Hi Gena, my cousin’s daughter started Ryze and Elisabeth loves it. Now on social media i see there’s a lot of sniping about which product is best, and “don’t be fooled” warnings about copycat knockoffs using the same name. With all the competition, it’s clear this was a market waiting to be addressed. Me, I still like coffee.
Thank you Gena! This was a pleasure to read. I’ve no doubt you’ll get some crap for it, but I for one not only agree with you but would go way further. The supplement industry is the most odious branch of the wellness industry. (Except for RFK Jr.)
I have become very attuned to sniffing out quackery and snake oils, so many of the claims of mushroom medicine proponents make my internal alarms ring. Not that there aren't helpful compounds to be found in mushrooms, on the contrary, but as you say this field of study is relatively young and I think everything that is popular in influencer marketing, has to be regarded very carefully. Some people are ruthlessly preying on people who are (rightfully so) doubting that the pharma industries top goal is always helping people.
Nothing says ‘evidence-based’ like: pharmaceutical grade …with an FDA disclaimer on the back.
Really appreciated the nuance on anecdote: useful as a flashlight, not a verdict. What would you want to see in an ideal RCT design for something like Lion’s Mane, what outcome measure would actually convince you?
That’s a good question. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a definitive answer. Let’s look at Lion’s Mane. Are fresh hericenones more active than dried? Doesn’t seem so. Mycelium verses fruit bodies? One, the other, or both may be present in a powder. Dried product is probably more efficient to consume. I mean, a typical dry to fresh ratio is 1:10. In general, I tend to think incorporating fresh mushrooms into our diet is a good idea for all of us. They’re low fat and keep your gut microbes happy. And supplements? If you are looking to address a measurable deficiency of some sort, a processed product may be easier to dose. Someday there may be a drug derived from Lion’s Mane that reliably and demonstrably causes nerve growth. But today, I don’t think you can know if it was the lion’s mane or something else in your life that helped you heal, like the passage of time, or maybe a combination of things. But regardless of how it came about, it’s wonderful to learn you are on the mend.
Hi Gena, my cousin’s daughter started Ryze and Elisabeth loves it. Now on social media i see there’s a lot of sniping about which product is best, and “don’t be fooled” warnings about copycat knockoffs using the same name. With all the competition, it’s clear this was a market waiting to be addressed. Me, I still like coffee.
As someone who used to work in the industry, this is a great tour through it. Thank you!
Thank you Gena! This was a pleasure to read. I’ve no doubt you’ll get some crap for it, but I for one not only agree with you but would go way further. The supplement industry is the most odious branch of the wellness industry. (Except for RFK Jr.)
thanks for the real LOL
Wow Gena! Learned a lot! Now to think of application…
I have become very attuned to sniffing out quackery and snake oils, so many of the claims of mushroom medicine proponents make my internal alarms ring. Not that there aren't helpful compounds to be found in mushrooms, on the contrary, but as you say this field of study is relatively young and I think everything that is popular in influencer marketing, has to be regarded very carefully. Some people are ruthlessly preying on people who are (rightfully so) doubting that the pharma industries top goal is always helping people.
Nothing says ‘evidence-based’ like: pharmaceutical grade …with an FDA disclaimer on the back.
Really appreciated the nuance on anecdote: useful as a flashlight, not a verdict. What would you want to see in an ideal RCT design for something like Lion’s Mane, what outcome measure would actually convince you?
What do you think about consuming mushrooms in their more processed form versus whole? I know its an issue with other supplements.
Lions mane in a powdered mix helped me with a long term brain injury for what its worth.
That’s a good question. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a definitive answer. Let’s look at Lion’s Mane. Are fresh hericenones more active than dried? Doesn’t seem so. Mycelium verses fruit bodies? One, the other, or both may be present in a powder. Dried product is probably more efficient to consume. I mean, a typical dry to fresh ratio is 1:10. In general, I tend to think incorporating fresh mushrooms into our diet is a good idea for all of us. They’re low fat and keep your gut microbes happy. And supplements? If you are looking to address a measurable deficiency of some sort, a processed product may be easier to dose. Someday there may be a drug derived from Lion’s Mane that reliably and demonstrably causes nerve growth. But today, I don’t think you can know if it was the lion’s mane or something else in your life that helped you heal, like the passage of time, or maybe a combination of things. But regardless of how it came about, it’s wonderful to learn you are on the mend.
Thanks for an article I can pass along to friends who seem way too certain about their nutriceuticals.