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The Power of Full-Spectrum Mushrooms: Fruiting Bodies + Mycelium

life cycle of mushrooms
The mushroom life cycle
Using both fruiting bodies and mycelium maximizes the diversity of bioactive compounds, giving you the most holistic support mushrooms can offer

In this article you will learn

  1. What are fruiting bodies and mycelium

  2. The importance and differences between fruiting bodies and mycelium

  3. Benefits backed by science

  4. How our mushrooms are grown and processed



Full-Spectrum Mushrooms

mushroom and mycelium

When you think of mushrooms, you probably picture the classic caps and stems—the fruiting bodies. But there’s another part of the fungus that’s just as important: the mycelium, the intricate root-like network that spreads beneath the surface.


At Mushroom Mana, we use full-spectrum mushrooms, combining both the fruiting body and mycelium, to capture the complete spectrum of compounds these fungi have to offer.



mushrooms
Reishi, Turkey Tail, Lion's Mane & Cordyceps Mushrooms

Fruiting Bodies

The fruiting body is the most recognizable part of the mushroom because it is the part that appears above ground.


mushroom fruiting bodies
The fruiting body is the crown of the mushroom—what we see, taste, and harvest. It’s nature’s way of showing off the fungus in full bloom

Fruiting bodies concentrate unique compounds—like terpenes and phenolics—not found in the same ratios in mycelium (Berger, 2022).


Mycelium

Think of mycelium as the hidden roots of the mushroom world—quietly working underground, connecting, nourishing, and protecting
mycelium

Mycelium forms the living network beneath the surface, producing stress-response metabolites and β-glucans that help modulate immunity (Ontawong et al., 2024).





Why Both Matter


By weaving together the strength of the mycelium and the brilliance of the fruiting body, full-spectrum mushrooms give you everything the fungus have to offer.

Fruiting bodies and mycelium each concentrate different bioactive compounds. Fruiting bodies tend to be rich in phenolics, terpenes, and certain polysaccharides, while mycelium can contain other unique metabolites, including β-glucans and ergothioneine, depending on the species and growth conditions (Berger, 2022). By including both, we aim to deliver a broader range of health-supporting compounds.


Combining fruiting bodies and mycelium creates a broader phytochemical fingerprint, delivering the full spectrum of mushroom compounds (Venturella et al., 2021).

Benefits Backed by Research


Immune Support

Mushroom polysaccharides, especially β-glucans, have been shown to modulate immune activity. Clinical studies report that preparations from both fruiting bodies and mycelium can enhance immune markers in healthy adults (Chen et al., 2023; Venturella et al., 2021; Ontawong et al., 2024).

immune support

Energy & Endurance

Cordyceps extracts—derived from both mycelium and fruiting bodies—have been shown in randomized trials to improve exercise tolerance, VO₂ max, and time-to-exhaustion in healthy adults (Hirsch et al., 2016).


Cognition & Mood

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) has been linked to cognitive support and mood benefits. Pilot trials suggest that extracts containing both fruiting bodies and mycelium may support memory, focus, and mental clarity, though more research is ongoing (Docherty et al., 2023).



Why “Full-Spectrum” Is the Gold Standard

full spectrum mushroom

Think of it like a symphony: each part plays a unique note, but together they create the full experience. Using both fruiting bodies and mycelium maximizes the diversity of bioactive compounds—together, they maximize the diversity of compounds your body can use.




How Mushrooms Grow and How We Process Them


All of our mushrooms are cultivated with care, starting from tiny spores growing on organic, gluten-free oats. This nutrient-rich base fuels the development of both the mycelium (the root-like network) and the fruiting body (the part you’d recognize as a mushroom). Together, these make up what’s called the full spectrum of the mushroom—capturing the unique compounds from every stage of growth.


“Our mushrooms and mycelium are harvested, gently dried, and milled together—preserving the full spectrum of beneficial compounds, just as nature intended.”

Once matured, the mushrooms—along with their mycelium biomass—are carefully harvested, gently dried, and milled into fine powders to preserve their natural potency. This full-spectrum process ensures you receive the complete profile of beneficial compounds, just as nature intended.


Once our mushrooms are in powdered form they all go through third party testing to ensure quality and safety.


mushroom mana heartbeat

References

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