Mushroom Coffee for Hormone Balance: Does Maca Regulate Stress Hormones? 

A New Way to Support Hormone Health

Our hormones can get the best of us. Cortisol spikes worsen our stress and adrenal function, disrupting energy levels both acutely and over time. Finding a balance can make day-to-day life easier, but that’s easier said and done. Is mushroom coffee able to help you achieve hormone balance? Is it a good, natural way to achieve balance without stimulants or medications?

Today, we take a look at the research behind mushrooms, caffeine, maca, and adaptogens to see if they can genuinely improve stress hormone regulation and adrenal resilience. 

What Are Stress Hormones?

Cortisol is infamously known as the stress hormone. Me and my friends all hate cortisol spikes. But cortisol has its advantages, and it is a necessary stress hormone. It is crucial for regulating our glucose (sugar) for safe energy. It aids the sleep-wake cycle, mitigates inflammation, and keeps us in a fight-or-flight state if we’re in danger. Low cortisol causes low blood pressure, while elevated levels can cause high blood pressure. Balance is critical. 

Chronic stressors in modern life lead to prolonged, elevated levels of cortisol in many people. This can lead to long-term health problems, both physical and mental, such as:

* Burnout

* Fatigue

* Insomnia

* Hormone disruption

* Weakened immunity

* Higher risk for heart disease

How Chronic Stress Hurts Us

Many people operate under stress until they can’t take it anymore, but many people also learn to just deal with it. Unfortunately, chronic stress is harmful. Recent studies have shown that it is even more complicated and harmful than we had thought. But why? 

The answer begins in the adrenal glands. These glands produce cortisol, adrenaline, and other hormones. If you have chronically elevated stress, and thus cortisol, levels, then it can lead to dysregulation. 

Signs of dysregulation:

• Energy crashes
• Difficulty waking up and falling asleep
• Sugar and salt cravings
• Mood swings and imbalances 
• Poor stress tolerance 

You may experience one, several, or all of these dysregulation symptoms. Chronic stress is heavy and harmful, but its effects can manifest differently depending on your lifestyle, coping mechanisms, and health conditions. 

What Are Adaptogens? 

Adaptogens come from natural herbs, mushrooms, and plant extracts. They can improve the body’s ability to adapt to stress. 

Unlike certain medications, adaptogens do not sedate you or stimulate you in one direction. Instead, adaptogens help you achieve cortisol balance. They work through the HPA axis, the body’s system that controls stress responses and releases cortisol.

Key Adaptogens Found in Mushroom Coffee

Not all mushrooms are adaptogenic, but the ones found in quality mushroom coffee are. Here are the most common, beneficial adaptogens found in mushroom coffee blends. 

1. Reishi

Reishi is known as the “stress relief” mushroom. It’s been used for immune system enhancement, relief from insomnia, and numerous other purposes. 

If you take some reishi mushroom coffee, it may help you lower cortisol levels by calming the nervous system. This means deeper sleep and recovery of a general sense of wellbeing, which could be just what you need to start healing.

2. Chaga

The chaga mushroom is rich in antioxidants, which reduce oxidative stress when consumed in a balanced amount. Chaga may also support adrenal function and healthier blood sugar indirectly, potentially reducing inflammation at the same time.

Because of chaga’s benefits, it is often consumed as a supplement or as an ingredient in mushroom coffees and teas. However, it does have a slightly bitter, earthy taste that could require some getting used to. 

3. Lion’s Mane

You can’t talk about mushroom coffee without talking about lion’s mane. It’s got a mild, neutral taste, making it an easy adaptogen to start consuming. Lion’s mane can support cognition, brain health, and resilience against mental fatigue. 

People who drink lion’s mane mushroom coffee report feeling calmer over the course of the months, which I agree with from personal experience–it offers a smoother energy boost when compared to regular coffee.

4. Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a mushroom that can boost natural energy without being as overstimulating as coffee or energy drinks. It can be good for heart health, improving energy metabolism at the adrenal level. Still, cordyceps is less researched than it should be. 

What Is Maca?

Maca is a Peruvian root that has been traditionally used for stamina, libido, and hormonal balance for thousands of years. It has plenty of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds.

How Maca Supports Hormone Balance

Maca is an adaptogen that happens to be a nutritional endocrine supporter. The maca root has many potential benefits, but it isn’t for everyone because of how strong its effects can be. 

Potential benefits of maca

Maca root can potentially: 

• Balance estrogen and progesterone
• Support thyroid function
• Enhance mood and energy stability
• Regulates the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis (which impacts cortisol level) 

So if you’re tired and stressed, especially chronically, maca could be a useful add-in to your mushroom coffee or other foods. Many people struggling with PMS, menopause related symptoms, cycle imbalances, and mood fluctuations can give maca a try. It may be able to make daily tasks easier, providing you with energy boosts without overstimulating you. 

Risks of maca 

Maca root is powerful, which means if it doesn’t align with your health needs, it can have an adverse effect. People who are pregnant or have health conditions (such as thyroid disease) should be careful with consuming maca root. Talk with your physician if you have any concerns.

Maca + Mushroom Coffee

It may sound a little weird to add maca root to your mushroom coffee, but let’s talk about it. The synergy is there: adaptogenic mushrooms already help regulate stress response. Add maca’s nutritional value and it’s like you’re drinking a shot of hormone balance. If your body reacts well to maca and mushroom coffee ingredients, they could provide you with:

• Steady energy
• Improved stress resilience
• Better mood
• Reduced caffeine-induced cortisol spikes

Compared to traditional coffee or energy drinks, this blend is perfect for people sensitive to high levels of caffeine and stimulants. Personally, I have a caffeine sensitivity that means anything more than 100 mg caffeine can give me jitters and insomnia. You don’t get the same sharp jolt of energy from mushroom coffee and maca, since it’s more for long-term energy level improvements rather than abrupt productivity boosts for a single day. 

Does Mushroom Coffee Cause Fewer Cortisol Spikes Than Regular Coffee?

To answer this question, we have to first look at the research behind regular coffee and cortisol. According to caffeine stimulation research, 80mg+ of caffeine intake can increase the cortisol secretion in people either “at rest or undergoing mental stress”. 

Drinking caffeine on an empty stomach is also not recommended. This can spike cortisol even worse, and also cause a slew of other effects such as heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux. Of course, morning coffee without breakfast may be inevitable–many people lack enough time to prepare breakfast but need their caffeine regardless. 

Mushroom coffee tends to have:

• Lower caffeine levels
• Balancing adaptogens
• Fewer caffeine jitters 
• Less frequent energy crashes, especially in the afternoon
• Mood balancing effects in the morning

The Ideal Ingredients for Hormone-F0riendly Mushroom Coffee

All mushroom coffee is not created equal. If you choose a cheap brand, it could lead to a lot of “filler” in the blend, such as grain and other non-nutritious ingredients. We recommend Atlas+ and Everyday Dose for healthy and delicious mushroom coffee. 

When seeking mushroom coffee for hormonal balance, keep an eye out for blends that include:

• Maca root
• Reishi
• Chaga
• Ashwagandha 
• Moderate caffeine ~50 mg 

Avoid blends with:

• Added sugar
• Artificial flavors
• Synthetic stimulants
• Excessive caffeine 

Who Is Mushroom Coffee Best for? 

• People experiencing chronic stress
• Those with adrenal fatigue symptoms
• Women balancing menstrual or menopause symptoms
• Individuals sensitive to caffeine jitters
• Professionals who need calm focus over a long period of time 
• Anyone regulating cortisol as part of wellness goals

Not Ideal For

Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should be wary of consuming new supplements or ingredients without medical guidance. Pregnant women can sustain negative effects from new diets that don’t show up until later on. 

People who have medical conditions or take certain medications should be extremely careful with mushroom coffee, especially blends that have added ingredients. Mushroom coffee beverages may disrupt thyroid and blood pressure conditions. 

In addition, anyone sensitive to adaptogens, maca, or mushrooms should be careful when drinking mushroom coffee. 

Simple Recipe Formula

For 1 cup of mushroom coffee, you can add a teaspoon or half a teaspoon of maca root powder. Other beneficial ingredients to try out are ashwagandha, cinnamon, collagen, and cacao. Mix and match to find your ideal mushroom coffee recipe.

If you don’t like the original mushroom taste, consider a flavored blend or tea alternative. For example, Everyday Dose offers a Matcha+ option that is deliciously sweet and aromatic. 

Check out our handy guide on the best mushroom coffee add-ins for different types of benefits, from flavor to health improvements. 

When to Drink for Best Results

Is there a best time to drink mushroom coffee? It depends what your purpose for drinking it is.

If you take mushroom coffee with maca and adaptogens after breakfast, this timing is generally better for avoiding a cortisol spike.

If you’re looking for something that assists mood stability, you may want to drink it during the early afternoon instead. This lets you avoid caffeine in the evening (which could cause insomnia) and gives you energy for the rest of the day, when many people feel terribly tired.

Gym-goers can consider mushroom coffee before hitting the gym. It can be a nice pre-workout boost for smooth energy. Still, consider what other energy boosts, protein shakes, or supplements you are taking. You don’t want it to mix the mushroom coffee ingredients with something else that has an unpleasant interaction.  

We don’t recommend drinking mushroom coffee at night. You can, but it may keep you awake longer than you’d like to be. 

Signs Your Hormone-Friendly Coffee Routine Is Working

When starting any new dietary routine, it’s best to begin slowly. Introduce mushroom coffee (and possibly maca root) to your coffee ritual at a lower dose first. 

Over the weeks, you may see yourself with:

• Better stress tolerance
• Less anxiety after caffeine
• More stable energy
• Fewer afternoon energy crashes
• Improved mood
• Less insomnia 

Of course, if you have any health concerns or notice any alarming, unusual symptoms, it might be time to stop and speak with your physician. It’s like drinking milk if you’re lactose intolerant–the same ingredients can have different effects on different people. 

Conclusion: Does Mushroom Coffee Work for Hormone Balance?

Generally, yes. A daily ritual of mushroom coffee can be a natural, effective way to support cortisol balance and adrenal resilience. You can add maca to an adaptogenic mushroom coffee blend for stronger effects of hormone balance. Just be careful if you have a hyperactive thyroid or other medical concerns. 

Start with a small cup of the best mushroom coffee to see how it goes for you. Just a change to your daily cup of joe can make a meaningful difference in long term hormonal balance and overall wellness.