Can Adaptogenic Mushrooms Help You Get Better Grades?

Studying is a skill that requires a lot of energy and focus. At the same time, we live in a world full of distractions. Sitting down to study often leads to constant text and email notifications, or the temptation to take a quick break to scroll through social media.

While this seems harmless, these quick interruptions can easily derail your entire study session. Factor in other common things college students deal with like stress, lack of sleep, and a diet based on instant noodles and energy drinks, and the environment for studying becomes far less than ideal.

Some college students experiment with “smart drugs” to help them concentrate and get better grades, but these come with their own risks.

Adaptogenic mushrooms, also called superfood mushrooms, are a natural, safer option that may help you get into study mode and improve your grades.

How Adaptogenic Mushrooms Help With Grades

Superfood mushrooms are often called “adaptogenic,” which simply means they fall under an umbrella of things from nature that are used medicinally to balance your mind and hormones in “adverse” situations.

In other words, adaptogens help you stay calm through times of stress. But don’t confuse them with hallucinogenic mushrooms, which are used for completely different reasons (and definitely won’t help you study).

Although adaptogens have recently become buzzworthy in health and wellness, they’ve actually been around for thousands of years. In fact, they’re a staple in traditional Eastern medicine.

Not all adaptogenic mushrooms are the same. Some are known for health benefits like fighting inflammation, boosting the immune system, or helping with post-workout recovery.

Here are some of the most common types and how they may benefit your next study sesh.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps mushrooms help your body adapt to stress, which means the sight of your lengthy assignment list won’t feel quite as overwhelming. Instead, you can settle in and get it done.

Some research also suggests that cordyceps could help prevent fatigue. Most studies address this benefit specifically with exercise, but it’s possible that it would help if studying tends to make you sleepy.

Reishi

Reishi mushrooms reduce stress and anxiety, and might even help you concentrate longer. They also help you get better sleep, which is a huge factor in brain function and overall health.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane may help reduce or even reverse several of the body’s responses to stress. Better stress management can help you focus, manage your to-do list, and retain what you study for the next big test.

Other types

Most adaptogenic mushrooms, including shiitake, king trumpet, and turkey tail, have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to fight inflammation and their many benefits to the immune system.

These benefits might not help you in the moment of studying, but they can help to keep your body healthy and functioning optimally even when life is busy and stressful.

Sources of Adaptogenic Mushrooms

Adaptogenic mushrooms are extremely convenient. Most people prefer to take them in a powder form that is easily mixed into almost any food or beverage.

This recovery mushroom supplement from Naked Nutrition contains all of the adaptogenic mushrooms listed above to give you the maximum focus, energy, and stress relief benefits.

It also features lemon balm extract as a bonus to further support your cognitive function that keeps you feeling sharp and helps to balance your mood.

The Dangers of Common “Smart Drugs” for College Students

It’s easy to see why “smart drugs” or “study drugs” like Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse are tempting to college students. Formulated for cognitive conditions like ADD and ADHD, these drugs keep patients focused and awake.

However, these drugs come with serious risks, especially for those without an appropriate diagnosis to take them. First, people who take them often experience symptoms of anxiety and depression during the “comedown” period after the intended benefits wear off.

These drugs are also addictive. Over time, people who abuse them may develop a tolerance that requires a higher dose or they may become addicted.

Abuse over time increases the risk for side effects such as insomnia, weight loss, headaches, depression, anxiety, increased blood pressure, and heart problems.

Adaptogenic Mushrooms: A Safe Alternative to Help You Get Better Grades

Of course, there is no magic pill or supplement to get better grades. It takes organization, commitment, and even a healthy lifestyle.

However, adaptogenic mushrooms can help you manage certain lifestyle factors like stress and sleep that may interfere with studying and performance in school.

Before you try adaptogenic mushrooms, be sure to check in with your medical provider for any possible interactions with medication, and be aware of any potential side effects. These are pretty rare, but some people report minor things like an upset stomach.

Overall, adaptogenic mushrooms are a much safer tool for college students that offer potential health benefits beyond better concentration.