Adaptogenic mushrooms and coffee
"Broadly speaking, mushrooms, like all adaptogens, bring the body back into balance," Haynes explains. "Caffeine, on the other hand, sends shockwaves through your nervous system, particularly in the form of adrenaline. Adaptogenic mushrooms support nervous system and hormonal balance, so adding them to your daily cup could only be a good idea," she says. You can easily do this by mixing a scoop of mushroom powder into your morning coffee. In fact, you may even choose to skip the caffeine altogether and go for an adaptogen-only coffee-alternative, such as MUD\WTR or Wooden Spoon Herbs' Herbal Coffee.
No matter how you choose to get your daily dose of mushrooms, there are tons of great options out there, from reishi to chaga to turkey tail. Below, we'll touch on just two of the best ones experts say you may want to add to your morning beverage: Lion's mane and cordyceps.
Lion's mane for focus, stress relief, and immunity
If you want to boost focus, productivity, and creativity throughout the day, experts agree that a daily dose of lion's mane could do wonders. "Lion's mane actually stimulates the synthesis of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) which can help you think more clearly and supercharge your cognitive function for the day," Dr. Sherpa tells us. "It helps get rid of any brain fog, so if you're looking for an edge in work or just want to be more alert and focused during the day, adding some lion's mane powder to your coffee is a great way to do it."
Haynes echoes this sentiment, noting that the stimulation of NGF from this shaggy mushroom "helps our neurons settle into new routines of communication," a.k.a. neural pathways. "Neural pathways affect habits among many other things. So if you have a habit of multitasking, procrastinating, getting distracted easily, or trouble with memory recall, lion's mane would be a good fit for your routine," she says.
Pourang elaborates: "Increased levels of NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are proteins that stimulate neuroplasticity, the production of new neural cells and strengthening of existing ones. Neuroplasticity is linked to new habit formation, improved cognitive function, and the ability to gain new perspectives in difficult situations." Incredible!
But the potential benefits don't stop there. Pourang tells us that not only does this powerful mushroom support the brain, neurological health, concentration, memory, and mental clarity, but it may even help prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Overall, she says lion's mane "holds great value for memory, concentration, and focus."
In addition to all of this, we can't forget that lion's mane can also help reduce stress and anxiety, as Sherpa points out. She says the increased BDNF works as a natural antidepressant. "This can help improve your mood and make it easier to deal with stress, which could lead to a more productive day." It also means it's a great option for those of us looking for a way to ease some of the anxiety that comes with coffee consumption.
Finally, this mushroom can give your immune system a boost. "Another bonus is that it has anti-inflammatory properties, which can improve your immune system to help you fight off any potential illnesses," Sherpa says. With so many benefits, why wouldn't you add it to your coffee every day?!
Cordyceps for energy
Let's be honest: while you may drink your morning coffee as a sweet treat or for the sake of routine, the main reason most of us gulp it down is for that energy boost to get us through the day. But no one likes to deal with the crash (or anxiety) that comes with consuming too much caffeine. Luckily, mushrooms offer a solution.
Whether you're drinking a morning tonic made with only adaptogens or going 50/50 with coffee and mushrooms, they can be a great way to support energy levels without putting you at risk of those awful jitters. If that's your goal (especially if you're looking to give it your all during your morning workout) experts say cordyceps is one of the best ways to go. Haynes tells us that these wild parasitic fungi "help the body uptake more oxygen during exercise, thereby supporting energy levels in athletes and beyond." Nice!
Pourang agrees, explaining that "cordyceps are a nutrient-rich mushroom that enhances energy and exercise performance by upregulating the production of ATP, the primary energy-carrying molecule in animal cells. This promotes better exercise performance, tolerance, endurance, and recovery."
So, there you have it: mushrooms are more than a great addition to your stir fry! Whether you're adding them to your coffee to help keep anxiety at bay or consuming them on their own, these fun guys offer so many benefits. However, it's important to note that it may take some time to see results, so you should consider mushrooms "longterm partners," as Haynes puts it. "Approach with the intention of giving plenty of space and time before seeing results, typically within 1-2 months," she suggests. If you ask us, there's no time waste—we'll be boarding the mushroom bandwagon ASAP.