As we transition into the slower autumn months, nature invites us to prioritize a little extra care as we prepare for the rest called in by winter. Discover our favourite mushrooms to help support a resilient and regulated nervous system.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your health care practitioner before adding any new herbs to your wellness routine.
How Does the Nervous System Work?
Think of the nervous system as the communication hub in your body. In very simple terms, it receives information from the senses, processes it, and then tells your body how to respond. When the nervous system is out of whack, it can cause muscle tightness, shallow breathing, increased heart rate, racing thoughts, a quick temper, and even poor memory. If these symptoms become chronic, they can lead to sleep disturbances, immune disfunction, and inflammation, which can cause a snowball effect to much bigger health issues.
How Do You Regulate Your Nervous System?
Keeping your nervous system regulated can feel challenging in our fast-paced world. Take a look at your lifestyle and consider where you can start to incorporate authentic expression, creative activities, joyful movement, socializing with loved ones, and nourishing foods. Adding functional mushrooms to your wellness routine is just one building block that can support a regulated nervous system.
Reishi: For Grounded Resilience
Reishi is a nerve tonic and adaptogen that helps us adapt to the stressors in our lives. When the body is emotionally and mentally taxed, it releases cortisol (a.k.a. the stress hormone) to cushion the impact of stress. Reishi can regulate cortisol levels, creating a more balanced nervous system (1). The polysaccharides in this functional mushroom are also shown to be protective against nervous system diseases due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects (2).
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Lion’s Mane: For Mental Well-Being & Neuron Health
Research shows that Lion’s Mane can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression while improving sleep quality (3). This functional mushroom is also known for its ability to support nerve regeneration. It can stimulate the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor, which is a protein that promotes growth and maintenance of sensory neurons (4). Healthy neurons allow for strong communication pathways throughout the nervous system, and a more efficient stress response.
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Turkey Tail: For Optimal Mind-Gut Connection
Did you know that the gut contains upwards of 600 million neurons? Digestive disturbances can play a significant role in nervous system wellness. The polysaccharides in Turkey Tail, such as polysaccharopeptide (PSP) can calm down gut inflammation and support a healthy ecosystem for quality bacterial communities to thrive in (5). Research has shown that the fermentation of PSP by gut bacteria increases levels of beneficial bacteria – such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp. – all while reducing undesirable bacteria (6). This can pave the way for a healthy gut, and a healthy nervous system.
Click here to shop our Turkey Tail Mushroom Capsules.
