What Do Cordyceps Mushrooms and Cannabis Have in Common?
Jonathan Fredette, August 27, 2024 - 6:35 PM PST
Terpenes are prevalent throughout the natural world. These terpenes are components of aromatic essential oils are found in a diversity of plants (and fungi) and offer distinctive benefits. They have become increasingly popular in light of the rise of research and legalization of Cannabis, and as such, we can gain a better understanding of the medicinal properties of the plants and fungi that contain them. As the science of understanding cannabis deepens, consumers and scientists alike are looking past concentrations of THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the most well-known psychoactive component of cannabis, and deeper into the essential components of cannabis, such as terpenes.
Spruce conifers contain terpenes such as Pinene and share this terpene with Sage, Rosemary and Cannabis
Plants (and yes, fungi), contain these aromatic essential oils. These aromatic compounds provide numerous adaptive benefits to plants, such as acting defenses and aiding photosynthesis. They also provide incredibly nourishing aromatics and provide ample medicinal benefits to us as consumers. The most simple essential oils are known as terpenes.
Within a 2019 study, a dual extract of Cordyceps Militaris fruiting body, using organic ethanol and distilled water as a solvent, produced positive results for three popular terpenes, Limonene, Carene and Terpinolene in addition to several other unknown terpenes, some of which tested very high concentrations.
What Does this Mean for Cordyceps?
According to a 2018 study, "the therapeutic effects of limonene have been extensively studied, proving anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive, anticancer, antidiabetic, antihyperalgesic, antiviral, and gastroprotective effects, among other beneficial effects." (1)
Carene and terpinolene have been studied to have pain reliving (analgesic) qualities and may assist with conditions of asthma and arthriti, in addition to promoting anti-inflammatory effects. (2) (3)
Cordyceps Militaris mushrooms, like many of the functional fungi that are slowly weaving their way into daily pharmacopeia, are holistic in their ability to promote a multitude of benefits to the human system. Although they are historically well recognized for their aphrodesiac qualities, promoting healthy sexual function and sex hormone health, their benefits extend much further.
While cordyceps are commonly taken to promote sustainable levels of energy and vitality, they have been studied to offer neuroprotective benefits, upregulate dopamine and support mitochondrial health (4).
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they are seen as both a lung and kidney restorative tonic, promoting, and are considered powerful adaptogens, helping bolster the ability to handle stress. They are considered both yin and yang nourishing, relieving stress while promoting positive levels of energy (5) (6).
Like cannabis, Cordyceps present a plethora of benefits and thanks to a better understanding of terpenes, we can begin to better understand their pharmacological functional as well. It is for this and many reasons that we include Cordyceps in our flagship performance blend, Primal, which includes other adaptogens to help encourage and promote sustainable energy and vitality.