Mushrooms For Depression And Anxiety

There has been big-scale research going on to prove that those who always eat mushrooms will have less risk to experience depression. However, the correlation between the two is still not clear and the researcher stated that the data obtained must be analyzed carefully. There is also a possible chance that eating mushrooms might not produce the results desired.

Regardless of that, this observatory research happens to be one of the biggest ever done which involves mushroom consumption and depression. This also includes data related to diet and mental health from more than 24,000 American citizens which have been obtained from 2005 until 2016.

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This research did not state the species of mushroom that gives the respective benefit but according to a clinical test, the Lion's Mane mushroom species (Hericium erinaceus) might just be the one.

A health scientist from the Pennsylvania State University, Joshua Muscat, this research will add certain benefits to those that consume it. A species of white button mushroom or its scientific name Agaricus bisporus is a type of mushroom commonly eaten in the US.

This particular mushroom is rich in potassium which was believed to help in reducing exasperation. Other mushrooms that can also be eaten like Lion's Mane give benefits to the brain, have anti-inflammatory properties as well as capable of reducing depression. 

But based on a science nutrition research, it is rather complicated to prove the capability of this mushroom. The mushrooms have many vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidant which might have some correlation with anti-depression.

Further research needs to be done in more detail to prove that it really works on a molecular level, is clinically beneficial, and improves health patterns. Regardless of that, there is a type of antioxidant that is very strong called ergothioneine that scientists should focus on in this mushroom.

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Humans can only get it from their diet and it seems mushroom has a higher content of these anti-oxidants compared to other fresh produce. In clinical research on the animal module, anti-oxidant was found crossing the wall of the bloodstream that separates the brain from other parts of the body.

From this, the scientist has made a hypothesis that ergothioneine has several effects on the health of the neurons. Aside from that this anti-oxidant also plays an important role in the human gut whereby the neurons will give an effect on someone's mood. So does this particular anti-oxidant has any effect on humans? The scientist is still trying to figure it out.

According to epidemiologist, Djibril Ba, mushrooms are rich in the amino acid, ergothioneine which is an anti-oxidant not capable to be produced by humans. This high content inside mushrooms will help to elevate stress and ultimately reduce the symptoms of depression.

With that all being said, it is just a matter of convincing assumptions. Many more studies need to be done on many other species of mushrooms to find the ones with high potential to give benefits to humans. 

If we were to look back at the research conducted by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the researcher asked several participants about the frequency of their consumption of mushrooms for the past two days. Later their depression level will be measured using a health screening form.

However, the relationship between mushrooms and depression might also be influenced by other factors such as social status, economy, lifestyle, health, and use of medication. There are also some out there who are allergic to it and those who cannot afford to eat them.

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The result will be more transparent if it was focused on the comparison between the participant who do eat mushrooms and those who don't. In this particular research, the participant who eat quite an amount of mushrooms did not experience any benefit whatsoever.

The researcher then gave the participants a mushroom dish while others were given red meat on the very same day. The result was that both participants appeared normal and does not show any unwanted signs.

This clearly showed that the scientists have yet to find any proof related to mushrooms and mental health. But it is clearly worth doing further research on this to prove that the contents inside the mushroom can help improve a person's mental health.

Source:

• Cassella, Carly. 1 January 2022. There’s Something About Eating Mushrooms That Seems to Lower Depression Risk. Science Alert.

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