September 3, 2025

By Sam Dahan, Founder, Mushroom Plenty

 

The Flattened World of Food—and the Rise of Mushrooms

The internet flattened the world, turning local into global almost overnight. Knowledge, once bound by borders, became limitless. Food followed. What was once seasonal or regional berries, oils, spices, herbs, even vitamins-is now accessible year-round in supermarkets from Milwaukee to Mumbai.

Yet, amidst this global pantry, mushrooms stand apart. They are not just commodities on a shelf; they are organisms that transform matter, shape ecosystems, and-most remarkably-interact with the human body in ways both measurable and mysterious.

For millennia, cultures across the world have eaten, brewed, and revered mushrooms for nourishment, ritual, and healing. In recent decades, science has joined tradition, elevating mushrooms from folklore to the focus of clinical trials. They now sit at the nexus of food and medicine, viewed simultaneously as adaptogens, nutraceuticals, and potential therapeutic allies.

Beyond the Supplement Aisle: The Adaptogenic Reality

Unlike single-target drugs, medicinal mushrooms do not lock onto a single receptor with predictable precision. They act adaptogenically-across multiple systems at once. The immune, endocrine, nervous, and metabolic networks all come into play.

This adaptogenic behavior helps explain why questions like “What’s the right dose?” or “Which mushroom is best?” have no universal answer. The answer depends on you: your physiology, your microbiome, your stress levels, your genes.

Mushrooms contain diverse bioactive compounds β-glucans, triterpenes, polysaccharides, phenolics, and more that do not simply impose effects.

They interact. They meet your body where it is, modulating rather than commanding. That is the essence of their individuality

The Journey of a Compound in the Human Body

When mushroom compounds enter the body, they embark on a well-mapped but highly individual journey described by pharmacologists as ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion.

Absorption Most mushroom compounds are consumed orally. Once ingested, they travel through the digestive tract, facing acidic stomach pH, neutral intestines, and the work of enzymes and bile salts. The microbiome often plays a decisive role: β-glucans, for example, are metabolized by gut microbes into bioactive fragments that interact with immune cells.

Distribution Compounds absorbed through the intestines first pass through the liver a checkpoint that can metabolize and reduce the amount entering systemic circulation (the “first-pass effect”). Those that make it through travel via blood to different tissues, guided by solubility, protein binding, and tissue affinity.

Metabolism The body then modifies these compounds, mainly in the liver. Phase I metabolism oxidizes or hydrolyzes them into more reactive molecules, while Phase II conjugation makes them more water-soluble for excretion. Depending on the compound, this can mean inactivation, bioactivation, or in rare cases toxicity.

Excretion Finally, the body clears compounds via urine (water-soluble), bile/feces (fat-soluble), or lesser routes like sweat and breath. Their persistence is measured by half-life: the time required for the concentration in plasma to fall by half.

Pharmacodynamics in Parallel While ADME explains the journey, pharmacodynamics describes the impact: β-glucans binding to dectin-1 receptors on immune cells, Reishi triterpenes modulating NF-κB pathways, or Lion’s Mane erinacines stimulating NGF production.

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Why Two People Don’t Respond the Same

• Genetics – Variations in enzymes and receptors shape bioavailability.
• Microbiome – Your microbial population determines how polysaccharides are broken down.
• Lifestyle – Sleep, stress, diet, and exercise alter responsiveness.
• Preparation – Fresh, dried, hot-water, or dual extracts each deliver different compound profiles.

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From Lab to Life

Both clinical research and traditional practice point in similar directions: immune regulation, cognitive support, metabolic balance, and stress adaptation. But what emerges is not uniformity it is variability.

Some lessons hold across studies and cultures:

• Consistency beats megadose benefits accrue gradually, not overnight.
• Blends outperform isolates whole mushroom powders provide fiber and prebiotics, while extracts concentrate actives.
• Tracking matters the body responds in weeks, not days; self-awareness is the best biomarker.

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Nature’s Refusal of Uniformity

In a world where borders blur and supply chains standardize, medicinal mushrooms remind us that biology resists flattening. Your response to a mushroom is not anyone else’s because your body is not anyone else’s. And that individuality is where their power lies.

 Sam Dahan

Founder of Mushroom Plenty

It’s tempting to dismiss this as simply “the way business works” or to repeat the notion that “price is king.” However, in our industry, this mindset can lead to real-world consequences. The market is saturated with inferior raw materials offered at rock-bottom prices. Many of these products provide minimal or no health benefits and, in some cases, may even be harmful.

Additionally, a concerning marketing trend is emerging: one that overlooks scientific rigor and employs language that is poor. Instead of emphasizing measurable active ingredients and established standards, we are witnessing narratives focused on branding and vague promises. The result? Products that boast impressive labels but deliver little in terms of efficacy.

A Lesson from Olive Oil

Years ago, I worked in the olive oil industry, where counterfeiting—especially during periods of low yield—was rampant. The counterfeits became so sophisticated that many could pass basic tests. However, something remarkable occurred: the industry united to combat this issue.

Farmers, marketers, and regulators came together to:

• Implement traceability systems for varieties and growing methods

• Publish data on yields and expected prices

• Raise consumer awareness

As a result, counterfeiters found fewer places to hide, and consumers became more informed. While the problem hasn’t entirely disappeared, it is now easier to identify and access trustworthy, high-quality olive oil.

What Should the Supplement Industry Learn?

Chasing lower prices at the expense of quality is undermining the foundations of our industry. By catering to price demands without defending standards, we are eroding trust, efficacy, and long-term viability—creating an autoimmune disorder within our sector.

Five-Point Plan for Real Change

1. Educate Relentlessly

Could you share studies, data, and analyses?. Promote testing methods and establish a common language for raw material quality.

2. Champion Transparency

Discuss growing costs, extraction techniques, and the value of various cultivation methods openly. Help buyers understand why some materials cost more—and why they should.

3. Empower the Customer

Encourage consumers to ask better questions: What active compounds are present? What extraction method was used? Is there clinical data to support these claims?

4. Support Independent Testing

Promote third-party testing and share results—illuminate discrepancies between marketing claims and scientific facts.

5. Take Responsibility as Industry Stewards

We are not just suppliers or marketers; we are part of the healthcare ecosystem. Our mission comes with the responsibility to prioritize quality, safety, and impact over short-term profits.

Final Thoughts

If this message makes you uncomfortable, that’s a positive sign. It means we care—and if we care, we can initiate change. The future of the supplement industry belongs to those who compete based on value, transparency, and trust—not only on price.

Let’s start the conversation:

What are you observing in your corner of the industry?

Where do we go from here?

Share your thoughts below. Together, let’s build an industry that stands for quality, safety, and genuine health outcomes.

As interest in natural and holistic approaches to pet health grows, medicinal mushrooms have emerged as a promising avenue for supporting overall wellness in companion animals. Medicinal mushrooms contain a rich array of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and triterpenoids, which have been shown to exert potent immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in humans. The potential therapeutic applications for pets:

One of the primary benefits of medicinal mushrooms for pets lies in their ability to support immune function. Compounds such as beta-glucans found in mushrooms like reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) have been shown to enhance the activity of immune cells and promote a balanced immune response in animals. Medicinal mushrooms may help pets ward off infections and maintain optimal health by bolstering the body’s natural defense mechanisms.

Another area where medicinal mushrooms show promise for pets is in managing joint-related conditions, such as osteoarthritis. Mushrooms like turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can help alleviate pain and stiffness associated with arthritis in dogs and cats. Additionally, certain mushrooms possess chondroprotective properties, which may help slow the progression of joint degeneration and preserve mobility in aging pets.

The gastrointestinal tract plays a crucial role in overall pet health, and medicinal mushrooms offer potential benefits for supporting digestive function. Mushrooms like lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) and cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) have been studied for their ability to promote gut health by modulating the gut microbiota, reducing inflammation, and enhancing nutrient absorption. These effects may particularly benefit pets with digestive disorders or food sensitivities.

Pets, like humans, can experience stress and anxiety in response to various environmental factors, such as changes in routine or loud noises. Medicinal mushrooms such as reishi have adaptogenic properties, meaning they can help pets adapt to stress and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Incorporating mushrooms into a pet’s daily regimen may help mitigate the effects of stress and improve overall emotional well-being.

The scientific knowledge accumulated in recent years supporting medicinal mushrooms for pets attracts veterinarians and pet owners alike, who increasingly turn to medicinal mushrooms as a natural means of supporting their pets’ health and vitality.

This disclaimer emphasizes the informational nature of the content provided and underscores that it is not intended for diagnostic, treatment, or preventive purposes. It highlights that the information does not establish a patient-doctor relationship and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Additionally, it clarifies that the FDA does not evaluate any products mentioned for their efficacy in treating, diagnosing, curing, or preventing diseases. The article is intended for healthcare professionals and educational purposes only, and it advises readers to consult licensed medical practitioners for personalized medical advice.