Can Shrooms Really Boost Performance?
YES THEY CAN AND HERE’S HOW!
Yes. Mushrooms are not only are a great addition on salad or pizza, but they can also boost performance. No, we are not talking about “tripping” out and finding your superhuman powers before cliff diving with spider monkeys either. While there are some theories posed that “micro-dosing” psychedelic compounds like shrooms can boost performance, the reality is there is actual research in athletes supporting their use. However, please keep in mind these shrooms and the ones used in Iron Army THROWDOWN™ are NOT psychedelic.
The six banned substance free mushrooms found in THROWDOWN are:.
- Cordyceps
- Shiitake
- Reishi
- Turkey tail
- King trumpet
- Lion's mane
These six mushrooms are found in a clinically validated blend called Peak O2.
PeakO2₂ improves the maximum volume of oxygen athletes can use over a period of time (VO₂ max) while helping them use that oxygen more efficiently. They train longer, with power, and their heartrates can recover faster. This research was conducted at the University of Charleston Don’t believe us? Here’s how.
1g/Day Dose (found in 1 scoop of THROWDOWN)
Test subjects consuming 1g/day for 28 days, demonstrated the following performance improvements:
Increased time to fatigue
Subjects experienced a 4.2% improvement in time-to-fatigue from pre-to-post, a difference of 22.6 seconds. Basically, participants lasted longer during exercise before succumbing to fatigue.
Improved oxygen utilization
3.3% improvement in Economy VO2 (this is the VO2 during a sub max 5-minute steady state cycle). (23.04 ± 3.0 ml/kg/min-1) to post (22.3 ± 3.0 ml/kg/min-1)
Faster heart rate recovery
Subjects consuming 1g / day PeakO2 experienced a significant improvement in Heart Rate (HR) from pre-to mid. The average among the group was a reduction of 4.2 bpm.
This graph shows the time to fatigue measured during the Aerobic Capacity test in the group receiving 1g/day of PeakO2. Time to fatigue is higher at post (28 days) time points in 1/g day group.
This graph shows results from 1g/day PeakO2 on a five minute, submaximal stage, performed at the same intensity across the trials. VO2 max is significantly lower at post (28 days) compared to pre. Thus, the subjects are performing the same amount of work with less exertion.
2g/Day Dose (found in 2 scoops of THROWDOWN)
The second dosing protocol involved subjects who consumed 2g / day of PeakO2 for 28 days. Following are results of the group's performance in the tests:
- 3.6% improvement in time-to-fatigue (+28.9 seconds) from pre to post.
- Significant reduction in Economy lactate (blood lactate sampled during a sub-max 5-minute steady-state cycle) from pre (2.4 ± 0.6 mmol/L) to mid (2.3 ± 0.6 mmol/L) and from pre to post (2.2 ± 0.5 mmol/L). Basically, the subjects are producing less lactate while performing the same about of work.
The graph shows the time-to-fatigue measured during the Aerobic Capacity test in subjects receiving 2g / day of PeakO2. Pre (baseline), Mid (14 days), Post (28 days)
The graph shows lactate taken during the economy phase of the Aerobic Capacity test in the group receiving 2g/day of PeakO2. Measurements were taken pre (baseline), mid (14 days) and post (28 days) during a five minute, submaximal stage, executed at the same intensity across testing. Note the trend of Lactate is significantly lower at the mid (14 days) and post (28 days) time points than at baseline.
IS THIS ACTUALLY POSSIBLE WITH A NATURAL INGREDIENTS? YES!
The mushroom blend found in THROWDOWN is actually clear of any banned substances and scheduled drugs (like psychedelic mushrooms). In order to obtain this status, this raw material is tested against known banned substance listed by the World Anti-Doping Association at a lab called the LGC. This is where it undergoes rigorous testing and is approved as an Informed Choice banned substance free ingredient.
The LGC has been testing for prohibited substances in sport since 2002 and has tested tens of thousands of product/ingredient samples during that time. LGC is currently testing over 5,000 samples per year for over 180 nutrition companies worldwide. Not bad considering this is where all Informed Choice testing occurs for global brands that ensure their products are banned substance free for professional and collegiate athletes.