Is There a Lot of Caffeine in Mushroom Coffee?

December 7, 2025 •

4 min read

Most mushroom coffee blends contain significantly less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee, often about half the amount. This popular wellness beverage combines ground coffee beans with powdered extracts from medicinal mushrooms, meaning the caffeine content is reduced by the addition of the caffeine-free fungus.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the typical caffeine levels in mushroom coffee blends compared to traditional coffee. It explores the ingredients and why they affect the final caffeine amount, providing an overview of popular brands and how their formulas differ. The information helps you decide if this beverage fits your caffeine-reduction goals.

Key Points

Less Caffeine: Most mushroom coffee blends contain about half the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee, not a high amount.
Not Caffeine-Free: The beverage is a blend of coffee and medicinal mushroom powder, so it still contains some caffeine unless specifically labeled decaf.
Blends Vary: Caffeine content differs by brand and blend, so reading the product label is essential to know the exact amount per serving.
Fewer Jitters: The lower caffeine content is ideal for those sensitive to stimulants, offering a smoother energy boost with fewer side effects like jitters or anxiety.
Potential Interactions: Certain medicinal mushrooms can interact with medications like blood thinners or diabetes drugs, so it's best to consult a doctor before drinking.
Limited Research: While promising, many health claims about medicinal mushrooms are based on animal or lab studies, not conclusive human clinical trials on mushroom coffee specifically.

Mushroom Coffee vs. Traditional Coffee: The Caffeine Breakdown

When asking, “is there a lot of caffeine in mushroom coffee?”, the short answer is typically no, but it’s not caffeine-free either. The caffeine level in mushroom coffee is influenced by the ratio of actual coffee grounds to the medicinal mushroom powder. Since the mushroom extracts themselves contain zero caffeine, blending them with coffee naturally dilutes the overall stimulant content. This results in a less intense energy boost, which many consumers find appealing due to fewer jitters and less chance of a caffeine crash.

How Blends Affect Caffeine Levels

Mushroom coffee is not a monolithic product; blends can vary dramatically from brand to brand. The most common varieties are instant coffee packets, ground coffee blends, and coffee pods. The specific formulation dictates the final caffeine concentration. For instance, a blend that uses a 1-to-1 ratio of coffee to mushroom powder will have approximately half the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee brewed with the same amount of grounds. However, some brands offer full-strength options or even decaffeinated versions.

This is why it is crucial to read the product label. Some brands, like Four Sigmatic, clearly state the caffeine content per serving, which for some of their instant blends is 50mg. Other products may have different concentrations. The variability in caffeine levels means relying on a general assumption can lead to a miscalculation of your daily intake.

Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Role

The star ingredients in mushroom coffee are not the common culinary mushrooms, but rather medicinal fungi known for their adaptogenic properties. The most popular include:

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus): Associated with cognitive support, focus, and memory.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): Prized for its high antioxidant content, which helps support immune function and reduce inflammation.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris): Linked to enhancing energy, athletic performance, and reducing fatigue.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Known for its calming effects, promoting relaxation, and managing stress.

These medicinal mushrooms are often included in blends to counteract the sometimes-unpleasant effects of caffeine while providing a functional benefit. For example, the relaxing properties of reishi can help smooth out the energy boost, preventing the edgy feeling associated with high caffeine consumption.

Comparison Table: Mushroom Coffee vs. Traditional Coffee


Feature	Mushroom Coffee (Typical Blend)	Regular Coffee (8-ounce cup)	Decaffeinated Coffee
Caffeine Content	~40–60 mg per serving	~80–100 mg per serving	~1–4 mg per serving
Key Effect	Milder, more sustained energy with fewer jitters	Stronger, more immediate energy spike	Minimal to no energy effect from caffeine
Ingredient Profile	Coffee + medicinal mushroom extracts	100% coffee beans	Coffee beans (with caffeine removed)
Potential Benefits	Adaptogenic support, antioxidants, immune support	Antioxidants, cognitive boost	None of the stimulant effects associated with caffeine
Primary Goal	Reduced caffeine intake and functional benefits	Standard energy boost and flavor	Enjoying coffee flavor without caffeine

Is Mushroom Coffee Safe for Everyone?

While generally considered safe for most people, certain individuals should exercise caution or avoid mushroom coffee entirely. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider before adding a new supplement to your routine.

Medication Interactions: Certain medicinal mushrooms can interfere with medications, particularly blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or diabetes medications. For instance, chaga can slow blood clot formation, enhancing the effects of blood thinners.
Allergies: Individuals with mushroom allergies should avoid these products to prevent allergic reactions, which can range from mild skin rashes to more severe symptoms.
Kidney Conditions: Chaga mushrooms contain high levels of oxalates, which can be problematic for people with a history of kidney stones.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Due to limited research on the effects of functional mushrooms on pregnant and breastfeeding women, avoidance is recommended.

Decoding the Health Claims and Reality

Despite the marketing hype, much of the research on medicinal mushrooms is still in its early stages, with most studies conducted in test tubes or on animals. While promising, these findings don't always translate directly to humans, and more clinical trials are needed. Experts suggest that some of the reported benefits, such as reduced anxiety and improved sleep, may actually stem from simply consuming less caffeine. Therefore, it's wise to view mushroom coffee as a complementary wellness product rather than a cure-all.

The Final Verdict on Caffeine

Ultimately, the question of "is there a lot of caffeine in mushroom coffee?" depends on the blend. Most mainstream mushroom coffees offer a low-to-moderate dose of caffeine, roughly half that of a regular cup. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking to reduce their caffeine intake without giving up the ritual of drinking coffee. If you need a fully caffeine-free option, be sure to check the packaging carefully, as some brands do offer decaf alternatives.

For most people, mushroom coffee provides a smoother energy lift that avoids the intensity and side effects of higher caffeine levels. This makes it a balanced choice for health-conscious individuals who still desire a morning pick-me-up. For more in-depth information on adaptogens and wellness beverages, consult reputable resources such as the Healthline guide to mushroom coffee.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mushroom coffee is not a high-caffeine beverage but does contain a moderate amount of the stimulant, depending on the specific blend. The addition of medicinal mushroom extracts, such as Lion's Mane, Chaga, and Reishi, naturally dilutes the caffeine content while adding potential functional benefits. For those sensitive to high caffeine levels or seeking a smoother, crash-free energy boost, mushroom coffee can be a suitable alternative. However, understanding the varied caffeine levels and potential side effects, especially regarding medication interactions, is essential for safe consumption. By reading product labels and consulting a healthcare provider, consumers can make an informed decision about whether mushroom coffee is the right choice for their wellness routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, most mushroom coffee is not completely caffeine-free. It's a blend of ground coffee and caffeine-free mushroom powder, so it contains about half the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of coffee. You must specifically purchase a decaffeinated blend to ensure it is caffeine-free.

The caffeine content varies by brand, but most regular blends contain between 40 and 60 milligrams per serving. This is roughly half the amount found in a standard 8-ounce cup of traditional coffee, which contains about 80 to 100 milligrams.

Due to its lower caffeine content, mushroom coffee is less likely to cause the jitters associated with regular coffee. The inclusion of adaptogenic mushrooms like Reishi also helps regulate stress, contributing to a smoother, calmer energy boost.

Mushroom coffee uses medicinal mushrooms, not culinary ones. Common varieties include Lion's Mane for cognitive support, Chaga for antioxidants, Cordyceps for energy, and Reishi for stress reduction.

Yes, mushroom coffee is often more expensive than regular coffee. This is partly because medicinal mushrooms are more specialized and sometimes harder to source than standard coffee beans.

No, if you have a known allergy to mushrooms, you should avoid drinking mushroom coffee. Drinking the beverage could trigger allergic reactions, which can range from mild stomach discomfort to severe respiratory issues.

While anecdotal reports exist, robust human clinical research on the benefits of mushroom coffee specifically is limited. Some effects, like reduced anxiety, may come from the lower caffeine dose rather than the mushrooms themselves, but many varieties do contain beneficial adaptogens and antioxidants.