By Romas Marcin, Founder of Fundamental Fungi
Mushroom supplements are everywhere now, from gummies and capsules to powders, tinctures and mushroom coffee. If you're trying to figure out where to start, this guide covers which mushrooms people take, how the formats compare, and what to check before you buy.
What are mushroom supplements?
Mushroom supplements are concentrated forms of functional mushrooms, mushrooms people use for more than flavor as part of a daily wellness routine. They're usually made from a dried mushroom powder or, more often, an extract. The mushrooms in them are non-psychoactive and contain no psilocybin.
The most popular mushroom supplements
- Lion's mane: taken to support focus, memory and mental clarity.* Learn more.
- Cordyceps: taken to support energy, stamina and endurance, without caffeine.* Learn more.
- Reishi: often taken in the evening as part of a wind-down routine.
- Chaga, turkey tail, shiitake and maitake: also common in blends and teas.
For a closer look at each, see Functional Mushroom Types: A Beginner's Guide.
Gummies vs. capsules vs. powders vs. tinctures
Gummies
- Pros: taste good, pre-measured, portable, no water needed, easy to stick with
- Cons: a small amount of sugar; keep away from heat
Capsules
- Pros: no taste, consistent amount, no sugar
- Cons: some people dislike swallowing pills; servings can take several capsules
Powders
- Pros: flexible amount, often the lowest cost per serving, mixes into drinks
- Cons: earthy taste, daily measuring, harder to take on the go
Tinctures
- Pros: fast to take, easy to add to drinks
- Cons: often contain alcohol; amounts per dropper can be hard to compare
Mushroom coffee
- Pros: fits into a habit you already have
- Cons: the mushroom amount is often small or unlisted. See Benefits of Mushroom Coffee.
Bottom line: the best format is the one you'll take every day. What's inside matters more than the format.
How to read a mushroom supplement label
- Species name: for example Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane) or Cordyceps militaris.
- Part used: "fruiting body" is the mushroom itself. "Mycelium" or "myceliated grain" can include a lot of leftover grain. See Fruiting Body vs. Mycelium.
- Extract and ratio: an 8:1 extract is concentrated; plain powder isn't. See Extract Ratios Explained.
- Amount per serving: milligrams per gummy or capsule and per full serving.
- Testing: third-party testing for heavy metals and microbes, with a COA available on request.
Safety basics
Functional mushrooms are generally well tolerated by healthy adults. Talk to your healthcare provider first if you're pregnant or nursing, take medication, have a medical condition or have a mushroom allergy. See Are Lion's Mane Gummies Safe?
Our mushroom gummies
We make two: Lion's Mane (strawberry) and Cordyceps (watermelon). Each gummy has 125mg of USDA Organic fruiting-body extract (8:1, equal to 1,000mg of mushroom), with no mycelium, grain filler or caffeine. They're pectin-based, vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free, and made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility. Not sure which to start with? Read Lion's Mane and Cordyceps Gummies.
FAQ
Are mushroom supplements safe?
They're generally well tolerated by healthy adults. Follow the label and check with your healthcare provider if you take medication or have a medical condition.
Which mushroom supplement should I start with?
Pick one goal. For focus, many people start with lion's mane. For energy, cordyceps.*
Are mushroom gummies as good as capsules?
A gummy and a capsule with the same amount of the same extract deliver the same mushroom. Compare milligrams of extract per serving.
Can I take more than one mushroom supplement?
Many people do. Check with your healthcare provider if you take medication.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.