Genius Mushrooms Review - Everything You Need To Know
July 14, 2023
Welcome to our in-depth review of Genius Mushrooms, a nootropic supplement with a simple formulation of three popular fungi: cordyceps, reishi, and lion's mane, each with its unique set of claimed benefits. Genius Mushrooms promises everything from immune support to cognitive enhancement, but does it truly live up to the hype?
Throughout this Genius Mushrooms review, we'll take a close, scientific lens to the purported virtues of Genius Mushrooms, deconstructing its formulation and uncovering the veracity behind its claims. You might be drawn in by its natural, minimalist ingredient list, but is this trio of mushrooms robust enough to compete with the wide array of well-researched, potent nootropics on the market?
We'll explain the world of 'myco-nootropics'. We'll also uncover some significant shortcomings of Genius Mushrooms as a nootropic, providing you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.
Overall Verdict
3.0 / 5 Stars
Introduction To Genius Mushrooms and The Genius Brand
Genius Mushrooms' parent company is The Genius Brand. This brand has built its reputation on crafting a broad spectrum of health-oriented products. Their repertoire spans nootropics, weight loss aids, energy boosters, and supplements designed for muscle growth and beauty enhancement. But today, our spotlight is on Genius Mushrooms, their mycological foray into the world of cognitive enhancers.
The Genius Brand prides itself on promoting wellness through scientifically-backed, high-quality ingredients. Their Genius Mushrooms supplement has cordyceps, reishi, and lion's mane mushrooms. This trio, they claim, works synergistically to deliver cognitive, immunological, and stress support.
On the surface, it all sounds rather impressive. A supplement derived from nature, promising a host of benefits without the synthetic components some of its competitors may use. But when we're talking about nootropics, it's important to delve into the evidence behind these claims. Are the dosage levels effective? Are these three mushrooms powerful enough to compete with well-studied, potent nootropics?
Benefits of Genius Mushrooms
Claimed Benefits of Genius Mushrooms
The Genius Brand claims the following:
The Genius Brand claims that their Genius Mushrooms supplement does a few different things. They say that it can help make you think more clearly, give your immune system a boost, and pep up your energy levels. According to them, the Reishi Mushroom in the mix is there to keep you healthy by supporting your immune system. Lion's Mane, they suggest, might help improve your memory, thinking skills, and even your mood. Finally, they say that Cordyceps Sinensis could help you feel more energized by making your body use oxygen better and increasing your physical endurance.
Our Experience With Genius Mushrooms
The Genius Mushroom product, on the surface, may seem enticing. It promises a range of benefits including mental clarity, increased energy, and improved immune system. However, our experience with this supplement paints a slightly different picture.
Starting with the reported mental clarity, the nootropic effects of Genius Mushrooms were disappointingly limited. The key ingredient responsible for this supposed benefit is Lion's Mane. While Lion's Mane has been associated with cognitive improvement in some studies, the effects are typically observed at much higher doses than the 500mg present in this product[1,2]. Moreover, it's important to highlight that the majority of research has been conducted on animals or patients with cognitive decline, not healthy adults[3,4]. Hence, the cognitive benefits in a normal, healthy individual might not be as pronounced or even noticeable.
As for the claim of natural energy enhancement via Cordyceps Sinensis, our experience was underwhelming. Cordyceps is often linked to increased athletic performance[5], yet, most research doesn't back up these claims[6,7]. Even if it did, the dose is again problematic: many studies, if they do show some benefits, use a dose significantly higher than 500mg[8].
Regarding immune function boost, which the company attributes to the Reishi Mushroom extract, the science is a bit hazy. Some studies do suggest that Reishi can boost immune function[9], but it is yet to be conclusively determined how these effects translate to overall health benefits in humans[10].
When we compare Genius Mushrooms to other well-established nootropics, the formulation indeed falls short. Optimal nootropics often include a variety of ingredients like vitamins, amino acids, and other compounds that work synergistically to enhance cognitive function[11]. They are also typically transparent about the dose of each ingredient, enabling users to make an informed decision based on scientific research. In contrast, Genius Mushrooms offers a simpler, less nuanced formula which, although not harmful, seems to offer only limited benefits.
Genius Mushrooms might not be the best choice if you're looking for a robust nootropic supplement. The limited effects we experienced, combined with questionable dosing and lack of variety in the formulation, underscore its shortcomings when compared to other nootropics on the market.
Research And Evidence
Potentially Misleading Claims
Genius makes a number of claims on their website and in their marketing materials. These are all annotated with asterisk's. However, the citations for these claims are conspicuous by their absence. This is either a basic oversight, or a willful intention to mislead consumers. In either case, it undermines trust and makes it impossible to determine how the company is supporting it's claims.
Ingredients
Cordyceps mushroom (500mg)
Reishi mushroom (500mg)
Lion's mane (500mg)
In assessing the efficacy of Genius Mushrooms as a nootropic supplement, it's crucial to scrutinize the ingredients and their dosages in comparison with clinically-proven levels required for tangible cognitive effects.
Firstly, let's delve into Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus). This ingredient is known for its neurohealth properties and potential to support memory, cognitive function, and mood (Li et al., 2018; Mori et al., 2009)[11]. However, in Genius Mushrooms, the provided dosage is 500mg, while clinical research often utilizes dosages around 1000-3000mg daily, suggesting the formula might fall short in maximizing the benefits of Lion's Mane (Friedman, 2015)[12].
Next is Cordyceps Sinensis, reported to enhance energy levels naturally via ATP production and aerobic capacity (Zhang et al., 2016)[13]. Yet, the 500mg dosage in Genius Mushrooms might not suffice, as studies showing significant energy boosts commonly use doses ranging from 1000-3000mg (Chen et al., 2010)[14]. Moreover, it's worth noting that cordyceps' direct impact on cognitive enhancement isn't robustly substantiated, making it less compelling as a nootropic ingredient (Suliman et al., 2016)[15].
Lastly, Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is included for its immune-boosting properties, and while beneficial for general health, its relevance to cognitive enhancement isn't well-established (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011; Lin, 2005)[16,17]. As such, its inclusion seems less pertinent in a nootropic supplement.
Perhaps more notable, however, is what the Genius Mushrooms formulation lacks. Conspicuously absent are many ingredients with strong scientific backing as nootropics. For instance, there's no inclusion of Bacopa Monnieri, known for enhancing memory and cognitive function, or L-Theanine, renowned for promoting relaxation without sedation, often in combination with caffeine for increased focus (Suliman et al., 2016)[18]. Additionally, proven nootropics like Panax Ginseng, Rhodiola Rosea, and Ginkgo Biloba are missing.
Furthermore, the formula overlooks the important role of certain vitamins and minerals in brain health, such as B-vitamins (especially B6, B9, B12) which are essential for brain health and neurotransmitter synthesis, as well as magnesium, a key mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those in the brain.
While Genius Mushrooms harnesses some potential cognitive benefits via its mushroom trio, the formulation is possibly underdosed compared to clinically effective levels, and lacks several proven nootropic ingredients. As such, those seeking a comprehensive and potent nootropic may want to consider alternatives that offer a wider range of key nootropic compounds, at dosages matching those used in successful clinical trials.
Cons
Potential Side Effects of Genius Mushrooms
The side effects you might experience with Genius Mushrooms include the following.
Main problems experienced with Genius Mushrooms
- Gastrointestinal Discomfort: Due to the fungal nature of its ingredients, Genius Mushrooms can sometimes cause gastrointestinal issues, such as bloating, diarrhea, or stomach upset. This is particularly true if you have a sensitive digestive system or are not accustomed to mushroom-based supplements[19].
- Dry Mouth and Throat: Reishi mushroom, one of the key ingredients, has been reported to cause dryness of the mouth, throat, and nasal area in some individuals[20].
- Allergic Reactions: As with any supplement, there's a risk of allergic reactions. If you have known allergies to mushrooms, you may experience reactions such as skin rash, itching, or even difficulty breathing[21].
- Blood Thinning Effect: Both Reishi and cordyceps mushrooms are known for their potential blood-thinning effects, which can lead to bleeding issues for individuals with blood disorders, or those on anticoagulant medication[22,23].
- Lower Blood Sugar Levels: Cordyceps mushroom, while known for its energy-boosting effects, can also potentially lower blood sugar levels[24]. This could cause hypoglycemia in individuals with diabetes or those on medication to control blood sugar levels.
- Insomnia and Restlessness: Despite the cognitive benefits, lion's mane may cause overstimulation in some individuals leading to insomnia or restlessness[25].
- Breathing Difficulty: In rare cases, cordyceps consumption has been associated with lung dryness and breathing difficulty, especially in those with respiratory conditions[26].
Keep in mind that while side effects are possible, they are not always the norm and vary greatly based on individual physiology and tolerance levels.
Best Alternative to Genius Mushrooms
NooCube stands out as a superior nootropic due to its thoughtfully crafted formulation.
NooCube
4.9 / 5
Unlike Genius Mushrooms, NooCube utilizes a rich diversity of scientifically backed ingredients like Bacopa Monnieri for enhanced cognition [27], and L-theanine for its well-documented calming effects that can support focus [28]. Alpha GPC, also present in NooCube, is shown to enhance memory and cognitive function [29].
It also transparently discloses the quantities of each ingredient, ensuring that users receive clinically effective dosages. In comparison to the basic formulation of Genius Mushrooms, NooCube offers a comprehensive, well-rounded nootropic solution.
Conclusion
In our experience, Genius Mushrooms falls short in several key areas crucial for nootropics to be effective. While Genius Mushrooms contains three types of mushrooms known for their health benefits, their quantities are on the lower end of the scale when compared with the clinically proven levels required for cognitive enhancement[30,31]. This, coupled with the potential side effects and the limited cognitive enhancement observed, raises questions about the product's overall efficacy as a nootropic.
The Genius Brand, the parent company, markets a wide range of supplements, but their approach is broad rather than targeted - they aren't nootropic experts and it shows somewhat in their offering. There's a lack of scientific backing for their claims, which further undermines the credibility of Genius Mushrooms.
By way of contrast, a real nootropic like NooCube makes scientifically sound claims that are backed by a plethora of research. This ensures a better understanding of what you're ingesting and a greater likelihood of achieving the desired cognitive enhancement. For those seeking an effective nootropic supplement, NooCube stands as a promising, trustworthy option, while Genius Mushrooms may not fully live up to its claims or potential.
FAQs
Many nootropic ingredients and formulations have been shown to improve attention, memory, and learning, while others may promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety. For example, caffeine is a commonly used nootropic that can increase alertness and reduce fatigue, while L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves, has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Nootropics that contain natural ingredients and have undergone clinical testing are generally considered safe when used properly. It is important to follow recommended dosages and to avoid taking more than the recommended amount. It's also worth being aware of any potential side effects and if necessary consult with your doctor if you have any underlying medical conditions.
When taking a nootropic supplement, you should expect to experience some improvement in cognitive function, such as enhanced memory, concentration, and mental clarity. The effects of a nootropic will vary depending on the specific ingredients and dosage of the supplement, as well as individual factors such as age, overall health, and your lifestyle.
Popular nootropic supplements include NooCube, Mind Lab Pro, and Vyvamind. NooCube contains a blend of ingredients that may improve memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. Mind Lab Pro is designed to support brain health and cognitive performance through a variety of ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds. Vyvamind is a premium nootropic supplement that focuses almost exlcusively on cognitive function and mental performance. Read DBEM's guide to nootropics to see how the leading nootropic brands compare.
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