Functional mushrooms as mental support in cases of anxiety, rumination, and exhaustion
- Veronika Fabianova
- Feb 1
- 6 min read
When your nervous system is sounding the alarm and you finally want to feel grounded again.
There is this moment that many know and hardly anyone likes to admit:
You function. You smile. You get things done. And inside, it feels like "too much," too loud, too congested, too fast, too empty.
Anxiety, depressive mood, burnout-like exhaustion: This is not a character flaw.
This is often a condition of the nervous system. Measurable. Noticeable. And to be taken seriously.
Medicinal mushrooms can be a truly valuable support here : as a stabilizing foundation to rebuild energy, improve regulatory capacity, and increase inner "reserves." They do not replace psychotherapy or medical treatment, but they can help you become receptive again to what truly heals.
Why it's affecting so many right now
The last few years have been a constant increase in stress for many: uncertainty, sensory overload, financial problems, family tensions, the state of the world. If your resources were already scarce (sleep, nutrients, exercise, emotional security), the system can collapse more quickly.
And then the typical pattern often follows:
You wake up at night (often between 2 and 5 a.m.), your head is on, your heart is active.
You are tired, but internally "energized".
You will become more sensitive, more irritable, more anxious.
You withdraw because even contact costs energy.
This isn't "drama". This is biology + reality.
What happens in the body – in simple pictures
Imagine your nervous system as an executive suite .
When there's an alarm upstairs, many systems downstairs switch over:
Stress hormones are activated more frequently (fight/flight).
The body prioritizes survival: digestion, regeneration, libido, skin/hair operate in economy mode.
Energy production (Mitochondria = cell power plants) appear to be throttled back.
The brain loses flexibility: rumination, catastrophic thinking, indecisiveness.
And now comes the important point: Emotional processing takes energy. If you're already at your energy limit, "Let's talk about it" can sometimes feel like another appointment you can't make.
A good strategy here can be: first stability, then depth.
Three medicinal mushrooms that are particularly interesting in this context
The focus here is on three classics because they are mentioned particularly often based on experience and research (not as a promise of cures) when it comes to stress regulation, mental stability, sleep and the gut-nerve axis:
1) Cordyceps – “Energy, oxygen, drive”
Cordyceps is traditionally described as strengthening. Modern research investigates, among other things, how it affects energy production (ATP). and oxygen utilization It could have an impact. Topics that are extremely relevant in cases of exhaustion.
When he might be a good match (typical everyday signs):
You constantly feel "empty", weak, and lacking in motivation.
In the mornings you can barely get up, and during the day your energy collapses.
You feel like you don't have enough "juice" to sort yourself out emotionally.
Practical logic: Energy first. Many people report that with more baseline energy they can sleep better, think more clearly and react more stably.
Important: Cordyceps can have a stimulating effect. Many people start taking it in the morning, observe the effect, and then tend to skip it in the evening if sleep is a concern.
2) Reishi – “Regulation, inner balance, stress axes”
Reishi is the mushroom that many people say about: "How can a mushroom do so many things?"
The pragmatic answer: Reishi is often described as having a regulating effect , especially on the interplay between the nervous system, stress response, and immune system.
Everyday signs where Reishi often fits in well:
You are internally "tense", even when you are sitting.
Sleep is superficial or restless.
You feel easily overstimulated and emotionally thin-skinned.
Your body is in "permanent fire brigade mode".
In traditional systems, Reishi is also described as representing the "movement of stagnation" (emotional constriction, inner turmoil, pressure). This is not a diagnosis, but as an image, it captures the essence for many.
3) Hericium – “Nerves & intestines: calm, build up”
Hericium (lion's mane) is of particular interest in research in the context of nerve factors (e.g., BDNF) and the intestinal barrier/mucosa . And this is precisely where it gets interesting:
Many people underestimate how much the gut influences the brain. A large proportion of neurotransmitters and precursors (e.g., those related to serotonin) are dependent on the gut environment. And the gut communicates constantly with the brain via nerve pathways, immune messengers, and metabolic products.
When Hericium is often described as a "soft foundation":
Nervous restlessness, sensitive stress system.
Insomnia with "mental overthinking".
Gastrointestinal sensitivity during periods of stress.
You want calming relief without "switching off".
If I had to choose a mushroom that is often described as an "emotional buffer", Hericium would be at the top of the list.
STUDIES:
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a medicinal mushroom blend supplement significantly reduced stress and fatigue symptoms and improved sleep quality in stressed individuals (Ramli et al., 2026). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12808922/?utm
A systematic review summarizes recent studies investigating the potential positive effects of edible mushrooms on mood, neurocognition, and mental health (Cha et al., 2024). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763424000162?utm
A scientific review describes how bioactive compounds in Reishi, Hericium, and Cordyceps can mediate neuroprotective effects, including via NGF/BDNF stimulation and antioxidant mechanisms (Mathew & Tvildiani, 2025) . https://www.researchgate.net/publication/397238064_Medicinal_Mushrooms_and_Their_Effects_on_Memory_and_Cognitive_Function
The gut-brain axis: your secret ally
A few clear "aha!" moments, without a biochemistry lecture:
The gut sends an extremely large number of signals to the brain.
A diverse gut flora produces metabolic products that are relevant to the nervous system.
A diet rich in fiber and prebiotic components promotes diversity.
Medicinal mushrooms contain natural polysaccharides/fiber structures, which are often described as prebiotic. be classified.
This is not a "gut heals everything" fairy tale. It is an important piece of the puzzle.
What you can realistically expect (and what you can't)
Realistically: more stability, better stress tolerance, better baseline energy, gentler stimulus processing, often gradually over weeks.
Unrealistic: "I take mushrooms and tomorrow everything will be gone."
Mental health issues often come in phases. The insidious thing is that during the better phase, you think it's over. That's precisely when stabilization is worthwhile, so that the next wave is less severe.
Important: Anyone taking psychotropic drugs, who is pregnant, has serious illnesses, or is very sensitive should ideally do this with supervision.
The 3 levers that work best with medicinal mushrooms
Let me be blunt: mushrooms alone are rarely the whole solution. They are most effective as part of a system.
Stabilize sleep rhythm
Light in the morning, reduced stimulation in the evening, same bedtime: boring, brutally effective.
Take protein and micronutrients seriously
Stress depletes resources. B vitamins, in particular, are often discussed in this context. Those with indications of a family history of stress or who have been "very sensitive since childhood" can also discuss issues like HPU/KPU with specialists.
Body-oriented psychotherapy / nervous system work
The body stores tension. Methods that involve the body (somatic approaches, breathwork, trauma-sensitive coaching) are experienced as effective by many because they do not only take place in the mind.
When it gets really dark: please take it seriously
If you are having suicidal thoughts or no longer feel safe: get help immediately.
Switzerland (immediately):
Emergency number: 144 / 112
The Offered Hand: 143 (24/7)
For young people: 147 (Pro Juventute)
This isn't a tragedy. This is self-protection.
Conclusion: Mushrooms as the base – you as the center
Medicinal mushrooms can help you regain your footing: energy, regulation, inner reserves. And that is often the turning point, allowing therapy, daily life, and relationships to take hold again.
You are not "too sensitive". You are a system that has carried too much for too long.
If you feel stuck in a mix of anxiety, sleep problems, exhaustion, and digestive stress, then this combination of Hericium + Reishi + Cordyceps as a targeted energy boost is a very sensible approach. It should be individually tailored and based on realistic expectations.
And yes: There are more options than you are often initially presented with.
Disclaimer (Responsibility & Clarity): This article is educational and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Medicinal mushrooms are described here as complementary support, not as a cure.
Gentle next step: Building stability in everyday life
If you recognized yourself in this text and your nervous system has been under constant stress for a long time, it may be helpful to first build a stable base before taking more in-depth steps.
MycoFlow by Verovitalis was developed specifically for such phases:
as a high-quality combination of selected vital mushroom extracts to support energy, inner regulation and stress tolerance in everyday life , responsibly formulated, without medical claims.
Many people use MycoFlow as a calming foundation to feel more grounded again and give the nervous system time to find its way out of constant alarm mode.
A notice: MycoFlow is a dietary supplement and does not replace medical or psychotherapeutic treatment. Professional guidance is particularly recommended in cases of pre-existing medical conditions, medication use, or during sensitive phases of life. Note regarding the studies:
The studies and reviews mentioned in this blog refer to individual mushroom species, ingredients, or general nutritional and neurobiological connections. They do not constitute proof of efficacy for specific products and do not replace medical advice.
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