Mushroom coffee may sound gross at first, but this trending drink is far less peculiar than you’d imagine. Mushroom coffee is simply regular coffee that has been blended with mushrooms and other adaptogens that may help our bodies cope with stress better, enhance immunity more quickly and provide natural energy that won’t fade as fast compared to caffeine-fueled stimulants like espresso.

Mushroom coffee typically uses either chaga, cordyceps, reishi or lion’s mane mushrooms, which go through a drying and extraction process before being added to regular ground coffee. These mushrooms don’t produce hallucinogenic effects like button or portobellos and don’t taste anything similar either; in fact they often blend seamlessly with its bitter flavors.

Fungi are then mixed in with ground coffee beans and used in drinks ranging from lattes to cappuccinos to mochas to black coffee, mushroom coffee is often seen as an aid for increasing immunity, decreasing stress levels and improving focus, among other benefits. Mushroom-coffee blends typically have half the amount of caffeine as regular coffee for added safety during sleep disturbance or overindulgence concerns.

However, there is limited scientific support to back the health claims made about mushroom coffee purveyors. Therefore, its benefits remain mostly unproven; therefore it is wise to consult a physician prior to making significant dietary or supplement changes or taking new supplements.

However, the rising interest in mushroom coffee shows that people are curious about its possible health benefits. Since it isn’t a scam, however, you can still enjoy this unique beverage provided that you conduct proper research and consult a physician beforehand to make sure it’s suitable for you. If you love coffee and are intrigued by this latest trend, give it a try for yourself and see if the health benefits really outweigh its added costs; just remember if you suffer from kidney or digestive issues as these mushrooms can be hard on the stomach.