The science behind our ingredients
Study collection
Medicinal mushrooms have been an integral part of traditional and holistic health practices for centuries, from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to modern mycotherapy. Today, science is increasingly confirming what ancient cultures have long known: medicinal mushrooms are packed with bioactive substances with impressive potential .
At smaints, we believe that transparency and facts are the foundation of trust. That's why we've compiled a collection of scientific studies on the ingredients in our products. This way, you can discover for yourself the fascinating effects that research describes.
Important Notice (Disclaimer): Due to legal regulations, we are unfortunately prohibited from making specific health claims or promises regarding the effects of certain ingredients in our products. This is why very little information about the effects of some products is available. Therefore, we have taken extra care to find studies on the ingredients in our products to confirm their effectiveness and ensure transparency. These studies are for informational purposes only and do not replace medical advice. Furthermore, you are welcome to conduct your own research and form your own opinion about our products. We appreciate your understanding.
Studies on Cordyceps
Energy and vitality
“Supplemental anti-fatigue effects of Cordyceps sinensis (Tochu-Kaso) extract powder during three stepwise exercise of human.”, Nagata et al. 2006; Lin & Li 2011
Oxygen supply (VO2 max)
“Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.”, Chen, S., Li, Z., Krochmal, R., Abrazado, M., Kim, W., & Cooper, CB (2010)
Physical performance
“Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial and assessment of fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis (Cs-4) in enhancing aerobic capacity and respiratory function of the healthy elderly volunteers,” Xiao Yi, Huang Xi-zhen & Zhu Jia-shi (2004).
Memory (mouse study)
“Improvement of Learning and Memory Induced by Cordyceps Polypeptide Treatment and the Underlying Mechanism.”, Yuan, G., An, L., Sun, Y., Xu, G., & Du, P. (2018).
Autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland
"Dual-Directional Immunomodulatory Effects of Corbrin Capsule on Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases". He, X. et al. 2016
Studies on Hericium (Lions Mane)
Cognitive abilities
"Improvement of Cognitive Functions by Oral Intake of Hericium Erinaceus.", Saitsu, Y., A. Nishide, K. Kikushima, K. Shimizu, and K. Ohnuki.
Cognitive abilities
“Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.”, K. Mori, S. Inatomi, K. Ouchi, Y. Azumi, T. Tuchida
Cognitive abilities
“Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study,” Maša Černelič Bizjak, Zala Jenko Pražnikar, Saša Kenig, Matjaž Hladnik, Dunja Bandelj, Andrej Gregori, Katja Kranjc (2024).
Nerve growth (review article)
“Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus.”,Bing-Ji Ma, Jin-Wen Shen, Hai-You Yu, Yuan Ruan, Ting-Ting Wu & Xu Zhao (2010)
Neuroprotection (review article)
“Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): A Neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Potential – A Narrative Review,” Alex Graça Contato & Carlos Adam Conte-Junior (2025).
Alzheimer's disease (pilot study)
“Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia: A Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study,” I-Chen Li, Han-Hsin Chang, Chuan-Han Lin, Wan-Ping Chen, Tsung-Han Lu, Li-Ya Lee, Yu-Wen Chen, Yen-Po Chen, Chin-Chu Chen & David Pei-Cheng Lin (2020).
Gut health & immune modulation
“Extracts from Hericium erinaceus relieve inflammatory bowel disease by regulating immunity and gut microbiota”. Diling, C. et al. (2017).
Studies on Chaga
Immunomodulation (cell studies)
“Immunostimulating activity by polysaccharides isolated from fruiting body of Inonotus obliquus.”, Won, DP, Lee, JS, Kwon, DS, Lee, KE, Shin, WC, & Hong, EK (2011).
Gut flora (mouse study)
“Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide regulates gut microbiota of chronic pancreatitis in mice.”, Hu, Y., Teng, C., Yu, S., Wang, X., Liang, J., Bai, X., Dong, L., Song, T., Yu, M., & Qu, J. (2017).
Herpes simplex virus (cell study)
“Aqueous extract from a Chaga medicinal mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (higher Basidiomycetes), prevents herpes simplex virus entry through inhibition of viral-induced membrane fusion.”, Pan, HH, Yu, XT, Li, T., Wu, HL, Jiao, CW, Cai, MH, Li, XM, Xie, YZ, Wang, Y., & Peng, T. (2013).
Hepatitis viruses (cell study)
“Antiviral activity of Inonotus obliquus fungus extract towards infection caused by hepatitis C virus in cell cultures.”, Shibnev, VA, Mishin, DV, Garaev, TM, Finogenova, NP, Botikov, AG, & Deryabin, PG (2011).
Antioxidant (cell study)
“Antioxidative properties of crude polysaccharides from Inonotus obliquus.”, Mu, H., Zhang, A., Zhang, W., Cui, G., Wang, S., & Duan, J. (2012).
Studies on Shiitake
Immune system (overview of animal and human studies)
“The Effects of AHCC®, a Standardized Extract of Cultured Lentinura edodes Mycelia, on Natural Killer and T Cells in Health and Disease: Reviews on Human and Animal Studies.” Shin, MS, Park, HJ, Maeda, T., Nishioka, H., Fujii, H., & Kang, I. (2019).
Immune system, inflammation
“Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults.”, Dai,
Antioxidant + Cholesterol levels
"Effects of Shiitake Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Lentinus edodes (Agaricomycetes), Bars on Lipid and Antioxidant Profiles in Individuals with Borderline High Cholesterol: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.", Spim, SRV, Pistila, AMH, Pickler, TB, Silva, MT, & Grotto, D. (2021).
Studies on almond mushroom
Anti-inflammatory + Allergy (Overview of preclinical + clinical studies)
“Antitumor, Anti-Inflammatory and Antiallergic Effects of Agaricus blazei Mushroom Extract and the Related Medicinal Basidiomycetes.”, Hetland, G., Tangen, JM, Mahmood, F., Mirlashari, MR, Nissen-Meyer, LSH, Nentwich, I., Therkelsen, SP, Tjønnfjord, GE, & Johnson, E. (2020).
Immunomodulation in autoimmune diseases
“The Mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill Elicits Medicinal Effects on Tumor, Infection, Allergy, and Inflammation through Its Modulation of Innate Immunity and Amelioration of Th1/Th2 Imbalance and Inflammation.” Hetland, G. et al. 2011
Immunomodulation in autoimmune diseases
“Antitumor, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiallergic Effects of Agaricus blazei Mushroom Extract and the Related Medicinal Basidiomycetes Mushrooms.” Hetland, G. et al., 2020
Birch pollen allergy
“Agaricus blazei-Based Mushroom Extract Supplementation to Birch Allergic Blood Donors: A Randomized Clinical Trial.”, Mahmood, F., Hetland, G., Nentwich, I., Mirlashari, MR, Ghiasvand, R., & Nissen-Meyer, LSH (2019).
Studies on Maitake
Depression (mouse study)
“Griflola frondosa (GF) produces significant antidepressant effects involving AMPA receptor activation in mice.”, Bao, H., Ran, P., Sun, L., Hu, W., Li, H., Xiao, C., Zhu, K., & Du, J. (2017).
Blood lipid levels (animal study)
"Anti-hyperliposis effect of maitake fruit body (Grifola frondosa). I.", Kubo, K., & Nanba, H. (1997).
Diabetes (animal study)
“Maitake (Grifola frondosa) improve glucose tolerance of experimental diabetic rats.”, Horio, H., & Ohtsuru, M. (2001).
Fertility, polycystic ovary syndrome
“Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) extract induces ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible monotherapy and a combination therapy after failure with first-line clomiphene citrate.”, Chen, JT, Tominaga, K., Sato, Y., Anzai, H., & Matsuoka, R. (2010).
Studies on Reishi
Wellbeing
“Ganoderma lucidum Effects on Mood and Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Fibromyalgia.”, Pazzi, F., Adsuar, JC, Domínguez-Muñoz, FJ, García-Gordillo, MA, Gusi, N., & Collado-Mateo, D. (2020).
Antioxidant
“Triterpenoids and polysaccharide peptides-enriched Ganoderma lucidum: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy in healthy volunteers.”, Chiu, HF, Fu, HY, Lu, YY, Han, YC, Shen, YC, Venkatakrishnan, K., Golovinskaia, O., & Wang, CK (2017).
Blood sugar
“A Phase I/II Study of Ling Zhi Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.)Lloyd (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus.”, Yihuai Gao et al. 2004
Anti-inflammatory
“Anti-inflammatory Activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) and San-Miao-San Supplements in MRL/lpr Mice for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus” Cai, Zhe et al., 2016
