Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.
Given the recent interest in mushrooms as a functional food, it’s no surprise that mushroom extract supplements have been popping up everywhere — including in coffee. Proponents of these products claim they offer a variety of benefits, from staving off anxiety to fighting cancer.
So, is a mushroom capsule or coffee just what the doctor ordered? Here’s what the research and leading experts have to say.
10 Different Kinds of Mushroom Extract Supplements
With their anti-aging effects, mental health benefits, and cancer-fighting properties, you aren't going to want to sleep on these shrooms!
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Potential Health Benefits of Mushroom Extract Supplements
Medicinal mushrooms have been tied to at least 130 different therapeutic applications. But solid research on humans that ties mushrooms to specific health benefits is hard to come by.
“The potential benefits are being studied, and there is some promise, but oftentimes the studies are small, or in animals or cells, and they’re usually short term,” says Samantha Cassetty, RD, the New York City–based coauthor of . “So it’s really hard to say anything definitive in terms of long-term safety and efficacy.”
Support for the Immune System
Some research suggests that medicinal mushrooms may modulate the immune system and offer cancer-fighting properties. They do this by promoting immune cell activity that targets cancer cells and virus reproduction, as well as suppressing an overactive immune system, which may be useful for allergic diseases and autoimmune conditions. These effects are possibly due to beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber found in many plants, including mushrooms. “While mushrooms have shown clear effects on the immune system in early research, the sample size of most studies has been small, so we need more data from larger trials to know how strong and reliable those effects are,” says Kathryn Durston, RDN, the owner of Naturally Good Nutrition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Protection Against Diabetes and Heart Disease
Research has found that a variety of mushroom extracts might play a role in treating diabetes and heart disease. “Multiple studies have shown that mushrooms may help improve insulin resistance and support overall heart health, making them a promising addition for managing diabetes and cardiovascular wellness,” Durston says. Different mushrooms have cholesterol- blood pressure–, and blood sugar–lowering qualities, making them a heart-healthy addition to a meal. That said, Durston notes that she’d like to see larger studies to confirm these findings.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Early research suggests some mushrooms may help fight inflammation by targeting proinflammatory proteins and free radicals, but additional, randomized clinical trials are needed. “Mushrooms may have anti-inflammatory potential, but until we see more well-designed, standardized human studies, it’s too early to make strong claims,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, host of the Media Savvy Podcast and author of Read It Before You Eat It — Taking You From Label to Table. As researchers point out, in order to fully understand the benefits, we need to have standardization in mushroom extracts in the research.
Athletic Performance Enhancement
A small study of long-distance runners found that supplementation with a type of medicinal mushroom called Cordyceps sinensis boosted endurance. It’s important to point out though that this research is tiny (on 12 male runners) and therefore very limited. “There could be athletic performance benefits, but with such a small study, I wouldn’t rely on mushrooms alone for boosting endurance,” Taub-Dix says. Mushrooms as a food (rather than extract) can be part of a performance-supportive diet, she says, as they’re rich in nutrients and satisfying.
Mental Health and Headache Management Support
In some research, mushroom extracts were found to help reduce anxiety and depression in people undergoing chemotherapy. Although this is a specific patient population, Durston notes that growing evidence suggests mushrooms may play a beneficial role in mood and cognitive health, with studies showing potential improvements in depression and brain function. “While findings vary, larger and longer-term trials are needed to confirm these effects and clarify optimal dosing,” she says.
Researchers are also studying whether psilocybin — a mushroom extract that’s used as a psychedelic — can mediate emotions and moods. Some studies also suggest that psilocybin may exhibit benefits of analgesics, which can relieve or prevent pain in conditions like cluster headaches. But research is currently limited. “It's worth noting that researchers are still uncovering important details, such as how psilocybin interacts with other medications and what doses are most effective in larger, more diverse populations,” Durston says. Psilocybin is a Schedule 1 substance, which means it’s currently illegal to sell, purchase, or possess it in most states.
Weight Loss Effect of Mushroom Supplements
While some research suggests mushroom supplements may help prevent obesity due to their anti-inflammatory properties, experts say there are other, better-researched ways to lose weight.
“If you want to try [a mushroom supplement], you can add it to your wellness toolbox, but it doesn’t replace more proven methods,” Cassetty says. Attaining a calorie deficit through diet and lifestyle changes, and potentially by taking weight loss drugs such as GLP-1s, are among those methods.
“Mushroom supplements are a drop in the ocean compared to what else you have to do to lose weight,” Taub-Dix says. “It depends on what else you’re eating.”
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Mushroom Extract Supplements
As with any supplement, mushroom extract supplements come with potential risks and side effects.
Risks
Mushrooms can cause allergic reactions, though this is rare. For example, in a study involving mushroom allergy in one of the largest allergy centers in the United Kingdom, there were four diagnosed cases of allergy over the span of a year. These patients ate cooked mushrooms and then experienced symptoms like skin swelling, itching, cough, abdominal pain, and mouth irritation.
In addition, there are also case reports of “shiitake mushroom dermatitis,” a rash caused by eating raw or undercooked shiitake mushrooms. The rash, which looks like criss-crossed red streaks, isn’t dangerous and it goes away on its own, but it can be quite alarming. The rash is caused by a reaction to the compound lentinan, which is only present when raw. The authors of this case study suggest that this rash, though rare now, might become more common as more people consume shiitakes as food and its extracts in supplement form.
There have also been cases reported of people experiencing anaphylactic reactions to psychedelic mushrooms.
As with any supplement, be cautious about interactions with a medication you’re taking or a condition you have, Cassetty says. As mentioned, extracts that contain adaptogens (certain species of mushrooms that support your body’s stress response) are likely a poor fit for people with autoimmune conditions because they could stimulate your immune system and worsen symptoms, something Cassetty points out. In addition, one type of mushroom called reishi could interact with medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, and blood clotting.
Chaga extract may also trigger interactions. It may improve your blood flow, which could be dangerous if you’re taking blood-thinning medication or have a bleeding disorder. While more research is needed, one report noted that chaga extract can boost the effects of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
“I tell people with any supplements, if you’re taking medication or you have a chronic condition, check with your doctor,” Cassetty says.
Side Effects
Side effects that are associated with mushroom supplements include:
Nausea
Insomnia
Liver injury
Forms of Mushroom Extract Supplements
Although it’s not clear if one form is more advantageous than another, mushroom extract supplements are available in the following forms, which can vary widely in price:
Extract or tincture
Powder
Capsules
Gummies
Functional food and drink, such as mushroom coffee
If you’re drinking your mushrooms (as with mushroom coffee), know that you’re consuming adaptogens, which may help moderate the body’s stress response. Mushroom coffee also contains about half the caffeine in coffee. But don’t lose sight of mushroom coffee still containing a supplement, and know the risks before drinking it. For example, adaptogens, including those in mushroom coffee, may worsen symptoms of autoimmune disease due to immune system stimulation.
Food Sources of Mushroom Extract Supplements
Some mushrooms used in mushroom extract supplements, such as shiitake, maitake, lion’s mane, and enoki, are also consumed as food. Mushroom extracts and supplements usually process and concentrate the ingredients in mushrooms. “If you look at what was used [medicinally] years ago, it wasn’t coming in a jar,” Taub-Dix says. “It was coming right out of the ground.” Whole mushrooms have solid health benefits. “Mushrooms themselves are low in calories and fat and in nutrients we’re told to cut back on, like sodium and sugar,” Taub-Dix says. “They also provide us with a wealth of nutrients we don’t otherwise get. So mushrooms themselves are pretty amazing to add to your diet.”
There is one caveat: “Whole mushrooms are far less concentrated than an extract, so you’d have to eat a more considerable amount to access the similar potent effect,” says Durston. In addition, some mushrooms that are used medicinally like chaga and reishi aren’t easy to find at the grocery store or aren’t palatable to eat on their own, she points out. In those cases, an extract or powder may be the best way to consume these.
How to Select and Store Mushroom Extract Supplements
Here’s what to look for when buying mushroom extracts, plus how to keep your supplements fresh.
Selection
Like all supplements, mushroom extracts aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Supplement manufacturers are expected to follow practices that prevent the wrong ingredients or the wrong amounts of ingredients from getting into the product, reduce contamination, and ensure labels are accurate.
“Supplements are not regulated the same way food is, so a bottle of lion’s mane could be very inconsistent, with one pill containing more than another,” Taub-Dix says.
To choose a quality supplement, check the label for USP, NSF, or Consumer Labs Approved. This means the product has undergone third-party testing for quality and purity.
There are no internationally recognized standards and methods for testing fungus products. Additionally, products vary significantly in how they're prepared, and it is unknown whether any effects are caused by a single ingredient or a combination of ingredients.
Storage
To properly store mushroom supplements, keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place away from direct sunlight, Cassetty advises. Make sure that they’re in an airtight container to avoid spoilage and contamination. Read the label on your product for any special storage directions.
Dosage of Mushroom Extract Supplements
Because the jury is still out on the benefits of mushroom extracts, the ideal dosage and length of time you should take them is currently unknown. “We don’t really know how much you need,” Taub-Dix says. “The research is unclear, so it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider or dietitian.”
The Takeaway
Mushroom extracts have been linked to numerous benefits, including possible immune system support and anti-inflammatory effects.
A majority of the research on mushroom extracts is preliminary, and stronger, longer-term studies in humans are needed to substantiate health claims.
It’s unclear what type of mushroom extract supplement is best and what form to take it in, and there are no standardized recommended dosages.
Talk to your doctor about their specific recommendations for you.
Common Questions & Answers
What are mushroom supplements good for?
Mushroom extract supplements may help with conditions like depression, heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation. So far, though, most research is limited and more studies are needed.
Can lion’s mane cure depression?
Some studies suggest this mushroom can treat depression, but data is limited, so it is not recommended over more studied treatment options.
Do mushroom supplements help with weight loss?
While some research suggests mushroom supplements may be beneficial for weight loss due to their anti-inflammatory effects, experts say there are more proven methods for weight management.
What is mushroom coffee good for?
Mushroom coffee, which is brewed from ground coffee beans and ground mushrooms, may contain adaptogens that could help control the physical effects of stress. It typically has less caffeine than regular coffee, which can help if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
Who should take mushroom supplements?
Supplements should not be used in place of traditional healthcare, but if you are interested in trying them, discuss doing so with your healthcare provider.
Another way to get the benefits of mushrooms? Mushroom coffee. Read up on the best mushroom coffees, tested and recommended by dietitians.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
Chugh RM et al. Fungal Mushrooms: A Natural Compound With Therapeutic Applications. Frontiers in Pharmacology. July 2022.
Panda SK et al. Medicinal Mushrooms: Clinical Perspective and Challenges. Drug Discovery Today. February 2022.
7 Health Benefits of Mushrooms. UCLA Health. January 24, 2022.
Hetland G et al. Antitumor, Anti-inflammatory and Antiallergic Effects of Agaricus blazei. Mushroom Extract and the Related Medicinal Basidiomycetes Mushrooms, Hericium erinaceus and Grifola frondosa: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Nutrients. May 2020.
Grant Chu, MD, is an assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Chu is also the associate director of education at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, using technology to further medical education.
He is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
He received a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Brown University, where he also earned his medical degree. He has a master's in acupuncture and oriental medicine from South Baylo University and a master's in business administration from the University of Illinois. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles and a fellowship at the Center for East-West Medicine at UCLA.
He has held academic appointments at the University of California in Irvine and the University of Queensland in Australia.
Stephanie Thurrott is a Pennsylvania-based writer who covers health and wellness, travel, parenting, creativity, and mental health for MSN, Today.com, Banner Health, the University of Miami School of Medicine, and Business Insider, among other organizations. When she's not writing, she enjoys running on the back roads and trails of Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley or trying to find the best tacos in Mexico City.
Ashley Welch has more than a decade of experience in both breaking news and long-form storytelling. She is passionate about getting to the crux of the latest scientific studies and sharing important information in an easy-to-digest way to better inform decision-making. She has written about health, science, and wellness for a variety of outlets, including Scientific American Mind, Healthline, New York Family, Oprah.com, and WebMD.
She served as the health editor for CBSNews.com for several years as a reporter, writer, and editor of daily health news articles and features. As a former staff member at Everyday Health, she covered a wide range of chronic conditions and diseases.
Welch holds a bachelor's degree from Fordham University and a master's degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York, where she studied health and science reporting. She enjoys yoga and is an aspiring runner.
