% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a common precursor to Alzheimer's. Research published in The International Journal of Molecular Science concluded that "pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that H. erinaceus (lion's mane) significantly alleviates depressive disorder." Certain mushroom varieties, such as lion's mane, possess the potential to positively impact the brain. It's no surprise that in a post-pandemic world, Americans are actively seeking remedies for stress, anxiety, and depression that don't necessitate a prescription.