Are Mushroom Supplements Worth Taking? (2026)

We spoke with registered dietitians and tested popular formulas to break down the research behind functional fungi. Boutayna Chokrane GearFeb 18, 2026 6:30 AMFunctional Mushroom Supplements, Explained by WIRED’s ExpertsWe spoke with registered dietitians and tested popular formulas to break down the research behind functional fungi.Courtesy of Ryze; SlumberCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFrom ancient remedies to your Amazon cart, mushroom supplements have traveled a circuitous road. They nourish the body, enhance the mind, and occasionally poison the unlucky. Their biochemical adaptability has intrigued Eastern cultures for centuries. The West, on the other hand, has been slow to embrace mushrooms until the 21st century, propelled in part by endorsements from celebrities like Gisele Bündchen and Gwen Stefani.Today, in a zeitgeist fixated on biohacking and self-optimization, mushrooms are now tools for functional wellness. We're well past foraging and sautéing. Now we embrace microdosing. We’re sipping on lion’s mane extract in our adaptogenic lattes and mixing non-GMO cordyceps into our post-workout smoothies, hoping it will enhance our cognitive function, boost our gut health, and upgrade our immune systems. Health care researchers are also exploring their potential applications, ranging from cancer therapies to supportive treatments for COVID-19.For more mushroom coverage, check out our guides to the Best Mushroom Gummies, Best Mushroom Coffee, and WIRED's Mushroom Gifts.Table of ContentsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWhat Are Functional Mushrooms?A Brief HistoryAre Mushroom Supplements Good for You?The Top Functional Mushrooms, ExplainedWhen’s the Best Time to Take Mushroom Supplements?Are Mushroom Supplements Safe?WIRED's Favorite Mushroom SupplementsFinal TakeawaysMeet the ExpertsUpdated February 2026: I've added Ryze Mushroom Coffee and Onnit Shroom Tech Sport as new favorites. I've also included our testing methodology and updated information, prices, and links.What Are Functional Mushrooms?Functional mushrooms, often referred to as medicinal or adaptogenic, offer more than just nutritional value. The excitement surrounding them isn’t due to recent studies; their advantages have been recognized for years. What has shifted is the way they are presented, allowing for simpler integration into contemporary lifestyles without the need for cooking. Brands like Ryze and PlantFusion have played a significant role in transforming these fungi from traditional remedies to nootropic supplements.“One of the OG brands was Four Sigmatic,” recalls Brigitte Zeitlin, a nutritionist based in New York City who has swapped caffeine for mushroom coffee and matcha tea. “When they first hit shelves, people were like, ‘Wait, we drink mushrooms now?’”“If you don’t like the taste or can’t find quality, organic mushrooms at your store, supplements are a great second option,” she adds. “Some people hate swallowing pills or are already taking too many, so mushroom powders are a great alternative, because they're already broken down.”A Very Brief HistoryFor as long as humans have been getting sick, they have relied on fungi as a means of healing. Hippocrates is said to have used amadou, a spongy fungus, to reduce inflammation. Ötzi the Iceman had amadou in his supplies (probably for fire-starting), along with birch polypore, which was likely used to fight intestinal parasites. Native American cultures pressed puffball mushrooms onto wounds to halt bleeding and aid healing. Additionally, they used tiger milk mushrooms to treat asthma.East Asian traditions have long used Phellinus fungi to treat digestive issues. Ganoderma lucidum—commonly known as reishi or lingzhi—was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the oldest Chinese pharmacopeia, written over two millennia ago, where it was classified as a tonic for anti-aging and boosting qi. In modern-day China, reishi is often recommended to support immune function in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.Inonotus obliquus—better known as chaga—has been a staple in traditional medicine among Indigenous communities across the world. Notably, native Siberians would grind up chaga and add it to teas, soups, and stews, believing it to ward off degenerative diseases. It was also a remedy for ulcers, liver ailments, and tuberculosis. Russian First Nations used it to slow the growth of visible tumors. Today, hunters in rural Russia still consume chaga to boost endurance on long treks.Are Mushroom Supplements Good for You?Reishi mushrooms. Photograph: Getty ImagesNutritionists agree: food first. Whole mushrooms (fruiting body, mycelium, and all) like maitake, shiitake, and lion’s mane offer fiber and nutrients you won’t get from mushroom blends. Toss them into stir-fries, omelets, or soups. While supplements don't always deliver the same results, here are some of the potential health benefits seen with regular intake.It may decrease the chance of cancer.A review of 17 cancer studies shows that consuming ab