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Chocolates, Coffee, or Gummies? Finding Your Perfect Mushroom Ritual.
Mushroom chocolates vs coffee vs gummies: a science-forward comparison of ingredients and daily fit, so your mushroom ritual actually lasts.
Chocolates, Coffee, or Gummies?
Gone are the days when you leave the office and don’t have to think about work until the following morning. For many of us, work hours have increased and the
boundaries between work and home life are often blurred. Outside of work,
there’s pressure to be productive at all times and optimize all areas of life,
including relationships, health, and finances.
With so many demands put on the average person, you’re not alone if you are feeling stressed. According to the American Psychological Association1, 75% of US adults report symptoms of physical and emotional stress, while nearly half experience it every day.
While our daily expectations are not likely to diminish any time soon, many are turning to the wellness industry for
solutions. There’s an increasingly growing interest in finding natural ways to
support stress, focus, and energy. Mushroom supplements, rooted in traditional practices, are a big part of this conversation.
Why Do People Use Mushroom Supplements?
Functional mushrooms, like lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps, have long been used for their adaptogenic properties. Many indigenous cultures2 across Eastern Europe and North America, as
well as Traditional Chinese Medicine have looked to functional mushrooms for
their therapeutic properties.
Back then, they were added to teas, medicinal soups, and tonics. But now, we can reap these benefits in a much more convenient way:
through mushroom supplements. These supplements contain concentrated extracts of functional mushrooms found in a variety of formats, including chocolate, coffee, and even gummies. This guide will help you identify which format of mushroom supplements fits best in your lifestyle.
Mushroom Chocolates
First, let’s start with mushroom chocolates. What a delicious way to adopt a healthy habit! These supplements are packed with concentrated amounts of functional mushrooms in a single square of chocolate. Unlike other wellness trends, you don’t need to choke down earthy powders or sip on bitter tonics. Instead, you can treat yourself to an indulgent-tasting supplement that surprisingly has less than 1 gram of sugar per serving. Supporting your health goals shouldn’t be unbearable. Because let’s face it, if a health supplement doesn’t taste good, you probably won’t stick to it.
Beyond the benefit of taste, chocolate offers a more bioavailable vehicle to absorb many of these nutrients. Because chocolate contains cocoa fat, fat-soluble
compounds like triterpenes3 (found in reishi) as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K are more bioavailable, meaning your body is better able to absorb them.
We’ll admit, here at Alice, mushroom chocolates are our favorites! Above all,
the biggest benefit is consistency. They are simply the most enjoyable to take.
Mushroom Coffee
Another mushroom supplement that has surged in popularity is mushroom coffee. While surely not as tasty as chocolate, mushroom coffee can act as an easy
replacement for those with a daily coffee ritual. By simply brewing the beverage as you normally would (just substituting the grounds for a fortified-with-mushrooms-blend) you can effortlessly incorporate functional mushrooms into your lifestyle.
However, it’s noticeably lacking in a few areas. For one, it’s still caffeine-dependent. Individuals with caffeine-sensitivity want to reap the benefits of functional mushrooms without a dose of daily jitters. Additionally, because there is no natural source of fat in this format, the bioavailability of fat-soluble nutrients is limited, meaning you might not as easily reap all the benefits.
Mushroom Gummies
Mushroom gummies are another option when it comes to functional mushroom supplements. These days, it seems that you can find almost any nutrient available in gummy form. While this could be ideal for those who struggle with swallowing pills, mushroom gummies offer some major drawbacks to consider when selecting the best functional mushroom supplement for you.
First, mushroom gummies are often filled with added sugar4, sometimes up to 8 grams per serving. Day in and day out,
this added sugar can really stack up. This is especially important to note since most Americans already get too much sugar in their diet. Additionally, mushroom gummies are volume-limited, meaning that because they need to be palatable and chewy, it can be difficult to squeeze meaningful doses into serving sizes. You may need to take more gummies to get the desired dose4, which can also mean more added sugar overall.
How to Choose the Right Mushroom Supplement
When it comes to functional mushrooms, there are many options to choose from. How do you know which one is right for you? To evaluate the mushroom supplement for you, you first need to identify your desired outcome. If you are looking for focus5, make sure your mushroom supplement contains lion’s mane. If you’re looking for stress relief6, aim to find a supplement containing reishi. If energy7 is more of a struggle, seek out cordyceps. Matching the right
functional mushroom with the desired effect is a key first step.
Additionally, when it comes to potency, it’s a good idea to choose supplements that prioritize the fruiting bodies of these mushrooms. Research8 shows that the fruiting bodies often contain higher concentrations of key active compounds, making them the most beneficial part of the mushroom.
Lastly, the format should be considered. If you already drink coffee, and are not
sensitive to caffeine, maybe mushroom coffee is an ideal choice. If you struggle implementing supplements into your routine and you aren’t concerned
about your sugar intake, mushroom gummies may be for you. If you want to
optimize your absorption of nutrients and enjoy the taste of chocolate, mushroom chocolates are the best fit.
Integrating Mushroom Supplements into Your Daily Routine
Whatever format you choose, when it comes to functional mushrooms, consistency is important. Many of the beneficial compounds within these mushrooms support a more balanced internal environment over time. This means that their benefits are cumulative9, in other words they build gradually with daily use.
To adopt this as a practice that sticks, try habit stacking. This is a strategy of
behavior change that advises stacking a new habit to an existing one, to better
keep you accountable. This may look like taking your Nightcap as you wash your face before bedtime or eating a square of Brainstorm when you sit down at your
computer in the morning.
Whatever strategy you choose, know that functional mushrooms are just a piece of the puzzle. It’s important to adopt a holistic health routine that includes a protein and fiber filled diet, plenty of sleep, and daily movement.
Disclaimer: This blog contains promotional content about our products. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your wellness routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
References:
References
- American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2022/concerned-future-inflation.
- Haro-Luna MX, Ruan-Soto F, Guzmán-Dávalos L. Traditional knowledge, uses, and perceptions of mushrooms among the Wixaritari and mestizos of Villa Guerrero, Jalisco, Mexico. IMA Fungus. 2019;10:16. Published 2019 Sep 16. doi:10.1186/s43008-019-0014-6
- Renda G, Gökkaya İ, Şöhretoğlu D. Immunomodulatory properties of triterpenes. Phytochem Rev. 2022;21(2):537-563. doi:10.1007/s11101-021-09785-x
- Uclahealth. Should you take gummy vitamins? UCLA Health. December 12, 2022. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/should-you-take-gummy-vitamins.
- Li IC, Chang HH, Lin CH, et al. Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020;12:155. Published 2020 Jun 3. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155
- Sharma P, Tulsawani R, Agrawal U. Pharmacological effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract against high-altitude stressors and its subchronic toxicity assessment. J Food Biochem. 2019;43(12):e13081. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13081
- Choi E, Oh J, Sung GH. Beneficial Effect of Cordyceps militaris on Exercise Performance via Promoting Cellular Energy Production. Mycobiology. 2020;48(6):512-517. Published 2020 Nov 9. doi:10.1080/12298093.2020.1831135
- Berger RG, Bordewick S, Krahe NK, Ersoy F. Mycelium vs. Fruiting Bodies of Edible Fungi-A Comparison of Metabolites. Microorganisms. 2022;10(7):1379. Published 2022 Jul 8. doi:10.3390/microorganisms10071379 Łysakowska P, Sobota A, Wirkijowska A. Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production-A Review. Molecules. 2023;28(14):5393. Published 2023 Jul 14. doi:10.3390/molecules28145393
By Kristen Carli, MS, RD
Kristen Carli is the owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, a private nutrition practice and consulting firm. She graduated from University of Arizona with a BA in psychology and then received a BS in dietetics from Arizona State University. After completion of the dietetic internship, she continued her education by receiving a MS in Human Nutrition from University of Western States. Having a passion for nutrition communication, she writes for many food and nutrition outlets as well as regularly develops recipes for food brands and media companies. Her nutrition expertise has been featured in InStyle, Bustle, Livestrong, The List, MyFitnessPal and many others. Additionally, Kristen is often featured via local TV segments sharing nutrition tips and tricks. She was selected to act as a Produce for Better Health Foundation Fruit and Vegetable Ambassador in Action, helping to promote the health benefits and importance of consuming fruits and vegetables, as well as a FoodMinds upwaRD winner for 2022, honoring up and coming media dietitians. You can find her reading, running, and exploring new restaurants with her husband and baby boy.
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Happy Ending
Happy Ending
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*$10 surcharge on all orders to FL, TX, AZ, HI. $9.99 shipping on one-time orders.
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Happy Ending contains fairly traded organic dark chocolate, Cordyceps from 100% fruiting body mushrooms, ashwaganda, maca, horny goat weed, munuca, damiana, tribulus, cayenne pepper and ceylon cinnamon.
Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and OU-D kosher certified.
Other ingredients: organic semi-sweet 72% dark chocolate (organic unsweetened chocolate, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), coconut oil, cocoa butter
Allergens: Coconut
Processed on shared equipment and may contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, or soy.
Happy Ending is a chocolate made for sexual wellness, which provides immediate pleasure and arousal while improving sexual function for all genders with Cordyceps, ashwagandha, maca, horny goat weed, munuca, damiana, tribulus, cayenne pepper and ceylon cinnamon. We recommend taking 1 square daily for your sexual health and 2 (or more 🌶) when you're looking to get in the mood 😍
Happy Ending isn't only for sexual arousal and intimacy! We actually designed it to be a daily supplement to promote hormonal balance and overall sexual wellness.
What to expect:
- In 30 minutes, feel increased sensitivity and boost in mood
- In 30 days, notice heightened arousal, stamina, and increased blood flow
- After 3 months, enjoy deeper pleasure, enhanced libido, and greater satisfaction
We recommend taking 1 square daily to support overall intimate wellness and a healthy libido — it takes about 2-3 months of daily use to notice these full effects.
For heightened sexual pleasure in the moment, take 2-4 squares up to 1 hour before intimacy for immediate benefits from the aphrodisiacs.
We exclusively use organic, fruiting body Cordyceps mushrooms that are hand-harvested when their medicinal compounds are at peak concentration. Our mushrooms are dried in the sun to soak up Vitamin D before undergoing a pure, starch-free extraction process.
All ingredients are third-party lab tested for safety and stability, and mushrooms are third-party lab tested for potency.
Zen-X
to combat daily stress.
mushrooms
CHOCOLATE
per serving
1g of sugar
BASED
Zen-X
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*$10 surcharge on all orders to FL, TX, AZ, HI. $9.99 shipping on one-time orders.
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Zen-X contains fairly traded organic dark chocolate, Reishi and Tremella from 100% fruiting body mushrooms, kanna, l-theanine, magnesium glycinate, rhodiola, and saffron.
Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and OU-D kosher certified.
Other ingredients: organic semi-sweet 72% dark chocolate (organic unsweetened chocolate, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), coconut oil, cocoa butter
Allergens: Coconut
Processed on shared equipment and may contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, or soy.
Zen-X is a chocolate made to support calm clarity and inner balance through cortisol regulation. It's crafted with a calming ingredient blend of Reishi and Tremella mushrooms, l-theanine, kanna, rhodiola, saffron, and magnesium glycinate so that you can ease daily stressors without drowsiness. Together, these ingredients create a state of ease and focus that works seamlessly with both daytime productivity and nighttime wind-down.
Zen-X is formulated to activate your parasympathetic nervous system by targeting your cortisol levels, down-regulating your stress response, and releasing physical tension in the body. With naturally relaxing ingredients (but no drowsy effects), each bite is designed to lower stress, relax brains and body, and promote a cool, calm, and collected state of mind.
What to expect:
- In 30 minutes, feel a calmer mood and tension relief
- In 30 days, notice stress relief, mental clarity, and better mood
- After 3 months, enjoy cortisol regulation, high stress resilience, and nervous system balance
Enjoy 1-2 squares any time you need to recenter or calm your nerves. With daily use, Zen-X will continue to help stabilize your cortisol levels, ease physical tension, and improve your mood over time.
We exclusively use organic, fruiting body Reishi and Tremella mushrooms that are hand-harvested when their medicinal compounds are at peak concentration. Our mushrooms are dried in the sun to soak up Vitamin D before undergoing a pure, starch-free extraction process.
All ingredients are third-party lab tested for safety and stability, and mushrooms are third-party lab tested for potency.
mushrooms
CHOCOLATE
per serving
1g of sugar
BASED
Nightcap
Nightcap
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*$10 surcharge on all orders to FL, TX, AZ, HI. $9.99 shipping on one-time orders.
final shipping cost shown at checkout.
Nightcap contains fairly traded organic dark chocolate, organic Reishi from 100% fruiting body mushrooms, chamomile, L-theanine, magnesium malate, and zinc citrate.
Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and OU-D kosher certified.
Other ingredients: organic semi-sweet 72% dark chocolate (organic unsweetened chocolate, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), coconut oil, cocoa butter
Allergens: Coconut, Soy
Processed on shared equipment and may contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, or soy.
Nightcap is formulated with Reishi mushrooms to regulate sleep cycles and support stress levels, while also delivering an immediate feeling of nighttime relaxation from magnesium malate, l-theanine, zinc, and chamomile.
The real magic is in the long term benefits of the Reishi mushroom which, when taken regularly for about 3 weeks, can help manage stress levels and improve overall sleep cycles by down-regulating the nervous system.
Zinc and magnesium have been shown to increase the body’s levels of naturally circulating melatonin to regulate your circadian rhythm from within. Zinc has also been shown to quiet the mind after periods of mental stress.
Chamomile has long been used in calming nighttime rituals, while reishi's adaptogenic roots are linked to relaxation and overall balance. Together, they help set the stage for restful nights and refreshed mornings.
Magnesium is often associated with helping the body relax and ease into rest, while l-theanine is connected to a calm, balanced state by influencing mood-supportive neurotransmitters.
What to expect:
- In 30 minutes, fall asleep easier and sleep better
- In 30 days, notice restful sleep, sleep through the night, and experience a faster sleep onset
- After 3 months, enjoy healthy sleep cycles, increased sleep quality, and wake up rested
One square suits most.
Eat 1-2 squares of Nightcap an hour before bedtime to support sleep and relaxation. With nightly use, Nightcap will help to foster healthy sleep patterns and deeper sleep.
We exclusively use organic, fruiting body Reishi mushrooms that are hand-harvested when their medicinal compounds are at peak concentration. Our mushrooms are dried in the sun to soak up Vitamin D before undergoing a pure, starch-free extraction process.
All ingredients are third-party lab tested for safety and stability, and mushrooms are third-party lab tested for potency.