Why is there so much talk about adaptogenic mushrooms?

Updated on 2026-06-09

Summary: Why is there so much talk about adaptogenic mushrooms?

Lynn Goneau, naturopath at La Boîte à Grains, explains the role of adaptogenic mushrooms which help the body to better adapt to stress, fatigue and everyday challenges.

In particular, it features lion's mane to support memory and concentration, cordyceps to promote stable energy and stamina, and reishi and chaga for their effects on relaxation, sleep, immunity and antioxidants. 

It also reminds us of the importance of choosing quality products and checking with a health professional for possible interactions with medications.

1. What are adaptogenic mushrooms?

Lynn Goneau explains that adaptogenic mushrooms are natural substances that help the body adapt to physical and mental stress. Unlike stimulants or tranquilizers, they act like an "internal thermostat", helping the body to return to equilibrium when subjected to different pressures.

2. The main mushrooms and their benefits

Lion's mane is touted as the mushroom of cognitive health, supporting memory, concentration and mental clarity. Cordyceps promotes stable energy and stamina without the stimulating effect of coffee. Reishi is renowned for its soothing properties and immune system support, while chaga stands out for its rich antioxidant content.

3. A complementary, personalized approach

Adaptogenic mushrooms can be used alone or in combination to meet different needs. Lynn likens their use to a team where each mushroom has a particular specialty, simultaneously supporting energy, stress management, sleep and immunity.

4. The importance of quality and support

The column stresses the importance of choosing quality products from reputable manufacturers. Lynn also reminds us that natural does not mean without effect, and recommends that people taking medication consult their doctor or pharmacist to check for possible interactions before using adaptogenic mushrooms.

About the author

Lynn Goneau, Certified Naturopath

Specialized in :

• Digestive health
• Hormonal health
• Stress and fatigue
• Memory and concentration
• Weight management

Frédéric Bisson, radio host at 104.7 FM

Host of the 104.7 FM radio station on the Cogeco network. Frédéric Bisson has hosted L'Outaouais Maintenant from 3 to 5 p.m. every weekday since February 27, 2023.

Transcription

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

We hear a lot about mushrooms, but not necessarily magic mushrooms here. We're talking about healthy mushrooms, such as lion's mane, reishi and ashwagandha. So we understand that we're not in the kitchen either. With Lynn Goneau, who's a naturopath at La Boîte à Grains, we're going to talk, and the real word is adaptogenic mushrooms, which are used to help the body better manage a whole range of issues, such as stress, fatigue and mental fog. Hello Lynn Goneau.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Hello Fred.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

That's what they call adaptogenic mushrooms.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Indeed, because adaptogenic mushrooms are really, really interesting for our current reality, because, as you mentioned, today it's so common for people to experience stress, fatigue, anxiety and even mental fog. That's why I really enjoy working with adaptogenic mushrooms.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Okay, now you've got to explain it to me. What's this? I'm hearing like adaptation in there. What's adaptogenic?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, indeed. An adaptogen is not a stimulant. It's not a sedative either. It's a plant. Or in this case, we're talking about mushrooms that help the body adapt. I like to compare it to an internal thermostat. If you have too much stress, it helps to bring you down. If you're low on energy, well, it helps to bring you back up.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

It's crazy too.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, it doesn't force the body, it simply helps it to regain its balance. That's a completely different approach from simply masking the symptoms.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

It's like a living organism that's still intelligent. Once you've ingested it, it's fascinating. So yes, we're going to talk about a few here. I've named a few. I confess I've never used this, Lynn.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Lion's mane, the one you mentioned earlier, is really the brain's mushroom. It supports your memory, concentration and mood, and it's fantastic for that famous mental fog. It's one of the most scientifically documented medicinal mushrooms with promising results for cognitive health.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

I'll need it all, though it's part of my on-air charm to be forgetful.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Forgetfulness. Yes, that's it. This is it. Yes, you've also got cordyceps. It's the energy mushroom, but it's not like coffee and it's not going to give you a rush. What it does instead is help the body make better use of oxygen and improve endurance. I take one capsule in the morning, and sometimes one in the early afternoon, to give me a stable energy level without having the effect of a stimulant.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Okay, so now I understand that you don't eat the mushroom, it's in a capsule. There are lots of other interesting mushrooms too. Give me some examples.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

The reishi helps to calm you down. It relaxes you. It also works on your immunity. Ah, then there's chaga. Chaga is very well known. It's rich in antioxidants. There are others. But those are the really popular ones. But Fred, imagine that adaptogenic mushrooms are a small team. Everyone has their own speciality. It's not a one-size-fits-all.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

It's funny because you refer to mushrooms as a small team. Probiotics are the same thing. Chocolate bars... ah no, that's not good. So when you talk about a team, I understand that you can take several mushrooms.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

It'll just increase its effectiveness. For example, if I tell you to take a cordyceps in the morning for energy, then a reishi capsule at the end of the afternoon, because it's often called the Zen mushroom for its calming effect, which will enable you to get a much deeper quality of sleep by balancing your nervous system or, but you must always be careful, natural doesn't mean without effect, especially when we're talking about the immune system and stress, because adaptogenic mushrooms are really powerful Fred. And if you're taking, say, medication, always check with your doctor or pharmacist for interactions.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

So it's not the mushroom that makes the result. It's really the right mushroom of the right quality.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

In fact, when I work with mushrooms, I trust a company called Piur 1. It's a local Ottawa company, renowned for the purity and quality of its products. Some are even certified organic. That's not always easy to do.