The term "nootropic" combines two Greek words: nöos (mind) and tropein (to guide). This "mind-guiding" concept reflects their ability to enhance and direct cognitive processes.

While initially studied for cognitive impairment, natural nootropics have gained popularity among healthy individuals seeking to optimize memory and learning capabilities.

The brain requires a disproportionately high percentage of the body's oxygen and blood supply relative to its size. Natural nootropics act as vasodilators in the brain, increasing blood flow to deliver more oxygen, nutrients, and energy.

These compounds provide protection against inflammation and cognitive aging while stimulating the growth of new neurons. This enhancement of neuronal activity contributes to neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize its connections and functions in response to learning and experiences.

Natural medicines have been used since ancient times to prevent and treat ailments while promoting well-being and longevity. However, the term 'nootropic' only emerged in the early 1970s when Professor Corneliu E. Giurgea described substances that specifically activate cognitive functions involved in memory and learning.

Today, natural nootropics are available as teas, pills, or capsules, and the efficacy of plants and fungi with long histories of traditional use is increasingly being validated by scientific studies.

Adaptogens excel at protecting against stress by helping the body maintain homeostasis—a state of physiological balance. Their ability to mediate stress hormone levels allows the body to better adapt to challenging situations.

These natural compounds provide broader benefits by protecting against chronic inflammation, arterial hardening, neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive impairment, metabolic disorders, cancer, and various age-related diseases.

Regardless of the stressor, adaptogens increase resilience by activating cellular and organ defense systems. Their multi-target mechanisms provide potential benefits for preventing and treating stress-induced disorders.

The range of conditions that may benefit from adaptogenic action is extensive: chronic fatigue, memory impairment, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, infections, skin diseases, liver disorders, and even certain cancers.

The term "adaptogen" first appeared in Soviet literature during the mid-20th century, as researchers sought to understand how these plant compounds help maintain resilience against harmful challenges.

Adaptogenic plants have long been integral to numerous healthcare systems, including Russian and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and Kampo (Japanese adaptation of TCM introduced in the 7th century).

Whether it's improving cognitive function, allowing us to adapt to stress and feel calmer, and supplying energy for the things we need to do in life; or providing longevity and increased immunity to disease — these fungal allies can support us in elevating our health and wellness, and in overcoming many different challenges.

Having gained extensive knowledge of functional mushrooms, through independent research alongside professional collaboration with individuals and organisations within the fungi world — such as Darren Le Baron, All Things Fungi and the Product Earth natural medicines expo — I offer guidance to those looking to make these natural remedies a part of their daily regime.

My exploration into the world of fungi began as a result of facing various challenges to my health.

As a child and teenager I coped with a lot of injuries, resulting in a few stints in hospital — one of which involved having surgery on my hip at the age of 14. The recovery from surgery made exercise a challenge, and throughout my teenage years I struggled with weight gain due to inactivity, and didn't feel particularly in control of my health.

It wasn't until university, and the discovery of locally growing mushrooms near to my campus, that my mind was opened up to the natural world, allowing me to enjoy being active again in nature. This led me to explore the world of fungi in greater detail, where I gained first hand knowledge surrounding the benefits of a range of functional mushrooms.

In 2016 I received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Since then I have tried many different herbal supplements, as well as prescribed pharmaceutical medication. Functional mushrooms such as lion's mane, reishi, and cordyceps became a solid part of my regime, providing benefits that other treatments could not.

As I have dived deeper into studying these mushrooms, sharing my insights has allowed me to appreciate the improvements they can make to other people's lives, conditions and challenges. Particularly given the huge number of products available, which can often make things overwhelming when we're deciding what to buy, I feel that my wealth of experience needs to be shared, empowering others to benefit from the best possible application of functional mushrooms to their lives.