That mid-afternoon energy dip is something most of us are familiar with: whether it’s a drop in focus, sluggish motivation, or just struggling to stay alert.
While coffee and sugar are often the go-to solutions, functional mushrooms offer a more balanced, natural alternative to help support energy, stamina and mental clarity - without the crash.
What’s the difference between caffeine and mushrooms when it comes to energy?
Lauren Johnson Reynolds, Registered Nutritional Therapist and founder of London Wellness Coach, says: "Caffeine acts as a nervous system stimulant, giving a quick spike in energy. Mushrooms, on the other hand, work more holistically: they boost ATP (our energy currency), stimulate nerve growth factor for enhanced cognitive function, and act as adaptogens - helping the nervous system adapt to stress. While caffeine’s effects are short-lived, mushrooms build up over time to provide more sustainable energy without the crash”.
How do adaptogenic mushrooms support stress resilience and energy?
"Adaptogenic mushrooms help the nervous system cope with stress by building resilience at a cellular level," she adds, "for example, Cordyceps improves mitochondrial efficiency, enhances oxygen utilisation, and boosts blood flow, leading to better endurance. Lion’s Mane supports brain plasticity, which helps improve memory and learning. By working at the root level, these mushrooms help the body create and sustain real, biological energy - enhancing focus, stamina and overall resilience”.
Which mushrooms are best for physical and mental energy?
Lauren recommends: "For physical energy: Cordyceps, thanks to its effect on oxygen uptake and endurance. For mental energy: Lion’s Mane, due to its brain-boosting properties”.
How quickly do you notice the effects of mushroom supplements?
"Some people feel the effects right away, especially when it comes to mental clarity," she says. "But it really depends on the individual. The nervous system benefits build gradually, so the full effects often develop over time”.
Whether you’re looking for sharper thinking, improved physical stamina or just a more even energy flow throughout the day, functional mushrooms are increasingly being turned to as a natural solution.
We've rounded up some of the most effective energy boosting mushroom-based products on the market right now - each chosen for its quality, ingredient profile and real-world results.
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Hifas da Terra Cordy Sin Sport
If you’re into running, lifting, cycling or just generally pushing your body, Hifas da Terra’s Cordy-Sin Sport is a game-changer. It’s packed with high-quality Cordyceps sinensis (a mushroom famed for its energy-boosting properties), plus Reishi, Royal Jelly and natural vitamin C from camu camu to support stamina and recovery.
The blend is crafted by biotech experts in Spain and used by serious athletes for its ability to support oxygen uptake and reduce fatigue. It’s clean, organic and completely vegan too.
Buy now £34.00, Healf
Viridian Organic Chaga
Chaga is often called the “king of mushrooms,” and Viridian’s version wears the crown well. This one’s wild-harvested from Finnish birch trees and extracted using a fancy ultrasonic process, which means you get all the good stuff (like powerful antioxidants and beta-glucans) in every capsule.
It’s all about supporting your immune system and energy levels in a calm, steady way - no spikes, no slumps. If you’re looking to boost your energy without touching caffeine, this is a brilliant, fuss-free addition to your daily routine.
Buy now £21.80, Cosmetify
DIRTEA Performance Powder
DIRTEA’s Cordyceps Performance Powder is all about natural energy: no stimulants, just pure mushroom power. Cordyceps militaris is the star here, known for helping boost stamina, improve oxygen utilisation and support physical performance (especially handy for workouts, long hikes or midday slumps).
It’s unflavoured, so you can stir it into coffee, smoothies or even just hot water. It helps them power through without feeling weird, and the brand has a loyal following for its transparency and top-notch sourcing. If you’re after something clean, effective and easy to work into your daily routine, this one’s a solid shout.
Buy now £39.00, Amazon
Verve Honest Mushrooms
Verve’s Honest Mushrooms capsules are for people who want to feel sharper, calmer and more energised without relying on sugar or caffeine. The formula blends Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps and Reishi for a triple hit of focus, stamina and stress support. It’s designed to work with your body over time, and users love the gentle but noticeable lift in both brainpower and overall energy.
There’s no fluff here: just high-quality extracts, clean capsules, and a company that’s all about transparency. If you’re after a long-term solution for daily performance and mood, this one definitely earns its spot.
Buy now £49.00, Verve
Nutravita Mushroom Superblend
Nutravita’s Mushroom Superblend is a great intro for anyone curious about functional mushrooms. It features six heavy hitters, including Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane and Reishi, all packed into easy-to-take vegan capsules. The idea is to support your energy levels, brain health and immune system all in one go.
At 180 capsules per bottle, it’s great value too. People often mention better focus and fewer afternoon crashes after a couple of weeks. It’s non-GMO, UK-made and free from synthetic fillers: a solid, affordable option if you want the benefits of multiple mushrooms in a simple, fuss-free format.
Buy now £19.20, Amazon
London Nootropics Mushroom Coffee Box
If variety is your thing, London Nootropics’ Mushroom Coffee Box gives you a trio of adaptogenic coffee blends to match your mood: Flow (for focus), Zen (for calm), and Mojo (for energy). Each blend contains a smart mix of mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, along with natural botanicals like Ashwagandha and Siberian Ginseng.
The result? A clean caffeine hit that supports your body rather than draining it. People love the balanced buzz (no crashes, no jitters) and the sleek sachets are perfect for on-the-go. It’s a fun and functional way to personalise your daily brew.
Buy now £12.00, London Nootropics
Laird Superfood Organic Performance Mushroom Blend
Laird’s Organic Performance Mushroom Blend is a kitchen staple for health-conscious foodies. It’s a powdered mix of four organic mushrooms - Cordyceps, Chaga, Lion’s Mane and Maitake - and it’s designed to support energy, endurance and immune function.
Blend it into smoothies, stir into coffee, or even bake with it: it’s super versatile and totally caffeine-free. What fans really appreciate is the quality: it’s certified organic and contains nothing but the mushrooms with no fillers. It’s an easy way to upgrade your nutrition and give your body that extra bit of natural fuel.
Buy now £16.37, Amazon
Motion Nutrition Elevate Mushroom Coffee
Looking for a coffee that perks you up and keeps you balanced? Motion Nutrition’s Elevate Mushroom Coffee is a clever blend of fair-trade Arabica beans with Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Rhodiola - adaptogens known for supporting focus, mental clarity and physical stamina.
It gives you that energised, ready-to-go feeling, but without the crash or jitters. The flavour is smooth and rich with a subtle chocolate note, and the compostable sachets are a nice eco touch too. It’s become a go-to for morning productivity or a pre-workout buzz, especially for people who want more from their daily brew than just caffeine.
Buy now £9.99, Motion Nutrition
Unai UPLIFT - Pink Grapefruit & Strawberry
Think of Unai’s UPLIFT as a sparkling pick-me-up with a functional twist. It’s a fruity, fizzy drink infused with Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane mushrooms - both big players in the natural energy and focus game. The pink grapefruit and strawberry flavour is seriously refreshing, and best of all, there’s zero caffeine, so no risk of that overstimulated feeling.
Whether you need a boost during the workday or a pre-gym lift, you'll love how it gives that gentle edge without feeling amped up. Bonus points for the slick branding and feel-good ingredients.
Buy now £29.95, Unai
Moodeys Upgrade Me
Moodeys’ Upgrade Me isn’t just another mushroom supplement; it’s a full-spectrum cognitive and energy support formula, designed to level you up mentally and physically. Packed with Cordyceps for energy, Lion’s Mane for focus and adaptogens like Ashwagandha and Ginseng, it’s a true all-rounder.
The capsules are vegan and free from fillers, and users often say they notice a difference in just a few days: better clarity, fewer crashes and more get-up-and-go. It’s especially popular with busy professionals and creatives juggling a lot at once. If you’re looking for a nootropic-style supplement with clean ingredients, this one nails it.
Buy now £45.00, Moodeys
Verdict
Our top choice? Hifas da Terra Cordy-Sin Sport for its clinical-grade Cordyceps, expertly combined with Reishi and Royal Jelly to support endurance, oxygen use and recovery. It’s trusted by athletes, backed by science and delivers noticeable results, making it one of the most effective natural energy supplements on the market.
