Should you put 'magic' mushrooms in your coffee? (2024)

For most of us, a steaming cup of coffee is a prerequisite for making it through the morning.

But while everyone knows that a hit of caffeine is a surefire way to wake you up, is it the most effective way to keep your energy levels boosted?

Enter the rise of adaptogenic coffee: your favourite hot drink infused with herbs and fungi including magic, or medicinal, mushroom extracts (these sorts of ‘magic’ mushrooms don’t contain the psychoactive components found in the illegal ones).

The addition of ingredients such as lion’s mane or cordyceps mushrooms are said to offset the cortisol-increasing effects of caffeine.

For those sensitive to caffeine, even the smallest amount of coffee can act like a stressor, leading to heart palpitations, restlessness and anxiety as our heart rate and blood pressure rises.

How effective are these new brain-boosting blends> Sophie co*ckerham put five UK-based brands to the test

But the theory is that adding in an adaptogen — most of these blends offer 1,000 mg of mushroom extract — helps increase our resilience to stress. So you get all the benefits of feeling alert, without the jittery after-effects.

My brain doesn’t usually kick in until mid-morning, yet I’m quite sensitive to caffeine and can feel jittery after a flat white. So I’m intrigued by the premise of mushroom coffee.

Research is ongoing, but studies so far seem to support the idea that taking different adaptogens can have a positive impact on everything from skin health, immunity, mental performance and anxiety, to energy levels, digestive health and sleep quality.

So, just how effective are these new brain-boosting blends? I put five UK-based brands to the test…

FIND YOUR FOCUS

London Nootropics Flow Blend, £15 for 12 sachets (12 cups, £1.25 per cup, londonnootropics.com)

This coffee — containing lion’s mane and rhodiola rosea — left a silty residue at the bottom of the mug, but that didn’t bother me. And the slightly sweet but not overpowering taste, much like a latte, left me happily reaching for it each morning.

Going through my accounts to start sorting my tax return would normally be dull enough to put me to sleep. But I felt able to concentrate much better after a cup of Nootropics, focusing my energy on the task at hand without getting distracted. 4/5

BRAIN BOOSTER

Antioxi Shroom Focus Coffee, £19.99 for 150g pouch (38 cups, 53p per cup, antioxi.co.uk)

The blend contains extracts from the chaga and turkey tail mushrooms, as well as 100 per cent arabica coffee, and just a teaspoon mixed with hot water promises to improve brain health.

The coffee has a finely milled texture and I liked the flavour. Although how much of my alertness after drinking could be put solely down to the adaptogens, rather than the caffeine, I’m not sure, as I felt more of a traditional buzz. The after-effects didn’t last as long as some of the other blends I tried — within an hour I was reaching for another cup. 3/5

The addition of ingredients such as lion’s mane or cordyceps mushrooms are said to offset the cortisol-increasing effects of caffeine

NO RAINBOW RUSH

Spacegoods Rainbow Dust, £39 for 240g (30 cups, £1.30 per cup, with a subscription at spacegoods.com)

Spacegoods promises to bring ‘focus, productivity and energy’, with ingredients including lion’s mane, chaga mushrooms, maca and ashwagandha roots.

But I didn’t find drinking this cuppa enjoyable, thanks to its watery hot chocolate taste, more akin to a synthetic protein powder. After struggling to finish my brew, I didn’t feel the same ‘lift’ as with the other brands. I wouldn’t rush to try this again. 1/5

BANG ON BLEND

Merryhill Mushrooms Instant Mushroom Coffee, £7.25 for ten sachets (ten cups, 73p per cup, merryhill-mushrooms.co.uk)

Combining lion’s mane, cordyceps and ashwagandha extracts with instant coffee, Merryhill Mushrooms’ Calibrate blend sachets were the most similar in flavour to the traditional brew I would usually reach for. I loved it. I felt very focused, bashing through my morning of admin with ease, not once tempted by other distractions. As the lift lasted well into the late afternoon, I would buy this one again. 5/5

COSTLY EARTHY TASTE

Dirtea Coffee Mushroom Super Blend, £39.99 for 150g sachet, (60 cups, 67p per cup, dirteaworld.com

Another all-in-one product, combining lion’s mane, chaga, and tremella with ashwagandha and maca. I enjoyed the earthy taste and did feel more awake and productive afterwards. But I felt the lift wasn’t as long-lasting as others I tried, despite the hefty price tag. 3/5

Should you put 'magic' mushrooms in your coffee? (2024)

FAQs

What does adding mushrooms to coffee do? ›

If the adaptogens in mushroom coffee reduce the amount of cortisol in your system, that may help reduce the effect that stress can have on your body. Reduced inflammation: Mushrooms contain compounds called polyphenols, as well as a variety of antioxidants. Together, they can help reduce inflammation in the body.

What is the downside of mushroom coffee? ›

Side effects of mushroom coffee

It's important to note that mushrooms can sometimes cause digestive issues, especially for those who have kidney issues or trouble with grains. In fact, chaga mushrooms are high in oxalates and are known to affect and increase kidney stones.

Can you brew coffee with mushrooms? ›

Mushroom coffee blends are typically half mushroom powder and half ground coffee. If you make your own, you can brew it with your favorite kind of coffee. If using whole bean coffee, store your beans and your mushroom powder separately and mix when you grind your coffee for brewing.

What mushrooms can you put in coffee? ›

Mushroom coffee is a trending coffee brew made from blends of regular coffee and extracts of medicinal mushrooms, including Chaga, Cordyceps, Reishi, Lion's mane, and Turkey tail.

Does mushroom coffee increase testosterone? ›

It's been linked to stress reduction and can boost testosterone, which benefits sex drive, whatever gender you are. It's also good for athletic performance and may increase fertility in men. Cacao contains various nutrients linked to enhanced libido, including magnesium and arginine.

Can you taste the mushrooms in mushroom coffee? ›

Despite what the name would lead you to believe, mushroom coffee doesn't actually taste like mushrooms. In fact, the flavor is shockingly familiar. One might even go as far as to say it tastes, smells and otherwise behaves a lot like coffee, just minus the negative side effects plus a bunch of health benefits.

Is mushroom coffee safe for kidneys? ›

Mushrooms have known health benefits, such as boosting your immune system, improving gut health, helping to manage stress, and more. However, it's unclear if they carry over to brewed ground mushroom blends. Unless you're allergic to mushrooms or have digestive or kidney problems, there's no harm in trying it.

Why does mushroom coffee make me feel weird? ›

If you're particularly sensitive to caffeine, even the lower doses in mushroom coffee might trigger an upset stomach, rapid heart rate, or anxiety. Mushrooms can also cause issues in people who have kidney problems or a history of difficulty digesting grains.

Does mushroom coffee help you lose belly fat? ›

Mushroom coffee is often marketed as a weight loss aid because it boosts metabolism and promotes fat burning. While some studies have shown amazing results, others have found no significant weight loss benefits associated with mushroom coffee consumption.

What is the healthiest mushroom coffee? ›

Top Mushroom Coffee Brands, Recommended By Experts
  • Four Sigmatic. “Four Sigmatic is a high-quality, natural mushroom coffee blend with a variety of health benefits,” says Sabat. ...
  • Laird Superfood. Laird Superfood is another favorite mushroom coffee brand of Olszewski. ...
  • Organo.
Dec 20, 2023

How much mushroom coffee can you drink a day? ›

The FDA has cited 400 milligrams as a generally safe level of daily caffeine consumption for most people, not associated with adverse health effects. Depending on the brand or blend, around three cups of mushroom coffee per day will equate to a little less than the FDA's recommendation.

What coffee maker is best for mushrooms? ›

From an espresso machine to a Moka Pot, a Hario V60 and many other coffee makers. However, the best way to brew mushroom coffee is with a Cafetiere, otherwise known as a 'French Press'. But why? Simply put, it uses a brewing method called 'immersion brewing'.

Why do you put mushrooms in coffee? ›

Studies show that adaptogens, like the mushrooms in mushroom coffee, level out the amount of cortisol in your blood and saliva. So this drink could potentially give you a hand in managing stress. It may ease inflammation. The compounds in mushrooms have plenty of anti-inflammatory agents.

What are the pros and cons of mushroom coffee? ›

In general, mushroom coffee's biggest benefits are its purported therapeutic effects and ability to provide sustainable energy without relying too heavily on caffeine, while its greatest drawbacks are its higher cost and lack of availability.

How much mushroom powder per cup of coffee? ›

Most people will add 1-2 grams of mushroom extract to a single cup of coffee.

Does mushroom coffee help with weight loss? ›

Mushroom coffee is often marketed as a weight loss aid because it boosts metabolism and promotes fat burning. While some studies have shown amazing results, others have found no significant weight loss benefits associated with mushroom coffee consumption.

Does mushroom coffee really help with bloating? ›

Many proponents say it's a natural way to fight against bloating, but gastroenterologists disagree. As a matter of fact, mushrooms may exacerbate bloating in people with underlying gastrointestinal disorders. Mushrooms are a healthy vegetable that has been studied for many medicinal properties.

Why do you put mushroom powder in coffee? ›

Adding things like mushroom powders to coffee can offset some of the downsides of coffee, including jitters, acidity, and disrupted digestion. When adding mushrooms to things like hot chocolate, you're simply reaping the benefits of the various kinds of mushrooms on top of the antioxidants in cacao.

Does Ryze really help with bloating? ›

RYZE stops bloating because it addresses the three most common causes of it. Reishi mushrooms help rebalance hormones that affect bloating, Turkey Tail is a powerful immune system modulator that promotes good gut bacteria, and Lion's Man prevents the invasion of the bacteria H. pylori.

References

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