Could it be Magic? How Wellness Fell for Functional Mushrooms
Chaga, reishi, Lion’s Mane and beyond… Two experts tell Liberty everything you need to know.
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Could it be Magic? How Wellness Fell for Functional Mushrooms
Chaga, reishi, Lion’s Mane and beyond… Two experts tell Liberty everything you need to know.
Only a couple of years ago, adding powdered mushrooms to your morning coffee would have garnered you more than a few concerned looks in the office kitchen: but times have changed… at least, for the wellness-inclined.
Functional mushrooms have slowly emerged into the mainstream, thanks to the growing appreciation for their wellbeing credentials, plus a shift in focus to balance, rituals and slowing down. Now, names such as Lion’s Mane, reishi, cordyceps and tremella are popping up in a new suite of creations with promises to reset your routines.
But what are these functional mushrooms? What do they do and, crucially, how might they enhance already complex wellness routines. To find out, Liberty enlisted the help of two pioneering experts: Gemma Feare, co-founder of functional mushroom drinks brand every.state; and Jessica Clarke, co-founder of functional mushroom focused supplement brand Mother Made.
What is a Functional Mushroom?
In the world of wellness, functional mushrooms are, quite simply, multi-talented versions of the mushrooms you see on the supermarket shelves. The key difference is, functional mushrooms are from families of fungi with added benefits for our bodies, and when it comes to supplements, they are concentrated down to maximise their benefits.
Gemma Feare, founder of every.state which creates functional mushroom drinks, explains that despite the recent buzz, the ingredients have been used for generations. “Functional mushrooms aren’t new but they’re new to a lot of people. They've been used for centuries to support energy, focus, immunity, sleep, and stress,” she says.
She continues: “They’re also incredibly versatile. Compared to stimulants or harsher adaptogens, functional mushrooms tend to support the body in a steadier, more balanced way, without spikes or crashes. As wellness matures, people are drawn to ingredients that are natural, effective and gentle - and mushrooms sit confidently at that intersection.”
Jessica Clarke, co-founder of function mushroom supplement brand Mother Made, adds that functional mushrooms are often condensed down to deliver the kind of benefits so-called “culinary” mushrooms wouldn’t provide. “The mushrooms we eat are typically good for vitamins and fibre but they don’t have the same magic ingredients as the functional mushrooms we use,” she says. “We put them in concentrated powder or capsule form so you can easily get the benefits without having to cook a whole forest on your plate.”
Mother Made
Relax Reishi 60 Capsules
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Mother Made
Focus Lion's Mane 60 Capsules
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
everystate
Arabica Coffee Mushroom Super Blend 200g
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
everystate
Matcha Mushroom Super Blend 200g
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
everystate
Cacao Mushroom Super Blend 200g
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Mother Made
Performance Cordyceps 60 Capsules
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Mother Made
PM Blend 100g
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Mother Made
PM Blend 220g
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Mother Made
AM Blend 220g
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
The Mushrooms You Need to Know
Lion’s Mane
“Best known for supporting focus, memory and cognitive clarity, particularly during busy or mentally demanding periods,” says Feare.
Cordyceps
“This supports natural energy and stamina. Rather than stimulating the nervous system, it helps the body produce energy more efficiently, which is why it’s often described as feeling steady rather than jittery,” says Feare.
Reishi
According to Feare, this is “traditionally associated with calm and nervous system support. It’s often used during times of stress, and to support rest and recovery.”
Tremella
“This is known for its hydrating properties and skin benefits, which is why it’s often referred to as a beauty mushroom,” notes Feare.
Chaga
“Valued for its naturally occurring antioxidants and general wellbeing support. Each mushroom has its own personality, but together they create a really powerful synergy,” adds Clarke.
A Time-Tested Ingredient
“They’ve been used for thousands of years,” says Mother Made’s Clarke. “This isn’t a trend, it’s ancient wisdom backed by modern science.”
From ancient Chinese texts, to the Egyptian pharaohs via Greek and Roman philosophers: there is evidence of mushrooms being used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Today, a handful of of the supposed benefits of the ingredients are being backed by scientific studies and research, leading to something of a resurgence.
And this wisdom goes beyond the “ancients”, with anecdotal and traditional ideas of healing or beneficial ingredients threading through many of our lives: think ginger for upset stomachs, lavender to help soothe your sleep or arnica for bruising.
“Functional mushrooms have been used safely for centuries, much like ingredients such as turmeric or ginger. What’s new is the way they’re being formulated today - with better sourcing, extraction and understanding,” explains every.state’s Feare.
“I was raised in my grandmother’s Jamaican household, where natural, fresh ingredients were part of everyday life. Herbal remedies and ingredients grown in the garden weren’t framed as “wellness” - they were just how we took care of ourselves.”
It’s All About Balance
Unlike some supplements or wellness ingredients promising instant bounce, zing or rejuvenation, the benefits of functional mushrooms belong to a gentler, holistic approach to wellbeing.
“They work with your body, not against it,” says Clarke. “Mushrooms support balance rather than forcing an outcome. They can make a real difference in how you feel day to day, more energy, better focus, deeper sleep, stronger immunity.”
Feare agrees. “Functional mushrooms are adaptogens, meaning they help the body respond to stress and change over time,” she says. “They offer gentle, ongoing support depending on what your body needs in that moment. Functional mushrooms work differently to ingredients designed for an immediate effect. Rather than feeling dramatically “boosted”, people often describe feeling more supported with consistent use.”
Consistency and balance is also key for Clarke, who advises: “pairing mushrooms with healthy fats [to help] absorption, which is why I love adding them to warm milks or smoothies. And a balanced routine, sleep, hydration, and movement makes everything work even better.”
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