Turkey tail mushrooms, often regarded as one of the best functional mushrooms for boosting the immune system, get their name from their colourful and frilly appearance that closely resembles a turkey's tail. They are most commonly used in powdered extracts and refined supplements, but are they safe to eat cooked or raw? » Find the perfect mushroom blend for your condition - take free quiz Can You Eat Turkey Tail Mushrooms Raw? Most functional mushroom species are safe to eat and pose a low risk of side effects, though this risk is elevated when the mushrooms are consumed raw. Though Turkey Tail mushrooms are not poisonous, consuming them raw increases your risk of the following side effects: HeartburnCold and flu symptomsConstipation and stomach painRashDiarrhea Despite these risks, it needs to be stated that existing research on the topic has noted an extremely low risk of side effects even at outrageously high doses. The good news is that, due to their unpleasant taste and woody texture, most Turkey Tail products are far safer than eating raw wild Turkey Tail, often taking the form of tinctures or powdered extracts. Risks of False Turkey Tail False Turkey Tail is another type of fungus that is almost identical in appearance. However, the benefits of Turkey Tail mushrooms do not seem to be present in False Turkey Tail, but that doesn't stop people from scavenging for wild Turkey Tail and unknowingly consuming the wrong kind. Thankfully, the risks of consuming False Turkey Tail are about the same as the real kind, so you should be alright if you make the mistake. The only real risk—aside from those present when consuming raw mushrooms—is that you'll have to put up with the unpleasant taste and texture of False Turkey Tail and not receive many benefits for your troubles.

Asked 8 months ago

Indica vs. Sativa: Which Is Better for Sleep?

Indica and sativa are two of three primary strains in the cannabis plant, with the third being a hybrid of the two. There are many differences between them, but the most commonly understood are: Appearance Sativa commonly grows very tall and has long, thin leaves, while indica plants are much shorter and bushier with thicker leaves. Effect Cannabis sativa generally causes an energizing and hyper "head high" due to the higher THC content, while indica causes a full-body sedative effect due to the higher CBD content. As such, indica plants are generally understood to be the best strain for sleep. It also needs to be understood that this isn't an exact science as everyone reacts differently. Sativa can very well put some people to sleep just as indica might wake others up. A lot of it comes down to personal physiology. Though these differences specifically apply to cannabis buds, how do they relate to CBD products? » Find the perfect CBD remedy for your condition - take free quiz Do Indica and Sativa Relate to CBD Products? In short, no. The difference in effect between indica and sativa strains is understood to be due to the different concentrations of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. The content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the "high" associated with marijuana, can vary from around 0.3% of the raw plant to around 25%, where higher concentrations typically denote sativa plants and lower ones denote indica plants. The reason that this doesn't apply to refined CBD products is that legally, all CBD products in the UK must be extracted from cannabis Sativa L. plants that contain 0.3% THC or less. If CBD products could be identified as a strain, they would all be indica. Can CBD Benefit Sleep? Indica strains are chosen over sativa strains when individuals look for a calming and sedative effect that could aid with relaxation, stress, and sleep issues. Seeing as these effects come from the elevated CBD content, it stands to reason that CBD can benefit sleep, and there is supporting evidence to back up this claim. For more info, read CBD and Functional Mushrooms for Sleep: Benefits, Side Effects, Usage, and More.

Asked 8 months ago

Can You Drink Too Much Chaga Tea?

Chaga—also known by the colloquial name of "black mass"—is a type of functional fungus commonly brewed into a tea or dissolved into a cup of coffee. Chaga has many health benefits, but are there any risks associated with drinking too much Chaga tea, and how much is too much? » Find the perfect mushroom blend for your condition - take free quiz How Much Chaga Tea Should You Drink Per Day? Although there are no recommended guidelines for the optimal dose of Chaga mushrooms per day, most people start by adding a scoop of powdered Chaga mushroom to their morning cup of coffee or brewing a pot of tea with fresh or dried Chaga. Consuming Chaga in this way won't have as much bioavailability as consuming tinctures sublingually, but it can be an easy addition to your routine. That being said, even drinking 2-3 cups of Chaga tea a day should be safe as the risk of side effects is reportedly low. Most studies use doses of less than 5g/day, which is pretty difficult to exceed when consumed in tea form. Risks of Drinking Too Much Chaga Tea Unlike other functional mushrooms, studies have found Chaga to contain higher levels of oxalates than other functional mushroom species, which is a potentially harmful derivative of oxalic acid that increases your risk of: GoutKidney stonesChronic kidney disease (in extreme cases) It needs to be stated that these side effects are rare when regular amounts of Chaga tea are consumed daily. Essentially, if you consume too much of any one substance, Chaga tea included, you are at risk for various health conditions. Some other side effects of overconsumption of mushrooms in general include: NauseaVomitingUpset stomach To stay on the safe side, limit yourself to one or two cups of Chaga tea per day and monitor yourself closely for side effects.

Asked 8 months ago

Can CBD Oil Cause Insomnia and Why?

Non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) is growing in popularity as a potential treatment for many physical and mental conditions. It is often touted as an effective remedy for insomnia and other sleep issues, but some claim CBD caused their insomnia. Is there any truth to this? Can CBD oil cause insomnia, and why? How CBD Affects Sleep CBD interacts with certain receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is believed to modulate various other systems responsible for different physiological functions. Research shows that CBD can be an effective natural sleep aid with a notably low risk of side effects. Additional research found that CBD had no negative effects on healthy individuals' sleep cycles and habits but improved the total sleep time and reduced the degree of wakefulness in subjects with insomnia. As for the indirect way that CBD can help insomnia, it is also regarded as an effective way to relieve stress and anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep. How Much CBD Is Bad for Insomnia? Even though CBD is well-tolerated by most people, it is not necessarily absent of all risk. The toxic dosage of CBD (which might not even be lethal) is around 20,000mg, whereas a regular dose could be anywhere from 2mg-30mg. That being said, CBD is biphasic, meaning that different doses can have opposite effects. For example, alcohol is a biphasic substance. At low to moderate doses, the effects of alcohol are usually self-perceived as positive: confidence, physical activity, and stimulation. However, once you cross over the peak dosage, you reach the point of diminishing returns, where any more alcohol consumed further worsens the adverse effects: sluggishness, desensitisation to external stimuli, etc. CBD operates under the same mechanism, meaning that as you reach your optimal dosage, you are likely to experience positive effects that reduce the intensity of your symptoms (anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc.). Like alcohol, taking too much CBD before bed could either bring back the symptoms of insomnia or trigger new ones. Is It Okay to Take CBD Oil Every Night? For most people, CBD is safe enough to take every day to modulate unbalanced physiological functions. For maximum safety, ensure you check with your doctor before implementing new substances into your life and always purchase from reputable sources backed by science. At Cannabotech, we have an expert team of doctors and professors that have spent ten years developing our M2CBD formula that combines the therapeutic effects of CBD with the curative powers of functional mushrooms and other components. For powerful products designed to aid various physical and mental conditions, take a look at our online store.

Asked 8 months ago

Do Reishi Mushrooms Help With Adrenal Fatigue?

Your adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones that are functional to healthy living. Although the term "adrenal fatigue" is not an accepted term to be diagnosed with, it can help describe the possible situation that some experience called "adrenal insufficiency." It's important to understand that the theory behind adrenal fatigue is not proven as subtle changes in the capabilities of the adrenal glands are not so easy to be picked up by blood tests. Essentially, the theory suggests that repeated exposure to stress causes elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can reduce the adrenal gland's capabilities. This causes cortisol levels to be lower than is necessary for normal bodily function, resulting in symptoms such as: FatigueInsomniaDepression and anxietyOveruse of caffeine and other stimulantsPoor stress responseBrain fog How Can Reishi Mushrooms Affect Cortisol? Reishi mushrooms, and many other functional mushrooms, are referred to as adaptogenic, which means that they can help the body deal with stress responses. In fact, research has shown that adaptogens can help with adrenal fatigue in a number of ways: Adaptogens can increase the effectiveness of adrenal gland secretion, which can prevent excess cortisol production.Adaptogens can increase the rate at which cortisol is broken down into inactive compounds.Adaptogens can "increase cellular energy levels and prevent oxidative damages, leading to the maintenance of normal adrenal function." A Final Thought Functional mushrooms are often revered for their benefits to the immune system, but as more research is being carried out, scientists are finding more and more benefits. Even though the term "adrenal fatigue" is a controversial diagnosis without much proof behind the theory, the symptoms that can manifest due to excessive stress are very real. It appears that the adaptogenic capabilities of Reishi and other functional mushrooms can be very beneficial in dealing with the symptoms associated with depleted adrenal functioning, as well as in the prevention of these symptoms.

Asked 8 months ago