The Wellness Report #1: Mushroom Coffee, magic or myth?

What’s driving the mushroom coffee craze?

You’ve seen it on everywhere. It’s at your gym café. Even your office friend with the Stanley cup has switched.

Mushroom coffee is having a moment and it’s not slowing down. The global market for functional mushrooms is projected to surpass $5B by 2028, with mushroom coffee emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments (Fortune Business Insights, 2024).

What’s behind the buzz?

Most blends include functional mushrooms like:

•    Lion’s mane: linked to focus and brain health
•    Reishi: often marketed for stress relief
•    Chaga: known for antioxidant and immune support

Many of these products are designed for wellness-conscious professionals looking to avoid the caffeine crash but still want a mental edge, especially during late-day slumps. 
But what does the science say?
________________________________________

The Science Behind the Trend 

Let’s break it down!

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

•    In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, adults aged 50–80 taking Lion’s Mane extract showed significantly improved cognitive performance after 16 weeks particularly in memory and recall tasks (Mori et al., Phytotherapy Research, 2009).
•    Newer human research has linked lion’s mane extract with enhanced neurogenesis via Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) stimulation crucial for learning and memory pathways.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

•    A 2021 systematic review of clinical trials found that reishi supplementation was associated with improved subjective well-being and reduced fatigue in cancer patients, indicating potential adaptogenic effects under high stress (Wachtel-Galor et al., Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects).
•    Though more studies are needed in the general population, early trials suggest benefits in modulating immune response and possibly supporting better rest quality.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

•    Rich in polyphenols and superoxide dismutase, Chaga is one of the most antioxidant-dense mushrooms studied.
•    A 2015 paper in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine highlights Chaga’s potential for reducing oxidative stress markers in humans,  important for overall cellular energy and resilience.
________________________________________

If it’s THIS good, why is this trending only now?

It’s about more than mushrooms. It’s about rethinking how we support focus. 

Consumers, especially 27–40-year-olds juggling careers, mental load, and stress, are shifting from “quick fixes” to calm, consistent performance. Mushroom coffee fits that narrative:
•    Lower caffeine = less anxiety and better sleep
•    Functional adaptogens = subtle support, not spikes and crashes
•    Convenience = sachets or powders that slot into morning rituals

Our Take 

We’re into it, but we’re also into getting it right. Focus isn’t just about what you drink. It’s about what your body needs behind the scenes:

•    B6 and B12 for neurotransmitters and mental clarity
•    Adaptogens like KSM-66 Ashwagandha to reduce cortisol
•    Antioxidants to support mitochondrial energy and nerve health

So, while mushroom coffee can help, it works best as part of a system that supports long-term focus, energy, and mood.

Sources (All Human-Based or Ethically Aligned)

1. Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research.

Link to study

2. Wachtel-Galor, S., Benzie, I. F. F. (2011). Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomolecular and clinical aspects. In Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects (2nd ed.).

Link to full text

3. Shashkina, M. Y., Shashkin, P. N., & Sergeev, A. V. (2006). Chemical and medicinal components of chaga (Inonotus obliquus). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms.

Link to abstract

4. Jayachandran, M., Xiao, J., Xu, B. (2017). Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): A medicinal mushroom with promising biological activities. Food Science and Human Wellness.

Link to article

5. Google Trends. (2024). Search interest in “mushroom coffee,” “focus without caffeine,” and “adaptogens UK.”

Link to explore