Let’s be honest: the wellness world is saturated.
From the latest adaptogen powders to wearable tech tracking every heartbeat, there’s no shortage of options promising better sleep, more focus, balanced hormones, and boundless energy. But despite all the biohacks and supplements, many of us still feel… off.
Tired. Foggy. Bloated. Stressed. Wired but exhausted. Chronically inflamed.
So, what’s missing?
Enter functional mushrooms. Not the psychedelic kind (though we rate them too), but their humble cousins – non-psychoactive, adaptogenic mushrooms that may just be the missing link in your wellness routine.
What are functional mushrooms?
Functional mushrooms are fungi that go beyond basic nutrition. Think of them as nature’s multi-tools: not only are they rich in nutrients, but they also support specific functions in the body, like immune regulation, stress response, gut health, brain performance, and even metabolic balance.
Unlike the everyday button mushrooms in your fry-up, functional mushrooms include species like:
- Lion’s Mane
- Reishi
- Cordyceps
- Chaga
- Turkey Tail
- Maitake & Shiitake
Each one plays a different role, but collectively, they work in harmony with your body, not against it.
And that’s the beauty of this approach. Unlike pharmaceutical interventions that often override your system with brute force, functional mushrooms help regulate, not suppress, your natural biology.
Why are mushrooms having a moment?
Mushrooms have been used medicinally for thousands of years across Asia, Eastern Europe, and Indigenous cultures around the world. But only recently has modern research caught up with what traditional medicine knew all along.
Studies show that compounds in functional mushrooms, like beta-glucans, triterpenes, and polysaccharides, can:
- Modulate immune response (helpful for both autoimmune issues and low immunity)
- Support gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria
- Enhance mitochondrial function (aka cellular energy production)
- Reduce systemic inflammation (a major root cause of chronic disease)
- Improve focus, memory, and neuroplasticity
- Help the body adapt to stress (thanks to their adaptogenic properties)
This aligns with what we preach as part of the metabolic theory of health, that most chronic illnesses stem from metabolic dysfunction: inflammation, mitochondrial breakdown, poor energy production, and hormonal imbalances.
The amazing part is functional mushrooms address these at the root, not just symptom-level.
The mushrooms & metabolism connection
This part is crucial. At High & Polite, we believe health begins at the metabolic level. That’s why we advocate for lifestyle changes that improve mitochondrial health and reduce inflammation systemically.
Functional mushrooms, especially Cordyceps, Reishi, and Lion’s Mane, can have a direct impact on mitochondrial function, insulin sensitivity, and HPA axis balance (your brain-adrenal stress pathway).
For example:
- Cordyceps militaris improves VO2 max and ATP production – ideal for fatigue, workouts, and energy slumps.
- Reishi calms the nervous system and lowers cortisol, helping to protect your mitochondria from chronic stress damage.
- Lion’s Mane stimulates NGF (Nerve Growth Factor), supporting brain regeneration and focus – especially useful if brain fog is part of your picture.
Our personal experience
As individuals who have worked in natural health for over a decade, we’ve seen trends come and go. But functional mushrooms are different. They’re not a trend, they’re a foundation.
When we started incorporating them into our routine alongside cannabis, movement, light therapy, and gut-healing nutrition, things started clicking into place.
Sleep improved. Energy stabilised. Immune systems were strengthened, and that “off” feeling that lingered despite a clean diet? Gone.
We’ve also seen this transformation in many of our community members, especially those who feel let down by modern medicine and are ready to take their health into their own hands.
Because honestly? You can be your own doctor. You just need the right tools.
Not all mushrooms are created equal
Before you rush out and buy the cheapest mushroom capsules online, a word of caution.
Mushrooms are incredibly sensitive to how they’re grown, harvested, and extracted. Many cheap products contain mycelium grown on grain, not the fruiting body of the mushroom, and offer very little in terms of therapeutic value.
Look for:
- 100% fruiting body extracts
- Dual extraction (water + alcohol to get all the active compounds)
- Certified organic
- Third-party tested for heavy metals and toxins
Brands like Mushies offer high-quality UK options.
Who should use functional mushrooms?
Functional mushrooms are generally safe and well-tolerated, even for long-term use. They’re suitable for:
- People with chronic fatigue, burnout, or poor stress resilience
- Those with autoimmunity or recurring infections
- Adults dealing with brain fog or poor memory
- Women navigating perimenopause or hormonal imbalances
- People with insulin resistance, blood sugar issues, or PCOS
- Anyone on a journey of deep healing—from the gut to the brain
They’re not a silver bullet. But they can be a powerful missing link, especially when paired with other metabolic supports like whole foods, cannabinoids, morning sunlight, daily movement, and nervous system regulation.
Conclusion
Functional mushrooms are more than a wellness trend, they’re ancient medicine meeting modern science.
Whether you’re battling chronic fatigue, struggling with stress, or looking to support your brain, immune system, or metabolism, these fungi offer a gentle yet powerful way to restore balance from the inside out.
If you’re curious about how to incorporate functional mushrooms into your wellness routine, or you just want honest, science-backed guidance on natural medicine, our newsletter is where to start.
Every week, we send out:
- Real health talk (minus the BS)
- Deep dives on cannabis, mushrooms, and metabolic health
- Natural remedies backed by science and tradition
- Practical tips to become your own doctor, step by step
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