The Ground Sounds Guide To Earthly Allies
Your guide to Ground Sound’s most beloved plants, roots, and the fungus among us.
We believe that mushrooms are magic. But unlike most magic, which is treated as a closely guarded secret, we want you to know exactly what goes into our blends and mixes. Here you will find a list of our most-used ingredients, from ancient adaptogens that soothe stress and boost stamina to brain-brightening botanicals and gut-nurturing mushrooms.
ASHWAGANDHA: Adaptogen for stress + sleep
Possibly the best-known natural stress reliever out there, Ashwagandha has recently enjoyed some TikTok fame, but it’s actually been in use for thousands of years. Grown in India and parts of the Middle East, ashwagandha is rich in phytochemicals that support stress relief, sleep, and cognitive function. Its Latin name, Withania somnifera, means “sleep-inducing.” In Sanskrit, its name translates loosely to “smells like a horse.” Do we think it has anything to do with the idiom “sleep like a horse”? Probably not.
BACOPA: Ayurvedic herb for memory support
This water-loving herb grows in warm, marshy places and is a staple in Ayurvedic medicine. Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is classified as a nootropic, meaning it supports brain function, in this case improving memory, recall, and problem-solving. It’s been in use for over 1,400 years and was said to be a favorite among Vedic scholars for memorizing long texts. But unlike synthetic stimulants, Bacopa doesn’t come with a crash or the risk of addiction.
CACAO: Amazonian antioxidant
Cacao is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa. Heart-opening, antioxidant-rich, full of magnesium and tryptophan (the feel-good compound found in cherries and turkey) it has been used ceremonially for thousands of years to spark joy, connection, and warmth. It grows in rainforests, and while it is the seed that eventually becomes chocolate, in this form, it’s more about healing than snacking. Also it was the safeword in a great Portlandia skit.
CHAGA: Cold climate fungus for immune support
Inonotus obliquus, also known as chaga, cinder conk or birch conk, is a cellular superhero that can look a little like a cluster of charred yams growing off the side of a tree. Packed with antioxidants to support immunity, reduce inflammation, fight oxidative stress and generally keep your body thriving, Chaga is a fungus that grows mostly on birch trees in cold climates like Northern Europe.
CORDYCEPS: Parasitic fungus for stamina + endurance
If the only exposure you have to cordyceps is from The Last of Us, nevermind that. Yes, it’s a parasitic fungus and yes, it naturally grows on insects (although the cultivated versions are bug-free) but it’s extremely species-specific, and doesn’t do its thing on mammals. Cordyceps has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to boost stamina, energy, and libido, and is known to enhance aerobic performance and reduce fatigue. Which is how it earned the nickname “natural Viagra”.
GINGER: Spicy root for digestion + immunity
Ginger is a multitasking powerhouse: the root vegetable equivalent of a boxer at the height of his vigor, bouncing up and down with his mouthguard in. This spicy li’l zinger contains compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and even anti-tumor properties, so if your body is fighting something off, ginger is right there and ready to swing. It’s also a serotonin booster, one of the brain’s go-to mood regulators
GOTU KOLA: Ayurvedic plant for clarity + mood
Sounds like a nine-dollar soda, is actually an aquatic plant. Otherwise known as Indian Pennywort, Gotu Kola has long been used in Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for helping with everything your phone is sabotaging, including memory, sleep, mental clarity, and mood (it has antidepressant properties).
LION’S MANE: The focus fungus
Lion’s Mane, which looks like a mushroom and a Fraggle Rock had a baby, is a shaggy fungus that goes by a number of aliases, including “bearded hedgehog” and “bearded tooth fungus”. Native to parts of North America, Europe, and Asia, it’s used for its culinary richness (it’s high in protein) and brain-boosting benefits. It supports nerve regeneration, mental focus, and memory. Fun fact: it’s a saprotroph, meaning it survives by digesting decaying organic material, so it cleans up and heals at the same time. Can your roommate do that?
MACA: Andean adaptogen for energy + mood
Maca is a root vegetable from the high Andes of Peru; a place where plants really have to try if they want to survive. That grit translates: it’s an adaptogenic used by Andean cultures to boost stamina, enhance mood, and regulate energy levels throughout the day. It’s a cousin to cabbage, but it’s more like an earthy, energizing super-radish.
PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOM STRAIN B+ CUBENSIS: Gentle psychedelic for insight + clarity
The strain we use in our capsules is a psychedelic mushroom descended from the ancient Psilocybe cubensis lineage, which has been used for centuries and probably millenia in spiritual practices by Indigenous peoples in Central and South America. This particular strain was first cultivated in the1990s as a relatively mild variety with gentle, welcoming psychoactive effects, making it ideal for therapeutic exploration and newcomers alike. It’s known to have a smooth, warm onset, and is a popular choice for users seeking cognitive insight, emotional clarity, or spiritual connection.
PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOM STRAIN PENIS ENVY: Potent psychedelic for transformation
The world of psilocybin mushrooms is diverse. Some strains grow resiliently, others grow quickly. Some look like blobs, some look like dicks. This particular strain’s organ so resembles a penis that it was named after one. But the real reason this strain, which is what we use in our gummies, is so sought-after and revered is for its very potent psychoactive properties. Penis Envy contains significantly higher concentrations of psilocybin and psilocin than most other cubensis strains, resulting in a more powerful, immersive experience. Users commonly report deep emotional breakthroughs, ego dissolution, and heightened states of awareness that can border on the mystical, though it demands respect and careful dosing.
REISHI: Calming medicinal mushroom
Reishi is a species of mushroom that helps balance your stress response and has a calming, almost meditative vibe. Long used in Eastern medicine, it’s been called the “mushroom of immortality”. That sounds intense, but it speaks to its benefits, too: Reishi supports immune function, helps regulate sleep, improves blood flow, and fights fatigue. In China, reishi is a symbol of happiness and immortality.
TURKEY TAIL: Immune-boosting fungus
Turkey tail is a medicinal mushroom that looks like… a turkey tail. It’s rich in antioxidants, helping to combat the free radicals that are released in your body when you’re, say, stressed and overwhelmed, underslept, doomscrolling, etc. It supports immune health and promotes gut balance, and, as fungus goes, is fairly abundant, hugging trees in forests all around the world. Good call, turkey tail, good call.
Ready to explore more? Check out our full range of products in the Ground Sounds shop — where these earthy allies come to life in our unique blends and capsules.
