Mushrooms are an everyday food that add a finishing touch to a variety of meals.
But, did you know they can be used for more than just your dinner?
pebble’s expert list provides you with products made from the best mushroom nootropics that aren’t for cooking.
From serums for your skin to nootropic coffee blends, there are a whole host of nootropic products that are using the benefits of mushrooms.
Quick links to pebble’s fave mushroom nootropic products
Why mushroom nootropics?
Nootropic mushrooms are considered to be one of the most sustainable vegetables.
They use less resources to produce, including water and energy, than other crops. The farming process emits less carbon dioxide than other vegetables, and uses up less land.
Farmers even use other agricultural by-products, such as cow manure, chicken litter and wheat straw, to grow mushrooms. You can also grow mushrooms in a kit at home like this one.
Not only are mushrooms sustainable to produce, they can also offer a wide range of benefits for human health.
What are the benefits of nootropic mushrooms in coffee, skincare and everything else?
Mushrooms can offer a wide variety of health benefits, whether applied onto the skin or consumed.
Some of the benefits are strengthening immune systems, reducing anxiety, anti-allergen, and reduces chance of heart disease amongst others.
Mushroom coffee is much healthier than coffee from the bean, this is because of the inherent health benefits in mushrooms and lack of caffeine.
In fact, several consumers of mushroom coffee say the flavour profile is not much different, making mushroom coffee an easy substitution.
Mushroom is a powerful antioxidant, so when used in skin care is helps protect the skin against the environment, while also reducing inflammation. Mushrooms are also shown to help balance the skins pH and lipid levels, and help with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
From being anti-aging and rich in vitamin D, mushrooms really are magic!
1. Best mushroom nootropic serum: Q+A Zinc PCA Facial Serum
Designed to minimise pore size and the appearance of blemishes, Q+A’s Zinc PCA Facial Serum has key ingredients of Reishi and Shiitake Mushrooms.
Reishi and Shiitake Mushrooms are native to Japan. They’re great for eating and can help to enhance the immune system and lessen fatigue, but they’re just as beneficial for the skin.
They have anti-ageing properties, which work alongside the other ingredients including vegetable collagen.
The result is improved firmness and elasticity of skin, leaving your skin with a more youthful glow.
Simply apply the serum before moisturising in your skincare routine, or use on blemishes as a topical treatment.
It’s suitable for oily, stressed, normal, and combination skin types.
The serum is also suitable for vegans and Q+A never tests on animals. The packaging is also widely recyclable.
Q+A pride themselves for being a natural, clean, and an ingredient-focused skincare brand.
98% of their range is natural and they don’t use silicones, making them a sustainable skincare brand that cares for the planet.
pebble’s verdict
Pros: Natural ingredients | Effective anti-ageing properties | Cruelty-free | Suitable for vegans | Fragrance-free | Alcohol-free | Ship from the UK
Cons: Not fully recyclable packaging
Retailing 300ml for £9. View Q+A.
2. Best mushroom food supplement: Pukka Mushroom Gold
Made from three mushrooms and rich in Vitamin D, this supplement will help support a healthy immune system.
Mushroom Gold has organic Maitake, Reishi and Shiitake. These mushrooms have been used to support health for centuries.
The supplement blends mycellium and extra-cellular metabolites to provide concentrated polysaccharides and beta-glucans.
The result boosts immunity and contributes to the process of cell division.
The formula also contains sustainably cultivated herbs.
There is around 146% NRV of natural Vitamin D from the mushrooms in each daily serving.
You should take two capsules twice a day before food. The capsules are also suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Pukka are Fair for Life certified, donate 1% of their revenue to environmental and social causes, source organic ingredients, and became carbon neutral in 2019.
pebble’s verdict
Pros: Suitable for vegans and vegetarians | Boosts immunity | Donate 1% of revenue to environmental and social causes | Fair for Life certified
Cons: Not 100% recyclable packaging, but aiming to be by 2025
£21.95 per 60 capsules. View on Pukka.
3. Best mushroom nootropic protein: Four Sigmatic Plant-Based Protein
Finnish and American mushroom-based drink specialists have launched a new range of plant-based protein.
The blend comes in two delicious flavours, Creamy Cacao and Sweet Vanilla.
The protein is a blend of functional mushrooms and adaptogens, offering health benefits of boosting immunity, lowering cholesterol, fighting fatige, and much more.
The mushrooms used include Turkey Tail Extract which has antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.
There is also Cordyceps Extract which alleviates symptoms of respiratory illness and can improve kidney function.
Lion’s Mane Extract can help reduce mild symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as inflamation.
The protein also has Chaga Extract which lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, while Reishi Extract helps to further boost the immune system.
The benefits are bountiful in this protein, which is also vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and organic.
Four Sigmatic is a brand that cares about sourcing organic ingredients sustainably. They have also partnered with tentree to plant 40,000 trees to give back to nature and become climate positive.
pebble’s verdict
Pros: Organic | A blend of a variety of mushrooms with different benefits | Vegan | Gluten-free | Soy-free
Cons: Ship from USA (carbon emissions) | Not sure if packaging is recyclable
Retailing at £38 for 510g. View Planet Organic.
4. Best mushroom cleanser: Herbivore Pink Cloud Creamy Jelly Cleanser
At the heart of this gentle cleanser is Tremella Mushroom. This ingredient has the ability to hydrate and plump skin, as well as protecting and restoring skin from damage.
The cleanser gains its jelly texture from the mushroom, which is also known as ‘Snow Mushroom’ or ‘White Jelly Mushroom.’
Tremella Mushroom is a humectant that can hold over 500 times its weight in water, so it binds hydration and moisture to the skin.
The cleanser also helps with anti-inflammation, as the mushroom is rich in Vitamin D and polusaccharides.
The cleanser is suitable for all skin types and targets redness and dryness.
It’s formulated without sulfates and synthetics, and is full of organic ingredients, as well as being vegan and cruelty-free.
This cleanser also has a soft natural smell from the rose hydrosol in it, leaving your skin with a gentle scent.
Herbivore’s products are natural and cruelty-free, and bring the results you’re looking for.
pebble’s verdict:
Pros: Organic | Anti-inflammatory | Vitamin D | Vegan | Cruelty-free | Suitable for all skin types
Cons: Not fully recyclable packaging, but aiming to be by 2025 | Ship from US (carbon emissions)
Retailing at £22. View Cult Beauty.
5. Best mushroom coffee: London Nootropics Grind and Mojo Coffees
As seen on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, London Nootropics provie premium adatogenic coffee blends, which include mushroom ingredients.
Grind Coffee is the range with Lion’s Mane mushroom. The mushroom has a calming effect that can support memory and focus.
The mushroom has been used as ancient medicine and is proven to improve brain health, short and long term memory, and concentration.
The Grind Coffee also has Rhodiola, an adaptogen that helps with stress levels and brain functioning.
Alternatively, the Mojo Coffee offers a blend with Cordyceps mushroom. This supports energy and stamina.
Cordyceps mushroom can increase oxygen flow to muscles, improve aerobic capacity, and counter fatigue. It also boosts immunity.
This coffee also has Siberian Ginseng, an adaptogen that has been used for thousands of years to increase blood flow and improve physical ability.
London Nootropics’ coffees have natural tastes, use premium natural ingredients, and are made in London.
pebble’s verdict
Pros: Health benefits | Premium natural ingredients | Shipped from UK | Natural taste | Free from preservatives and artificial sweeteners
Cons: Not sourced in Britain | Not sure if packaging is recyclable
£15 for 12 sachets. View London Nootropics.
