"I believe that mycelium is the neurological network of nature... These membranes are aware, react to change, and collectively have the long-term health of the host environment in mind. Just as mushrooms support the health of entire ecosystems, they can support the intricate network of your own brain."
Paul Stamets
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The 6 Best Mushrooms for The Brain
Boost Memory, Focus & Clarity in Just 2 Weeks
Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went in there?
It happens to the best of us, and let me tell you, it is incredibly frustrating, and concerning, yes?!
As we get older, or even just when we are stressed out by the chaos of modern life, that "brain fog" can feel like a heavy cloud sitting right behind your eyes.
If you are tired of doctors just shrugging or trying to prescribe a pill with a laundry list of side effects, you are not alone.
Nature has provided us with an incredible pharmacy, and today we are going to talk about the 6 best mushrooms for the brain to help you reclaim your focus and mental clarity.
#1 Lion's Mane- best mushrooms for the brain
If you are looking for the absolute superstar of cognitive health, look no further than Lion's Mane.
This shaggy, white mushroom looks a bit like a cheerleader's pom-pom, and honestly, it should be cheering for your neurons!
It is famous for stimulating the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
Think of NGF as fertilizer for your brain cells; it helps repair old neurons and even stimulates the growth of new ones.
When people ask about the best mushrooms for the brain, Lion's Mane is usually the first answer because it directly targets:
- memory
- focus, and
- concentration.
How much do I take?
The studies with Lion's Mane use between 1000 mg - 3000 mg daily (1-3 grams)
Mori et al. (2009)
I have a history of Alzheimer's in my family, so I take 3000 mg of Lion's Mane extract daily.
- Every 3 seconds, someone in the world develops dementia (Alzheimer's Disease International)
- By 2050, **152 million people** worldwide will have dementia—triple today's numbers
- 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia—more than breast and prostate cancer combined
- 40% of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed through lifestyle modifications
#2 Reishi
But maybe your problem isn't just memory; maybe it is the constant hum of anxiety and stress that keeps your brain from working right.
Enter Reishi, often called the "Queen of Mushrooms."
While Lion's Mane is like a spark plug, Reishi is like a warm, weighted blanket for your nervous system.
It is a powerful adaptogen, which means it helps your body and mind adapt to stress.
When you are constantly in "fight or flight" mode, your brain cannot function at its peak.
By calming your mind and promoting better sleep, Reishi clears the way for better cognitive function during the day.
It’s nature’s way of saying, "Chill out, I’ve got this."
I've been using Reishi tea as part of my bedtime routine for years, and I fall asleep fast and sleep great through the night, even with hormonal changes!
- Smartphone addiction shows the same brain patterns as cocaine addiction on fMRI scans
- Checking your phone **150+ times daily** (average) fragments attention and impairs memory formation
- Ultra-processed foods increase dementia risk by 28% when they make up 20%+ of diet
- Your brain is **60% fat**—eating healthy fats literally builds better brain tissue
- Dancing combines physical, cognitive, and social elements—reduces dementia risk by 76%
- **Sauna use** (4-7x weekly) reduces dementia risk by 66%
#3 Cordyceps
Now, let’s talk about energy.
We all hate that 3 PM crash where your brain feels like it is wading through molasses.
Instead of reaching for a third cup of jittery coffee, you might want to look at Cordyceps.
Originally found in the high mountains of the Himalayas, this mushroom is legendary for increasing oxygen uptake in the blood.
I've seen studies that show Cordyceps increases your cardiovascular output by 30%!
More oxygen to the brain means more mental stamina and alertness without the crash that comes from caffeine or sugar.
It’s like upgrading your brain’s fuel line!
I love using Cordyceps for my workouts like swimming, hot yoga and skiing.
Cordyceps is one of the best mushrooms for the brain that you can actually feel working for you!
- Loneliness increases dementia risk by 50%—comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily
- Just 20 minutes of exercise increases BDNF (brain fertilizer) for up to 2 hours- Exercise increases brain volume and creates new brain cells at any age
- Walking 4,000 steps daily reduces dementia risk; 10,000 steps reduces it by 50%
- Aerobic exercise can reverse brain aging by 1-2 years
- Childhood trauma increases dementia risk by 80% in some studies
- Your brain uses **20% of your body's total energy** despite being only 2% of body weight
#4 Turkey Tail & #5 Chaga
You might be surprised to hear that your gut health is directly tied to your brain health—scientists call it the "gut-brain axis."
This is where Turkey Tail and Chaga come into play.
Turkey Tail is packed with prebiotics that feed the good bacteria in your belly, while Chaga is one of the most antioxidant-dense substances on Earth.
By reducing inflammation in the body and fixing your gut, you are actually protecting your brain from oxidative stress and premature aging.
Think of these best mushrooms for the brain as the security guards that protect your brain's hardware so the software can run without glitches.
- 90% of serotonin (the "happiness chemical") is produced in your gut, not your brain
- Your gut has **500 million neurons**—called the "second brain"
- Gut bacteria produce **over 30 neurotransmitters** including dopamine and GABA
- Gut inflammation can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause brain inflammation
- People with IBS are **2-3 times more likely** to have anxiety and depression
- Chronic inflammation is linked to depression—some researchers call depression "an inflammatory disease"
- Gum disease (periodontitis) increases Alzheimer's risk—bacteria can travel to the brain
#6 Psilocybin
We have to address the elephant in the room: Psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms."
While these are still illegal in many places, the scientific community is buzzing with excitement, and clinical trials at places like Johns Hopkins are showing mind-blowing results.
The effects of these best mushrooms for the brain and plasticity—the brain's ability to rewire itself—are most profound here.
In controlled settings, psilocybin is being used to treat
- severe depression
- PTSD, and
- addiction
...by essentially "resetting" the brain's default mode network.
Many people also “microdose” (taking a tiny, non-hallucinogenic amount) and report:
- better mood
- creativity, and
- focus
...though you must be aware of the legal risks and do your homework!
- Depression is the **leading cause of disability** worldwide
- 11 million Americans microdosed in 2025
- Teen depression has increased 60% in the last decade- **95% of teens** are on social media, with heavy users showing **double the risk** of depression
- ADHD diagnoses in children increased by **42%** between 2003-2011 and continue rising
- Your brain creates **700 new neural connections per second** when learning something new
- **London taxi drivers** have measurably larger hippocampi (memory centers) from memorizing 25,000 streets
- Learning a second language can **delay dementia onset by 4-5 years**—better than any medication
When you combine the emerging science with thousands of years of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the picture is pretty clear: these fungi are powerful allies for our health and the best mushrooms for the brain.
Here is the most important thing I can tell you today
Not all mushroom supplements are created equal!
If you are familiar with me and my writing, you know my soapbox is about quality and safety of mushrooms and supplements!
If you go to the store and buy the cheapest bottle of "Mushroom Complex," you might just be buying expensive brown rice.
Many companies grow the mushroom root system (mycelium) on grain and grind it all up together, meaning you get mostly starch and very little actual mushroom.
A lot of companies have no idea how, and don't even care to, extract the mushrooms properly for optimal absorption in the body, because nobody regulates supplements.
Erin
You want to look for products that specify they are:
- “Extract” form
- list the beta-glucan content on the label, and
- are 3rd party tested.
If they don't tell you how much of the active compounds are in there, they are probably hiding something.
Don't waste your hard-earned money on fillers!
Extracts are the gold standard, what the clinical trials use, and anything else is just a good ol' fashioned game of Russian roulette!
"Okay," you're thinking, "how do I actually take these?"
You have options!
The most common way is through powdered extracts that you can mix into smoothies, coffee, or tea.
I personally love the ritual of making a mushroom cacao latte in the afternoon.
If the earthy taste isn't your thing, capsules are a great, tasteless alternative.
Consistency and safety are key here
You can't just take it once and expect to become Einstein.
It usually takes about two to four weeks of daily use to really start feeling the shift in your mental clarity.
Start with a small dose to see how your body reacts, and then work your way up to the recommended amount on the package.
Safety is a priority, especially if you are dealing with other health conditions.
Generally, functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane and Reishi are very safe, but they can interact with certain medications.
For example, Reishi can act as a blood thinner, so if you are on anticoagulants or have surgery coming up, you need to be careful.
Also, since mushrooms stimulate the immune system, people with autoimmune diseases should proceed with caution.
Always chat with a healthcare provider—preferably a holistic one who actually understands supplements—before adding something new to your routine.
It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Taking control of your cognitive health feels empowering, doesn't it?
We don't have to just accept brain fog or memory slips as a normal part of aging.
By incorporating the best mushrooms for the brain into your daily life, you are tapping into an ancient, natural intelligence that supports your body from the inside out.
Whether you choose Lion's Mane for focus, Reishi for calm, or Chaga for protection, you are making a choice to nurture your mind.
So, go check those labels, find a high-quality extract, and get ready to feel that mental fog lift!
If you purchase a produce through the links on this page, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I was not paid to review these products, and I did not receive it as a freebie. I'm suggesting it to you because I own it and love it, and I think you would, too. For more info, please see this policy.
As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Grow your own brain food
Grow your own:
- lion's mane
- reishi
- magic mushrooms
In Psilly Willy's Mushroom Machine!
Growing your own mushrooms (especially magic mushrooms) has never been so easy!
"As easy as making a box of Mac-n-cheese!"
Always support small mushroom business when you can!
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If you purchase a product through the links on this page, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I was not paid to review these products, and I did not receive them as freebies. I'm suggesting it to you because I own it and love it, and I think you would, too. For more info, please see this policy.
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.