Lion’s mane and shiitake don’t get you high, but it’s still noteworthy that you can find them in products infused with THC
Despite the failure of a ballot measure last November that would have legalized and regulated certain psychedelic substances in Massachusetts including psilocybin, people are still hungry for all things mushroom-related. That includes the kind of shrooms that melt your face, as well as ones with simpler perks ranging from longer-term mood benefits to shorter-term uplifting buzz effects and nipple boners.
Regarding the latter group, so-called functional mushrooms among them, there is enduring willpower and promise to match the growing public demand. While hallucinogenic mushrooms are still outlawed, ingredients like oyster mushrooms, lion’s mane, and reishi are just ordinary natural additions, as legal as they are exciting to experiment with on the strength of developing research. Put another way, adding cordyceps, a fungus, to a chocolate bar is no different than stirring milk into a bonbon, or adding organic berries into sour gumdrops.
Nature’s Heritage announces new “functional mushroom” products
Stepping up to match the aforementioned hunger is crowd favorite Nature’s Heritage, or more accurately its parent company MariMed. Also the manufacturers of Betty’s Eddies among other delectables including consistently top-tier varietal flower (and the operators of three Panacea shops), their latest offering is boldly called MycroDose.
Sold under the Nature’s Heritage banner with similar vintage Banana Republic swag packaging, it’s a “vegan line of all-natural wellness products that combine the power of full-spectrum cannabis with the added benefits of functional mushrooms in a convenient pill form.” Per the media materials: “MycroDose delivers four targeted, plant-based solutions designed to enhance mental clarity, promote relaxation, improve focus, and support overall well-being in four distinct formulations.”
Regarding those benefits and life improvements, we plan on filing a followup on different MycroDose regimens—and also sampling other comparable products as they likely emerge—after a few of us consume them and take notes over several days or longer. Nonetheless, the arrival of functional mushrooms in Bay State dispensaries seems cause enough to summon Talking Joints Memo readers. And though we try to avoid fetishizing firsts, superlatives are fun, so we went looking for precedent.
Functional mushrooms in Bay State dispensaries
There has certainly been previous experimentation on the production side leading up to MycroDose, especially with lion’s mane. Some standout examples being infused capsules by Sanctuary Medicinals that include that beloved brain-boosting mushroom among multiple riveting cameos, and reishi showing up in edibles from preferred makers such as Treeworks. Nobody else seems to be using shiitake though, and yes, we searched for several possible misspellings.
As for products listing “functional mushrooms,” there aren’t any in the state’s public catalog, but that just means that those words aren’t in the product name or ingredients. Some of them can be found in select shops, however, like Canna Provisions in Western Mass. Committed to the category, it often stocks “locally made mushroom products.” Those don’t feature THC like the MycroDose pills, but let’s be real, you can just get your buzz some other way, like sniffing THCA diamonds.
Relaxation, sleep, calm, and energy
From the Nature’s Heritage announcement: “The new line was developed to provide new and existing consumers with a unique, balanced, and controlled experience. Each of the four MycroDose by Nature’s Heritage products are uniquely crafted with a specific blend of all natural vegan ingredients to cater to a variety of needs.”
The complete line-up includes:
-Chill – Designed for relaxation and stress relief, Chill features THC, CBD, and q, blended with the functional mushrooms Organic Cordyceps and Organic Lion’s Mane, and the root plant, Ashwagandha.
-G’Night – A formulation aimed at improved sleep and deep relaxation, G’Night combines THC, CBN, CBD with functional mushrooms Organic Reishi and Organic Lion’s Mane, as well as Chamomile and Magnesium.
-Remedy – A product focused on reducing inflammation while providing a calm state of mind, Remedy features THC, CBD, and CBC, blended with the functional mushroom Oyster, Ginger root, Turmeric, and Piperine.
-Spark – An energizing blend designed to improve energy, focus, and mental clarity, Spark is formulated with Shiitake mushrooms, Organic Lion’s Mane, Ginseng, THCV, and THC.
“Nature’s Heritage is proud to introduce a groundbreaking new line of products that harnesses the synergy between high-quality cannabis, functional mushrooms, and herbs to deliver a truly elevated experience,” Tami Kirlis, the MariMed brand director for Nature’s Heritage, said in a statement. “Our team meticulously researched and developed innovative formulas that enhance well-being, mental clarity, and relaxation in a way that’s truly distinct.”
naturesheritagecannabis.com
