Adapting to Mushroom Gummies

What are Adaptogenic Mushrooms?

When the major cannabis rush came to a close, many were wondering “what’s next?” Adaptogenic mushrooms quickly became the new focus, with hard-to-ignore health benefits & the potential to heal chronic ailments. Thanks to the adaptogen craze in 2020, products containing adaptogenic mushrooms, like Reishi & Lions Mane, are much easier to find. 

But what exactly is an adaptogen? Think of it as a treatment that will adapt to your body’s specific needs. Unlike a drug like Advil, which enters your bloodstream and serves one set of functions, adaptogens serve multiple functions & will adjust to your specific ailment. Mushrooms are low-calorie, and fat-free, making their nutritional benefits even better. Because research is still developing, companies aren’t allowed to list health claims on packaging for these products. 

Most of the research that has been conducted has been done in labs on animals or in Petri dishes. Johns Hopkins Medicine launched a center for psychedelic research in 2019. This is one of the first institutes established that could further the research & development of mushroom products in humans. This institute has targeted its research on psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug compound and its psychoactive effects of it on opioid addiction, Alzheimer’s, PTSD, Lyme disease, and alcohol abuse in people with severe depression. Oregon legalized psychedelics for therapeutic use, which has increased interest in furthering the research of psychoactive substances in humans for a wide variety of ailments. Many people that missed the cannabis boom, are definitely looking to get ahead of the curve of this trend.

Since 2020, the adaptogenic mushroom industry as a whole has grown 200%-500%. It is currently a $23 billion industry that is projected to grow 5-7% in the next couple of years. That’s $1.3 billion of potential growth as more companies create mushroom-based products. The market already has a variety of supplements, powders, and beverages. Adaptogenic mushroom gummies are one product that is still on the rise, making now the perfect time to enter the market.

Here is a look at some of the industry’s most popular fungi species:

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane is a species of mushrooms that grows on the trunks of dead hardwood trees, like oak. It has deep historical roots in East Asian medicine, as it provides various health benefits. Lion’s mane has been used to help with Alzheimer's, dementia, anxiety, depression, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons’, and stomach problems. As we mentioned above, a mushroom-like Lion’s Mane is adaptogenic. Someone with depression could consume Lion’s Mane, and it would adapt to help their symptoms, but someone with Alzheimer's could take it & it would adapt to aid with a completely different set of symptoms. It can cause some stomach discomfort when taken orally but doesn’t have any other known side effects.

Reishi

Reishi is a bitter-tasting fungus that is popular in Eastern Medicine. It has proven to be effective in reducing cancer cells and tumor sizes. It has also aided in Alzheimer’s & diabetes treatments. There have been concerns over the side effects Reishi can cause, but studies show the impact to be relatively mild. The dosage for this mushroom can change depending on the form you take. Powders can have a different effect than a tincture or gummy, so it’s best to consult a doctor before consuming.

Chaga

Chaga grows on birch trees throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Upon first glance, it looks a lot like a dark clump of dirt. It’s distinguishable by an orange tissue that grows around its perimeter. This mushroom is incredibly nutrient-dense, with essential vitamins like b-complex, copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium. Because of its high antioxidant content, it can aid in slowing the aging process & fighting other forms of oxidative stress. Studies have been done on rats that prove Chaga’s efficacy in slowing the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer tumors. 

Promising studies surrounding the reduction of oxidative stress prove that Chaga can aid in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and fighting inflammation that can cause arthritis. It is a promising treatment alternative that could reduce the need for drugs with disruptive side effects.

Chaga is available as a supplement & in herbal teas. You should consult a doctor for dosage information, as different forms (powder, supplement, beverage, etc.) have different potencies. It can cause allergic reactions for some and potential loss of consciousness due to changes in breathing & heart rate. 

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a fungus that grows on larvae of various insects. The fungus attacks the host & replaces the insect’s cells with its own. It sprouts a long, slender stem that grows outside of the host.  While it is one of the more exciting origins for a mushroom, it has been known to pack a big punch. It improves immunity & aids in the shrinkage of cancer cells & cancerous tumors. It can also aid in exercise performance, anti-aging, and cardiovascular health. It isn’t easy to source and can be expensive. It’s safe to consume 3-6 grams daily for up to a year. It can cause stomach discomfort & constipation, but side effects are reported to be mild.

Countering Dark Color of Adaptogenic Mushrooms

Adaptogenic mushrooms come with an unpleasant color. Extracts come in a range of brown colors, most are dark & hard to counteract. When it comes to countering the unpleasant coloring, our formulation experts turn to the color wheel to find the opposing color. Adaptogenic gummies can only be produced in certain colors. Purple, dark blue, orange, and green is the easiest colors to mix with mushroom extracts.

Overcoming Pungent Taste

Adaptogenic mushrooms also come with a pungent taste. While unpleasant, it isn’t impossible to mask. Endose has a massive library of flavor blockers and masking agents. This library, tied with extensive experience in flavor blocking, makes it easy for our formulation team to create delicious adaptogenic gummies. 

High Payloads

The potency of mushrooms is dependent on their form. Powdered mushrooms tend to be less potent than concentrated extracts, which come in liquid form. Hot water extracts are an easy way to produce concentrated mushrooms. Traditionally used in Chinese Medicine, you boil the mushrooms in a combination of alcohol & water to extract medicinal compounds. Alcohol is used to extract elements of the mushroom that are not water-soluble. An extract like this allows for smooth & even textures in mushroom gummy products. Gummies could turn out with a grainy texture if you opt to use a powder over an extract.

Creating Your Adaptogenic Gummies

As the adaptogenic industry has boomed, we have adapted our formulation skills to create quality formulas for adaptogenic mushroom gummies. Struggling to achieve a clean flavor? Can’t get a smooth chewy consistency? Endose has the solution to create a sweet treat delivery system for taking adaptogenic mushrooms.

Ready to create your own formula?

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