Why Mycelium Matters...

Mushroom mycelium is the complex network of the fungal organism that colonizes the soil beneath our feet. Think of mycelium as the root or plant while the mushroom itself is the fruit. Mycelium is the longest living and most resilient part of the mushroom's life cycle and essentially acts as the fungus's immune system.

Fungi Facts:

Mycelium is essentially nature's internet and the immune system of the underground. It connects plants and allows them to communicate and even share nutrients through its web-like filaments.

Most plants in the world have a symbiotic relationship with mycelium as they depend on each other for survival. Plant roots use mycelium as protectors against bacteria and other pathogens while mycelium is able to absorb sugars from the plant's roots. Without mycelium, it is safe to say we would have no plants or life on Earth.

Mushroom mycelium is incredibly bioactive and has profound immunomodulatory benefits. Mycelium contains numerous compounds that support everything from cognitive function, stamina, immune response, detoxification, gut health, and much more. In fact,

The belief that fruit bodies are the only beneficial component of mushrooms is an older theory that the mycology community is disproving.

Mushroom fruits provide numerous health boosting and immunomodulatory benefits. However, so do the mycelium, spores, extra-cellular metabolites that the mushroom mycelium secretes during colonization.

Studies show that there are many beneficial compounds found in mushroom mycelium that are not found in the fruits and vice versa.

For example, Erinacines are chemicals found in Lion’s Mane mushrooms that support brain health and fight degenerative diseases like Dementia and Alzheimer's. Erinacines are found in high concentrations in the mycelium of Lion's Mane but not in the fruit bodies themselves[1].

On the other hand, there are chemicals found in the mushroom fruits that are not found in high concentrations in the mycelium. We take a holistic approach to mushroom nutrition and include all compounds that are found in the different life stages of the organism for optimal health benefits.

All of our products are developed and rigorously tested in house and again at third party labs to ensure we are maximizing the active compounds from the different components of each mushroom.

So long story short, there is not one life-cycle stage that is better than the other. They all work synergistically together and ideally, should all be included in an end product.

Discussion of genetics and test results

Well, it really comes down to propoganda. Unfortunately, over 80% of global medicinal mushrooms are grown at a lower quality standard in China and sold for quite cheap into the US. If your product doesn't say US grown, it is likely from China.  

Chinese producers and exporters into the US