Why I Created Clarity: Supporting the Aging Brain

At my senior dog rescue, I made it my mission to support the oldest, most overlooked dogs—those often struggling with mobility issues, neurological challenges, skin sensitivities, and other signs of aging. Through holistic care rooted in fresh food and adaptogenic ingredients, I watched many of them regain their energy, comfort, and joy. But over time, I realized there was one area that needed even more focused support: our dogs’ minds, especially as they age.

Miss Daisie and the Lesson That Changed Everything

Miss Daisie was one of my beloved rescues, and at 14 years old, she began showing signs of cognitive decline. The moment that changed everything for me was watching her walk to the water bowl, stand over it… and do nothing. She didn’t drink. She’d walk away, only to return minutes later and repeat the same action, staring blankly into the bowl.

At first, I thought it was just a quirk of old age. Then my partner shared something that shook me—his father had once shown similar behaviors in his later years, losing the ability to recognize how to eat or drink.

At that moment, it hit me: I had been supporting their bodies and spirits, but I wasn’t giving their aging minds the additional support they needed. Without nourishing the brain, I couldn’t truly help them thrive.

Functional Mushrooms & Adaptogens for the Aging Brain

When I first began looking into mushrooms, I was shocked at what was on the market. Almost everything available was imported from China, grown on grain or oats instead of hardwood, and most products didn’t even contain real mushroom fruiting bodies. They were primarily mycelium powder with fillers and additives, offered in powdered form instead of true functional extracts. Even worse, many were preserved in alcohol or ethanol—something I try to avoid giving to pets.

I wanted a clean, whole-mushroom product I could trust. So I dove into research on brain aging and natural ingredients traditionally used to support cognitive health and resilience. What I found pointed me straight to medicinal mushrooms and adaptogens—ingredients with centuries of traditional use and an exciting body of modern research.

I focused on five powerful botanicals and mushrooms known for their traditional and researched roles in supporting brain health and mental clarity:

• Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) – Traditionally used to support cognitive function and healthy brain aging, Lion’s Mane is one of the most well-known mushrooms studied for its influence on the nervous system [1][2].
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) – Valued for its calming properties and ability to support both brain and immune system balance  [3].
• Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris/sinensis) – Often used to promote energy, vitality, and healthy oxygen utilization throughout the body, including the brain [4].
• Bacopa monnieri – A revered Ayurvedic herb traditionally used to support memory, mental focus, and learning [5].
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – An adaptogen known for supporting stress resilience, nervous system health, and emotional balance [6].

Many of these have been studied for their potential to support healthy aging and cognitive wellness. Alongside their deep roots in traditional medicine, I was inspired by how they could work together—since research shows that combining adaptogens can create more synergistic effects. So, I got to work formulating a tincture that brought all five together in a way that felt both grounded in tradition and backed by science.

Building a Natural Formula for Cognitive Support

To bring Clarity to life, I started by sourcing the highest-quality mushrooms grown right here in the U.S. I partnered with small farmers who cultivate mushrooms on their traditional substrate—hardwood logs—not grains or fillers. I also connected with wild foragers in the untouched forests of Oregon and Washington, who sustainably harvest these incredible fungi in their natural environment. 

From there, I teamed up with a myco-alchemist to create spagyric extractions—a whole-mushroom method rooted in ancient alchemical traditions. Unlike conventional tinctures, the spagyric process is designed to capture the full spectrum of the mushroom’s natural compounds by carefully separating, purifying, and recombining each element.

The spagyric process has three main steps:

• Separation (Extraction): Drawing out the mushroom’s beneficial compounds using both hot water and alcohol.
• Purification: Calcining the remaining plant material into ash to extract mineral content, then removing impurities.
• Recombination: Reuniting the purified compounds and minerals into a single, whole-mushroom extract.
  

We also take the time to fully evaporate the alcohol out of the final formula. The result is a concentrated extract that preserves key components like beta-glucans, terpenoids, and naturally occurring minerals—crafted to support balance and wellness for the body, mind, and spirit.

The outcome of everything I searched for—clean ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and a truly holistic extraction method—came together in Clarity. It’s a formula I believe stands apart because it honors the full power of the mushroom, offering a whole-body approach to support balance and vitality, especially in our aging companions.

The Results I Witnessed

Before I ever shared Clarity with the world, I used it with my own senior rescues for over a year. What I observed in those dogs during that time was powerful:

• Dogs who used to pace or vocalize at night began resting more peacefully.
• Dogs who had lost interest in food began showing more engagement at mealtime.
• Restless or withdrawn dogs became more affectionate and connected.
• Dogs who had seemed shut down started engaging, playing, and connecting again.
  

Time after time, I watched these old souls seem to rediscover their spark. For me, it was a reminder that supporting the brain—just like the body and spirit—can make all the difference in our pets’ quality of life.

From the Rescue to a Research Study

After observing encouraging responses in my own senior rescues, and hearing similar feedback from pet parents using the formula, I wanted to take things further. That’s why we launched the Senior Dog Study—an ongoing observational study tracking how senior dogs, particularly those showing signs of cognitive decline, respond to MycoDog Clarity as part of their daily wellness routine.

Conducted under veterinary oversight, the study is designed to explore how this specific blend of functional mushrooms and adaptogens may support cognitive function, vitality, and overall quality of life in aging dogs.

Why Clarity Exists

Clarity was born out of love, loss, and the realization that truly supporting our aging dogs means caring for more than just their bodies. The mind matters, too. After years of caring for senior rescues, I saw firsthand how easy it was to overlook cognitive support—until I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

Clarity represents a commitment to honoring the full experience of our aging companions: body, spirit, and mind. With a carefully selected blend of functional mushrooms and adaptogens, it’s crafted to help support clarity, connection, and overall well-being—so that senior dogs can continue to feel engaged, joyful, and present in the time they have with us.

For me, it’s more than a product—it’s a promise to do everything we can to help our pets age with dignity, grace, and comfort.

References

1. Mori K, et al. Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in vitro and its effect on cognitive function. Phytother Res. 2009.
2. Saitsu K, et al. Neuroregenerative potential of Hericium erinaceus in aged animals. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2021.
3. Zhou Y, et al. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides and triterpenes protect against neuroinflammation. Neurochem Int. 2018.
4. Das SK, et al. Cordyceps and mitochondrial energy metabolism. Phytother Res. 2010.
5. Stough C, et al. Bacopa monnieri improves memory performance in elderly subjects. Psychopharmacology. 2008.
6. Kuboyama T, et al. Neuritic regeneration and synaptic reconstruction induced by Withania somnifera. Br J Pharmacol. 2005.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s wellness routine.

About Angela Ardolino

Angela Ardolino, a certified fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. She is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.

Angela is the founder and formulator behind Hemp Dog Health and MycoDog, two pioneering brands that prioritize pet health through carefully crafted Full Spectrum Hemp for dogs, cats, and horses, as well as wild-harvested, dual-extracted mushrooms and adaptogens.

Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on her website, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.