RS Recommends: Can Mushroom Coffee Replace Your Morning Joe?

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Coffee might dominate our mornings, but it’s not the only way to kickstart your day — or necessarily the best. Some people, tired of jitters, over-dependency, upset stomachs, and a built-up tolerance to caffeine, are now replacing their morning cup of Joe with mushroom coffee. And they might be on to something: the best mushroom coffees could bring attractive benefits including calm, all-day energy and a stronger immune system.

What Is Mushroom Coffee? Mushroom Coffee Ingredients

The best mushroom coffees are careful blends of different mushrooms extracts, and they sometimes include a splash of tea leaves or coffee beans. These mushrooms aren’t the kind you eat (or the trippy psilocybin kind), but rather medicinal mushrooms that have been used for thousands of years, in some cases, as natural health treatments. The best mushroom coffees also taste like coffee — not mushrooms — so there’s nothing to fear in terms of flavor.

Below are some of the most common mushroom coffee ingredients. Most purported health benefits are based on extensive anecdotal evidence, as well as cell and animal testing.

Lion’s Mane: Named after its shaggy appearance, lion’s mane has been used medicinally since ancient times. A number of studies strongly suggest that the fungus may strengthen our immune systems, reduce inflammation, and even alleviate anxiety and depression. Animal research has also shown that lion’s mane extract can kill cancer cells, help with diabetes, and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Chaga: Chaga mushroom, another fungus that’s been used by humans for centuries, may bring health benefits similar to lion’s mane including anti-inflammation and a boost to the immune system.

Reishi: Mainly found in Asia, Reishi mushroom usage can be traced back hundreds of years in Eastern medicine. Preliminary studies have shown that Reishi could increase energy while lessening depression and anxiety symptoms. It’s also used to control blood sugar and improve overall immune health.

Cordyceps: Although it’s a gross, parasitic fungus, cordyceps has some extremely promising potential health benefits — all backed by lab studies and animal research. It has been shown to boost exercise performance, sex drive, mental energy, and heart health, all while reducing signs of age.

Also, if you’re wondering whether mushroom coffee is legal, the answer is yes: mushroom coffee does not include psilocybin mushrooms (the psychedelic variety), so you can order it online from anywhere in the country.

Mushroom Coffee Benefits

We’ve gone over the possible health benefits of common ingredients in the best mushroom coffees, but what happens when you combine them?

The best mushroom coffees appear to lend clean energy, improve immune health, reduce stress, and lessen inflammation. Plus, because…