Hi, I’m Lachlan, the founder of Mushify, and I want to talk about a topic that’s really important to me: the difference between lab-grown mushrooms and those cultivated outdoors in their natural habitat. When I started Mushify, it was with the belief that nature knows best, and when it comes to medicinal mushrooms, this couldn't be more true.
Over the years, I’ve seen more and more mushroom products hit the market, and while many of these products come from lab-grown fungi, I believe mushrooms grown in their native environment are superior in so many ways. I’m often asked why Mushify prioritizes outdoor-grown mushrooms, so let’s dive into the benefits of mushrooms grown in the wild versus the potential shortcomings of lab-grown varieties—and why this matters for your health.
Mushrooms Grown Outdoors in Their Native Habitat
When mushrooms grow in the wild, they thrive in a nutrient-rich, balanced environment that is hard to replicate in a lab. The forests, mountain slopes, and natural surroundings provide everything they need to develop their full spectrum of health-promoting properties.
Nutrient-Dense Environment
Wild-grown mushrooms pull nutrients directly from the natural ecosystem. Soil rich in minerals, decaying wood, and plant matter gives them a level of nutritional complexity that lab-grown mushrooms just don’t get.
A study published in Mycobiology supports this, stating, “Mushrooms grown in their natural environment are generally more nutrient-dense, containing a higher level of essential elements like zinc, iron, and magnesium, compared to mushrooms cultivated indoors” (Kim et al., 2020). These minerals are key to the therapeutic effects of mushrooms, whether you're looking to support your immune system, reduce inflammation, or boost cognitive function.
Sunlight and Vitamin D
Mushrooms grown outdoors also benefit from natural sunlight, which is crucial for the production of Vitamin D. Sunlight triggers the conversion of ergosterol—a compound present in fungi—into Vitamin D2. Many lab-grown mushrooms miss out on this entirely because they’re grown indoors under artificial lighting.
Research published in Food Chemistry highlights this benefit: “Mushrooms exposed to UV-B light had significantly higher levels of Vitamin D2 compared to those cultivated in controlled, artificial environments” (Kalac, 2013). For anyone concerned about their Vitamin D levels, this is a huge bonus that lab-grown mushrooms just can’t compete with.
Adaptation to Environmental Stress
Mushrooms in the wild face environmental challenges like changes in temperature, humidity, and even threats from predators. These stressors actually cause the mushrooms to produce more adaptogenic compounds—substances that help them (and us) adapt to stress.
In Phytotherapy Research, a study on Cordyceps found that mushrooms grown in their natural habitat had higher levels of cordycepin, an active compound that enhances energy and endurance (Wang et al., 2015). Mushrooms that endure environmental stress become more potent, delivering more benefits for things like stress resilience and overall vitality.
Completing the Full Life Cycle
Mushrooms in the wild follow their full life cycle, which allows them to release spores and mature completely. This cycle is vital for the development of complex bioactive compounds, including beta-glucans and triterpenes, which are responsible for their health benefits.
A 2018 study in International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that mushrooms allowed to reach full maturity in their natural habitat contained higher levels of these compounds (Czapski & Ciosek, 2018). At Mushify, we believe in letting nature take its course so that you get the most from our products.
The Limitations of Lab-Grown Mushrooms
While lab-grown mushrooms offer the advantage of controlled conditions and year-round availability, they lack many of the benefits that come from growing in the wild.
Nutrient Deficiency
Lab-grown mushrooms are often cultivated on grain-based substrates like rice or oats. While this is convenient, it’s nutritionally poor compared to the rich, natural environment of the outdoors. Mushrooms grown this way are simply not as nutrient-dense.
Paul Stamets, a well-known expert in the field of mycology, explains, “When mushrooms are grown on grain substrates, they lack access to the complex range of nutrients available in the wild, leading to lower concentrations of key bioactive compounds” (Stamets, 2019). This means that lab-grown mushrooms often don’t deliver the same powerful effects.
Lack of Sunlight Exposure
As mentioned earlier, mushrooms grown in labs don’t get the same exposure to sunlight, which means they miss out on producing Vitamin D. A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that mushrooms grown indoors had “negligible levels of Vitamin D” (Mau et al., 2011). If you’re choosing mushrooms for their nutritional profile, this is a big loss.
Incomplete Development
Another drawback is that lab-grown mushrooms are often harvested before reaching full maturity, which means they don’t develop their full range of bioactive compounds. Premature harvesting reduces the potency of the mushroom, impacting its ability to provide the desired health benefits.
A 2020 study published in Molecules found that mushrooms grown under controlled, indoor conditions contained fewer adaptogenic compounds than those grown in the wild (Zhong et al., 2020). At Mushify, we’re committed to ensuring that our mushrooms grow to their full potential, which is why we avoid lab-grown varieties.
Mycelium on Grain—Not the Same as Fruiting Bodies
In many cases, lab-grown mushroom supplements aren’t even made from the actual mushroom (the fruiting body) but from mycelium grown on grain. Mycelium is important, but it doesn’t contain the same concentration of bioactive compounds as the fruiting body.
According to Fungal Biology, many mycelium-based products contain “as much as 50% starch,” meaning that consumers are getting a diluted product with lower levels of beta-glucans and other beneficial compounds (Misiek et al., 2017). At Mushify, we only use the full fruiting body to ensure our products are as potent and effective as possible.
Why Mushify Chooses Outdoor-Grown Mushrooms
At Mushify, we’ve made a conscious decision to use mushrooms grown outdoors in their native environment because we believe this is how they reach their full potential. The wild conditions they grow in produce mushrooms that are richer in nutrients, higher in adaptogenic compounds, and ultimately more effective at supporting health and wellness.
By opting for wild-grown, full-fruiting body mushrooms, we ensure that our products are packed with the very best nature has to offer. From immune support to cognitive enhancement, we stand by the power of mushrooms grown as nature intended.
Conclusion: Nature’s Way Is the Best Way
When it comes to medicinal mushrooms, the science backs up what I’ve always believed—nature knows best. Mushrooms grown outdoors in their native habitats are more potent, more nutrient-dense, and offer more health benefits than their lab-grown counterparts.
At Mushify, we are proud to offer you the very best mushroom supplements, crafted from outdoor-grown, full-fruiting body mushrooms. If you’re serious about your health and wellness, choose mushrooms grown the way nature intended.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this gives you a better understanding of why we prioritize outdoor-grown mushrooms at Mushify. We’re committed to bringing you products that truly make a difference for your health!
Lachlan
Founder, Mushify
