Mushroom coffee has recently become an emerging trend in coffee brewing, mixing regular coffee with extracts of medicinal mushrooms such as chaga, cordyceps, reishi, lion’s mane and turkey tail to provide multiple health benefits – from improved focus and immune support without caffeine side effects to decreased headaches – without the negative consequences that come with using other stimulants like caffeine. But is mushroom coffee worth its hype?

This brew is usually promoted as offering various health benefits, with effects varying depending on its ingredients and blend. Mushrooms commonly used in traditional folk medicine have long been touted as “functional”, yet their benefits have yet to be proven by scientific studies. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether drying and extraction processes preserve these perks when combined with coffee beans in this unique brew.

Mushroom coffee advocates claim it can improve focus and mood while decreasing fatigue and improving sleep quality, with adaptogens found in these mushrooms helping your body produce less cortisol–a stress hormone–and alleviating feelings of exhaustion or anxiety.

Mushrooms are known to contain antioxidants that have been scientifically shown to decrease inflammation and strengthen your body’s defenses against chronic diseases and cancer. Their constituent compounds may help improve digestive function, cardiovascular health and immunity – including those used in coffee blends such as Chaga, Reishi or Turkey Tail mushrooms which contain beta-glucans that stimulate macrophages and natural killer cells that help trigger immune responses.

mushroom coffee’s primary drawback, however, is its higher price compared to regular java. This can be partially explained by its higher mushroom costs which may not be widely available or imported; additionally some varieties (especially those used in chaga mushroom coffee) contain high concentrations of oxalates which may increase kidney stones for people living with preexisting conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Mushroom coffee may still be worth considering if you want more energy and mental clarity without experiencing the jitters and brain fog that come from excessive caffeine intake. Before beginning to experiment with mushroom coffee however, it is advisable to speak to your healthcare professional to identify any allergies or interactions between medication/supplements you are already taking and this new beverage – they may also recommend dosage recommendations so as to not consume too many mushrooms at one time.