Cordyceps mushroom supplements to energise your day

Choosing the best cordyceps mushroom supplements is going to improve your active life tenfold. Your mushroom journey begins here… But, what are cordyceps mushrooms – and what do they do for you? All of this, and more, are demystified in this bumper guide to the ‘performance mushrooms’, thanks to Clarissa Berry, Nutrition Lead at DIRTEA. Of all mushroom supplements available, cordyceps seems to be not very popular, but has a host of benefits for those in the know… So, we've found the best mushroom supplements for a keen lifestyle change, whether powder, capsule or extract.

Though a worldly fungus, cordyceps mushrooms are most commonly found in Asia, with the highest density harvested in tropical rainforests and high in the mountains of China. Long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat many diseases related to the lungs and kidneys - and as an anxiety remedy, it’s no surprise that cordyceps are still used today for similar ailments. Recently, it’s received some attention since being a core plot element in the video game and its television adaptation The Last of Us. They're perfectly safe, don’t worry!

Best cordyceps mushroom supplements at a glance

• Best pre-workout cordyceps powder: DIRTEA Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder – View Offer at Selfridges
• Best cordyceps mushroom capsules: Mushrooms 4 Life Cordyceps Capsules – View Offer at Body Kind
• Stress-busting cordyceps supplement: TERRANOVA Cordyceps, Rhodiola and Ginseng Complex – View Offer at Body Kind

According to Clarissa Berry, functional mushrooms are classed as adaptogens – much like ashwagandha, providing “the body with tools to better cope with stress and help to bring the body into a state of harmony”. As for cordyceps, they are revered for boosting energy levels and endurance. If you’ve been feeling a little worse for wear lately, unmotivated and tired… Perhaps, a cordyceps mushroom supplement could be for you. Similar to Chaga mushroom supplements, cordyceps helps “on a physical level, providing a smooth and sustained, caffeine-free energy boost.”

For energy levels and focus throughout the day, Clarissa recommends either cordyceps or Lion's mane supplements for those of us who need a little boost. If you’re interested in fitness and regularly spend time down on your yoga mat, an energising adaptogen like the cordyceps mushroom may enhance your practice, de-stressing your body and helping you tackle those trickier asanas with ease. Whether you incorporate cordyceps into your diet or take it supplemented alongside, your days could look very different…

Best cordyceps mushroom supplements

Verdict: Which is the best cordyceps supplements?

Our top pick is the Mushrooms 4 Life Cordyceps Capsules. They're cost-friendly, convenient and well-reviewed.

FAQs

What is the recommended dosage for Cordyceps mushroom supplements?

Thanks to Clarissa Berry, Nutritionist for DIRTEA – who are mushroom magicians, as far as we’re concerned – we have some answers to what is the correct cordyceps mushroom dosage.

In our round-up, we included DIRTEA’s Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder – and the suggested dosage is 2g a day, “however this does not account for bio-individuality or variances in body weight,” says Clarissa. What does she recommend? Start with a small dose and find your personal tolerance.

Perhaps, you’re wondering… what is the best time to take mushroom supplements?

Well, this depends on the “effect that you are hoping to experience,” according to Clarissa at DIRTEA. Energising mushrooms – like cordyceps and chaga – are best “taken in the morning or before a workout.” So, we recommend incorporating cordyceps into your morning routine, whether taking it with your morning supplements or adding it to your breakfast. Magic!

How does Cordyceps help with oxidisation?

If you’re a little clueless about oxidisation, don't worry! We’re here to guide you through this normal (and necessary) process we all go through. When there’s an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity, oxidative stress can occur, leading to some small health issues.

Luckily, cordyceps mushrooms are abundant in antioxidants, says Clarissa at DIRTEA: “which means they can help combat oxidative stress in the body.” This way, this adaptogenic mushroom will support cellular and immune health, fighting pathogens and helping with post-exercise soreness.

Why is it called the 'performance' mushroom?

As mentioned previously, cordyceps has energising properties. Often referred to as the ‘performance mushroom’, it is a popular pre-workout supplement due to its potentiality to enhance “physical performance, boost energy and stamina, and improve oxygen utilisation,” says Clarissa at DIRTEA.

As for the research, cordyceps is said to enhance the body’s production of ATP, which is “our cellular energy currency, which can improve energy levels and endurance during exercise.” Essentially, it’s thought that you won’t feel as fatigued when taking Cordyceps – and goals feel more attainable.

If that wasn’t impressive already, cordyceps is thought to help the body use oxygen around the body, potentially enhancing “lung function and increased blood flow, which is a key factor in physical performance,” according to Clarissa. Cordyceps seems to be the go-to adaptogen for working out…

Aside from the physical side, cordyceps can help your body and mind adapt to stress, which can come about from the physical exertion you experience while working out. This way, cordyceps will help you feel calm and zen, maintaining a “state of balance”. This way, you stay sharp and focused…

How do mushroom supplements work?

According to Nutritional Expert at DIRTEA, Clarissa Berry, functional mushrooms – like cordyceps – contain “specific, unique compounds that support health in various ways.” As adaptogens, mushrooms can support a whole variety of issues, such as immunity, hydrating the skin, improving focus, enhancing physical activity or supporting gut health. You name it, mushrooms can do it!

Worthy of note from Clarissa: “Some people experience immediate benefits, but their effects are also cumulative, so it is best to take a mushroom supplement consistently over a period of several weeks in order to experience results.” So – every mushroom journey is different. So, be patient, keep your mind open and receptive to change – and embrace all the rewards mushrooms can give you…

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Spirit & Destiny, an all-rounder: from health to spirituality. When not at her desk, she’s practising yoga or in deep reflection.

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