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How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects of a Mushroom Supplement?

With more people turning to natural remedies, mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular in the wellness space. For thousands of years, functional mushrooms have provided nutritional and medicinal support in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Now, the western world has taken note of the incredible value of these mushrooms.

From supporting immune health and reducing stress to increasing energy, boosting focus, and more, functional mushrooms have enormous potential for health and wellness. Since consuming these mushrooms in their raw, natural form is not convenient or particularly tasty, mushroom supplements have become the go-to product.

But how long does it take to feel the effects of mushroom supplements? Mushrooms are not like Xanax or other similar medications; you should not be expecting immediate results. It can take time to feel the full effects of mushroom supplements.

What Are Mushroom Supplements?

Different from culinary and psychedelic “magic” mushrooms, functional mushrooms are those loaded with therapeutic properties. 

There are an estimated 2,000 species thought to be edible or medicinal; 15 are recognized as having functional benefits. Beyond their nutritional value, these mushrooms provide specific health benefits, such as reducing stress levels and improving cognitive function.

Also known as medicinal mushrooms, they have a high density of polysaccharides compared to other mushrooms, contributing to their therapeutic effects. While some functional mushrooms are edible in their natural form, most are processed into mushroom supplements.

The most popular types of mushroom supplements include powders and capsules. However, you can also find gummies, tinctures, and teas infused with mushroom extracts.

Different mushroom species provide different effects. For instance, turkey tail supports a healthy immune response, while reishi induces relaxation, and cordyceps increase energy levels. Therefore, users must choose a mushroom supplement based on their needs.

When Will You Feel the Effects of Mushroom Supplements?

It’s important to recognize that mushroom supplements aren’t miracle pills that can improve your health instantly. Much like vitamins and other herbal supplements, functional mushrooms need time to build up in your system and get to work.

Forgetting your daily dose of mushroom extract won’t cause any serious problems, but inconsistency will impact how well the mushrooms work. Taking mushroom supplements consistently can help provide the body with a constant supply of beneficial compounds. 

Once you start using mushroom supplements, it takes time for your body to adjust to the new product. Typically, it is a couple of weeks before users start seeing noticeable results. So don’t get discouraged and stop using a mushroom supplement if you feel like it isn’t working. 

Mushroom supplements are designed to be taken daily to form part of your wellness routine. If you’re still not convinced of the effects after one month, stop using the mushroom supplement and see how you feel after a week.

Like antidepressants, most people don’t realize how effective mushroom supplements are until they stop taking them. 

Other Things to Consider with Mushroom Supplements

There are a few factors to consider when determining how long it takes to feel the effects of mushroom supplements.

Although it typically takes time to notice the effects, the brand and quality of the supplement also determine its efficacy. There are many cheap, inferior mushroom supplements on the market, and when it comes to your health, you get what you pay for.

Always buy your mushroom supplements from trustworthy and reputable brands that provide high-quality products to get the most out of your mushroom experience. 

It’s also worth considering the specific type of mushroom species since the effects of some may be more noticeable than others. For instance, lion’s mane is touted for promoting mental clarity, focus, and alertness – effects that should be quite noticeable to users. On the contrary, a chaga mushroom supplement has more subtle effects that aren’t so apparent to users.

In general, mushroom supplements are excellent for supporting general health and wellness, and, therefore, the effects aren’t very noticeable. Furthermore, everyone is different and is likely to have a different experience with mushrooms.

Final Thoughts

Many things impact how users respond to functional mushrooms. Often, the effects may be subtle and build up over time, so users shouldn’t expect immediate results.

Typically, it takes at least a couple of weeks before users experience any noticeable effects. Still, though, these effects may be subtle, and you may only realize just how effective mushroom supplements are when you stop using them.



Jeff Campbell