If you’re asking whether functional mushrooms actually work, the answer starts with what people in the studies actually took. A few mushrooms have small human trials behind specific outcomes, and most of the wider claims come from lab and animal work.
The questions below apply to any mushroom product, whichever list it appears on.
As of November 2026, the human research on functional mushrooms is limited. The 2023 Molecules review on medicinal mushrooms says their mechanisms, safety and dosage still need long-term clinical studies to confirm, and University of Utah Health’s guide to functional mushrooms says most of the research behind the popular claims is done in animal models.
Do any mushroom supplements actually work?
Some have small human studies for specific outcomes. The table lists what the cited summaries report for each mushroom and the side effects they list.
| Mushroom | What the human research covers | Side effects listed |
|---|---|---|
| Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) | Per MSK’s lion’s mane summary, limited clinical data suggest possible improvements in memory and mood in overweight people, in people with mild cognitive impairment, and in cognitive function in older adults. Subjective stress reductions were reported in younger adults. One study reported no impact on cognition or metabolic flexibility. | Abdominal discomfort, nausea, skin rash |
| Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) | Per the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a China trial of 36 people with advanced lung cancer, open-label, found immune changes in some and none in others. A Japan trial of 225 people with benign colorectal tumors gave a mycelia extract for 12 months, and the researchers reported fewer and smaller tumors in the treated group. | Nausea, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, itching, vertigo. MSK also lists liver injury case reports with powdered reishi, one of which led to death. |
| Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor, also called Coriolus) | Per NCI, PSK, a compound from turkey tail, was studied alongside chemotherapy in gastric and colorectal cancer trials. NCI reports a 2007 review of 8 trials in 8,009 stomach cancer surgery patients that suggests longer survival with chemotherapy plus PSK. | Dark-colored stool, darkening of fingernails (MSK). NCI reports few side effects in the Japanese PSK studies. |
| Cordyceps | MSK’s summary describes its immune and other effects mainly from laboratory studies, and lists it for immune support, kidney function and stamina. | MSK reports no major side effects, but one case report describes excessive bleeding after a tooth extraction in someone taking it daily. |
The reishi trial in Japan used an extract of mycelia, so its results apply to that preparation, not to every reishi product.
Is any mushroom approved as a treatment?
Not in the US for these supplements. NCI says the FDA has not approved turkey tail or PSK as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition, and that it has not approved reishi either. NCI notes that in Japan, PSK is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer. Lion’s mane and reishi are still being studied in people, and the studies above are small.
Are functional mushroom supplements worth it?
Whether a supplement is worth its price depends on what you want from it and how much uncertainty you’re comfortable with. Three points help you weigh it.
- The rules are looser than for drugs. NCCIH’s guide to dietary supplements explains that companies must show drugs are safe and effective before they are marketed, while for most supplements the FDA is not authorized to review them for safety and effectiveness before sale.
- Form changes the picture. University of Utah Health dietitian Sofia Whitefields says “eating the whole fungus is the only way to obtain these prebiotic fibers.” The same guide notes there isn’t conclusive research to support processed mushroom supplements.
- Quality varies between brands. NCI notes the FDA does not regularly review how supplements are made, so batches and brands may not be the same. NCCIH adds that a manufacturer’s use of “standardized” does not necessarily guarantee product quality or consistency.
Why do I feel weird after taking lion’s mane, and is there a downside?
MSK lists abdominal discomfort, nausea and skin rash as side effects of lion’s mane. It says lion’s mane is generally safe in food and tea, but advises talking with your healthcare provider before taking supplements, because herbal supplements are stronger than the herbs you would use in cooking.
The downside is mostly these side effects, the limited human research, and the fact that supplement quality varies. If the reaction is strong or doesn’t settle, contact your clinician or pharmacist. For reishi, MSK lists insomnia, nausea, dry mouth, constipation, itching and vertigo.
What not to mix with lion’s mane?
MSK’s lion’s mane summary says herbal supplements can interact with some medications and affect how they work, so bring the full label to your pharmacist. The related mushroom summaries are more specific.
- Cordyceps and blood sugar medicines. MSK says laboratory studies suggest cordyceps may have additive blood-sugar-lowering effects with insulin and other glucose-lowering drugs, and that its clinical relevance has yet to be determined.
- Cordyceps and blood thinners. MSK says laboratory studies suggest cordyceps may increase the effects of anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin.
- Surgery. NCCIH says certain supplements may increase the risk of bleeding or affect your response to anesthesia, so tell your providers well ahead of an operation.
- Antidepressants. Healthline says there are no well-documented direct interactions between common mushroom supplements such as lion’s mane, reishi or cordyceps and antidepressants, but research on their combined use is limited.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. NCCIH says many supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. MSK says it is not known whether coriolus is safe, and advises talking with your provider before taking it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Is lion’s mane like Adderall?
They are not the same kind of product. Adderall is a prescription medicine, and lion’s mane is sold as a dietary supplement. NCCIH explains that the two are held to different rules: drugs must be shown safe and effective before they are marketed, while the FDA is not authorized to review most supplements for safety and effectiveness before sale. The studies on lion’s mane cover memory, mood and stress, and they do not compare it with prescription attention medicines.
If attention or focus is the problem you’re trying to solve, a clinician who knows your history can help you compare the options, including prescription ones.
Can lion’s mane lower cortisol?
MSK’s lion’s mane summary reports subjective reductions in stress in younger adults. That is a self-reported finding, not a measured cortisol level.
If stress is wearing on you, a clinician can help you look at what is driving it. If you prefer tea to a capsule, see lion’s mane mushroom tea for the format and its label notes.
Should I take lion’s mane in the morning or at night?
Healthline’s 2026 roundup says mushroom supplements can usually be taken on an empty stomach or with food, that there is no strong research showing one is significantly more effective, and that you should follow the label. Healthline also says most brands recommend taking them regularly for 4 weeks to assess their full effects, though research on that timeline is limited.
Which mushroom is best for the brain, weight loss or overall health?
No single mushroom is best for everyone, and the research differs for each goal.
Best mushroom supplement for the brain
Lion’s mane is the mushroom here with human studies on memory. MSK reports limited clinical data for memory and mood, including in older adults and people with mild cognitive impairment, while one study reported no impact on cognition. University of Utah Health says the claimed benefits, such as enhanced memory and better focus, don’t stack up to the research. For a closer look at the memory studies, see lion’s mane memory tests in older adults (our research library).
Best mushroom supplement for weight loss
The 2023 Molecules review says medicinal mushrooms may help fight obesity and accelerate metabolism, and that long-term clinical studies are still needed. Healthline says much of the research comes from lab or animal studies, with limited high quality human clinical data. MSK’s lion’s mane summary reports limited data on memory and mood in people who are overweight, not on weight loss.
Best mushroom supplement for overall health
NCCIH says some dietary supplements can be good for your health, while others haven’t been proven to work. In a 2022 review, 27 ingredients frequently included in supplements with immune claims were checked, and only eight had rigorous human studies behind them. For immune claims, see immunity and body defenses. For whole-food options, see healthiest mushrooms.
Are all mushroom gummies functional mushroom products?
No. Some products sold as mushroom gummies use other mushrooms. On December 18, 2024, the FDA said in its update on Amanita muscaria that the mushroom, its extracts and certain constituents (muscimol, ibotenic acid and muscarine) are not authorized for use as ingredients in conventional food, and it recommended that people avoid eating foods with these ingredients. Check the species named on the label, and see how to read a functional mushroom gummy label.
Which mushroom supplement brands are on the best lists, and what do they cost?
Healthline’s 2026 roundup of mushroom supplements lists the products below. Those picks are that outlet’s choices, and this page does not rank them. Prices as of November 2026 are the ones Healthline shows; check the checkout for today’s price.
| Product (as Healthline names it) | Healthline’s category | Mushroom ingredients and amounts | Other ingredients listed | Servings listed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornbread Hemp Mushroom Sleep Gummies | Editor’s pick | Reishi 1000 mg | L-Theanine 50 mg; herbal sleep blend 275 mg | 25 per container | $34.99 |
| Cornbread Hemp Mushroom Focus Gummies | Best for focus | Lion’s mane 2000 mg; cordyceps 500 mg | Ginseng 250 mg | — | — |
| Cornbread Hemp Mushroom Relax Gummies | Best for relaxation | Reishi 500 mg | KSM-66 250 mg; L-theanine 50 mg | — | — |
| MaryRuth’s Organic Mushroom Complex Liquid Extract | Best liquid | Proprietary blend extract 1,200 mg | — | 30 per container | $18.95 |
| Transparent Labs Mushroom Stack | Best capsules | Lion’s mane 1000 mg; cordycepsprime 500 mg | — | — | $24.99 |
Healthline’s footnote marks the mushroom ingredients in this table as organic.
Could I just eat the mushrooms myself?
Possibly, for the fiber. University of Utah Health says all edible mushrooms are high in beta-glucans, a soluble fiber that helps support blood sugar control by slowing digestion, and that fiber-rich whole mushrooms help support a diverse community of gut microbes. Its dietitians say that when functional mushrooms are broken down into pill form, those fibers are broken down too, so eating the whole mushroom is likely to provide more benefits than a supplement. Utah’s cooking suggestion is simple: sauté shiitake or lion’s mane with olive oil and onions. For which whole varieties suit everyday cooking, see healthiest mushrooms.
What should I check on a mushroom supplement label?
- The species. Look for the Latin and common name of each mushroom, such as Hericium erinaceus for lion’s mane, as MSK names it.
- The amount for each mushroom, and any other ingredients in the blend, such as L-theanine, ginseng or other botanicals.
- A third-party seal. University of Utah Health advises looking for the USP or NFS seal on supplements.
- The ingredient look-up. NCCIH points to the FDA’s Dietary Supplement Ingredient Directory, launched in 2023, where you can look up an ingredient and see what the FDA has said about it.
- The claims. NCCIH says supplement labels cannot claim that a product can diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Structure and function claims must carry the disclaimer that the statement has not been evaluated by the FDA.
- The amounts. The NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database has the label information for many supplement brands sold in the United States, and lets you compare a listed nutrient amount with the government’s recommended amount. For mushroom extracts, you may not find a government recommended amount to compare against, so read the listed amounts alongside the species and form.
Before you decide
Pick the one goal you want to address, then read the Supplement Facts panel on the product you’re considering. Bring the species list and your current medicines to your pharmacist before you add anything new. For a mushroom-by-mushroom look at the research, see fruiting body mushroom benefits.
By MushroomHealthBenefits.com Research & Editorial Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.