Add-ins can provide additional benefits to your mushroom coffee
MCT oil, ginger, ashwagandha, and collagen are just a few examples of beneficial add-ins
Vanilla, cacao, and vanilla are also delicious
Beware of interactions with meds and health conditions
Introduction: Supercharging Your Mushroom Coffee Ritual
Just like regular coffee, mushroom coffee can be improved by add-ins. Strategic additions like MCT oil, collagen, and ashwagandha can be good for you—but does the research back it up? It would be amazing if you could get cognitive, energetic, and calming benefits through simple mushroom coffee add-ins.
In this guide, we will explore the best add-ins based on your goals, the science that supports each add-in, and who should try (or not try) these adaptogenic ingredients.
Why Add-ins Work So Well with Mushroom Coffee
Just one week of mushroom coffee can make a good difference. Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, and Chaga are popular adaptogenic mushrooms that can provide stress-relieving and calm energy benefits. You can add extra beneficial ingredients through “stacking” them—just be careful you’re not overconsuming any single add-in. Synergy pairs can enhance benefits but also have risky interactions with health conditions and medications.
Potential benefits include:
Increased mental clarity
Reduced stress
Sustained energy without jitters
Improved gut and joint health
Better skin health
Balanced antioxidants
Let’s dive deeper by going over the pros and cons of popular add-ins for mushroom coffee.
MCT Oil: Brain Fuel for Instant Focus
MCT oil is made from medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat that can quickly convert into ketones. It can provide the brain with fast and clean energy. MCT oil is usually made with caprylic and capric fatty acids.
Benefits of MCT oil:
Enhanced cognitive performance. A study of Alzheimerâs patients showed that MCT oil can have a positive impact on cognitive abilities.
Better concentration for deep work. Studies have shown MCT oil has good effects on working memory.
Improved stamina without a crash
Gastrointestinal disorders may benefit from MCT oil usage because it is easily absorbed and promotes healthy bacteria growth.
Best for: MCT oil tends to be best for morning productivity, long work sessions, and keto-friendly coffee lovers.
How to use: 1 tsp to 1 tbsp blended into hot mushroom coffee for a smooth, creamy texture. MCT oil doesn’t have a clear upper level consensus, but it may be dangerous if you consume more than 7 tbsp a day. Talk with your healthcare professional before taking MCT oil supplements since it can interact with medications and underlying health conditions.
Lion’s Mane Powder
Lion’s mane is a mushroom often used as the base for mushroom coffee blends. You don’t want to ingest too much of anything, but if your mushroom coffee doesn’t have enough lion’s mane? You may benefit from adding a dose of lion’s mane powder.
Essentially, if you want to intensify your cognition and boost your productivity in the mornings, lion’s mane powder add-in can be a great idea.
Best for: Students, creators, and professionals who want cognitive enhancement.
How to use: Add ½ tsp of safe lion’s mane powder for an additional nootropic boost.
Cacao Powder: Natural Mood & Focus Enhancer
We all know the taste of cacao powder: a mix of sweet and bitter. But did you know that cacao actually comes with insanely nutritional health benefits?
Benefits of cacao powder:
Cacao powder has:
Antioxidants and flavonoids, making it able to reduce inflammation
Theobromine, a natural and gentle stimulant
A deliciously rich chocolate flavor
Ability to boost serotonin
Best for: Creative brainstorming or late-morning focus. People who are feeling sad can benefit from cacao’s mood-boosting yet nutritional effects
How to use: Stir in 1–2 teaspoons. Just be careful what brand of cacao you’re consuming–too much sugar and other additions can be harmful.
Cinnamon: Blood Sugar Balance for Stable Energy
Cinnamon is a commonly used spice in everything from cookies to tea. Because of this you might think it’s just for flavoring, but cinnamon actually offers many benefits.
Benefits of cinnamon:
Based on scientific evidence, cinnamon has been shown to:
Prevent energy spikes and crashes
Supports metabolism and digestion
Plus, based on delicious anecdotal evidence, I can say that cinnamon does a great job adding warmth and flavor to your mushroom coffee.
Best for: Anyone with energy dips or sugar cravings.
How to use: Sprinkle ⅛ to ¼ tsp to flavor the mushroom coffee with warm spice.
Maca Powder: Hormone-Balancing Energy Support
The maca root is a natural remedy for hormonal problems, lack of energy, and other health issues. This mildly sweet adaptogen has been used for centuries.
Benefits of maca powder:
Increases vitality and stamina
Supports hormonal balance
Improve mood and energy
Best for: People who want a mid-afternoon lift and are feeling exhausted or hormonally imbalanced.
How to use: ½ to 1 tsp blended into hot mushroom coffee. People with GI issues and hormone-sensitive conditions should be careful when consuming maca powder add-ins
Ashwagandha: The #1 Add-in for Calm Focus
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb used for its ability to lessen stress, insomnia, anxiety, body pain, and other conditions. Because of its benefits, ashwagandha root extract doses are even recommended by psychiatrists for mitigating anxiety symptoms.
Benefits of ashwagandha:
Many ashwagandha studies have shown that it has a wide range of valuable health benefits. It can:
Lowers cortisol
Reduces anxiety and tension
Enhances mood and steady energy
When paired with mushroom coffee, ashwagandha can help counter the caffeine jitters. As an add-in, it is nice that ashwagandha strengthens the adaptogenic profile of mushroom coffee blends.
Best for: High-stress workdays or sensitive caffeine drinkers can benefit from the relaxing properties of ashwagandha.
How to use: ¼ to ½ tsp powdered extract. Avoid heavy doses of ashwagandha.
Reishi Powder
Reishi is another adaptogenic mushroom that can be useful for relaxation and stress reduction. Although, it’s good to know that reishi does have a distinct earthy taste.
Benefits of reishi:
Reishi has been studied for its helpful effects:
Immune support. While studies about the immuno-enhancing effects of reishi are still early, they have shown promising results
Reducing depression and fatigue symptoms. A 2024 reishi study suggested that reishi can lower the effects of fatigue, boosting energy
So if you want deep relaxation, stress reduction, and a side of immune support, a reishi add-in for your mushroom coffee could be the way to go.
Best for: Reishi best suits afternoon or early evening mushroom coffee sessions. It could make you sleepy if you take it in the morning, which would counteract most people’s reason for taking coffee in the first place.
How to use: Start with ¼ tsp of reishi powder. Introduce it slowly and be careful to not consume too much.
Collagen Peptides: Calm, Gut-Friendly Energy
Collagen can be beneficial for bone, joint, and skin recovery. Collagen peptides are fragments made by breaking down animal collagen for better absorption.
Benefits of collagen:
Add protein for stable blood sugar
Support gut health
Improve overall mood
Promote joint and skin health
Best for: Morning routines or pre-workout for joint stability.
How to use: 1 scoop dissolved into the mushroom coffee. It is flavorless and froths well.
Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Powder
We simply can’t talk about mushroom coffee add-ins without choosing ones that taste delicious. Vanilla is a classic, tasty add-on that is perfect for naturally enhancing the flavor of your mushroom coffee.
Vanilla extract or bean powder also combines well with cinnamon and cacao for richer flavor. Since some people dislike the mushroom coffee’s earthiness, these flavoring add-ins are all good ideas to try.
If you get cravings, vanilla can help you sate that desire for sweetness. It can also create a “latte” vibe which makes the mushroom coffee feel more soothing and fun.
Adaptogenic Blends
Adaptogens are substances that can help the body’s ability to adapt to stress.
Ginseng: Ginseng is one of the most well-known adaptogens. It can provide energy and stimulation, but it does not usually cause the same jitters as caffeine.
Shatavari: An asparagus species that is herbal and commonly taken in India by women. It can support healthier hormone production.
Rhodiola: A flowering plant that can increase energy, athletic performance, and cognition.
By mixing different adaptogens (in moderation), they can be good with mushroom coffee blends aimed at performance or stress reduction.
Functional Creamers
Coconut milk, oat creamer, and protein creamers have become more popular these days because they add creaminess that is relatively healthy. It can even contain electrolytes or protein, which you may otherwise be missing from your diet. You may actually have noticed that protein coffees are all the craze in 2026.
Creamers support satiety and smoother energy, so you won’t be feeling hungry throughout the day.
Best Add-ins for Each Goal
Best add-ins for focus
MCT oil
Lion’s Mane
Cacao
Rhodiola
Best add-ins for energy
Cinnamon
Maca
Protein creamer
Best Add-ins for Calm
Ashwagandha
Reishi
Collagen
Vanilla and cinnamon for the relaxing sweet vibes
How to Build Your Own Mushroom Coffee “Stack”
A stack is a layered drink. Here are some examples of different stacks you may want to try:
Never exceed the daily recommended dose of any ingredient. Now is the perfect the time to go over safety notes for mushroom coffee add-ins.
Tips for Using Add-ins Safely
Start small and slow
Adaptogens can have a real, strong impact on the body. If it’s your first time trying an add-in, be sure to add it gradually and don’t over consume. If you happen to be food-sensitive or have allergies, it is even more important to be careful when introducing new ingredients to your diet. A healthcare professional will be ideal for using add-ins safely since no one online can know your unique situation and needs.
Be mindful of interactions
Medications can interact with add-ins. Research on drug interactions is important because an interaction could cause severe health issues. For example, ashwagandha can be dangerous for those with thyroid issues. It can impede the effects of your thyroid medications and lead to hormonal imbalances and other health risks.
Avoid too many stimulants at once
If you’re adding maca powder and cinnamon and MCT oil and everything under the sun to your caffeinated beverage, you might be in for a jittery, energetic shock.
Monitor how your body responds
When trying a new adaptogenic add-in, it’s good to monitor how your body responds as you introduce it to your diet.
Conclusion: Turn Your Mushroom Coffee Into a Personalized Wellness Ritual
Mushroom coffee add-ins let you customize your beverage to match your mood, goals, and daily needs. For example, if you’re extra stressed one day, a relaxing dose of reishi or ashwagandha might be good. If you’re sleepy the next day, ginseng, cinnamon, or maca could be the way to go.
Experiment with different combinations to find your ideal formula for focus, energy, or calm. Don’t forget to check out our curated list of best mushroom coffee for high-quality, healthy blends.
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
