Best Mushroom Supplements
[amazon table=”1509″]Medicinal mushroom supplements are rapidly becoming one of the more popular ways to help your body get just what it needs.
One of the best parts of taking the best mushroom supplements is that you don’t need to put up with strange textures or strong flavors to get the nutritional benefits.
Medicinal mushrooms tend to be rich in macronutrients like fiber and protein and micronutrients like potassium. They are also touted to provide the all-important vitamin D, which is rare to find in food.
Here are our top picks…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
[amazon box=”B078SJ9F5S” title=”Genius Mushrooms Supplement” description=”This mushroom supplement from Genius is a powerful combination of reishi, lion’s mane, and Cordyceps mushrooms. It offers everything you could want for a mushroom supplement, while being incredibly convenient to take in capsule form.”]⭐ Our Other Top Mushroom Supplement Picks
- Best of the Best: Genius Mushrooms Supplement
- Best Mushroom Supplement for Weight Loss: Naturealm Sacred 7 Mushroom Extract
- Best Mushroom Supplement for Immunity: Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders
- Best Mushroom Supplement for Energy: Onnit Shroom Tech Sport
Who Are Mushroom Supplements For?
Mushroom supplements have a wide array of benefits. You might consider taking a mushroom if you are:
- Looking for a caffeine-free way to boost energy (though don’t expect a coffee-like spike)
- Wanting to take a natural Traditional Chinese Medicine that’s good for the immune system
- Considering a healthy weight loss regime that includes intermittent fasting
- Looking for a general health supplement that’s all natural and also good for anti-aging and longevity
- Wanting a natural solution for libido and sexual health
Best Mushroom Supplements Reviews
Genius Mushrooms Supplement (👑 Top Pick)
The best mushroom supplement, in our view, has to be the Genius Mushrooms Supplement. For a start, this supplement comes in the form of capsules, which make it exceptionally easy to take on a regular basis. You won’t have to worry about measuring out powder with this supplement.
The best part, though has to be the inclusion of three of the best medicinal mushrooms for living a healthier life, this supplement combines all their benefits into one, well-marketed product. An investment is this supplement is an investment in improved focus (Lion’s Mane), energy (Cordyceps), and reduced stress (Reishi). So whatever it is you’re looking to gain from a mushroom supplement, you can find it in this one product from the aptly-named Genius.
Effectiveness
Price
Ingredients
Taste
The high-quality ingredients, and effectiveness of this mushroom blend supplement are what sets it apart from the competition and puts it on the top of the pile for us. This supplement combines three of the most popular mushrooms into one capsule, making it a lot more cost-effective than buying each individual mushroom supplement. The mushrooms are also organic, so you can be sure you’re getting the very best for your body and brain.
This supplement is also caffeine-free. This is great because it means you don’t have to rely on caffeine to give you an energy boost. It also means you won’t experience the same crash that you might with drinking a cup of coffee. You’ll really be able to see the power of mushrooms by taking this supplement, and many customers report noticing energy boosts and more mental clarity after taking a capsule.
Features:
- 90 capsules
- Ingredients: reishi, lion’s mane, Cordyceps mushrooms
- Caffeine-free
Host Defense MyCommunity Mushroom Supplement
Host Defense’ MyCommunity mushroom extract boasts 17 different types of mushrooms inside each drop.
What makes this mushroom supplement worthy of note, besides its many immunity-boosting properties, is the man behind it: Paul Stamets. A famous advocate for the benefits of taking medicinal mushrooms, Stamets once gave a powerful TED talk called ‘6 ways mushrooms can save the world’. This is someone who is fascinated with fungi and what it can do for us, to the extent that he meticulously researched which mushrooms would go best together for a high quality supplement.
This supplement is touted to have what Host Defense refer to as the ‘seven pillars’ of immunity-boosting benefits. We won’t bore you with the technical terms, but it’s safe to say that this product is backed up by quality well-researched ingredients.
In fact, as recently as March of 2020 Host Defense released peer-review research which cited the efficacy of the 17 mushrooms used in their product, and it makes for good reading.
Opting for the extract liquid form instead of capsule or powder is an interesting choice, but does make the whole process relatively painless. All it takes is two drops a day and you’ll be well on your way to better immune system function.
Features:
- 2oz bottle worth 60 servings
- Includes 17 mushrooms
- Certified Organic
New Chapter Reishi Mushroom Immune Support
This immune support mushroom supplement from New Chapter features the reishi mushroom as the star of the show. As you’ll know if you’re familiar with different types of mushrooms, the reishi variety is known for its immunity-boosting properties and ability to reduce the level of cortisol in the body. It is usually seen as a great remedy to late-night stress which prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Past users of this supplement love the noticeable boost in immune function due to beta glucans, and those who have struggled with immune system deficiencies claim that it can help balance out energy levels and fight off sickness. While certainly not a cure-all, this mushroom supplement can work against fatigue and stress, leaving you to focus on the important tasks. Plus the addition of lion’s mane for example can help you through periods of mental fogginess and boost your cognitive clarity. It also helps you reduce your reliance on stimulants such as caffeine which can have an adverse effect on the body, and crash your energy level.
As gel-capsules it is very easy to take this supplement, and you shouldn’t find the flavour too offputting as it isn’t very strong. Convenience is often very important for regularly taking supplements, so this is a big plus, and it should make it very difficult to miss a day if you want to take this product daily.
Features:
- Available in container of 60 or 120 capsules
- Organic mushrooms
- Main ingredients: reishi, shiitake, lion’s mane, maitake, poria, turkey tail, chaga
- Grown in the USA
Naturealm Sacred 7 Mushroom Extract (⬇️ Best Mushroom Supplement for Weight Loss)
What makes the Sacred 7 Mushroom Extract from Naturealm such a great choice for weight loss is how well it mixes with foods like soup. One of the best ways to lose weight with a supplement is to hide it in your food, so that way you can get more benefits from the food you are eating. But with this supplement, you will even get a flavour hit to your dishes. The combination of seven mushrooms add a very earthy flavor which is great with savory foods. It’s also convenient, and allows you to enjoy the benefits without having to drink mushroom powder flavored water, which is probably not a lot of people’s first choice drink.
As well as being incredibly easy to blend, and adding a unique umami flavor to your cooking, this supplement has a whole host of health benefits. By mixing together seven of the healthiest mushroom types into one blend, you’ll get the best of each in just one scoop of this extract powder. Lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga, and shiitake mushrooms all play a part in making this extract powder highly nutritious. They also ensure that this supplement is satisfying to the stomach. If you put a small scoopful in your morning coffee, you will be able to forego breakfast and start a day of intermittent fasting in your attempt to lose weight.
If you notice on the packaging, this supplement states that it is an extract powder that uses 100% fruiting bodies. While this may sound odd, this means that Naturealm hasn’t padded out this supplement with rice, or anything else that adds little nutritional value to the mix. As opposed to mycelium supplements, this kind is far more healthy as it takes only the best mushrooms in their pure form and uses that and that alone to make the powder. Naturealm then uses a hot water extraction process to increase the bioavailability of the mushrooms, which essentially means boiling them down to the best parts.
As an assurance of quality, Naturealm tests all the mushrooms used for their extract powder multiple times. Their process is USDA Certified Organic, so you know that what they say is true. If all of that wasn’t enough to convince you to give this supplement a go, then how about the full refund they offer in the case that you aren’t happy with the results you’re getting?
Features:
- Available as 2oz or 8oz packet
- 7 organic mushrooms including reishi,shiitake, cordyceps, and lion’s mane
- Easy-to-mix powder
- 100% whole fruiting bodies
- Quality tested and USDA Certified Organic
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders (🦠 Best Mushroom Supplement for Immunity)
Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders boasts five of the most nutritious mushrooms, which include chag, the type of mushroom which is known for its immunity-boosting properties. By choosing to use just the whole fruiting body, you know that there is no filler or mycelium in this supplement. As well as quality, this supplement offers flexibility, as you can choose whether to take it in powder form or as capsules depending on your personal preference.
As you might already be aware, chaga mushroom contains very high levels of antioxidants. This makes it a fantastic addition to any immunity-boosting diet. It is also packed full of vitamins and nutrients for an even greater health kick. Reishi mushrooms not only give your immune system a helping hand, but also help target cortisol to reduce stress and promote a good night’s sleep. The other three mushrooms also provide key immunity-boosting properties to a slightly lesser extent.
Surprisingly the combination of these 5 mushrooms makes for a delicious flavor in powder form. So good in fact, that it’s recommended that you add it to your favourite smoothies, shakes, or even your morning cup of tea or coffee.
The story behind this mushroom supplement is charming, as it is produced by a family-owned company. Father and son Jeff and Skye Chilton are mushroom specialists, and know exactly what it takes to cultivate only the very best. This is backed up by experts who test the quality of their mushrooms rigorously before they are approved for use in this supplement.
Features:
- 45g extract blend
- Includes 5 mushrooms: chaga, reishi, shiitake, maitake, turkey tail
- Certified Organic
- Quality tested
- Whole fruiting bodies
Onnit Shroom Tech Sport (🔋 Best Mushroom Supplement for Energy)
One of the best mushroom supplements for energy, and overall, is Shroom Tech by Onnit. Onnit is a company with a focus on total body optimization, and provides all sorts of health supplements and nootropics to facilitate that goal. Their products are geared more towards athletes and those who work out regularly, so this product is best suited to anyone looking to sustain a high energy level with an active lifestyle. Shroom Tech Sport is a great mushroom supplement and it can provide an excellent energy boost just when you need it most. No more will you need to struggle with the midday or pre-workout slump with this energy-boosting supplement.
What makes this supplement ideal for managing your energy level is the emphasis on the cordyceps mushroom. This type of mushroom has the potential to bring your energy levels to new heights, and is the perfect ingredient to kickstart your day or your workout. Also included in the supplement are green tea extract, adaptogens, antioxidants, and methyl B-12 for a more well-rounded product. The green tea extract helps with overall energy and metabolism, while the B12 is an energy-associated vitamin that’s hard to come by with regular diet. Rather than relying on stimulants such as caffeine to get you through the day, you can take Shroom Tech Sport instead to perform at your best no matter the hour.
Whether it’s a burst of energy you’re looking for to beat the midday slump, or a sustained high which can get you through an intense workout, Shroom Tech Sport has you covered. As well as providing a jolt of energy from the powerful cordyceps mushrooms, you can also expect improved cardiovascular endurance. Proven to defend the body against fatigue, cordyceps mushrooms can provide more than just a quick fix.
Features:
- Available in container of 28 or 84 capsules
- Stimulant free
- Includes cordyceps síntesis, rodilla, ashwagandha, chromium picolinate, green tea extract, astragalus
What To Look For When Selecting A Mushroom Supplement
There are several factors worth considering before you invest in a mushroom supplement. Arguably the most important is which type of mushroom you stand to benefit most from consuming, but there isa range of other things that you should take into account.
1. Type of Mushroom
You can choose the right supplement by picking the mushroom that provides the benefits most aligned with your health or fitness goals.
There are many mushroom varieties, but we’ve picked out some of the most common types used in supplements to give you an idea of what each one offers.
Reishi (Rest)
Reishi mushrooms are one of the most popular varieties and for good reason.
Pick a supplement rich in reishi mushrooms if you’re looking for something to help you wind down at night for better sleep.
If you struggle to fall asleep and you’re tired of staying up late, then you might find supplements with reishi mushrooms can bring the right level of calm and sleepiness you need to get a decent night’s rest.
Reishi mushrooms are great for fighting cortisol, the stress-producing hormone, which also makes them a solid choice for anyone who suffers from anxiety or high stress levels throughout the day.
Supplements including reishi are a great way to get a range of health benefits while also getting the calming benefits of something like chamomile tea.
Chaga (Immunity)
Chaga mushrooms have a high level of antioxidants, and as a result, are excellent for immunity. This means you will experience less harmful effects internally from things like pollution and smoking.
You can also expect better immune function, and you can mix Chaga-based mushroom supplements in tea, to make them easy to digest.
Lion’s Mane (Focus)
Lion’s Mane is an interestingly-named type of mushroom thatsupports greater focus throughout the day, making it ideal for students and those needing a boost while concentrating.
You can think of this type of mushroom as a shot of espresso for the brain, helping you to stay alert and focus on the task at hand.
If you struggle at all with mental fogginess or a lack of clarity first thing in the morning, then this should be your first port of call.
Cordyceps (Energy)
Cordyceps mushrooms can also help with mental fatigue, but primarily help with physical fatigue.
If you find yourself struggling to get through the day without suffering from an energy crash, then you could probably benefit from taking a supplement with Cordyceps.
Shiitake (Overall Body Function)
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the varieties that you might have heard of, as they are commonly used in cooking.
As for the health benefits they can provide in a concentrated supplement form, they have a high level of antioxidants as well as plenty of vitamins.
They help with overall body function due to all the vitamins, and they even contain probiotics that promote good gut health and can be hard to get into your diet.
2. Extract vs Powder
Another thing most people agree on with regards to the best mushroom supplements, is that you should opt for extracts over powders.
Mushroom supplements in the form of extracts have a higher content of the good stuff than powder.
However, it isn’t always true that extracts are better.
Mushroom supplements in powder form give you the flexibility to control the dose you take each time, and can be added to your cooking and drinks to make it a lot easier to supplement with.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mushroom Supplements
Which mushroom is the healthiest?
It’s hard to say which mushroom is the healthiest, but two that are commonly brought up for their health properties are shiitake mushrooms, lion’s mane mushrooms, and reishi mushrooms.
All three offer a lot of health benefits, but differ in how they can help you.
Shiitake mushrooms on the other hand are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. This makes them an excellent choice for overall body function and immunity.
Lion’s mane mushrooms, apart from having the best name of all the mushroom varieties, can help you develop razor-sharp focus. Like drinking a shot of espresso for your brain, these mushrooms will perk you up and clear up any mental fogginess lingering around.
Reishi mushrooms are widely praised for their ability to tackle the stress-producing hormone cortisol. By reducing the level of cortisol in the body, they can help control anxiety during the day, or help you to get a great night’s sleep at night.
Related: Best Anti-Snoring Device
Do mushroom supplements work?
Mushroom supplements with a high content of the various mushroom types we’ve mentioned can help promote a healthy lifestyle.
While they shouldn’t be thought of as a cure-all like some people like to think of them as, mushroom supplements certainly provide some very real health benefits.
If you’re looking to reduce mental fatigue, boost your immunity, or get more energy without drinking more caffeine, then you could certainly stand to benefit from taking mushroom supplements.
What are the side effects of mushroom supplements?
Mushroom supplements are great, but they can result in some unfortunate side effects sometimes.
These include but aren’t limited to: irritation of the nose, dryness of the mouth, discomfort in the stomach, and allergies.
Excessive consumption of reishi mushroom specifically can be quite dangerous. If you take more than is suggested, it can lead to negative effects on your liver.
Related: Best Air Purifiers for Viruses and Bacteria
A Final Word on Mushroom Supplements
Mushroom supplements can be a great way to get the vitamins and antioxidants your body needs without needing to eat large quantities of mushrooms.
They come in all forms and feature a variety of different mushrooms, each offering unique health benefits that could help your life in many ways.