TOP 10 MUSHROOMS FOR YOUR HEALTH (AND PERHAPS YOUR MIND)

They aren’t just culinary delights… Long misunderstood, the fungi kingdom is finally getting the scientific recognition it deserves as the wilderness’s most potent biohackers. Whether you’re chasing clarity, calm, immunity, glowing skin, or just—you know—expanded consciousness, there’s a mushroom for that. So go ahead: upgrade your shroom intake and let nature do the heavy lifting. Here’s our top pick of mushrooms you’ll want in your daily rotation. Beware—some of them might just blow your mind.

1. Shiitake – Lentinula edodes

Think: The mushroom you already eat… that’s secretly boosting your immune system.

Shiitake isn’t just tasty in stir-fries—it’s an immune system whisperer. In one study, people who ate them daily saw a 60% bump in T-cells and a 100% boost in natural killer cells (your body's front-line defenders).

Also helps reduce inflammation (hello, calmer skin and digestion!).

2. Reishi – Ganoderma lucidum

Think: That chill friend who always knows when to say “breathe.”

Reishi is known as the “mushroom of immortality” for a reason. Used in Chinese medicine for millennia, it was once so cherished that only royalty could enjoy its many benefits. Luckily, we can all now enjoy its nerve-calming, sleep-improving, and immune-modulating properties.

Studies show it helps lower fatigue and anxiety—like a spa day.

3. Lion’s Mane – Hericium erinaceus

Think: Brain fog’s worst enemy.

Whether you're prepping for a presentation or just forgot where you left your keys, Lion’s Mane has your back. It stimulates Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)—aka the brain’s neuron repair crew—and may help protect against dementia and other cognitive impairments.

One small human trial showed improved memory and focus in just a few weeks.
Bonus: early signs it may help with mood, too.

4. Cordyceps – Cordyceps sinensis

Think: Nature’s powerhouse for energy, stamina, and post-workout recovery.

Favoured by Himalayan herders and gym-goers alike, Cordyceps is a natural performance enhancer. Studies show up to 18% gains in endurance. It boosts ATP (cellular energy), activates skeletal muscle regulators, and increases oxygen uptake—a potent trifecta to become the modern-day warrior.

Popular with athletes looking for a natural edge (without the crash).
Bonus: libido-boosting effects (for both men and women).

5. Chaga – Inonotus obliquus

Think: A forest’s marshmallow that fights oxidative stress.

Chaga is the free radical scavenger, mopping up the nasty stuff that ages your skin. Hailed as one of earth’s richest sources of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, it protects your cells—better than a facial.

Bonus: studies show serious potential for immune support and inflammation reduction.

6. Turkey Tail – Trametes versicolor

Think: The bodyguard of your immune system.

Turkey Tail contains PSK and PSP, two immune-activating compounds that have even been used alongside cancer therapies in Japan.

And yes—it actually looks like a turkey’s tail.

7. Maitake – Grifola frondosa

Think: Immune support with a side of blood sugar balance.

Maitake (aka the “dancing mushroom”) got its name because foragers danced with joy upon finding it. Modern science backs the joy: its beta-glucans stimulate the immune system, and studies suggest it may support blood pressure, glucose regulation, and healthy cell turnover.

A feel-good fungus, in more ways than one.

8. Oyster – Pleurotus ostreatus

Think: The budget-friendly mushroom with heart health perks.

Affordable and accessible, oyster mushrooms are rich in lovastatin, a natural cholesterol-lowering compound.
One animal study showed a 30% drop in total cholesterol and nearly 60% reduction in LDL (“bad” cholesterol).

9. King Trumpet – Pleurotus eryngii

Think: The underdog with an antioxidant crown.

Big, meaty, and full of cell-protecting antioxidants, King Trumpets are the humble hero of the mushroom world.

While human studies are sparse, early research suggests benefits for oxidative stress and possibly gut health.

10. Poria Cocos – Wolfiporia extensa

Think: Sleepytime mushroom with a long herbal legacy.

Not your typical mushroom, this subterranean tuber is prized for promoting sleep, calm, hydration, and digestive balance. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for nervous tension, it’s a gentle but effective way to wind down and reset.

Research is still catching up, but herbalists have sworn by it for centuries.

Bonus Wild Card: Psilocybin Mushrooms – Psilocybe spp.

Think: Breakthrough therapy dressed as a psychedelic.

Psilocybe comes from the Greek psilos (bare or bald) and kube (head)—possibly a nod to the metaphorical head-dive they take you on. Linguists even link kube to kybistáō, meaning “to dive headfirst.” Coincidence? We think not.

Psilocybin mushrooms, aka “magic mushrooms,” are finally getting the scientific and cultural recognition they deserve. With groundbreaking studies at Johns Hopkins, Imperial College London, and NYU, these fungi are being used to treat depression, PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety—sometimes in just one or two sessions.

One clinical dose of psilocybin has shown up to 80% reduction in depression symptoms, with effects lasting weeks or even months.

But keep it safe and legal—this one’s still in the “to be continued” category.