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Genius Mushrooms Review – Nootropic Mushroom Supplement

Last Updated: August 21, 2021 No Comments – 6 min. read

genius mushrooms

Genius Mushrooms is a blend of 3 types of mushrooms that have clinical evidence for boosting immunity, cognition, energy, and physical performance. Here we’ll examine its properties and effects.

Disclosure:  Some of the links on this page are referral links. At no additional cost to you, if you choose to make a purchase after clicking through those links, I will receive a small commission. This allows me to continue producing high-quality, ad-free content on this site and pays for the occasional cup of coffee. I have first-hand experience with every product or service I recommend, and I recommend them because I genuinely believe they are useful, not because of the commission I get if you decide to purchase through my links. Read more here.

In a hurry? Here are the highlights:

  • Genius Mushrooms is a blend of 3 types of medicinal mushrooms from The Genius Brand.
  • The 3 types of mushrooms in Genius Mushrooms are Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, and Reishi.
  • The mushrooms in Genius Mushrooms have clinical evidence for boosting immunity, cognition, energy, motivation, and physical performance.
  • The mushrooms in Genius Mushrooms are analytically tested for beta-glucan content. They are guaranteed to have at least 15% beta-glucans.
  • Genius Mushrooms is organic, non-GMO, and grown in the USA.
  • Genius Mushrooms is currently only available in capsule form.
Buy Genius Mushrooms from The Genius Brand on Amazon

Contents

  • What is Genius Mushrooms?
  • Benefits of Genius Mushrooms
    • Reishi
    • Lion’s Mane
    • Cordyceps
  • About The Genius Brand, the Creators of Genius Mushrooms
  • Genius Mushrooms Review
  • Genius Mushrooms Supplement – Capsules

What is Genius Mushrooms?

Genius Mushrooms is an organic mushroom extract supplement from The Genius Brand. It is organic, non-GMO, and grown in the USA. Genius Mushrooms is comprised of the following 3 mushroom types:

  • Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
  • Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
  • Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)

Here’s the back of the packaging with the nutrition label:

genius mushrooms nutrition label

Benefits of Genius Mushrooms

In summary, Genius Mushrooms should boost immunity, cognition, and energy levels. Clinical evidence abounds for the 3 types of mushrooms in Genius Mushrooms. Let’s briefly look at each mushroom specifically.

Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is referred to as “the mushroom of immortality.” It is praised for its support of the immune system and its ability to improve sleep and reduce stress by promoting calmness via GABAergic effects​1–3​. It is a potent immunomodulator​4,5​. As with Chaga, much of the recent research on Reishi has been devoted to investigating its anti-cancer properties​6–10​.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is famous for its cognition-boosting and antidepressant properties, and is thus popular in nootropic supplement blends. It is neuroprotective, and is studied primarily for its potential efficacy for combating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s​11–19​.

Cordyceps

I discussed Cordyceps and its ergogenic effects in a post about PeakO2®. Cordyceps militaris appears to contain comparatively more bioactive compounds than its brother Cordyceps sinensis. As such, most supplements you see nowadays will contain the militaris species. In a nutshell, Cordyceps improves oxygen capacity and oxygen utilization, thereby improving cardiovascular function, increasing exercise capacity, boosting energy, and reducing fatigue. It also appears to upregulate the dopaminergic system via enhancing tyrosine hydroxylase expression​20–22​.

About The Genius Brand, the Creators of Genius Mushrooms

The Genius Brand was born out of a need for and a movement toward a more science- and research-backed approach within the supplement industry. I’m a fan of that.

the genius brand logo

The CEO of The Genius Brand, Robert Oliver, is a huge proponent of trust and transparency, and wants to exemplify that in the company’s products.

Genius Mushrooms Review

As I pointed out in the Thrive 6 review, we’re always looking for whole fruiting bodies (the real mushroom) over mycelium or myceliated grain, due to the former having a much higher beta-glucan content. Beta-glucans are the bioactive compounds responsible for all the great benefits we’re seeking.

One of the mushrooms in Genius Mushrooms (Cordyceps) is mycelium, while the other two (Lion’s Mane and Reishi) are from fruiting bodies. Still, The Genius Brand claim that each mushroom type contains at least 15% beta-glucans and no more than 5% starch (alpha-glucan). Note that this is much lower than that of Thrive 6.

Also, Genius Mushrooms doesn’t source from Nammex, the premier source for real mushrooms in North America. I actually can’t find any information on where specifically they source their mushrooms, which is ironic considering the brand is supposed to be all about transparency and honesty in labeling. I contacted them and asked about the supplier and this was their vague response:

“Our mushrooms are sourced from a private farm here in the United States!”
– Genius Brand Customer Support

Mushrooms are one supplement where I actually prefer a powder form so I can just toss it into coffee, smoothies, soup, etc. Genius Mushrooms only comes in capsule form. Sure, you can open up and empty out the capsules, but that’s an extra step.

Note that Genius Mushrooms, as the name suggests, is primarily focused on cognition, and not so much on immunity as with other mushroom supplements. Sure, you’ll get a little immunity boosting from the Reishi, but the product is mainly geared toward cognitive effects relative to other blends like Thrive 6, 5 Defenders, and Sacred 7, which are more well-rounded in their mushroom type offering. This can be a pro or a con, depending on what you’re aiming for. Genius Mushrooms also appears to be more expensive per serving than the aforementioned options.

Genius Mushrooms Supplement – Capsules

You can find the Genius Mushrooms supplement in capsule form from The Genius Brand on Amazon here.

Check Price on Amazon

References

  1. 1.
    Geng P, Siu K, Wang Z, Wu J. Antifatigue Functions and Mechanisms of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:9648496. doi:10.1155/2017/9648496
  2. 2.
    Sanodiya B, Thakur G, Baghel R, Prasad G, Bisen P. Ganoderma lucidum: a potent pharmacological macrofungus. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2009;10(8):717-742. doi:10.2174/138920109789978757
  3. 3.
    Cui X, Cui S, Zhang J, et al. Extract of Ganoderma lucidum prolongs sleep time in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;139(3):796-800. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.020
  4. 4.
    Mallard B, Leach D, Wohlmuth H, Tiralongo J. Synergistic immuno-modulatory activity in human macrophages of a medicinal mushroom formulation consisting of Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake. PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0224740. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224740
  5. 5.
    Zhao R, Chen Q, He Y. The effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on immunological function and identify its anti-tumor immunostimulatory activity based on the biological network. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):12680. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-30881-0
  6. 6.
    Zhang Q, Hu Q, Xie D, et al. Ganoderma lucidum Exerts an Anticancer Effect on Human Osteosarcoma Cells via Suppressing the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Integr Cancer Ther. 2019;18:1534735419890917. doi:10.1177/1534735419890917
  7. 7.
    Suarez-Arroyo I, Rosario-Acevedo R, Aguilar-Perez A, et al. Anti-tumor effects of Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) in inflammatory breast cancer in in vivo and in vitro models. PLoS One. 2013;8(2):e57431. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057431
  8. 8.
    Barbieri A, Quagliariello V, Del V, et al. Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ganoderma lucidum Extract Effects on Melanoma and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment. Nutrients. 2017;9(3). doi:10.3390/nu9030210
  9. 9.
    Martínez-Montemayor M, Acevedo R, Otero-Franqui E, Cubano L, Dharmawardhane S. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) inhibits cancer cell growth and expression of key molecules in inflammatory breast cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2011;63(7):1085-1094. doi:10.1080/01635581.2011.601845
  10. 10.
    Sohretoglu D, Huang S. Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides as An Anti-cancer Agent. Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2018;18(5):667-674. doi:10.2174/1871520617666171113121246
  11. 11.
    Zhang C-C, Cao C-Y, Kubo M, et al. Chemical Constituents from Hericium erinaceus Promote Neuronal Survival and Potentiate Neurite Outgrowth via the TrkA/Erk1/2 Pathway. IJMS. July 2017:1659. doi:10.3390/ijms18081659
  12. 12.
    Chiu C-H, Chyau C-C, Chen C-C, et al. Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects through Modulating BDNF/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling in Mice. IJMS. January 2018:341. doi:10.3390/ijms19020341
  13. 13.
    Tsai-Teng T, Chin-Chu C, Li-Ya L, et al. Erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelium ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease-related pathologies in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. J Biomed Sci. June 2016. doi:10.1186/s12929-016-0266-z
  14. 14.
    Ratto D, Corana F, Mannucci B, et al. Hericium erinaceus Improves Recognition Memory and Induces Hippocampal and Cerebellar Neurogenesis in Frail Mice during Aging. Nutrients. March 2019:715. doi:10.3390/nu11040715
  15. 15.
    Kushairi, Phan, Sabaratnam, David, Naidu. Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. Suppresses H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage and LPS-Induced Inflammation in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons and BV2 Microglia. Antioxidants. August 2019:261. doi:10.3390/antiox8080261
  16. 16.
    Trovato Salinaro A, Pennisi M, Di Paola R, et al. Neuroinflammation and neurohormesis in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer-linked pathologies: modulation by nutritional mushrooms. Immun Ageing. February 2018. doi:10.1186/s12979-017-0108-1
  17. 17.
    Trovato A, Siracusa R, Di Paola R, et al. Redox modulation of cellular stress response and lipoxin A4 expression by Hericium Erinaceus in rat brain: relevance to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Immun Ageing. July 2016. doi:10.1186/s12979-016-0078-8
  18. 18.
    Lai P-L, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V, et al. Neurotrophic Properties of the Lion’s Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. Int J Med Mushr. 2013:539-554. doi:10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i6.30
  19. 19.
    Zhang J, An S, Hu W, et al. The Neuroprotective Properties of Hericium erinaceus in Glutamate-Damaged Differentiated PC12 Cells and an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model. IJMS. November 2016:1810. doi:10.3390/ijms17111810
  20. 20.
    Tuli HS, Sharma AK, Sandhu SS, Kashyap D. Cordycepin: A bioactive metabolite with therapeutic potential. Life Sciences. November 2013:863-869. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2013.09.030
  21. 21.
    Song J, Wang Y, Teng M, et al. Studies on the Antifatigue Activities ofCordyceps militarisFruit Body Extract in Mouse Model. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015:1-15. doi:10.1155/2015/174616
  22. 22.
    Sapkota K, Kim S, Park Y, Choi B-S, Park S-E, Kim S-J. Enhancement of tyrosine hydroxylase expression by Cordyceps militaris. Open Life Sciences. January 2010. doi:10.2478/s11535-010-0010-8

Medical Disclaimer:  While I love diving into and extracting useful information from clinical research related to health, fitness, supplements, and more, I am in no way a medical expert. The content on this website is for informational purposes only; it is not professional medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice. None of the statements on this website have been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Read my lengthier medical disclaimer here.

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About John Williamson

Analytical and entrepreneurial-minded data nerd, usability enthusiast, armchair research scientist, health/nutrition/supplement aficionado, and Oxford comma advocate. I lead the Paid Search marketing efforts at Gild Group. I'm not a big fan of social media, but you can find me on LinkedIn and Reddit.

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