Mushrooms offer a multitude of health benefits – so much so that the humble fungi have made a name for themselves beyond the kitchen, becoming a player in the wellbeing world, too. Whether consumed as mushroom coffee (Google searches for which have gone up by 70 per cent over the past year) or taken in supplement form, they’re the trending superfood to know.
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The health benefits of mushrooms
“Our ancestors have been using mushrooms to improve their health since the dawn of time,” Jessica Clarke, co-founder of mushroom supplement brand Mother Made, explains. “They are an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and have been used for thousands of years as part of the Taoist Tonic herbalism religion. Mushrooms are actually a religion!”
There’s a good reason for that. Functional (or medicinal) mushrooms offer many health benefits, says nutritionist Lucy Miller. “They can improve brain health, elevate our moods, support the immune system and hormonal balance, and they’re full of powerful antioxidants,” she says. “Each has its own distinct health advantage, and while some can be taken alone, it’s sometimes a combination that provides the best support in a nutritional supplement. Mushroom studies are still new to Western medicine, so more research is needed to provide statistical and solid evidence that they work – plus, of course, they vary hugely in quality.”
While the jury is still out on the science, the mushroom world is a hot topic of study right now – functional mushrooms aside, it appears that psilocybin (a molecule that’s extracted from the hallucinogenic magic mushroom) may potentially prove effective to treat mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma and addiction. Functional mushrooms are different – and it’s worth noting that they don’t have any psychedelic effects – but Miller and Clarke both vouch for their efficacy, more on which later.
Different types of mushrooms – and what they do
Miller explains a bit about what each key mushroom does below.
- Reishi: Like nature’s Xanax, it’s a good mushroom for mood, sleep, anxiety and depression
- Lion’s mane: Great for the brain, including cognition, memory and concentration
- Chaga: Immune boosting and fights free radicals and inflammation, which helps slow the ageing process
- Shiitake: For the heart. Helps to lower cholesterol and support circulation
- Turkey tail: Exhibits anti-cancer properties and helps support immunity
- Cordyceps: Great for energy, athletic performance and muscle recovery
Do mushroom supplements actually work?
Mushrooms are defined as adaptogens, which are ingredients (herbs, roots and mushies, to be exact) that help the body deal with stress naturally – in our increasingly frantic world, they can be really useful when managing rising cortisol levels. Having grown up learning about plant remedies – she is half indigenous Maori – Clarke experienced burnout in a big way when she moved to New York to pursue a career as a model. “I was really young, and I didn’t have a good team around me – nowadays, you have nutritionists, health practitioners and functional medicine coaches on hand, but 15 years ago, there wasn’t any of those things,” she explains. “I ended up choosing well-being fads over my health, and battled with it for longer than I should have.”
She later learned the answer to her personal mental and physical health lay in simplicity: “Water, sleep, good nutrition… and if you’re going to supplement, do so with herbal remedies from nature,” she explains. With mushroom shakes and lattes becoming a thing at Erewhon and other Los Angeles wellness destinations, she joined forces with her co-founder Emily Blanchett to make functional mushrooms accessible to all. They worked for her, after all. “Lion’s mane is probably the gateway mushroom for most people – there’s a ton of research about it, especially for its neurological benefits and effect on cognition,” she says. “We all experience a little brain fog in the afternoon. That’s a definite go-to of mine.”
Miller is also a big fan of mushrooms. “My favourite supplement!” she wrote back when I reached out to ask her opinion on them. “If there is one supplement that I cannot live without, it’s Life Drink by Terranova, which contains a combination of mushrooms, alongside super foods, digestive enzymes and pre- and post-biotics. It is an immune-boosting wonder product, and out of all the research I have done as a nutritionist on supplements, this is an absolute all-round winner.”
Terranova Life Drink
Why it’s Vogue-approved: For those who are looking for more than just mushrooms in their fungi-supported supplementation, look no further than the aptly named Life Drink by Terranova. Free from fillers or additives, it’s made with 100 per cent natural, active ingredients including: pea and rice proteins, rice bran actives, spirulina and chlorella, freeze-dried greens, berries and fungi, digestive enzymes, an omega oil blend, and microflora strains. It’s made to be blended with your favourite morning smoothie or juice for an instant hit of micronutrients and a balanced day ahead.
She is also a big fan of Hifas da Terra, a brand that produces all of its mushrooms in a facility in Spain, which you can visit and explore. “They grow their mushrooms using the most advanced technology and only produce the highest quality mushrooms,” she adds. “They produce products that help support cancer patients who are either going through chemotherapy, or to help support immunity.” While there is not enough in-depth research to safely conclude that mushrooms can help with the prevention and treatment of cancer, Miller says she has seen firsthand the power they can have.
What are the best mushroom supplements?
Hifas da Terra Mico-Leo – Brain Health
Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you’re looking for a supplement to support brain function, look no further than Micro-Leo by Hifas da Terra. Formulated with an impressive 495mg of organic lion’s mane extract, it’s one of the purest mushroom-based supplements we’ve seen. Sustainably packaged in a stylish glass bottle, the 100 per cent vegetable capsules are suitable for coeliacs, lactose intolerance, vegetarians and vegans.
Mother Made Focus – Lion’s Mane Capsules
Why it’s Vogue-approved: New Zealand-based and founded by school friends Emily Blanchett and Jessica Clarke, Mother Made’s reishi supplements are the ultimate chill pill. Formulated to promote relaxation with 450mg of pure, dual-extracted Reishi sourced from China – it contains absolutely nothing else. The recommended dosage is 1-3 capsules daily before bedtime or any time of day.
The Nue Co.
Multi Mushroom Complex
Why it’s Vogue-approved: A potent multi-mushroom blend, The Nue Co. combines all your fungi needs into one simple capsule, taken twice daily. Featuring Lion’s Mane for cognitive function, Cordyceps for energy and Reishi for relaxation, this trio of super ingredients is the ultimate accompaniment to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
London Nootropics Mush Love Coffee
Why it’s Vogue-approved: An unsung hero of the mushroom supplementation world, London Nootropics’ Mush Love coffee is the ideal solution for those who prefer their fungi with a delicious caffeine boost. The blend of lion’s mane, cordyceps and chaga was crafted in collaboration with Fantastic Fungi. This organisation arguably catalysed the modern shroom boom following the release of their eponymous film. Unlike other mushroom coffees, this delivers health benefits and tastes delicious.
Meet the experts
- Jessica Clarke is the co-founder of mushroom supplement brand Mother Made
- Lucy Miller BSc(hons), DipCNM, mBANT, CNHC is a nutritionist