MUD\WTR

In your search for mushroom products, have you heard things like “extracts are the best,” “mycelium is filler,” “10:1 extract means 10x more potent,” or “MUD\WTR contains oats”? If so, you've been on the receiving end of some baseless (yet sadly trendy) claims that are as misleading to consumers as they are ignorant of mushroom science. And we're just not gonna stand for that. In our latest Trends w/ Benefits article, our Director of Research & Development (and real, live food scientist) Matthew Held takes you on a journey to debunk these claims and spread the science-based truth. Read the article below 👇🏽

Getting older has its advantages … like being able to keep your cool while you’re tripping balls. Recent research has found a significant negative correlation between advanced age and the difficulty of psychedelic experiences. To put that simply, there’s reason to believe that the older you get, the less likely you are to freak out on mushrooms. One researcher noted that as we age, our social roles and motivations change, and we become skilled at reducing exposure to stressors. Additionally, he and his team determined that older people can become less emotionally reactive to potentially stressful situations with age. Learn more in this week’s Trends w/ Benefits article, “Shrooming Gets Easier with Age” by writer Damon Orion 👇🏽

Ever heard of third places? If home is your first place, and work is your second place, then a third place is neither. Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, in his 1989 book The Great Good Place, “third places such as coffee shops and restaurants improve one's quality of life by providing spaces where one can rest, escape from the mundane, socialize and emotionally discharge.” Think Central Perk in Friends or Cheers in … Cheers. Those sitcoms were onto something, and though your third place may not be the scene of some hilarious scripted scenario, the idea is the same. These spots are important for our well-being because they help us build community and figure out who we are when we’re not at work or home. Learn more in this week’s Trends w/ Benefits article, “Third Places: The Vital Role of Connection In a Remote World” by writer Rae Repanshek 👇🏽 #trendswithbenefits #thirdplaces #community

Shane Heath was just a kid growing up in Santa Cruz observing his dad working in construction. Now he’s the founder and CEO of MUD\WTR. His upbringing ultimately shaped who he is today, what’s important to him and how he manages his company. Growing up around his dad’s blueprints and watching them turn into structures that he would eventually rest his head in, led him to fall in love with bringing ideas to life. It was a way to bring imagination into the physical realm. As the older sibling, Shane was unknowingly practicing his leadership style, asking his sister and cousins for help with whatever he was working on. Yet, it was his fear of failure and misinterpretation that pushed him toward art, seeking clear, unambiguous modes of expression. But this didn’t just shape him, it also etched the DNA of MUD\WTR. For Shane, it’s more than a business, it's a physical manifestation of a life lived intentionally, always open to whatever possibilities might present themselves next. Read the full story in our latest Trends w/ Benefits article, “How MUD\WTR Founder Shane Heath's Santa Cruz Upbringing Shaped the Company” by writer Rae Repanshek.

When we take part in random acts of kindness, our brains release oxytocin, a hormone that promotes positive feelings. Along with oxytocin, random acts of kindness also cause a release of serotonin, which regulates mood in the brain, calms you down, and can help heal wounds. Those nice gestures also release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps boost feelings of pleasure and motivation. In conclusion, doing good feels so darn good. And some studies have shown that you don’t even have to be the one doing the kind act in order to feel the benefits. Simply seeing an act of kindness produces oxytocin, increasing our self-esteem and optimism. Whether you’re sending flowers to a friend, volunteering at a local organization or paying someone a compliment, small acts of kindness can really make a difference. So, what are you waiting for? Let that driver merge into your lane! Oh and read more about “What Random Acts of Kindness Do For the Brain” in this week’s Trends w/ Benefits article by writer Madonna Diaz-Refugia.

Join MUD\WTR Founder & CEO Shane Heath for a live chat with the hosts of CPG Vibes this Friday, March 22, from 2:30-3:30 pm PST 🍄

What if we could go through our death experience from a grounded, open and very honest place that allowed us to choose what’s best for our journey? Both ancient indigenous practices and modern scientific research have demonstrated the power of psychedelics when it comes to accepting and making choices about our own death, especially within end-of-life/palliative care settings. Several studies were conducted and published about the potential benefits of psychedelics in palliative and end-of-life care. These studies reported significant improvements in patient attitudes toward death, physical and emotional pain, well-being, mood and sleep quality. Many of the terminal patients who participated reported that the benefits lasted for upwards of two weeks, making them a tempting alternative to daily medications with a laundry list of side effects. Despite the stigma and complex legal issues surrounding psychedelics, positive change is happening, and the Western world is once again considering the medicinal benefits of these substances. Read more about “Using Psychedelics for End-of-Life and Palliative Care” in this week’s Trends w/ Benefits article by writer Brittany Mailhot.

What's your afternoon routine? If you’ve been tapping into the wellness world lately, you’ve likely heard about the importance of a morning routine. In fact, videos tagged with the words “morning routine” have more than 9.8 billion views combined on TikTok, with most users insisting that these regimens help set the tone for their day. However, according to psychotherapist Mark Lundquist, investing in a routine in the afternoon might be even more beneficial long term, especially for those who often feel like their day gets away from them at pivotal moments. Learn all about “The Surprising Importance of Afternoon Routines” in this week’s Trends w/ Benefits article 👇🏽 #trendswithbenefits #morningroutine #afternoonroutine

You just had a bad day at work and, all of a sudden, you’re in an argument with your partner. Sound familiar? This is actually a common psychological phenomenon known as crossover stress, and there are several ways in which it can manifest in relationships. If left unchecked, crossover stress can negatively impact a relationship, especially if you aren’t aware of its effects. Luckily, we’ve got some expert advice on how to keep stress where it belongs—outside of your relationship. Check out this week’s Trends w/ Benefits article 👇🏽