CBD and Functional Mushrooms: A Plain-English Guide

Last updated: October 2026.

Functional mushrooms have become one of the fastest-growing supplement categories in Ireland, and many people who use CBD are curious about adding lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps or chaga to their routine.

First, a clarification: when we talk about mushrooms here, we mean non-psychoactive culinary and traditional mushrooms. These are completely different from “magic mushrooms”, which contain psilocybin and are illegal in Ireland. This guide explains what functional mushrooms are, what researchers have studied, how they compare with CBD, and how to use them sensibly.

The short answer

• Functional mushrooms are edible or traditional mushrooms such as lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps and chaga, sold as extracts, drops, powders and gummies.
• They are non-psychoactive and are not the same as psilocybin (“magic”) mushrooms.
• Research is mostly in the lab or in small human trials, so no health claims can be made, but interest is growing fast.
• CBD and mushroom extracts are often taken in the same routine. Check with your GP or pharmacist if you take medication.

What are functional mushrooms?

“Functional mushrooms” is a marketing term for mushrooms used for reasons beyond basic nutrition. Most have long histories in traditional Chinese and East Asian practices, and several are also cooked and eaten as food. Supplements usually use the fruiting body (the mushroom you can see), the mycelium (the root-like network), or both, extracted with hot water, alcohol, or a combination.

The compounds researchers focus on vary by species. Beta-glucans, a type of fibre, are found in most mushrooms. Lion’s mane contains compounds called hericenones and erinacines. Reishi contains triterpenes. Cordyceps is studied for cordycepin. Chaga, which grows on birch trees, is rich in polyphenols.

The four most popular mushrooms

Mushroom	Traditional use	What research has looked at
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus)	Eaten as food in East Asia; associated with focus	Small human studies on memory and mood; lab work on nerve growth factor
Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi)	Revered in traditional Chinese practice for calm and longevity	Lab and small human studies on immune markers and sleep
Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)	Traditionally associated with energy and stamina	Small exercise studies with mixed results
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)	Traditional tea in Northern Europe and Russia	Mostly laboratory studies on antioxidant activity

Lion’s mane

Lion’s mane is the mushroom most associated with focus and mental clarity. A handful of small human studies, including one in older adults in Japan, have explored memory and cognitive measures, and laboratory research has looked at how its compounds interact with nerve cells. The results are interesting but early. We cover it in depth in the science of lion’s mane and our study breakdown.

Reishi

Reishi has a bitter taste and a long tradition as an evening mushroom. Researchers have explored its effects on the immune system and on sleep, mostly in laboratory and animal studies. Reishi is not suitable for everyone: avoid it if you take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder or are due to have surgery, and speak to your GP if you take blood pressure or diabetes medication.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is popular with people who exercise. Some small trials have looked at oxygen use and endurance; results are mixed, and most studies are too small to draw conclusions.

Chaga

Chaga is usually taken as a tea or extract. It is high in oxalates, so people with kidney stones or kidney problems should avoid regular use, and it may interact with blood thinners and diabetes medication.

How do mushrooms compare with CBD?

CBD is a compound from the hemp plant that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which we explain in the hidden system inside you. Functional mushrooms are a completely separate group of foods with their own compounds. They do not act in the same way and are not substitutes for each other.

Many people like to combine them in a simple routine, for example lion’s mane in the morning alongside coffee, and CBD or reishi in the evening as part of winding down. There is very little research on combining them, so the sensible approach is to introduce one product at a time, wait a week or two, and notice how you feel before adding another.

How to take functional mushrooms

• Drops. Easy to add to water, coffee or smoothies. See our Lion’s Mane Drops, Reishi Drops, Cordyceps Drops and Chaga Drops.
• Gummies. Pre-measured and convenient, though they usually contain added sugar.
• Powders. Mixed into drinks, though the taste can be strong.
• Cooking. Lion’s mane is delicious fried in butter, though culinary amounts differ from extracts.

If you use CBD too, our CBD 10% Oil with free Lion’s Mane Extract bundles both, and lion’s mane and CBD explains how people use them together.

How to choose a quality mushroom supplement

• Fruiting body or mycelium? Labels should say. Fruiting body extracts are often higher in the compounds researchers study.
• Extraction method. Hot water extraction releases beta-glucans; alcohol extraction releases triterpenes. Some products use both (“dual extraction”).
• Clear amounts. Look for the milligrams of extract per serving.
• Testing. Mushrooms can absorb heavy metals from where they grow, so third-party testing matters.
• No disease claims. Products claiming to treat cancer, dementia or anxiety are breaking EU law. Avoid them.

A simple starter routine

If you are new to functional mushrooms, a simple, consistent routine makes it far easier to notice what suits you. Here is an example many customers find easy to follow:

Time	What	Notes
Morning	Lion’s mane or cordyceps drops in coffee or water	Take with breakfast
Afternoon	Nothing extra	Keep caffeine to before midday
Evening	CBD oil or reishi drops	Part of a screen-free wind-down

Keep the routine the same for at least three or four weeks, and write a short note each evening on energy, focus and sleep. A simple diary tells you more than memory does, and it is useful if you later want to talk to your GP or pharmacist about what you are taking.

Why quality varies so much

Not all mushroom products are what they seem. Independent testing in Europe and the US has found that some products sold as mushroom extracts are mostly grain. This happens because mycelium is often grown on rice or oats, and when the whole mass is dried and powdered, much of what ends up in the capsule is the grain it grew on. That is not necessarily harmful, but it means you may be getting far less mushroom than you think.

This is why the label should tell you whether the product is fruiting body or mycelium, how it was extracted, and how much extract is in each serving. A reputable seller will be able to answer those questions. If they cannot, choose a different product.

Food first

Several of these mushrooms are also excellent food. Shiitake, oyster and lion’s mane mushrooms are increasingly available in Irish supermarkets and farmers’ markets, and they are a tasty way to add more variety and fibre to your diet. A varied diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, beans and fruit remains the foundation of feeling well; supplements, at most, sit on top of it.

Safety notes

Functional mushrooms are generally well tolerated in food amounts, but supplements are more concentrated. Avoid them in pregnancy and breastfeeding unless your doctor says otherwise. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before using them if you take blood thinners, diabetes medication, blood pressure medication or immunosuppressants, have an autoimmune condition, or are due to have surgery. Stop using any product that causes stomach upset, rash or other unusual symptoms. If you have a mushroom allergy, avoid them.

Frequently asked questions

Are functional mushrooms psychedelic?

No. Lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps and chaga are non-psychoactive. They are entirely different from psilocybin mushrooms, which are illegal in Ireland.

Can I take CBD and lion’s mane together?

Many people do, but there is little research on combining them. Introduce one at a time and speak to your GP or pharmacist if you take medication.

What is the best time to take mushroom supplements?

Many people take lion’s mane and cordyceps in the morning and reishi in the evening. Follow the product label.

How long before I notice anything?

Most studies have run for several weeks. Give any new supplement a few weeks of consistent use before judging it.

Are mushroom supplements legal in Ireland?

Yes, these mushrooms are sold as food supplements in Ireland.

Do mushroom drops taste of mushroom?

Most have an earthy taste. Mixing them into coffee, tea or a smoothie helps.

Can children take functional mushrooms?

Our supplements are intended for adults. Speak to your GP before giving any supplement to a child.

What is dual extraction?

Dual extraction uses both hot water and alcohol to draw out different compounds from the mushroom, such as beta-glucans and triterpenes. Labels should state the method used.

Should I choose fruiting body or mycelium?

Fruiting body extracts are often higher in the compounds researchers study. Mycelium products grown on grain can contain a lot of the grain itself, so check the label carefully.

Disclaimer: CBD is sold as a food supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting a new supplement, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.