What Effect Do Mushrooms Have on Your Body?

Mushrooms are prized for their ability to add flavor to many dishes and for their medicinal qualities. However, some types of mushrooms, such as "magic" mushrooms, actually do more harm than good. Before you experiment with culinary mushrooms or mushrooms that are classified as illegal substances, you should be very clear about exactly what effect these fungi have on your body.

History

In ancient Egypt, mushrooms were prized for their delicate flavor, while in Greece warriors ate them before battle to give them strength. In some ancient tribes, hallucenogenic mushrooms were used to induce visions and religious fervor. Today, the hallucenogenic mushrooms are mostly outlawed, but other types are still prized for their flavor and ability to hold up under frying and sauteeing.

Features

Mushrooms are a type of fungus. Almost all mushrooms have some type of stalk that bears an umbrella-shaped "head." This head releases the mushroom's spores so that the fungus can reproduce. In some mushrooms, the head appears to sit directly on the ground like a ball, while in others the stalk is tall and clearly visible. In the cases of edible mushrooms, the stalk and the cap of the mushroom can be eaten safely.

Identification

Mushrooms come in all shapes, colors and sizes. If you are interested in identifying mushrooms, you should work with an expert before ever trying it on your own. Many mushrooms are delicious, but they often appear quite similar to poisonous mushrooms, which can make you very ill or even kill you.

Effects

Mushrooms can have many effects on the body. Conventionally served mushrooms have many health benefits and can even be used to treat colds and flu. However, hallucenogenic mushrooms cause your mind to go on a "trip" that can be good or bad, but is impossible to stop. They distort your perception of reality and can cause you to do things that will harm yourself or people around you. They also can cause nausea, tension in the neck muscles and dilated pupils.

Benefits

Mushrooms have many health benefits. They are a great source of potassium, and some types have even more potassium than bananas. Shiitake mushrooms are used to stimulate the immune system. Some researchers believe that white button mushrooms may actually decrease your risk for breast and prostate cancer, although this is, as yet, unproven. Often, mushroom extracts are used in sports drinks to help energize athletes.

Types

There are thousands of different types of mushrooms. Edible and popular types include shiitake, white button, portabella, and morel mushrooms. Magic mushrooms, which have hallucenogenic effects, also come in 12 varieties that contain a psychedelic chemical called psilocybin. In addition to edible mushrooms and magic mushrooms, there are literally thousands of poisonous mushrooms that can have effects ranging from nausea and stomach discomfort to coma and death.

Warning

While eating mushrooms can provide many health benefits, you should always be very clear about what you are eating. Many poisonous mushrooms look nearly identical to safe ones, so make sure that you have correctly identified your fungus before you cook and eat it if you do not buy it from a store. Also, remember that magic mushrooms are a controlled substance, so if you buy them from a dealer you run the risk of eating poisonous mushrooms instead of merely hallucinogenic ones since you will not be able to trace the fungus's origin. Of course, you also run the risk of fines, bad trips, and even life in prison.

Resources

• Learn more about the health benefits of mushrooms here.