Nootropic Mushrooms vs. Psychedelic Mushrooms: What’s the Difference?
If you aren’t at a mushroom-tasting conference for culinary professionals (if there even is such a thing) and someone wants you to “try these shrooms,” you’ll be forgiven for asking whether or not you should take the afternoon off. Magic mushrooms and their main psychedelic compound, psilocybin, have a long-established reputation as substances that can really take you places. Psychedelic mushrooms aren’t the only fungi you might take for a good time, though—nootropic mushrooms are becoming well-known for their potential health benefits.
What Are Nootropics?
Before we dive into the world of nootropic mushrooms, you might be wondering: what are nootropics, anyway? The word nootropic, which can function as either an adjective or a noun, describes substances that potentially boost cognitive function in users. Nootropics range from naturally occurring substances to synthetic ones. They may be widely available over the counter or legal strictly through a prescription.
A shorthand definition for nootropics is smart drugs. Some people with medical conditions like dementia or ADHD receive prescriptions for nootropic medications. The motivation behind the use of nootropics in healthy people, however, is getting a cognitive boost. It’s less clear that this actually happens, but many users swear by it.
What Are Nootropic Mushrooms?
You might know nootropic mushrooms better as functional mushrooms or medicinal mushrooms. These kinds of mushrooms might be hard to find at grocery stores. Most health food stores, however, sell nootropic mushrooms and supplements derived from these fungi. They might not be as tasty as button or portobello mushrooms, but they are edible and can be added to a number of tasty dishes.
Common Types of Nootropic Mushrooms
We’ve highlighted a few popular kinds of nootropic mushrooms on this blog before. Six common varieties of medicinal mushrooms include:
- Amanita muscaria
- Reishi
- Turkey tail
- Lion’s mane
- Cordyceps
- Chaga
- Shiitake
Benefits of Nootropics
The benefits of nootropic supplements will depend on things like pre-existing medical conditions and the amount of nootropics you’re taking. Each of these can affect how much your cognition is boosted.
Also, certain nootropics are known for targeting specific pathways and areas of the brain. Many people report feeling energized and alert or experiencing a boost in short-term memory. Results are highly individualized, though, so the best practice is to speak with a doctor before beginning any new supplements.
What Are Psychedelic Mushrooms?
Psychedelic mushrooms are the fungi that can take you on a wild trip to euphoria, sensory alterations, and general changes in cognitive perception. Think: Grateful Dead iconography.
Shrooms, as they’re often called, often contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. Amanita muscaria mushrooms and related products contain muscimol, which is a depressant. Unlike psilocybin, muscimol does not directly affect the brain’s serotonin levels.
Regardless of the exact type of psychedelic mushroom you consume, you may experience the following effects:
- Overwhelming sense of well-being/euphoria
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Pupil dilation
- Nausea (vomiting in rare cases)
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Profuse sweating
- Headaches
Only two states have decriminalized the use of psilocybin mushrooms—Colorado and Oregon. Some municipalities in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, Washington, and Massachusetts have also decriminalized the substance, which remains a Schedule I drug at the federal level.
Types of Psychedelic Mushrooms
More than 200 species of psychedelic mushrooms exist worldwide, and at least half of those can be classified as psilocybin mushrooms. Humans have been using magic mushrooms for several thousands of years; today, we’re benefitting from a whole lot of trial and error that’s resulted in the identification of poisonous mushrooms.
A few types of magic mushrooms include:
- Psilocybe. You might be able to gather from the name that this type of magic mushroom is among the most studied and culturally lauded.
- Conocybe. Only a handful of conocybe mushrooms contain psilocybin, and many others are poisonous. Take great care when offered mushrooms belonging to this genus!
- Amanita muscaria. The hallmarks of these psychedelic mushrooms are relaxation and tranquility. Unlike psilocybin mushrooms, these fungi contain muscimol, a different psychoactive compound.
- Gymnopilus. These psychedelic mushrooms are not quite as popular as others due to their relatively bitter taste. It can also be difficult to gauge the potency of gymnopilus mushrooms.
Benefits of Psychedelic Mushrooms
Besides the hallucinogenic and euphoric effects of psychedelic mushrooms, psilocybin substances have shown promise in combating treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some individuals recovering from acute substance use disorders have self-reported success stories involving magic mushrooms.
Nootropic vs. Psychedelic Mushrooms: What’s the Difference?
The big difference between nootropic mushrooms and psychedelic mushrooms is the potential for sensory hallucinations. Nootropic mushrooms won’t provide that kind of experience for users. They are, however, more likely than psychedelic mushrooms to result in cognitive boosts and improvements in mood.
Another important distinction between nootropics and psychedelics is their legal status. The majority of nootropic mushrooms and derivative products are legal in every state, though some (mainly synthetic) nootropics require prescriptions. However, psychedelic mushrooms have been decriminalized in Colorado, Oregon, and more than a dozen cities in the U.S.
Which Mushrooms Are Right for Me?
To determine which mushrooms are right for you, you must first determine what, exactly, you want to gain from using them. Absent a prescription from a doctor, plenty of people in high-pressure careers, students, and others looking to boost brain power may want to look for supplements containing turkey tail, reishi, shiitake, cordyceps, or other common nootropic mushrooms. Certain functional mushrooms may help users improve their mood or realize a host of physical health benefits.
If you like functional nootropic mushroom gummies…
Check out these examples:
Although these Dream Dose gummies do not contain psilocybin or muscimol, they promise a profound change in your focus and mental clarity. Each pack comes with 15 gummies, and you can choose from one of four yummy flavors.
The Road Trip Day mushroom gummies contain traces of lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps mushrooms for an impactful blend of nootropics. This product may be the one you’ve been looking for to up your cognitive game and relieve stress.
If you like trippy psychedelic mushroom gummies…
We’re currently enjoying options like these:
It doesn’t contain psilocybin, but that’ll be the furthest thing from your mind as you’re whisked away to contemplate the wonders of the universe. We recommend microdosing at first and building up to a dosage that gives you the most pleasure. These gummies also contain plenty of nootropic potential for the health-conscious user!
These legal mushroom gummies can give you the closest thing to a THC high without getting you in trouble with the law. They pack a double punch of muscimol and hemp-derived Delta 9 substances.
Shop all Mushroom Products
Final Thoughts
For decades, the scientific community and curious people everywhere have been denied the chance to study and benefit from psychedelic mushrooms. Although change has been incremental, nootropic mushroom products are plentiful and available for you to try as soon as you’re ready.
As long as your expectations are properly calibrated, there’s a good chance you could experience a noticeable boost in various cognitive functions with nootropic mushrooms and derivative products. They may not provide the hallucinogenic effects of psychedelics, but we feel they’re well worth the investment. If you’d like to know more about nootropic mushrooms, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!
The word “shrooms” is generally used as an umbrella term for different types of psychedelic or “magic” mushrooms.
Unlike the mushrooms we might eat in a dish, shrooms often contain compounds that can produce psychedelic effects, like hallucinations, distorted senses, and altered states of consciousness, also known as “trips.” The most common psychoactive compound found in these sorts of shrooms is psilocybin, but not all shrooms capable of impacting the brain rely on psilocybin to do so.
Many people turn to shrooms for recreational or medicinal purposes (or both), which isn’t a new phenomenon; many types of mushrooms have been used for centuries or even longer to treat common ailments, promote spiritual exploration, and bring people closer together.
In fact, some shrooms, like fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), are so ancient that researchers have traced their origins back to the period before indigenous peoples crossed from Eurasia to the Americas via the Bering Straits. That means that shroom use has been around for almost as long as modern human society has!
Nootropic mushrooms, like lion’s mane or reishi, are primarily used to enhance cognitive functions, reduce stress, and support overall well-being. They do not induce altered states of consciousness. In contrast, psychedelic mushrooms, such as psilocybin-containing varieties and Amanita muscaria, are known for their mind-altering effects, including hallucinations and shifts in perception. Psychedelic mushrooms often have recreational or spiritual uses, while nootropic mushrooms are more focused on health benefits and mental clarity.
To ensure a safe experience with psychedelic mushrooms, it's advised to:
- Start with low doses to gauge individual tolerance.
- Avoid tripping alone by having a sober, trusted person present.
- Plan the environment to be comfortable and secure, with access to enjoyable stimuli like music or blankets.
- Source products carefully to avoid impurities or unsafe doses.
Yes, nootropic mushrooms and psychedelic mushrooms can sometimes complement each other, depending on the intended use. Nootropic mushrooms like lion’s mane may help support cognitive recovery or integration after a psychedelic experience by promoting neuroplasticity and brain health. However, it’s essential to research interactions and consult with a healthcare professional before combining them.
