Does cooking destroy the benefits of medicinal mushrooms?

Cooking does not ruin functional mushrooms, and for many species it helps. Mushroom cell walls contain chitin, which is hard to digest raw, and gentle heat or hot-water extraction releases compounds and makes them easier to absorb. This is why reishi and turkey tail are simmered into teas. Always cook culinary mushrooms such as lion's mane and shiitake thoroughly before eating.