Top 4 Mushrooms for Energy: Boost Your Vitality Naturally

“Energy” mushrooms are functional fungi used to support stamina, focus, and recovery -- without the jolts of caffeine. Instead of forcing a spike, they tend to work by easing stress, supporting mitochondria, improving oxygen use, and supplying antioxidant activity to help your body can make and spend energy more efficiently in daily life and during workouts.

In this article, we delve into the best mushrooms for energy. We explore their possible mechanisms of action for supporting vitality, traditional uses, research summaries and more. Ready to get energized? Let's get to it!

Quick Intro to Functional Mushrooms

Functional mushrooms are culinary or health-promoting fungi used not just for flavor, but for their wellness-supporting compounds -- like beta-glucans (polysaccharides), triterpenes, and unique metabolites. Common examples include lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), cordyceps (C. militaris / Ophiocordyceps sinensis), chaga (Inonotus obliquus), turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), shiitake, and maitake.

Why They’re Popular

• Immune support: Beta-glucans help train and balance immune responses. Discover today's top immune supplements
• Stress and recovery: Many are used as adaptogen-like tonics to smooth out the stress response and support resilience.
• Brain and mood: Lion’s mane is the standout nootropic mushroom for cognitive support and “mental clarity.”
• Gut health and metabolic support: Prebiotic polysaccharides can nourish the microbiome and overall metabolic health. Find out about ultramodern prebiotic supplements for gut health
• Antioxidant and inflammatory balance: Broad support for cellular defenses and balanced immune system responses.

Read the full story on functional mushroom benefits

Mushrooms for Energy, Specifically

Across traditional herbalism systems, edible and medicinal mushrooms were utilized more for steady vitality than a stimulant “buzz.”

In East Asian texts, reishi (lingzhi) was a longevity and vitality tonic; cordyceps was given for fatigue and high-altitude stamina; lion’s mane was linked to clear thinking and sustained focus; chaga served as a winter tonic in northern folk practices. In other words, the benefit was more in line with stamina -- feeling and performing better over time.

Today’s research seems to back these uses. Early human studies suggest cordyceps can support exercise performance metrics, reishi may help with fatigue and perceived stamina in certain situations, and lion’s mane leans toward the perception of “mental energy” (focus, processing speed) benefits. Evidence for chaga and others is still pretty early.

How Might Mushrooms Work for Energy?

Mitochondrial support

Your cells make energy inside tiny “power plants” called mitochondria. When these power plants are healthy, you feel steady, all-day energy; when they’re stressed (from poor sleep, illness, hard training, or aging), energy can feel choppy and fatigue sets in. Some functional mushrooms seem to help these power plants work better and last longer.

What that looks like inside your cells

• Better protection for power plants: Mushroom compounds (like beta-glucans, polyphenols, and triterpenes) help mop up excess “wear and tear” molecules (free radicals). Less wear and tear means mitochondria keep their structure and output for longer.
• Smoother energy production: Some extracts support the enzymes and membranes mitochondria use to turn food and oxygen into ATP—the chemical “currency” of energy—so you get more usable energy from the same meal and the same workout.
• Signals to build/upgrade: Certain mushroom actives nudge cell pathways that tell your body to make more or fitter mitochondria (think: upgrading old batteries and adding a few new ones), which supports stamina over weeks—not minutes.
• Calmer background inflammation: Low-grade inflammation pushes mitochondria off balance. Mushrooms’ inflammation-balancing effects reduce that “background noise,” so energy systems can run without unnecessary drag.
• Smarter oxygen use: By supporting circulation and cellular oxygen handling, mushrooms can make effort feel a bit easier at the same pace—useful for climbing stairs, long workdays, or training.

Did you know? Beyond mushrooms, cells' powerhouse mitochondria can be helped with minerals like magnesium and iron, as well as with cell energy nutrients like Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and PQQ. Discover today's top stim-free energy booster supplement

Oxygen use and Endurance

When people talk about better “oxygen use,” they often mean improvements in two ideas:

1. Ventilatory threshold (the point during exercise when breathing suddenly gets much harder);
2. VO₂ (how much oxygen your body can use for work).

Basically, a higher threshold and VO₂ mean you can go faster or longer before you "hit the wall" of exhaustion.

How mushrooms may help your oxygen use

• More efficient breathing-to-muscle hand-off: Some mushroom extracts (especially cordyceps) are studied for making the “oxygen pipeline” more efficient -- from lungs to blood to working muscles -- so you can do the same work with less strain.
• Fitter “engines” in muscle: By supporting mitochondrial function and antioxidant defenses, your muscles can turn oxygen into usable energy (ATP) more smoothly, which feels like steadier stamina.
  
• Better between-interval recovery: Enhanced oxygen handling can help you catch your breath faster between hard efforts.

Find out about ultramodern pre-workouts that stack well with mushrooms

Stress regulation

Your body’s stress wiring is called the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal glands). When stress is constant, cortisol and other stress signals can stay elevated, disrupting sleep, focus, recovery, and blood sugar: things that make you feel “tired but wired.”

Functional mushrooms include stress-busting adaptogens (see the full list of adaptogen herbs) that help soothe overwrought stress responses so energy stops leaking away.

How mushrooms may help your stress system

• Gentler cortisol rhythm: Certain extracts are used to nudge cortisol toward a healthier daily curve, so you feel steady instead of jittery or crashed.
• Quieter background inflammation: Low-grade inflammation amplifies stress signals; mushroom polysaccharides and triterpenes help dial it down and "save energy."
• Better sleep quality: Calmer stress hormones and less inflammatory noise often translate into deeper, more continuous sleep—the ultimate energy reset. Check out a top-rated cherry-powered sleep supplement
• Central nervous system balance: By supporting the “rest-and-digest” state, mushrooms help you shift out of fight-or-flight mode.

Discover all the adaptogen mushrooms that help fight stress

Antioxidant activity and inflammation modulation

Daily life, hard workouts, and normal aging all create unstable molecules called free radicals that smash up against cells. This oxidative stress damages cell membranes, proteins, and even mitochondrial parts -- the very machinery that makes energy -- leaving you feeling depleted.

Many functional mushrooms supply compounds called antioxidants that help to fight the effects oxidative stress and protect mitochondria against damage. Antioxidants also help modulate (not shut down) the body’s inflammation signals, so repair and energy production run more smoothly.

Top Mushrooms for Energy

1. Cordyceps

Most consistent human data for exercise energy: trials report improvements in oxygen use and time-to-exhaustion after multi-week supplementation.

Cordyceps is a fungus that grows from the carcasses of caterpillars. It was traditionally simmered in broths or added to congee and herbal soups for vitality. Since wild cordyceps is rare and expensive to source, today most cordyceps on the market is cultivated without the use caterpillars. Cultivated cordyceps preserves the “tonic food” tradition while making it far more accessible.

In East Asian herbalism, cordyceps is among the most prized medicinal mushrooms. It has been used for centuries as a restorative qi tonic to decrease fatigue while enhancing respiratory strength, physical performance and recovery after health challenges. Today, it is associated with performance and considered one of the best adaptogens for athletes.

Why Cordyceps is discussed for “Energy”

Cordyceps mushroom is often framed as an “energy and endurance” mushroom because early human studies suggest it may help you do the same work with a lower heart rate, increase the point at which breathing “feels hard” (ventilatory threshold), extend time-to-exhaustion, and possibly speed up muscle recovery after hard sessions.

Researchers have attributed cordyceps energy benefits to its influence on oxygen use, mitochondrial efficiency, nitric oxide–related blood-flow effects, and antioxidant/immune modulation. It all adds up to a steadier sense of stamina rather than a stimulant “buzz.”

Human Research Snapshots

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, healthy adults (age 50–75) taking a branded cordyceps extract (Cs-4®) three times daily for 12 weeks significantly increased ventilatory and metabolic thresholds. Basically, this translates to being able to go harder at intense exercise before breathing feels limited. VO2max (a measure of oxygen use efficiency) changes were small, but the improved thresholds point to better “engine efficiency” during exertion.(1)

A randomized, double-blind trial in 37 older adults (3 g/day) reported improvements in aerobic capacity and respiratory function versus placebo -- consistent with easier breathing and better endurance at a given effort. Researchers concluded that this branded cordyceps may improve oxygen uptake, aerobic capacity and respiratory function, as well as strengthening resistance to fatigue in elderly people during exercise.(2)

In another randomized, double-blind study, researchers reported that 4 g/day of a mushroom blend containing cordyceps improved time-to-exhaustion after 1 week and significantly increased VO2 max and ventilatory threshold after 3 weeks compared with placebo -- suggesting better tolerance to high-intensity work.(3)

Finally, a 2024 human pilot study found that cordyceps supplementation appeared to accelerate recovery of exercise-induced muscle damage, possibly by encouraging stem cell delivery to repair sites. In theory, this may help people to bounce back faster and maintain training volume. It is an indirect path to energy, but could translate to more vitality for more workouts.(4)

Cordyceps isn’t a stimulant. It’s more of a stress-busting tonic with some performance and endurance potential, although more high-quality research is needed.

2. Lion’s Mane

Early evidence in healthy adults suggests small improvements in performance speed and stress relief, which may help to bust brain fog and increase “mental energy.”

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) has been used for centuries across East Asia as both a food and a wellness herb. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it’s listed as a restorative mushroom for the stomach and spirit; while in Japan (where it’s called yamabushitake) it shows up in temple cuisine and classical herbal texts. Modern reviews note that it’s long been eaten as a delicacy and used as a tonic -- an unusually direct bridge between culinary and medicinal traditions.

Culinarily, its meaty texture and mild, seafood-like flavor make it easy to sauté, braise, or add to soups and hotpots -- one reason it’s spreading from specialty markets into mainstream kitchens. As a “functional food,” lion’s mane is now studied for brain and gut support, reflecting is stellar reputation in Asian traditions.

Lion's Mane Mushroom for Energy

Lion’s mane does not stimulate or affect cell energy. Instead, its support for cognitive function may promote the kind of steady, clear energy people describe as “mental stamina.”

Its active compounds (hericenones and erinacines) are linked with increased nerve growth factor (NGF) and neuroplasticity, along with benefits for stress, mood, sleep, and cognitive speed -- all of which might feel like a little rise in day-to-day energy.

Human Studies That Hint at Indirect “Vitality” Benefits

In a 16-week, double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, adults with Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) taking 3 g/day lion’s mane demonstrated improved cognitive test scores vs. placebo. These cognitive gains fell off after stopping lion's mane supplementation. While this research is not centered on energy, specifically, its finding may suggest mental stamina and clarity benefits that may feel like greater brain vitality.(5)

A double-blind pilot study found a single dose of this mushroom (Find out all about Lion's Mane dosage) sped performance on a Stroop task (a measure of attention and reaction time); over 28 days there was a trend toward reduced subjective stress. These benefits may be consistent with feelings of calmer, clearer “mental energy.”(6)

In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial, 30 women (average age of about 41) consumed cookies supplying 2g/day of lion's mane for 4 weeks. Compared to placebo, the lion’s mane group showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms and overall “indefinite complaints.” Trends pointed to better concentration, less irritability, and reduced anxiety.(7)

An 8-week open-label study on overweight and obese adults reported improvements in anxiety, depression, and sleep measures after lion’s-mane extract; sleep quality being a major lever for daytime energy. Note: This was an early non-placebo study; not the highest quality research.(8) Discover top mushrooms for anxiety and depression

Lion’s mane potential benefits for cognitive speed, stress, mood, and sleep may help indirectly contribute to steadier day-to-day energy. Considering how depression seems to sap both mental and physical energy, Lion's Mane's natural mood support may also offer benefits for overall vitality.

3. Reishi

Human studies suggest it may reduce fatigue, potentially enhancing perceived energy and stamina in daily life.

Reishi mushroom -- called lingzhi in China and reishi/mannentake in Japan -- has been prized for hundreds of years as a longevity and “vitality” tonic in East Asian traditions. Classical texts describe it as supporting calm stamina rather than providing a quick energy boost. It's also associated with cardiovascular health and immune health. In practice, reishi’s tough, woody fruiting body is rarely eaten like table mushrooms; it’s traditionally simmered as a decoction (kind of like a long-simmered tea) or taken as powders/extracts.

Reishi for Energy

In herbal traditions, reishi was used to nourish “vital energy” and endurance under stress -- think steadier days, smoother recovery, and better sleep quality -- rather than a sharp uptick in stimulation. Contemporary research seems to support this perspective: early human trials and reviews suggest potential benefits for fatigue, feelings of well-being, and improved sleep in some groups, pointing to an indirect lift in day-to-day energy levels.

Human Studies Hinting Reishi Can Indirectly Support Energy/Vitality

In an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a reishi polysaccharide extract (Ganopoly®, 1,800 mg three times daily) produced greater improvements than placebo in global severity, sense of fatigue, and well-being in people struggling with fatigue concerns.(9)

Formulation matters (sleep/fatigue): Recent work comparing different reishi formulations found variability in anti-fatigue and sleep-aiding effects -- underscoring the importance of extract type and dose when targeting “energy.”(10)

Reishi’s traditional role is steady, restorative vitality. Early human studies point to potential improvements in fatigue, sleep, mood, and overall well-being in certain settings, which might indirectly improve how “energized” you feel day to day.

4. Chaga

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a hard, charcoal-black fungal mass that grows slowly on living birch trees in cold northern forests (Siberia, Scandinavia, Canada, Alaska), with a cracked, soot-like exterior and a rusty orange interior rich in antioxidants. It has long been used in folk traditions as an everyday “winter tonic” for resilience, stomach comfort, and general well-being. Today you’ll find it as loose chunks, tea bags, or extracts used for caffeine-free “coffee” alternatives.

Chaga's folk reputation for “staying power” through long winters is not yet backed by strong human research. However, there is some animal research suggesting chaga has antioxidant, immune-modulating, and metabolism-optimizing actions that could reduce perceived fatigue and support stamina indirectly. Let's check out some quick summaries:

• Six weeks of chaga extract increased treadmill run time, muscle volume, wheel speed, and average energy expenditure in mice; mechanistically, muscle transcriptomics pointed to up-regulated PPAR signaling and lipid transport.(11)
• Purified chaga polysaccharides extended forced-swim times, reduced blood lactic acid and urea nitrogen, and increased liver/muscle glycogen in mice -- all of which are classic anti-fatigue biomarkers.(12)
• A chaga polysaccharide (PIO-1) increased swimming/climbing times and lowered lactate hinting at effects for central fatigue pathways.(13)

Mushroom Coffee, Briefly

Mushroom coffee is a newer, trendy category of mushroom supplements that blends regular coffee (or coffee alternatives) with an edible mushroom blend (and other beneficial ingredients) for energy. The idea isn’t to give you a bigger caffeine jolt -- it’s to pair a moderate dose of caffeine with mushroom compounds that may support steadier energy, focus, and recovery. You’ll find it as instant sticks, ground-coffee blends (for drip/pour-over), pods, and coffee-free cocoa/chicory mixes for people avoiding caffeine.

Most formulas feature lion’s mane for “mental energy” (focus/clarity) and cordyceps for perceived endurance; some add chaga (daily resilience) or reishi (wind-down and next-day recovery). Beyond mushrooms, brands often include L-theanine to soften caffeine’s edge, plus flavor or texture add-ins like cacao, cinnamon, vanilla, chicory, or MCT oil creamers.

Best Supplement with Lion's Mane Mushroom: Mind Lab Pro®

Mind Lab Pro® Ingredients: Citicoline (CDP Choline) dosage 250mg per serving, Phosphatidylserine (PS) 100mg (from sunflower lecithin), Bacopa monnieri 150mg (24% bacosides), Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom 500mg (fruit and mycelium), Maritime Pine Bark Extract 75mg (95% proanthocyanidins), N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine 175mg, L-Theanine 100mg per serving, Rhodiola rosea 50mg (3% rosavins and 1% salidrosides), NutriGenesis® Vitamin B6 (2.5 mg), Vitamin B9 (100 mcg), Vitamin B12 (7.5 mcg)

Mind Lab Pro® (MLP®) is the best nootropic supplement on the market today. It includes 11 research-backed nootropics, many of which are helpful for more energy in the brain -- including Lion's Mane Mushroom.

MLP's ultramodern design enhances multiple brain functions at once -- clarity, energy, memory, focus and more. It also supplies top nootropics for enhancing mood, motivation and stress resistance, all while supporting overall wellness of the brain.

MLP includes 500 mg of certified organic Lion's Mane Mushroom from Fruit and Mycelium.

In addition to being the best supplement with Lion's Mane Mushroom, Mind Lab Pro is notable for brain benefits backed by three well-designed human clinical trials:

Study 1: MLP for 30 days was associated with significant improvements (compared to placebo) in information processing speed.(14)

Study 2: MLP for 30 days enhanced performance across all memory functions tested, especially immediate and delayed recall memory.(15)

Study 3: MLP for 60 days reportedly helped the brain's different regions to work together as a team more efficiently and cohesively.(16)

Read the full story on Mind Lab Pro clinical studies

Mind Lab Pro®

Scientifically proven to enhance brainpower.

Shop Now

80 reviews

Summary

“Energy” mushrooms aren’t about a quick jolt to increase energy. They’re about building steadier stamina, clearer focus, and smoother recovery by supporting the systems that make and manage energy, as well as performing antifatigue functions: mitochondria, oxygen use, stress balance, and inflammation modulation.

The signal from human research is most consistent for cordyceps (exercise tolerance and ventilatory threshold), while reishi often shows up in reduced fatigue and better sleep/recovery, and lion’s mane leans toward “mental energy” (processing speed, mood, stress, improved focus). Chaga remains promising but is still mostly supported by animal data.

If you decide to experiment by adding these pics to your daily routine, think of them as a complement to other vitality-boosting practices. Choose high-quality, third-party–tested extracts. Use them consistently for weeks; and stack them with the fundamentals for daily energy: active lifestyle, training, sleep, nutrition, hydration, and stress management. Mushroom coffee can be a convenient format for a gentler lift, but dose, species, and extract quality matter.

Most importantly, align any supplement trial with your doctor -- especially if you take medications or have medical conditions -- then track how you feel and perform, and keep what clearly helps.

References

1. Chen, S., Li, Z., Krochmal, R., Abrazado, M., Kim, W., Cooper, C. B. (2010). Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy elderly subjects. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(5), 585–590. Link
2. Yi, X., Huang, X., & Zhu, J. (2004). Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial and assessment of fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis (Cs-4) in enhancing aerobic capacity and respiratory function of healthy elderly volunteers. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 10(3), 187–192. Link
3. Hirsch, K. R., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Roelofs, E. J., Trexler, E. T., & Mock, M. G. (2017). Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 14(1), 42–53.Link
4. Dewi L, Liao YC, Jean WH, Huang KC, Huang CY, Chen LK, Nicholls A, Lai LF, Kuo CH.Cordyceps sinensis accelerates stem cell recruitment to human skeletal muscle after exercise. Food Funct. 2024 Apr 22;15(8):4010-4020. Link
5. Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367–372. Link.
6. Docherty, S., Doughty, F. L., & Smith, E. F. (2023). The acute and chronic effects of lion’s mane supplementation on cognitive function, stress and mood in young adults: A double-blind, parallel-groups, pilot study. Nutrients, 15(22), 4842. Link.
7. Nagano, M., Shimizu, K., Kondo, R., et al. (2010). Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research, 31(4), 231–237. Link.
8. Vigna, L., Morelli, F., Agnelli, G. M., et al. (2019). Hericium erinaceus improves mood and sleep disorders in patients affected by overweight or obesity: Could circulating pro-BDNF and BDNF be potential biomarkers? Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019, 7861297. Link.
9. Tang, W., Gao, Y., Chen, G., et al. (2005). A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. Journal of Medicinal Food, 8(1), 53–58. Link.
10. Li, K., Li, R., Tang, Z., et al. (2024). The anti-fatigue and sleep-aiding effects vary significantly across formulations containing Ganoderma lucidum extracts. Heliyon. Link.
11. Chen, Y.-M., Chiu, W.-C., & Chiu, Y.-S. (2022). Effect of Inonotus obliquus extract supplementation on endurance exercise and energy-consuming processes through lipid transport in mice. Nutrients, 14(23), 5007. Link.
12. Yue, Z., Xiuhong, Z., Shuyan, Y., & Zhonghua, Z. (2015). Effect of Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides on physical fatigue in mice. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 35(4), 468–472. Link.
13. Zhang, C.-J., Guo, J.-Y., Cheng, H., et al. (2020). Spatial structure and anti-fatigue of polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 151, 855–860. Link.
14. Utley A, Gonzalez Y, Imboden CA. The Efficacy of A Nootropic Supplement on Information Processing in Adults: A Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 49(1)-2023. BJSTR. MS.ID.007746. Link
15. Abbott-Imboden C., Gonzalez Y., Utley A. (2023). Efficacy of the nootropic supplement Mind Lab Pro on memory in adults: Double blind, placebo-controlled study. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, e2872.Link
16. O’Reilly, D., Bolam, J., Delis, I., & Utley, A. (2025). Effect of a Plant-Based Nootropic Supplement on Perceptual Decision-Making and Brain Network Interdependencies: A Randomised, Double-Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Study. Brain Sciences, 15(3), 226.Link