For thousands of years, healers have shared mushrooms’ magical wisdom. But thanks to the revitalization of traditional medicine and increased scientific study, mushrooms are returning to our collective consciousness.
Mushroom supplements (now called functional mushrooms) are helping with everything from fatigue to stress to immunity. Whether you prefer capsules, tinctures, chocolates, or drinks, you’ll find a perfectly blended mushroom supplement at The Other Path that will make integrating these fungi allies into your daily routine easy. Here’s how.
Importance of Choosing the Best Mushroom Supplements
In the wise words of Terry Pratchett, “All Fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once.” With the explosion in popularity of mushroom supplements, knowing exactly what’s inside that mushroom-infused capsule, tea, or chocolate you’re taking is more important than ever. Especially when medicinal mushrooms are sold to support health and well-being, a little research into the brand is a good idea before you dive in.
Third-Party Testing
Check to see if the brand does any third-party testing. Testing demonstrates that the brand is committed to quality and there are no nasty surprises.
Targeted Wellness
Do some research into the types of mushrooms you read on the label. Different types of mushrooms have different benefits, from stress relief to energy boost to immune support. So, you’ll want to choose a mushroom complex that fits your circumstances and health goals.
High-Quality Ingredients
Is the company committed to sourcing the highest-quality ingredients possible, even beyond the mushroom blend? The quality of the other ingredients matters, too, from the tea to the cacao to the herbs.
Key Functional Mushrooms & Their Health Benefits
There may be 10,000 known species of fungi on the planet, but a handful stand out when it comes to medicinal mushrooms. These popular species appear across cultures and traditional medicines and are increasingly supported by rigorous scientific study.
When you shop for mushroom supplements, you’ll likely want to keep an eye out for these mighty fungi friends:
Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has a long history of use in Eastern medicines, especially in China and Japan. According to the author of Herbal Medicine, reishi represents “a combination of spiritual potency and essence of immortality.”
Research has backed up this traditional understanding, demonstrating that reishi can enhance the immune system by inhibiting the production of inflammatory molecules like cytokines, which reduce oxidative stress. Also, the triterpenes found in reishi mushrooms may help lower blood pressure.
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) has been used for centuries in traditional medicines. It’s particularly valuable in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it’s thought to promote longevity, enhance brain function, and support overall health. Long ago, Buddhist monks were even said to consume it in tea to improve focus and concentration during meditation.
Today, studies tell us that Hericium erinaceus contains compounds like hericenones and erinacines that can stimulate the growth of brain cells. As a mushroom supplement, it might even improve mild cognitive impairment and prevent neuronal damage in Alzheimer’s disease.
Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) are a type of medicinal fungi used in TCM for centuries. They offer immune system support and modulate function.
These mushrooms have also been extensively studied for their potential anti-cancer effects. They contain compounds that inhibit tumor growth, prevent metastasis, and increase the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy treatments.
Cordyceps Mushrooms
Cordyceps may have inspired the science fiction television series The Last of Us, but these parasitic fungi are not dangerous to humans. They only grow on insect larvae. Moreover, they have many health benefits for everything from brain fog to blood sugar.
Specifically, cordyceps have anti-fatigue properties and may help increase energy levels and endurance. This is thanks to two compounds: cordycepin and adenosine. New studies also suggest cordyceps may regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making them potentially useful for diabetes management.
Types of Mushroom Supplements
Before you try functional mushroom products, it’s best to understand what kinds of supplements exist.
Mushroom Extracts vs. Whole Mushrooms
A mushroom extract is the concentrated form of the whole, natural mushroom. Tinctures and extracts deliver a far greater dose of the therapeutic compounds than what you’d find in the equivalent fungi fruit. You’ll often find extracts and tinctures popping up in fun, new products like functional beverages, edibles, and teas.
Mushroom Powders and Their Uses
A fresh mushroom has a relatively short lifespan. It will sometimes lose much of its medicinal value after just a few days after harvest. Drying and grinding fresh mushrooms into mushroom power creates a shelf-stable, easy-to-measure ingredient to keep in your pantry. Mushroom powders are great for adding to soups, stews, and hot drinks.
Mushroom Complexes and Multi-Species Supplements
Why take a single type when you could potentially reap the synergies of several mushrooms used in combination? Today’s mushroom supplements contain a beautiful blend of functional ingredients, including a synergistic combination of medicinal mushrooms and related herbal supplements.
Health Benefits of Functional Mushroom Supplements
Functional mushrooms aren’t just another health food fad. Humans have relied on their support for millennia, and their use is increasingly supported by robust scientific research.
Immune Health and Support
Mushrooms: Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Maitake, Shiitake, Cordyceps
A surprising number of fungi boost immune function by enhancing the activity of immune cells and providing antioxidant support. Studies show that reishi and chaga enhance immune responses, turkey tail improves immune status in cancer patients, and maitake and shiitake stimulate immune activity. Additionally, cordyceps modulates and balances immune function.
Brain Health and Cognitive Function
Mushrooms: Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps
Many mushrooms also seem to offer support for brain health. Lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps improve cognitive function, memory, and focus. Lion’s mane stimulates nerve growth factor production, which supports brain health. Reishi reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, protecting against cognitive decline. Cordyceps enhance brain function by boosting energy production.
Energy Levels and Physical Performance
Mushrooms: Cordyceps, Chaga
Beyond neurological protection, mushrooms like cordyceps, reishi, and chaga support physical health by boosting energy and possibly even enhancing athletic performance. Cordyceps boosts ATP production, which powers physical performance and endurance. Chaga supports physical endurance by reducing oxidative stress.
The 8 Best Functional Mushroom Supplements
By now, hundreds, likely thousands of mushroom supplements are on the market. Where do you begin if you want to start incorporating a little fungi power into your daily wellness routine?
Here are just a few of our favorite mushroom-infused goodies that have made it onto our functional mushroom menu — and for good reason.
1) Odyssey Sparkling Mushroom Elixer
Functional Ingredients: Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, L-Theanine, and Organic Caffeine from Green Tea Extract
This sparkling elixir is designed to enhance energy and focus thanks to 2500 mg of lion’s mane and cordyceps mushroom extracts along with 85 mg of caffeine. Cordyceps mushrooms are known for their energizing properties, while lion’s mane supports cognitive function and clarity.
2) Green Roads Lion’s Mane Capsules
Functional Ingredients: Lion’s Mane, Turmeric, and Black Pepper
Each serving of Green Roads Lion’s Mane Capsules contains a powerful dose of 1000mg of lion’s mane mushroom, which supports memory, clarity, focus, and a healthy nervous system. The capsules also include a dash of turmeric and black pepper, which work together to deliver powerful antioxidant effects. Green Roads capsules are pharmacist formulated, gluten-free, vegan, and made with USA farm-sourced mushrooms.
3) CBD fx Focus Mushroom + CBD Drops | CBG Energy Blend
Functional Ingredients: Broad Spectrum CBD, CBG, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, and Chaga
CBD fx Focus Mushroom Drops combines the benefits of broad-spectrum CBD and CBG with the adaptogenic potential of medicinal mushrooms. The blend includes cordyceps for energy, lion’s mane for stress relief, and chaga for immune support. It’s an organic solution for everyday health, plus it’s non-GMO, vegan, and contains no detectable THC.
4) Alice Mushroom Chocolates | The Nightcap
Functional Ingredients: Organic Reishi, Chamomile, L-Theanine, Magnesium, and Zinc
The Nightcap by Alice Mushroom Chocolates is designed for restful evenings, deep sleep, and a calm mind. Each square of this decadent chocolate delivers a sense of calmness with the help of organic reishi for sleep regulation and L-theanine for stress release, among other dietary supplements. Each bite is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher.
5) Ora Ceremonial Cacao |Mystical Mushrooms
Functional Ingredients: Cacao Beans from Belize, Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Maitake, Shiitake, Oyster, Poria, Phellinus, and Tremella
The Mystical Mushroom blend by Ora Ceremonial Cacao combines the medicinal synergy of the world’s most sacred medicinal mushrooms with ceremonial cacao, all designed to enhance your body and spirit. The earthy flavor of mushrooms blends into the rich cacao for vasodilating and gentle cardiac stimulant properties. From reishi’s support for immune health to chaga’s powerful antioxidant support to cordyceps’ boost to energy and stamina, there are too many benefits to list from this ceremonial elixir.
6) Rainbo Mushroom Multivitamin Tincture
Functional Ingredients: Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, Maitake, Oyster, Mesima, Agarikon, and Chaga
The Rainbo Mushroom Multivitamin Tincture is a comprehensive blend of 11 potent and functional mushrooms designed for everyday wellness. Rainbo uses a dual extraction to create a tincture that supports a high vibrational body. They also cultivate all their mushrooms sustainably, and all their products are organic, GMO-free, and made with food-grade, 190-proof alcohol sourced from sugar cane.
7) Medterra Mushroom Wellness Boosters | Beautiful Mind in Chocolate
Functional Ingredients: Lion’s Mane, L-Theanine, Gotu Kola Extract, Bacopa Powder Extract, and Rhodiola Rosea
The Beautiful Mind Medterra Mushroom Wellness Booster is pure medicine for brain function. Each ingredient has been carefully selected to enhance focus, improve cognitive function, and strengthen memory. Plus, with convenient liquid pouches, there is no better way to get your daily dose of brain food delivered with patented liposomal technology for maximum absorption.
8) Space Tea – Golden Mango Mushroom
Functional Ingredients: Organic Reishi, Organic Lion’s Mane, and Caffeine
Space Tea in Golden Mango Mushroom is not just tasty, it’s good for you. From the very first sip, you’ll love the flavor bomb of tea, lemonade, and juicy mango. But soon, you’ll also reap the benefits of immune health from reishi, clarity from lion’s mane, and a little shot of energy from caffeine. Space Tea is a whole new way to boost your medicinal mushroom intake.
Shop Functional Mushrooms with The Other Path!
Functional mushroom supplements aren’t just a fairytale. They offer natural and effective support for everything from immune function to cognitive performance to energy levels. With a growing body of scientific evidence backing their benefits, these supplements are a powerful partner to any wellness routine.
Whether you’re looking for a daily boost, better focus, or enhanced physical performance, we are sure you’ll find a mushroom supplement to love at The Other Path.
