Mushroom Coffee for Anxiety: Does It Really Promote Calm Energy?

Introduction to a New Kind of Coffee Buzz

Many people love coffee but hate the side effects of anxiety. Many people need coffee but have anxiety. What to do? Mushroom coffee could be a way for you to get a smooth energy boost with fewer caffeine jitters. It’s been trending as an alternative to regular coffee for years. 

Mushroom coffee blends caffeine with calming adaptogens like Reishi and Chaga. Today, we’ll explore how mushroom coffee affects anxiety, what the science says, and whether Reishi and Chaga can really counteract caffeine’s overstimulation.

What Is Mushroom Coffee? 

Mushroom coffee is a blend of regular coffee and powdered medicinal mushrooms. Its taste depends greatly upon the mushroom type and blend quality. The most popular mushrooms used in coffee are Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Reishi, and Cordyceps.

Mushroom coffee is specially designed to provide focus, immune support, and calmness all in one cup. Millions of people, from wellness seekers to entrepreneurs, have tried and loved mushroom coffee. It’s also increasingly beloved by people sensitive to caffeine. Before we dive into mushroom coffee’s potential, let’s first review why coffee can worsen anxiety symptoms. 

Why Coffee Can Trigger Anxiety

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that increases adrenaline and cortisol. Caffeine jitters can be seriously unsettling, especially for caffeine-sensitive people who metabolize caffeine slowly. 

Side effects that mimic anxiety:

• Racing heart
• Restlessness
• Sweaty palms
• Mood imbalance

Anxiety is tough. It can make the little bad things feel insurmountable. For those prone to anxiety, noticing a change in heart rate can spur a bout of anxiety. Good small things, though, can go a long way, like changing your diet, getting more sleep, or–in this case–switching to mushroom coffee.

As someone who is caffeine sensitive yet requires coffee to be productive every morning, I have always sought a good alternative. I did not enjoy falling into a cycle of anxiety if I accidentally drank too much coffee and slept too little. 

Mushroom coffee is one potentially wonderful coffee alternative. It aims to soften the anxiety-inducing symptoms of regular coffee, without losing the productivity and alertness boost at the same time. 

How Mushroom Coffee Claims to Reduce Anxiety

Mushroom coffee is composed of functional mushrooms, many of which have been ingested for their calming properties. But what exactly does that mean? Let’s talk about what ingredients in mushroom coffee can actually be helpful for anxiety symptoms. 

Not every mushroom can be an adaptogen. To be classified as an adaptogen, the plant/herb substance must be nontoxic at reasonable doses, support stress management, and help the body be more stable. Reishi and Chaga mushrooms are two popular adaptogens. Other adaptogens you may have heard of are ginseng and ashwagandha. 

Healthy mushrooms can:

Lower stress response

Many people report feeling less stressed after consuming adaptogens. Experts believe that adaptogens, like adaptogenic mushrooms, are supposed to reduce the body’s reaction to stress and help with stress management. 

Offer rich antioxidants

Antioxidants are naturally found in many foods and can reduce inflammation. They inhibit oxidation, which is a chemical reaction that produces potentially harmful free radicals. Antioxidants in mushrooms are being studied extensively for treating diseases and improving health. 

Support adrenal health

Cordyceps is a mushroom that is studied for its potential to support adrenal health by reducing symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Your adrenal glands are found above the kidneys, responsible for producing stress management hormones. 

Stabilizing energy levels

Mushrooms have been shown by multiple studies to have antifatigue properties. Medicinal and edible mushrooms have been linked with improved cardiovascular function, antioxidant effect, blood glucose regulation, and more.

Still, remember: everyone reacts differently to adaptogens, and the stimulating effects of caffeine could overtake the calming effects of mushrooms. 

Spotlight on Reishi: The “Relaxation” Mushroom

Reishi is known as the “mushroom of immortality” in traditional Eastern medicine, where it has been used for centuries for promoting health and longevity. You may have heard of Reishi tea or herbal medicines. Reishi is also called Lingzhi.

How can Reishi mushroom help anxiety?

A lot of Reishi’s health benefits have come from ancient medicinal practices and beliefs. Still, recent scientific studies support Reishi having valuable properties. In a cancer study, many patients reported improved cancer symptoms after consuming Reishi (though a few had adverse effects). Their symptoms that improved included nausea, fatigue, poor appetite, and depression. 

Reishi contains triterpenes that have been linked to reduced stress and improved mood, and could also lower blood pressure. With all of these benefits, the Reishi mushroom becomes a potential help against anxiety. 

Reishi in coffee

The goal of blending Reishi with coffee is to counteract caffeine’s excitatory, jittery effects with Reishi’s calming properties. Since caffeine-induced anxiety can be debilitating, Reishi mushroom coffee can hopefully help you achieve a more balanced, yet still alert, mental state.

Spotlight on Chaga: The Grounding Antioxidant

Chaga is a fungus that grows on birch trees. It has a powerful antioxidant profile and is one of the most popular adaptogens. It is commonly consumed for its remarkable health benefits, with antioxidants, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating properties.  

How it may help anxiety

Chaga mushrooms have high levels of antioxidant polyphenols. These have been linked with oxidative stress reduction, which is crucial because oxidative stress can worsen anxiety. The idea is that by lowering oxidative stress through Chaga mushrooms, you can alleviate your anxiety. 

Note that while Chaga mushrooms can support immune and adrenal function, which can reduce long-term fatigue and tension, consuming too many oxalates found within Chaga can also cause adrenal damage. This is one risk factor that people with kidney issues in particular should be aware of. 

Chaga in coffee

Chaga added to mushrooms aims to reduce the acidity and gut issues that regular coffee can bring. Coffee that causes gut problems can be a trigger for anxiety. 

Does the Science Back It Up?

Mushroom coffee was first consumed 1940s, during wartime, when limited resources impacted the coffee and beverage world. But only in the past decade, since Four Sigmatic made mushroom coffee trendy, has it come into public eye. Because of this, there is only limited scientific research on mushroom coffee compared to regular caffeine. 

Research does show that Chaga, Reishi, Cordyceps, and other mushrooms have adaptogenic (stress relieving) capabilities. People who consume these mushrooms have seen improved mood, sleep, and/or stress management. 

Mushroom coffee is not a cure for anxiety. Everyone has different reasons for anxiety, and mushroom coffee hasn’t been studied extensively for its benefits yet. But there is a brain-gut connection that we do know can be very strong. What happens in your gut can affect your mood, so if mushroom coffee alleviates gut health problems, you can indirectly improve your mood and brain health. 

Mushroom coffee is an alternative to regular coffee that has helped give many people energy boosts and gut health, while reducing caffeine jitters. However, most of these benefits are supportive. Anecdotal stories of mushroom coffee benefits are widespread. Clinical proof is limited as more studies are needed. 

Real Benefits You Might Feel

Smoother energy

One of the worst things about caffeine reliance is that the energy boost comes sharply and can leave just as abruptly. Many people experience energy crashes in the afternoon if they drink coffee in the morning. Mushroom coffee can offer smoother energy boosts. 

Less jitteriness compared to regular coffee

Mushroom coffee contains around 30 mg of caffeine (varying depending on what brand you choose). This is a lot less than a regular cup of joe, which has around 100 mg of caffeine. This means less stimulation of the central nervous system, and fewer caffeine jitters. 

Improved focus and alertness

Although mushroom coffee has less caffeine, it still offers a great energy and focus boost. Many people who drink a cup of mushroom coffee in the mornings or afternoons report feeling more alert and ready to be productive. 

Reduced tension or internal restlessness

You could enjoy a more stable mood over the day because of the smoother energy boost. Regular coffee can cause a painful, frustrating crash in the afternoon when the morning caffeine effect sharply wears off. 

Better gut comfort

There is a real brain-gut connection. People who struggle with gut health and caffeine sensitivity may be able to improve their gut problems by switching to mushroom coffee. 

Who Is Mushroom Coffee Best For?

Mushroom coffee tends to be the best for:

• People who get anxious or jittery after drinking coffee
• Those who want focus without overstimulation
• Anyone interested in natural stress management
• People transitioning away from high-caffeine drinks
• Individuals looking for a healthier, less acidic coffee alternative

It is not ideal for:

• Anyone extremely sensitive to both caffeine and adaptogens
• Those expecting immediate, dramatic anxiety relief
• Anyone with mushroom allergies or intolerances 
• People on medications or with conditions that are impacted by mushroom coffee  

How to Choose a Mushroom Coffee for Anxiety

If you struggle with feelings of anxiety, you can try looking for blends featuring:

• Organic ingredients
• Dual-extracted mushroom powders
• No artificial flavors
• Moderate caffeine levels (30–70 mg)

We also highly recommend well-known brands with tried and true formulas and tastes. Our favorite mushroom coffee brands have anxiety-friendly blends:

Atlas

Four Sigmatic

Everyday Dose

Ryze Mushroom Coffee

MUD\WTR

How to Use Mushroom Coffee for Calmer Energy

Start with a half cup per day to gauge reaction. If you are sensitive to many ingredients, mushrooms, or caffeine, it is good to drink less the first time to see how your body reacts. 

You can pair mushroom coffee with: 

Morning meditation: It’s nice to have a calming coffee ritual. It will help you associate drinking mushroom coffee with mindfulness, self-awareness, and calm. 

Healthy breakfast: Being hungry can worsen anxiety. Eating a heavy breakfast can make you too sleepy or full. Having a healthy and light breakfast can be helpful. 

Hydration: Caffeine can be dehydrating, and being dehydrated can worsen caffeine sensitivity symptoms. To offset this, stay hydrated throughout the day. 

Avoid adding sugary creamers: For some people, high sugar creamers can worsen feelings of anxiety. Try low sugar creamers or natural sweetener alternatives. You can also experiment with add-ins like cinnamon or cacao.

Potential Downsides or Considerations

Medication interactions

Functional mushrooms can interact with certain medications. Albeit rare, you never want to interfere with your medication’s effectiveness. It’s like drinking grapefruit juice–you think it should be harmless, but it can cause serious problems if you happen to be taking medications that are impacted by it. 

Medical conditions

People with autoimmune conditions, pre-existing medical problems, or pregnancy should consult their primary care physician before trying new drinks like mushroom coffee. Because of individual medical differences and needs, mushroom coffee isn’t for everyone. Some individuals’ reactions to mushroom coffee could be harmful. 

Acquired taste 

It’s hard to talk about mushroom coffee without talking about its taste. Mushroom coffee can taste subtle, with sweet earthy notes. But to some people, it can also taste terrible. Cheap mushroom coffee blends can also be powdery or have other weird textures. 

Subtle benefits 

For a lot of people, the benefits of mushroom coffee are gradual. You have to give it time before you can notice substantial gut or cognitive benefits.

Final Verdict: Can Mushroom Coffee Help with Anxiety?

Anxiety is a deeply personal experience. Mushroom coffee isn’t a miracle cure for anxiety symptoms after caffeine. However, mushrooms do have the science-backed potential to provide better gut health and sleep, and mushroom coffee is a valuable coffee alternative you should try.

We recommend Reishi and Chaga mushroom coffee blends to help offset your caffeine jitters and support overall stress resilience. Try adding some high quality mushroom coffee to your coffee ritual to see if you can get a gentler, gut-friendly energy boost.