Should You Give Mushroom Coffee a Try? (My Experience)

Feeling wired after your morning coffee, then totally drained by mid-afternoon? Yeah, I’ve been there.

I’ve always loved coffee, maybe a little too much if we’re being honest.

But something weird started happening: I’d feel alert for a while, then crash hard after lunch. Like that classic drowsy fog where you just want to lie down on the floor, tired. I mean, it’s not ideal when you’ve got stuff to do.

That’s what pushed me to experiment with alternatives and that’s when I stumbled across mushroom coffee. I was skeptical (mushrooms… in coffee?), but I gave it a shot.

And after a few weeks, I noticed something different: more balanced energy, less of that jittery spike, and a surprising boost in focus. No wild highs or crashing lows. I felt steady and clear-headed.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what mushroom coffee is, why I tried it, and what happened when I swapped it into my routine. I’ll also break down the benefits, some downsides to watch for, and the best brands worth trying. So let’s start brewing!

What Is Mushroom Coffee, Exactly?

It’s typically made using adaptogenic mushroom extracts like Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps, or Reishi.

These aren’t the kind you throw on a pizza. Instead, these functional mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine.

Usually, the coffee is blended with instant coffee or ground beans, depending on the brand. So you’re not sipping on a cup of mushroom broth. It still tastes like coffee… just with a little earthy twist.

All the health benefits…

What drew me in was all the health benefits. I heard people online saying they noticed increased focus without the jitters, better digestion, and even immune support.

I’m not a biohacker geek or anything. But I do like trying things that boost my energy and mood. Especially if I don’t have to give up my daily brew.

So, it has become popular over the years. In particular, for anyone who is into nootropics, natural energy boosters, or wants to cut back on caffeine without giving up coffee entirely.

Notes: Mushroom coffee might sound weird at first. However, it’s basically regular coffee with a wellness upgrade.

Why I Decided to Try It?

I didn’t wake up one day and think, “You know what sounds good? Mushrooms in my coffee.” It took me some convincing to get into it.

Burnout and Caffeine Crashes from Regular Coffee

Well, let’s start with the obvious. I love coffee, but it doesn’t always love me back. For a while, I drank two, occasionally three cups a day to keep up with everything.

It would give me that nice caffeine kick for about 45 minutes, but sometimes I’d feel drowsy and get brain fog afterward. So, I wanted steady energy without the side effects, and mushroom coffee seemed like the right solution.

Curiosity After Seeing It All Over Instagram and YouTube

Then, of course, mushroom coffee started popping up everywhere. From Instagram reels, wellness podcasts, and yes even Andrew Huberman talking about Lion’s Mane and cognition had me seriously intrigued.

When I hear a neuroscientist say it might support focus and mental clarity, I listen. Plus, every influencer was sipping it like it was the new green juice. I figured it was worth a shot.

Claimed Benefits: Focus, Immunity, and No Jitters

What really sealed the deal for me were the promises: better focus, immune support, and less jittery energy? That got me.

I’m not expecting miracle results, but if I can stay alert without turning into a shaky mess by 2 PM, that’s a win. So yeah, I gave it a go. And I’ll be honest, I was pretty surprised by what happened next.

My Experience Drinking Mushroom Coffee After 6 Months

So, I gave mushroom coffee a shot for six months straight, swapping it for my usual daily brew. I didn’t expect much, but honestly? The changes were noticeable. Here’s what stood out:

First Impression: The Taste

Initially, I was expecting something awful. But to my surprise, it wasn’t bad at all.

Earthy, yes, but smoother than I thought and way less bitter than my usual espresso. I even started to enjoy the flavor after a few cups. I mostly drank it black. However, you can splash oat or whole milk to mellow things out.

Energy Levels: More Balanced, No Crash

As I said, I’d get that initial surge of energy and then drowsiness with regular coffee. But with mushroom coffee? It was like a slow and steady rise.

I didn’t feel jitters, nor my heart racing. Just a calm focus that lasted through most of my workday. Honestly, it felt more sustainable than caffeine alone.

Mental Clarity: Noticeable Difference with Lion’s Mane

This one surprised me the most. I noticed this helped me mitigate my mental fatigue problems. It’s a common problem I have because I spend too many hours working in front of the PC.

Usually, by mid-afternoon, I feel unfocused and just plain tired. But with Lion’s Mane in the mix, things felt… lighter.

I could push through longer work sessions without that usual mental crash, and tasks that normally felt like a chore didn’t drain me as much.

Digestive Effects: Gentler Than My Usual Espresso

This was big for me. Sometimes regular espresso made my stomach feel like it was doing backflips. Mushroom coffee? Much easier on the gut. I didn’t get that acidic feeling or sudden urgency, which made it easier to sip on throughout the morning without regret.

Side Effects: Slight Adjustment Period

The first few days, I felt a little “off” like my body was wondering where the caffeine blast went. But once I got past that initial hump, things evened out.

I didn’t feel withdrawal symptoms or headaches, just a shift in pace. After a week, it was smooth sailing.

Pros and Cons of Mushroom Coffee

Like anything else in life, mushroom coffee also has its highs and lows. So here’s what I found after months of sipping my way through different blends:

Pros	Cons
Lower caffeine (usually around 50–70mg)	Can be pricey compared to regular coffee
Natural focus boost from mushrooms like Lion’s Mane	Earthy taste isn’t for everyone
Immune and gut support with Chaga and Reishi	Limited variety in some stores
Less jittery, more balanced energy	Not a miracle solution—results vary by person

Popular Mushroom Coffee Brands Worth Trying

Initially, I got a bit overwhelmed with all the brands out there. Anyway, I started with a few reputable names and some worked better than others.

If you’re curious about what to get, here are the ones I recommend:

Four Sigmatic

This is the one that got me hooked. Their blends with Lion’s Mane and Chaga are great if you’re chasing focus and a steady energy kick without the crash.

I found the flavor surprisingly smooth kinda earthy, but not weird at all. It’s a solid choice. You can find it almost anywhere online or in stores like Whole Foods.

Ryze

Ryze is made with MCT oil and organic mushrooms, which my gut seemed to love. It’s creamy, even without creamer, and much milder in flavor compared to regular coffee. I used it during a stressful work stretch, and honestly, I think it helped me stay grounded.

Mud\Wtr

Okay, this is more of a spicy mushroom chai coffee. It has cacao, cinnamon, turmeric, and a bunch of adaptogens. It’s low-caffeine but feels cozy.

I did notice a little grit at the bottom. So I always stirred well or frothed it up. If you want something caffeine-lite with a rich taste, this might be your jam.

Laird Superfood

This one’s great if you’re into clean ingredients. Their blend uses organic Peruvian coffee beans with functional mushrooms and no sketchy stuff.

I liked that it didn’t taste mushroomy. Instead, you get a mellow, good-quality cup of coffee. You can grab it online or at health stores, and they’ve got some fun creamers too.

Notes:  I say try a few and see what you prefer. My favorite is Four Sigmatic with a splash of oat milk and a tiny dash of cinnamon—hits every time.

Last Thoughts: Who Should Try Mushroom Coffee?

If you love coffee but find yourself jittery, anxious, or crashing hard an hour after drinking regular coffee, then give this coffee a shot.

I found it helpful during high-stress weeks when I needed focus but couldn’t afford the rollercoaster that came with my usual double shot espresso.

It’s also a solid option if you want to enjoy the benefits of Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga. These mushrooms have been used for centuries to support brain health, immunity, and stress management.

That said, it’s not for everyone. If you’re allergic to mushrooms (obviously), or you’re expecting it to replace the punch of a strong espresso, you might be disappointed.

But if you’re curious, open-minded, and maybe a little caffeine-sensitive, give it a try and see how your body responds.

Got a favorite mushroom coffee brand I didn’t mention? Or a weird-but-awesome mix-in you swear by? I’d like to read your comment below.