What are medicinal mushrooms?
Medicinal mushrooms are functional mushrooms that grow in regions like Nepal, China and parts of Europe. You might have heard of lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps or turkey tail. They’ve been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, to support various health concerns.
They’re different from the brown button mushrooms you pick up in the supermarket, and they’re also not psychedelic.
What’s interesting is how much we’re still learning about them. They’ve been used traditionally for a long time, but we’re only just starting to understand why they work and how they interact with things like the brain, immune system and stress response.
Some mushrooms, like turkey tail, and Reishi (5) have even been used alongside treatments like chemotherapy in parts of Japan for years, which gives you an idea of how seriously they’ve been taken in clinical settings. They are now being explored through modern research for their role in brain health, immunity, and stress regulation.
- Non-psychoactive. No “high” or hallucinations
- Traditionally used for immunity, longevity, and resilience
- Now studied for cognition, stress, and inflammation
- Can be cooked with and eaten, or taken as a supplement
Why they’re trending now
People are starting to look for different ways to support their health. Not just actively for when symptoms show up, but thinking more long term around longevity and how they actually feel day to day. There’s also a shift towards looking back at older, more traditional practices, especially when people feel like they’re not getting the answers they need from their general health care.
We have so much more access to information now, so people are coming across things that have been used for centuries, but are only really gaining attention now through social media.
At the same time, we are seeing an increase in:
- Chronic stress and burnout
- Poor sleep quality
- Brain fog and lack of focus
- Nervous system dysregulation
Medicinal mushrooms fit into this space well, because they offer a more supportive approach rather than overstimulating, they align with preventative health and daily rituals, and they have research to back claims, so it’s not just another social media trend.
Key types + benefits
There are a few core medicinal mushrooms that come up repeatedly, each with a different role.
Lion’s Mane
Best known for cognitive and gut support. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it was traditionally used to support “Qi” (often linked to energy and mental clarity), which is interesting when you look at how we now associate it with focus and brain function.
It’s also been linked to both the brain and the gut, tying into what we now understand as the gut–brain connection. It’s rich in beta-glucans, which are a type of fibre that support gut health and immune function. (3)
Lion’s mane is being studied for its neuroprotective effects and its potential to support the growth of new brain cells, which can impact memory, learning, focus, attention and mood (4)
Reishi
Often called the mushroom of “eternal youth”. Not because it works like a botox or changes how you look, but because traditional cultures, already recognised that stress is one of the biggest drivers of aging.
A constantly dysregulated nervous system impacts both the body and the mind over time.
Reishi works by supporting the nervous system and helping the body move into a more relaxed, regulated state. That’s where the name comes from.
Rich in bioactive compounds like triterpenes and polysaccharides, it’s been used to help reduce stress, support sleep, and indirectly support skin health through its effect on the nervous system. (2)
- Supports relaxation and sleep quality
- Helps regulate the stress response
- Traditionally used for immune support and longevity
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is often seen as the power mushroom. It started gaining attention in the sporting world after some fascinating research on cyclists showed improvements in performance, particularly around oxygen use and endurance.
Cordyceps works by supporting VO2 max, which is essentially how efficiently your body can use oxygen during exercise. The higher your VO2 max, the better your body is at delivering oxygen to your muscles, which directly impacts stamina, endurance, and overall performance. (1)
In high-altitude regions like Nepal and Tibet, cordyceps has been used traditionally to support energy, breathing, and physical resilience in low-oxygen environments.
- Used to improve oxygen utilisation
- Supports endurance and aerobic capacity
- May help with fatigue and energy output
- Traditionally used to support breathing at high altitudes
How do medicinal mushrooms work
Many medicinal mushrooms are classified as adaptogens. This means they help the body respond to stress more effectively. They contain a mix of bioactive compounds which is what makes them functional:
- Beta-glucans- A type of fibre that supports the immune system and gut health. They help train the immune system to respond more appropriately.
- Polysaccharides- Broader compounds that include beta-glucans. These are linked to immune support, energy regulation, and overall resilience.
- Triterpenes- Found particularly in mushrooms like reishi. These are associated with calming effects, supporting the nervous system, and helping with stress regulation.
- Naturally occurring vitamins and minerals- Including things like B-vitamins, selenium, and antioxidants, which support energy, brain function, and cellular health.
Together, these compounds work across multiple systems:
- Supporting the nervous system and stress response
- Interacting with the immune system
- Helping regulate inflammation and oxidative stress
How to include them daily
The key with medicinal mushrooms is consistency, as the benefits build up over time.
Simple ways to include them are either in powders added to coffee, smoothies, matcha or cacao, or in capsule form.
You can structure them around your day:
- Morning- lion’s mane for focus
- Midday- cordyceps for energy support
- Evening- reishi to support winding down
Incorporating ingredients like reishi into an evening drink can be a simple way to build a calming routine. Products like Coco Dream, or functional blends such as shroom coffee or matcha, make this easy to maintain.
For more targeted support, our Brain + capsules are designed to support cognitive function in the moment, while also contributing to longer term neuroprotection.
References
1.Cordyceps and exercise performance (VO2 max, endurance)
Hirsch et al. (2017) showed improved tolerance to high-intensity exercise with cordyceps supplementation
2.Reishi and stress support
Gundermann et al. found that reishi, combined with ashwagandha, helped reduce perceived stress in healthy adults
3.Lion’s mane for cognition, mood and stress
Docherty et al. (2023) explored both short and longer term effects on brain function and mood in young adults
4.Lion’s mane and brain health
Szućko-Kociuba et al. (2023) highlighted neuroprotective and nerve-supporting properties
- Reishi in clinical settings
Jin et al. (2012) reviewed its use alongside cancer treatment, particularly in immune support contexts
