The best mushroom supplements and their benefits, from aiding concentration and focus, mood and physical performance, to easing anxiety and promoting restful sleep, have peaked the interest of nutritionists and health experts alike.
“The world of mushrooms is a fascinating one,” Damien Bové, chief Regulator Officer and Scientific Advisor at ADACT Medical. “Approximately 14,000 mushroom species have been successfully identified so far, with around 700 of these safe for consumption, providing humans with a number of health benefits.” Research shared by Ocado also shows that functional drinks have seen a 54% surge as more people are drinking them as replacements for caffeine and alcohol. Most notably, 40% of Gen Z are using adaptogen-infused drinks or mushroom coffee to replace their morning caffeine fix.
But if these health-boosting fungi are already amongst your daily supplements, you’re not alone. The market for functional mushroom supplements was estimated to be worth $31.09bn in 2024. This statistic is expected to double to $62.18bn by 2033.
But what mushroom supplement is best for your lifestyle? I’ve personally found lion’s mane to be extremely useful on busy days when I really need to focus, as it improves concentration. Reishi has helped improve my sleep and reduce anxiety, especially when the dreaded PMT strikes. Looking for something to aid physical performance? Try cordyceps, a type of fungus that’s been used in Chinese medicine for centuries.
To help you find the best of the best, we’ve personally tested a range of mushroom supplements to track down the very best. So, read on to find out which ones we believe are worthy of your consideration, as well as answers to all your FAQs.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind that this article isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice, and our recommendations won’t replace a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.
Meet the experts:
What are mushroom supplements?
“Mushroom supplements are concentrated extracts of functional fungi; these are designed to harness the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms and are usually compiled into easy-to-take forms like capsules, powders and drinks,” details Dr Rayyan Zafar, Chief scientific officer at Moodeys and scientist at Imperial College London.
“Walk into your local health store or pharmacy and you will likely see a big section given over to specialty mushrooms,” adds Damien Bové, chief regulator officer and scientific advisor at ADACT Medical. “Sold as dietary supplements, they come in a range of formats: capsules, powders, liquids, tinctures and gummies. They are formulated into lattes, protein powders, sometimes mixed with spices and other plant-based compounds.”
Types of mushrooms:
How we test the best mushroom supplements:
Since 2021, the GLAMOUR team — writers, editors and committed freelancers — has made it a priority to personally test a host of supplements, multivitamins and protein powders to boost your diet and overall well-being. To test the best mushroom supplements, we scored each on the following criteria:
- Ease of use — Were the capsules easy to swallow? Did the coffee mix well with hot water? Did the gummies taste ok?
- Efficacy — What amount of mushroom do they provide per serving, and what is its potency?
- Taste and ease of use — On a scale of one to five, how pleasurable was the taste, or how easy was the capsule to swallow?
- Value for money — Would they be happy to commit to the weekly, monthly or bi-monthly spend?
For those we haven’t personally reviewed (yet), we paid close attention to the list of ingredients, online reviews, and consulted with industry experts on whether they’d recommend them.
Follow