Young couple enjoying mushroom coffee benefits

Mushroom Coffee Benefits: What It Does and Why It’s Trending

Written by: Hamilton Pevec

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Published on

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Time to read 7 min

If you’ve heard the buzz about mushroom coffee benefits, you’re not alone. From startup brands to grocery store shelves, mushroom-infused brews are showing up everywhere—and they promise everything from sharper focus to stress resilience.


But is it hype, or is there real science behind it?


In this guide, we’ll break down what mushroom coffee actually is, what it can do for your brain, gut, and immune system—and why so many people are switching from traditional coffee to this earthy, adaptogenic upgrade.


Whether you’re curious about lions mane coffee, wondering about mushroom coffee side effects, or trying to understand the buzz around brands like Ryze mushroom coffee and OM mushroom coffee, you’re in the right place.

The Essentials | TL;DR

  • Mushroom coffee blends functional mushrooms with caffeine for upgraded wellness

    → Combining coffee with extracts like lion’s mane and reishi supports brain health, stress resilience, and immune function

  • Lion’s mane boosts mental clarity without the crash

    → Supports neurogenesis, focus, and a clean, jitter-free energy curve

  • Reishi and chaga help regulate stress and support immune balance

    → Adaptogenic mushrooms smooth out caffeine’s harsh edges while fortifying the body over time

  • Caffeine content varies by product—some have none

    → Most blends still contain caffeine; brewing your own allows full control

  • Results are gradual, not instant

    → You may feel some effects in days, but the full benefits build over 1–3 weeks of consistent use

  • Quality matters more than marketing

    → Most prepackaged brands underdose their mushrooms—opt for pure, potent extracts added to fresh brewed coffee for best results


Mushroom coffee benefits include real cognitive and adaptogenic benefits—but only when made with potent, dual-extracted mushroom powders. Skip the hype-laced blends and start with real coffee and real mushrooms for energy that actually works for your brain and body.

What Is Mushroom Coffee, Exactly?

Mushroom coffee is a blend of regular coffee and functional mushroom extracts—like lion’s mane, chaga, or reishi—designed to boost focus, reduce jitters, and support long-term wellness.


Brands like OM mushroom coffee, Ryze, and Four Sigma coffee mushroom have brought it mainstream—but the quality of ingredients varies wildly which effects the mushroom coffee benefits.


☕ Want a full breakdown? Check out:


Woman drinking mushroom coffee and smiling

Key Health Benefits of Mushroom Coffee

The real magic of mushroom coffee isn’t the coffee—it’s the mushroom extracts.


When functional fungi like lion’s mane, reishi, and chaga are dual-extracted and blended with fresh, high-quality coffee, the mushroom coffee benefits go far beyond a morning buzz.


Here’s what sets it apart:

1. Focus and Mental Clarity

Lion’s mane is renowned for its effects on brain health and cognitive performance. It’s been shown to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), supporting memory, mental clarity, and neuroplasticity. When blended with coffee, it creates a clean, focused energy without the overstimulation or crash.

2. Balanced Energy and Stress Support

Reishi, cordyceps, and other adaptogenic mushrooms help regulate the body’s stress response. Instead of triggering the nervous system like straight caffeine, mushroom coffee offers a calmer, more stable energy—great for those prone to anxiety or burnout.

3. Immune System Resilience

Chaga and turkey tail are packed with beta-glucans and antioxidants that modulate immune activity. When taken regularly, mushroom coffee may support immune balance, gut integrity, and even your response to environmental stressors.

4. Gentler on the Stomach

Many find mushroom coffee easier to digest than standard brews. Mushrooms like reishi and chaga have natural alkalizing effects, and high-quality extracts don’t add acidity or bitterness—making the brew smoother and friendlier to the gut.


Pro tip: Most prepackaged mushroom coffees fall short here. Many use non-extracted powders, low mushroom concentrations, or fillers. For real benefits, brew fresh, organic coffee and add potent, dual-extracted mushroom powders—like Hamilton’s Lucid Lion’s Mane. Check out "How to Make Mushroom Coffee, That Actually Works"

Does Mushroom Coffee Have Caffeine?

That depends on the brand—and the brew method.


Most mushroom coffee products are a mix of regular coffee and mushroom extract, meaning they still contain caffeine—just less of it. The exact amount varies, but many blends cut the caffeine by 30–60% compared to a standard cup.


If you’re using your own extract powders with brewed coffee (the method we recommend), you control the caffeine content completely.


Here’s the breakdown:

  • Prepackaged brands like Ryze or OM often use instant-style coffee, which tends to have lower caffeine per serving

  • Mushroom drip coffee (made with ground beans) will usually have caffeine levels similar to a normal brew

  • Some caffeine-free options use only mushrooms like reishi or chaga—no coffee at all

If your goal is optimizing mushroom coffee benefits and getting focus without the crash, combining lion’s mane or cordyceps with a clean, mold-free coffee can deliver sustained energy and mental clarity—without overstimulating your system.

Are There Side Effects to Mushroom Coffee?

For most people, mushroom coffee is well tolerated—but not all blends are created equally, and reactions can vary depending on the ingredients and quality.


Possible side effects include:

  • Mild digestive upset, especially from low-grade mushroom powders or high-acid instant coffee

  • Allergic reactions in people sensitive to fungi (rare, but worth noting)

  • Blood-thinning interactions, particularly with mushrooms like reishi or chaga, which may have natural anticoagulant properties

If you’re taking medications like Eliquis, it’s important to consult your doctor before adding mushroom coffee to your routine. While there’s no direct evidence of danger, it’s best to be cautious when combining functional herbs or mushrooms with blood thinners.


As for blends like Ryze mushroom coffee, some users report bloating, fatigue, or headaches—but these side effects may be due to the additives, sweeteners, or low-grade ingredients, not the mushrooms themselves.


Coffee tannins may interfere with fungal beta glucans decreasing their potential benefits. 


When in doubt, opt for:

  • Dual-extracted mushrooms from fruiting bodies (like lion’s mane, reishi, or chaga)

  • Pure extract powders with no fillers, additives, or flavor enhancers

  • Your own brewed coffee + high-quality mushroom extracts

That way, you know exactly what you’re putting in your body—and why.

Man experiencing mushroom coffee benefits

Does Mushroom Coffee Affect Blood Pressure or Kidney Health?

It’s a fair question—especially for those managing chronic conditions or already taking medications.

Blood Pressure

There’s no strong evidence that mushroom coffee increases blood pressure. In fact, certain mushrooms like reishi may support cardiovascular health by promoting vasodilation and reducing stress-induced hypertension. That said, the caffeine content—depending on the blend—can still elevate blood pressure temporarily in caffeine-sensitive individuals.


If you’re concerned about this, opt for:

  • Lower-caffeine mushroom coffee blends

  • Or better yet, adjust the caffeine dose yourself by adding extract powders to half-caf or decaf brews

Kidney Health

Some functional mushrooms, like cordyceps and reishi, have been studied for their potential to support kidney function. However, clinical research is still developing. While there’s no known kidney risk from mushroom coffee, it’s always smart to talk with your healthcare provider—especially if you have preexisting kidney issues or take medications that impact renal function.


Bottom line: mushroom coffee is generally safe, but personalization matters. Pay attention to sourcing, dosing, and your own body’s response

How Long Does It Take to See the Benefits of Mushroom Coffee?

Unlike caffeine, which you feel almost immediately, the effects of mushroom coffee tend to build gradually over time.

Short-Term (First 1–3 Days)

  • Many people notice a cleaner energy curve and fewer jitters compared to regular coffee
  • Some experience improved focus or a calmer mood right away—especially with lion’s mane or reishi

Medium-Term (1–2 Weeks)

  • Cognitive clarity, better stress tolerance, and more consistent energy are the most reported benefits
  • Immune and gut support effects from chaga or turkey tail may begin to accumulate

Long-Term (3+ Weeks)

  • Deeper neuroprotective benefits from lion’s mane and adaptogenic effects from reishi may kick in
  • Best results come from daily use with high-quality extracts, not occasional sips of low-dose blends

☕ Pro tip: Most pre-made blends contain low mushroom extract content. For real results, add potent, dual-extracted mushroom powders to freshly brewed coffee—every day.


Final Thoughts: Trendy, Yes—but Backed by Science

Mushroom coffee isn’t just a passing fad—it’s a meaningful upgrade when done right.


The key isn’t the word “mushroom” on the label. It’s the quality and concentration of the functional extracts inside. Whether you’re exploring lions mane coffee for mental clarity or curious about immune-boosting chaga, the benefits are real—but only if the mushrooms are potent, extracted, and properly dosed.


Skip the vague blends. Brew real coffee. Add real mushrooms. That’s the ritual that actually works.


Need a starting point? Check out:


A photo of Hamilton Pevec, owner of Hamilton

Hamilton Pevec

Hamilton believes that effective, affordable medicine is a fundamental right. Healing should never be hindered by cost. Driven by this belief, Hamilton left his career to dedicate his life to mushrooms. His journey is one of lifelong learning—mastering mushroom identification, cultivation, and understanding the profound physiological benefits of these natural “chemical factories.” Hamilton’s Mushrooms is dedicated to making pure, potent, science-backed mushroom extracts accessible to all.