Functional mushrooms are edible mushrooms used for more than nutrition, for focus, energy, balance and vitality, often with centuries of traditional use behind them. They're not psychedelic. The best known include lion's mane, cordyceps, chaga, tremella, reishi and turkey tail. Here's what they are, what the four in our coffee are known for, and how to choose a good one.
What makes a mushroom "functional"?
The term describes mushrooms prized for their natural compounds, like polysaccharides (including beta-glucans), polyphenols and terpenes, rather than just their flavor. Many have deep roots in traditional Chinese medicine, Japanese folk practice and Northern European herbalism. Today, people take them as powders, extracts, teas, capsules, and increasingly, in coffee.
The 4 functional mushrooms in our coffee
Lion's mane: the focus mushroom
A shaggy white mushroom called yamabushitake in Japan, after the mountain ascetics of the Shugendō tradition. Small human studies suggest it may support focus and brain health. Read more: Lion's Mane Coffee.
Cordyceps: the energy mushroom
Prized on the Tibetan Plateau as a tonic for stamina, and studied for exercise performance. It's the largest of the four mushrooms in our blend. Read more: Cordyceps Benefits.
Chaga: the birch tree tonic
A dark growth on birch trees, brewed as a folk tea in Siberia, Scandinavia and Finland for generations. Read more: Chaga Tea.
Tremella: the beauty mushroom
A white, frilly mushroom eaten in China for centuries as a beauty food, known for holding water. Read more: Tremella Mushroom.
Other popular functional mushrooms
- Reishi, called the "mushroom of immortality" in Chinese tradition, often taken in the evening.
- Turkey tail, a colorful, layered mushroom common in North American and Asian folk use.
- Maitake and shiitake, culinary mushrooms with their own traditional uses.
Are functional mushrooms psychedelic?
No. Functional mushrooms don't contain psilocybin and won't cause hallucinations. See Do Mushroom Supplements Get You High?
How to choose functional mushroom products
- Fruiting body vs. mycelium. The fruiting body is the mushroom itself. Some products use mycelium grown on grain, which can be mostly starch. See Fruiting Body vs. Mycelium.
- Look for an extract ratio like 8:1, which tells you how concentrated it is.
- Avoid proprietary blends that hide how much of each mushroom you get.
- Ask for testing. Mushrooms can absorb heavy metals from where they grow.
Research on functional mushrooms is still early, and there isn't enough evidence to promise specific results. But their long history of traditional use, plus encouraging modern studies, is why so many people now take them daily.
Our Signature Mushroom Coffee Blend
All four mushrooms in one scoop, as 8:1 fruiting-body extracts, with organic Arabica coffee, Alpha-GPC, L-theanine, organic ginkgo, organic cacao and a full gram of organic Irish sea moss. About 90mg of caffeine, no sweeteners or fillers, and every amount is on the label. Every batch is third-party tested for mold, mycotoxins, glyphosate and heavy metals.
Shop the Signature Mushroom Coffee Blend → Subscribe and save 25% for life, plus a free gift with your first subscription.
Frequently asked questions
What are functional mushrooms?
Edible, non-psychedelic mushrooms used for wellness, often with long histories in traditional medicine. Examples include lion's mane, cordyceps, chaga, tremella and reishi.
What is the best functional mushroom?
It depends on your goal. Lion's mane is popular for focus, cordyceps for energy, chaga as a traditional tonic, and tremella for skin and hydration.
Can you take functional mushrooms every day?
Most people take them daily. Check with your healthcare provider if you're pregnant, nursing or on medication.
Are functional mushrooms the same as adaptogens?
Many functional mushrooms are also called adaptogens, a traditional term for herbs and mushrooms used to help the body handle stress.