The science.
Plain English.
We read the studies so you don't have to. Every breakdown is grounded in peer-reviewed research — no cherry-picking, no hype, no agenda.
Daily Dose Used
Weeks Duration
Published
Lion's Mane and Cognitive Function — What the 2024 Study Actually Found
A 2024 randomized controlled trial gave participants 1.8g of lion's mane daily for 12 weeks and measured cognitive performance against a placebo group. The results were statistically significant — but the details matter more than the headline. Here's what it actually means for what you should buy and how much you should take.
Read the full breakdown →NGF and Neurogenesis — Why Hericenones Are the Real Story
Mechanism
Published
Study Type
Hericenones stimulate Nerve Growth Factor production in ways that may support long-term brain health. Here's what the research actually shows.
Erinacines and the Blood-Brain Barrier — The Most Exciting Research
Crosses
Published
Study Type
Erinacines from lion's mane mycelium can cross the blood-brain barrier — a rare and significant property. What this means in practice.
Reishi for Sleep and Stress — What the Clinical Trials Showed
Duration
Published
Study Type
Reishi has the most clinical evidence of any medicinal mushroom for sleep quality. Here's what the randomized controlled trials actually found.
Beta-Glucans and Immune Function — The Mechanism Explained
Target %
Published
Study Type
Beta-glucans are why mushroom supplements work at all. This is the mechanism — how they interact with immune receptors and why percentage matters.
Chaga Antioxidant Research — What ORAC Scores Actually Mean
ORAC Score
Published
Study Type
Chaga has one of the highest antioxidant scores of any natural substance. But what does that actually mean for your health? We break it down.
Why Most Mushroom Supplement Studies Are Underpowered
Avg Sample
Analysis
Published
Most human trials on mushroom supplements have small sample sizes and short durations. Here's how to read the research critically.
How We Read Research
Every study breakdown on Fungalco is evaluated against the same four criteria. Here's what we look for.
Sample Size
Studies with fewer than 30 participants are interesting but not conclusive. We flag sample size in every breakdown so you can weigh the evidence yourself.
Dosing
A study using 3,000mg/day tells you nothing about a supplement dosed at 300mg. We always compare study doses to what's actually in the products we review.
Duration
Short trials miss cumulative effects. We note study length and flag when results may not reflect long-term use — which is how most people actually take supplements.
Funding Source
Industry-funded studies are not automatically invalid, but they deserve more scrutiny. We always note who paid for the research when it's disclosed.