Nutrient dense whole-food bars to improve brain function, energy, and immunity. Adapt Bars are made with organic ingredients, flavored by real fruit, and stacked with 14 mood-boosting adaptogens.

We keep referencing “real food bars”, which is a phrase we’ve made up on our own. I’m quite positive other brands have used it, however I’m not paying much attention to other brands’ bars.

To put our money where the bars are, please enjoy this super quick film of me making a test batch of bars.

Nutrient dense whole-food bars to improve brain function, energy, and immunity. Adapt Bars are made with organic ingredients, flavored by real fruit, and stacked with 14 mood-boosting adaptogens

Real food bars

I’m quite religious in my following of Andrew Huberman and his weekly The Huberman Lab podcast. For those of you that are unfamiliar, Andrew Huberman is a professor of neuroscience and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine.

Many of his teachings have been distilled into this newsletter and his weekly podcast has greatly improved my acumen in science and science-based tools for life improvement.

Last week he released a podcast on optimizing brain chemistry. The segment regarding increasing dopamine receptors was particularly interesting to me. Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter and hormone. It’s partly responsible for body functions, including movement, memory, motivation, and to a lesser extent pleasure.

In this segment Dr. Huberman advocates, as does science, for the consistent ingestion of caffeine for increasing dopamine receptors so that the brain can receive and park dopamine.

I won’t argue with science, however I do feel as if this segment was missing something related to efficient use of caffeine. Dr. Huberman does recommend low doses of caffeine, 100 mgs, but he fails to speak to the perils of the dependency that can come from regular caffeine use, even at 100 mgs per dose. 

Why do after 7-8 hours of sleep we still reach for a stimulant quickly after waking? Are we actually tired or have we become so accustomed to habit that without it we feel less of ourselves…

Stimulants cause anxiety by increasing adrenaline in the brain and body. Without an opportunity to exert the increase in energy from raised levels of adrenaline, our system eventually crashes with serotonin and dopamine levels rising and falling in rapid succession.

I’m far from opposed to caffeine intake. We released a piece a few weeks ago about trading Coffee for Cacao, highlighting the theobromine to caffeine ratio in cacao. 

1 cup of brewed cacao has 350 mgs of theobromine and 15 mgs of caffeine. Theobromine contains precursors to dopamine and serotonin that improve mood and memory. And, according to scientific studies compiled by Dr. Huberman, caffeine increases dopamine receptors.

I won’t advocate for 100 mgs of caffeine daily to increase dopamine receptors when cacao contains much less caffeine and precursors to dopamine included in the mix. So while cacao is increasing the dopamine receptors through its caffeine content, it’s also feeding those receptors with dopamine. 

Increase Dopamine Receptors

Before we begin, this is a very kind and not pushy reminder that enthused newsletter readers receive 20% off MINERAL and a complimentary box of 4 Adapt Bars when acquiring formulations from MINERAL.

This note is ‘How it started’, the impetus of mycro. For a complete history on why food as medicine, please go here to watch a brief film we produced about the story of MINERAL – might as well shop around while you’re there ;).

I’m an anxious person. At a young age I was diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) — something that plagued me throughout my youth and into adulthood. My mother saved various reports from clinicians doing studies on me, and I’ve reviewed and revisited them in depthly.

Not because I’m super interested in how they read, but because of my ADHD… 

ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. Which is odd to me because I consider myself quite unique. I’ve tried and failed to curb the disorder with the various prescription medications available to a 12 year old that can’t focus. The harm they cause the mind and body is palpable and I’d rather struggle with my own issues than suffer from a less than advantageous pharmaceutical. 

So I struggled. And although I chose the struggle over the suffering, I suffered too. The disorder not only affected my focus, it hindered my ability to feel at peace, in myself and in my personal relationships. Without a trusted source for relief, I struggled and suffered for the majority of my life. 

In 2016 I traveled to South America for a plant-medicine ceremony. In the interest of time, you may read about the cause and effect of that ceremony here. As it pertains to mycro, please keep reading: 

Following the aftermath of the ceremony I became engrossed in plant medicines. This led to the launch of MINERAL in December of 2017 and a lengthy self exploration of entheogenic substances to help manage my various psychological ailments. 

I spent August of 2018 in the San Jose Del Pacifico mountains above Oaxaca, Mexico. This mountainous range has been considered magical for hundreds of years. It is the birthplace of Marina Sabina, a Mazatec shaman who held veladas, healing ceremonies, based on the use of psilocybin mushrooms. Although this wasn’t her intent, Marina Sabina is responsible for the popularization of indigenous Mexican ritual use of entheogenic mushrooms amongst westerners. 

I came to Oaxaca as a westerner seeking an experience with psilocybin, believing that it would impact my ADHD.

One of the towns centered in these mountains is San Mateo Rio Hondo. This town is far from mushroom-subtle, with art, street vendors, and cafes all paying tribute to the psychedelic mushroom. The cafes are notorious for serving mushroom tea and hundreds of other weary westerners visit to consume the magic liquid. 

My journey came with more guidance from a friend and Oaxacan, Coco. Coco passed on the tea, instructing me to do the same, and we sought after an experience with a teacher. 

Someday I’ll detail that experience cinematically. Being that you’ve made it this far on the promise of hearing the impetus of mycro, I believe it's best to get to that promise!

The psilocybin medicine we consumed from our teacher was infused in raw honey. The experience was transformative, for many reasons, and gifted me a practice I took home: consuming psilocybin in honey.

For five days a week I consume a microdose, 165 mgs, of psilocybin in a spoonful of raw honey.  This daily ritual is incumbent for managing my anxiety, stress levels, and inspiring an improved sense of self. 

Over the years, learning from plant-enthused friends, the honey developed to include the medicinal mushrooms and adaptogens featured in mycro. Combining these ingredients and homogenizing them in raw honey is essential to my wellbeing and ability to be a kind, loving friend, son, boyfriend, and leader. 

Eventually I tested the effectiveness of the honey without the use of psilocybin. Although psilocybin is immensely beneficial in macro and microdoses, it is illegal and therefore can’t be distributed to the readers of this newsletter. 

Fortunately, the product minus psilocybin stood up and proved itself as a very worthy opportunity to improve sense of self, manage anxiety levels, and reduce stress. So we played with the various adaptogens and medicinal mushrooms to create a Calm, a Vitality, and an Immunity. 

In April or 2021 we made them available to our community. A year + later psilocybin is still wrongfully illegal. We’re working to change that. Until then, we continue to offer mycro as an efficacious and non-psychedelic alternative. 

How it started

Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric complements Calm's antioxidant-heavy blend, aimed at relaxing the mind and body. 

+ 3/4 cup boiling water
+ 1/2 cup coconut milk (canned with no gums)
+ 1 tsp ground ginger
+ 1/2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
+ 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
+ 1/2 tsp black pepper (helps body absorb turmeric)
+ 1 tbsp Calm

Add ingredients to a blender, pour into a mug, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Recipe and content contributed by Danielle Bear, @cacaoforcoconuts



Formulated as a superfood snack, mycro honeys are a life-enriching, anytime whole food supplement. 

Sauce:
+ 2 Tbsp tahini
+ 1/2 Tbsp chickpea miso
+ 1 tsp mycro Vitality honey
+ Pink salt to taste 
+ 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
+ Water to thin

For the bowl:
+ Cooked quinoa
+ Arugula
+ Roasted sweet potato
+ Sauerkraut
+ Avocado
+ Pumpkin seeds

1. Prepare quinoa and sweet potato ahead of time.

2. Add sauce ingredients together and whisk until smooth. Add water until desire thickness is reached.

3. Assemble bowl and then drizzle on the sauce!

Recipe and content contributed by Danielle Bear

Try our recipes for vitality, like the Honey Miso Ginger Buddha Bowl. Packed with energy-giving nutrients to ensure you're ready to take on your day. Try now!

Recipes for Vitality | mycro

+ 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
+ 1 frozen banana
+ 1 Tbsp mycro Immunity honey 
+ 1 tsp cinnamon
+ 1 scoop vanilla plant protein
+ 1 cup almond milk
+ Toppings: banana and granola

1. Add everything to a blender and blend. Add more liquid if needed.

2. Transfer to a bowl and use a spoon to smooth it out.

3. Drizzle honey onto the smoothie bowl and use a toothpick to swirl.

4. Top with sliced bananas and your favorite granola.

Looking for a healthy and delicious snack? Try our Immunity Honey Bowl recipe with easy-to-follow steps and a video tutorial guide and more!

Recipes for Immunity | mycro

Used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries, the reishi mushroom tends to grow in hot and humid climates in Asia. 

Other names for the mushroom include Ganoderma Lucidum and lingzhi. 

Its antioxidant properties benefit the immune system. 

Found in Vitality, reishi serves as a staple to mycro’s pantry of ingredients. Reishi mushrooms can be eaten fresh, and are often made into powders and extracts. 

Taking reishi can help to combat feelings of depression and fatigue. 

A study of 132 patients who suffered from neurasthenia (a condition that includes symptoms such as headaches, irritability, pains, and dizziness) showed a reduced level of fatigue after eight weeks of taking the supplement.

The mushroom has beta-glucans, credited with stopping the spread and growth of cancer cells. 

A study conducted in test tubes found that it could cause cancer cells to die. 

Reishi has been associated with the killing of cancer cells (within test tubes) increased white blood cell activity, a key factor in fighting cancer. 

Studies continue to research reishi’s positive effects on cancer (prostate, breast, and colorectal). 

Researchers believe that it could be beneficial used along with traditional treatment.

Reishi mushrooms help improve the immune system. 

Mushrooms can help to increase the number of white blood cells in the body, changing the inflammation pathways in those cells.

Controlling blood sugar, heart health, and more

It might be possible to decrease blood sugar levels with reishi.

Improving heart health could be another advantage of taking reishi. 

One study conducted over 12 weeks on 26 participants found that the mushroom could increase HDL cholesterol while reducing triglycerides. 

Reishi continues to be studied as a benefit for heart health.

Other potential uses of reishi mushrooms include addressing hypertension, viral infections, and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Reishi mushrooms can help calm the nervous system, improve creativity, and encourage the uptake of GABA. Reishi mushrooms have a high triterpenoid count.

Reishi Mushroom 101 - Benefits and Properties | mycro

Fungi are incredibly intelligent. Thousands of years of research defend the claim.

Lately, mushrooms and other adaptogens have been recognized more openly for their nutritional value, vitamins and minerals that yield short- and long-term health benefits.

Mushrooms are most famously credited with their contribution to Chinese medicine. 

The first time fungi properties were extracted and incorporated into modern medicine was about a century ago when used to create penicillin. 

Since then, fungi has played a crucial role in the development of modern medicine, particularly for its anti-cancerous properties. 

Mushrooms are often referred to in categories: culinary, psychedelic, poisonous, and functional. 

Mushrooms within those categories sometimes overlap.

Psychedelic functional mushrooms, often referred to as “shrooms”, contain hallucinogenic substances that can quickly induce changes in mood, thought and perception. 

Functional mushrooms that aren’t psychedelic are recognized for their similar benefits without the “trip”, altered perceptions and sensations.

Which Mushrooms are Psychedelic?

Formulated as a superfood snack, mycro honeys are a life-enriching, anytime whole food supplement.

+ 1 cup gluten-free flour (1:1 baking flour) 

+ 1/2 cup grated carrots (~2 large carrots) 

+ 1 Tbsp mycro Calm honey + Handful of crushed walnuts

3. In a mixing bowl add flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg and baking soda. Stir until combined.

4. In another mixing bowl combine apple sauce, honey and carrots. Mix well.

5. Pour dry mixture into wet mixture. Scrape edges until well incorporated.

8. Use a spoon or cookie dough scooper to transfer batter to muffin pan.

9. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until slightly golden.

10. Enjoy warm with some honey. Store in refrigerator for optimal freshness.

Try our Calm Carrot Cake Muffin Bites recipe and others with mycro for a calming and relaxing snack or for an easy breakfast on the go. Quick, easy, and tasty.

Recipes for Calm | mycro

Cordyceps, a type of fungus, has a fascinating growth process. A parasitic fungi, Cordyceps Sinensis grows on insect larvae — caterpillars that live in high altitudes in Asia, such as the Himalayas. The fungi has long been popular in Chinese medicine. 

For a long time, cordyceps was reserved for the elite because of its difficulty to cultivate. 

Wild harvested cordyceps currently can sell for $20,000 per pound. 

Mycro cultivates Cordyceps Militaris, a fruiting body with almost five times as much cordycepin as the wild variant.

While “cordyceps” sounds like the name of a muscle, it isn’t, but it’s close. 

Athletes are starting to become interested in cordyceps because of how they contribute to exercise. 

They may boost the production of adenosine triphosphate in the body, which helps to effectively deliver energy to the muscles. 

Cordyceps are also credited with improving oxygen delivery, resulting in better athletic performance. 

In a study, taking the supplement consistently for six weeks resulted in seven percent improvement in fitness levels.

Cordyceps is high in antioxidants, which remove free radicals from the system. 

(Free radicals can contribute to aging and disease.) 

Studies in mice have found that cordyceps can help to improve sexual function and memory, and lengthened lifespan.

Cordyceps may help to keep blood sugar levels in the correct range with actions that mimic insulin’s role in the body, addressing the issue that defines type 2 diabetes.

Adenosine, found in cordyceps, provides benefits that protect the heart.

The use of cordyceps has been suggested for patients with arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and found to reduce triglycerides and minimize heart injuries in rats with chronic kidney disease. 

Cordyceps can also help to reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol, which causes buildup in the arteries.

mycro cultivates Cordyceps Militaris, yielding up to 5x as much cordycepin as the wild variant, with anti-aging properties and several benefits to heart health.

Cordyceps Mushroom 101 - Benefits and Properties | mycro

Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, lion’s mane is an edible mushroom used in cooking and as a medicinal mushroom in traditional medicine. 

Other names for the mushroom include hou tou gu and yamabushitake. 

The mushroom typically grows on hardwoods, especially beech trees, during the late summer and fall. 

Its long, shaggy spines resemble the mane of a lion. 

A key ingredient in Calm, lion’s mane has a range of substances that can improve health, thanks in part to beta-glucan and antioxidants. 

Lion’s mane contains erinacines and hericenones, compounds that help to stimulate brain cell growth. 

Studies have found that lion’s mane could help to protect people from Alzheimer’s disease. 

In mice, it has been shown to reduce memory loss symptoms and neural damage.

Faster recovery from injuries to the nervous system

The fungi’s extract may help to stimulate the growth and repair of nerve cells. 

Researchers observed a relatively short recovery time for rats with damage to the nervous system. 

In another study, the extract helped to reduce inflammation and brain injury size following strokes.

Ulcers often form in the digestive tract, often because of an increase in the amount of H. pylori bacteria in the system that can damage the mucous layer in the stomach. 

Lion’s mane may stop growth of H. pylori. 

Compared to acid reduction drugs, lion’s mane extract was found to prevent stomach ulcers caused by alcohol in animals.

Lion’s mane’s anti-inflammatory properties could help to reduce anxiety and stress. 

Researchers believe that the mushroom improves the function of the hippocampus, which is important for emotional responses and memory processing.

Lion’s mane mushrooms are attributed to a boosted immune system in frequent users. 

They increase the intestinal immune system’s activity, which can help to protect the body from pathogens that enter through the mouth or nose. 

The fungi is also used for diabetes symptom-management and cancer treatment.

Lion's Mane mushrooms can help repair the nervous system, reduce inflammation and stress, enhance memory, and more. High in beta-glucan and antioxidants.

Lion's Mane Mushroom 101 - Benefits and Properties | mycro

Turkey tail mushroom is a functional mushroom that grows on tree trunks and fallen trees in many parts of the world. Its name is derived from its appearance.

This mushroom is also known as Coriolus Versicolor and Trametes Versicolor.

Found in Immunity and Calm, turkey tail has been used in traditional medicine for many years, often used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat respiratory conditions. 

Turkey tail is also available in powders, tea, and supplements.

Turkey tail mushrooms help to boost the immune system. The mushroom is filled with antioxidants that help to reduce or prevent damage caused by oxidative stress in the body. 

The mushroom also contains polysaccharopeptide, which promotes the immune system by activating and inhibiting certain immune cells.

Additional evidence suggests improvement within the immune system of colon and breast cancer patients, resulting in suggested pairing with treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation.

Turkey tail’s prebiotics help to maintain the proper balance of bacteria in the gut. 

Balanced bacteria in the gut are essential to digestion.

The protein-bound beta-glucan in the fungi is believed to help to prevent obesity, supported by evidence that a high-fat diet didn’t increase weight gain as it usually would.

The correlation between athletic performance and a diet including turkey tail continues to be studied, as reduced fatigue and improved exercise performance have been proven from studies. 

A study also found that the blood sugar levels of mice were lower at rest and after exercising when turkey tail was included in a diet.

In a study addressing HPV, 88% of participants had signs of improvement, and in some cases, clearance of the HPV. In the control group, only five percent reported improvement.

Historically used in Chinese medicine, Turkey Tail mushrooms can help strenghen immunity, and improve respiratory conditions with it's powerful properties.

Turkey Tail Mushroom 101 - Benefits and Properties | mycro

Chaga is a functional mushroom used in traditional medicine, dense with benefits. 

Grown in Canada, Siberia, and North America on birch trees, chaga mushrooms often look like clumps of dirt with a dark exterior, but on closer inspection, the interior flesh is orange.

Chaga mushrooms are filled with vitamins and minerals including vitamin D, potassium, rubidium, cesium, amino acids, fiber, B-complex vitamins, zinc, selenium, copper, calcium, iron, manganese, and magnesium.

Chaga could help to regulate cytokine production, thus improving the immune system. 

Cytokines are chemical messengers for the immune system that help the cells communicate with one another.

Oxidative stress causes wrinkles, gray hair, and sagging skin. Chaga can help to slow down the aging process caused by this stress thanks to its high antioxidant count. 

Chaga mushrooms to reduce the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as “bad” cholesterol, in the body. 

The antioxidants also likely lower cholesterol. 

High cholesterol can increase the risk of developing heart disease, leaving mushrooms with an additional benefit: contributing to a healthy heart. 

A test conducted in Petri dishes and mice slowed the growth rate of cancer cells in both. 

Another study found that the triterpenes in Chaga could cause the tumor cells to destroy themselves. 

Antioxidants also contribute to lower blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health. 

This reduces the risk of strokes, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems.

The antioxidants and cytokine production mentioned earlier can also limit short-term and chronic inflammation in the body.

Chaga mushrooms are dense in nutrients and can help reduce inflammation, cholesterol levels and help with blood pressure. Found in our Vitality honey.

Chaga Mushroom 101 - Benefits and Properties | mycro

Functional mushrooms’ and adaptogens’ benefits are seen from consistent use. Like working out, benefits are apparent by implementing habits.

For mycro, mushrooms and other adaptogens are the core of product development.

Having gained traction in the states lately, mushroom brands are trending. 

Many brands add enough of the product to list it on the label, but too little to yield noticeable benefits. 

mycro does the opposite, wasting no space with our formulations. 

Mushrooms and adaptogens are stacked to enable you to feel a range of benefits, as opposed to, for example, choosing between a Lion’s Mane option for nervous system or Turkey Tail option for immune system. 

As taught within the realm of modern medicine to take supplements “because they’re good for you”, we encourage you to consume a daily spoonful of mycro to support your wellbeing. 

Your body easily absorbs supplements even if you don’t need them. 

For example, excess Vitamin D can negatively affect the heart. 

Adaptogens are intelligent, adapting to your body. 

Your body has a natural, unique equilibrium, which adaptogens understand.

The aforementioned equilibrium is thrown off by stressors, which affect individuals differently. 

Stressors are environmental, physical, psychological, and chemical, and eventually overwhelm our body, resulting in what we know as symptoms. 

Mushrooms and adaptogens are stacked to get the full benefits, instead of picking between Lion’s Mane for the nervous system or Turkey Tail for immune support.

Adapting to the Environment | mycro

Diet, movement, sleep, sunshine and oxygen are a few readily available tools for improving our mood. 

Nutrients impact our feelings, as emotions arise from the relationship between brain and body. 

The vagus nerve manages communication between the brain and digestive system. 

It tells our brain when we’re hungry or full, energized or lethargic, and understands what we consume. 

Its intelligence enables the brain to function at its best when provided with nutrient-dense foods.

Comfort foods exist for everyone, subconsciously driven to them for quick dopamine releases. 

Highly processed and unwholesome foods are often appealing in the moment, but do more harm than good: weight gain, heart problems, and mental fog. 

Breaking damaging habits is often difficult, but effective in long-term mood improvement. 

With good habits come the good effects that result in mental clarity, boosted energy levels, and heart health. 

With mental clarity and enhanced mood come better decisions, closing out the cycle.

Body chemistry shapes your individual equilibrium. Knowing which foods satisfy that chemistry isn’t always obvious. 

Following principles will provide a head start to improve your mood, stabilize energy levels, and enhance mental clarity.

Supplements can improve health when used appropriately, but they’re intended to add to a foundation, which starts with clean, nutritious ingredients. 

Fruits and vegetables are an effective first step. Even better: organic and all-natural produce without chemicals to throw off your natural chemistry.

Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and probiotics positively affect your physical health, in turn respecting the brain-body dynamic. Omega-3 fatty acids have a profound effect on mood, and are found in fish, nuts, and seeds. 

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans are high in fiber, beneficial to digestion. Yogurt is high in probiotics, supporting gut health.

Nutrients impact our feelings, as emotions arise from the relationship between brain and body. Break bad habits and build new ones with our Good Mood Food Blog.

Calming Golden Mylk

Recipes for Immunity

Recipes for Vitality

Recipes for Calm

Let's do mushrooms together

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Calming Golden Mylk

Recipes for Immunity

Recipes for Vitality

Recipes for Calm

Let's do mushrooms together