Mushrooms are not quick stimulants or marketing-driven placebos: they work in the medium and long term, have very specific bioactive compounds, and require a slightly more structured approach than the typical "I'll take this and see what happens."
Many of these mistakes are easy to avoid, but they make the difference between a supplement that goes unnoticed and one that actually provides something.
If you're just starting out in the world of medicinal mushrooms, we'll tell you what you could improve and how to get a more realistic performance from the supplements.
Keep reading to learn about 7 mistakes to avoid when taking mushroom supplements
Avoid these mistakes when taking mushroom supplements
We recommend following these steps to ensure you are buying a quality, organic mushroom:
1. Buy non-standardized mushrooms
One of the most common mistakes. Not all mushroom supplements indicate their concentration, and without standardization it's almost impossible to know if there's a sufficient quantity of active ingredients such as beta-glucans, triterpenes, erinazines, or cordycepin.
The best brands usually specify the percentage, origin, and extraction method. If it only says "mushroom powder," you may be paying more for marketing than for the product itself.
Here's a more detailed explanation of what a well-formulated supplement should indicate and how to read a label without falling into common traps.
2. Confusing mycelium with fruiting body
Many inexpensive supplements use grain-grown mycelium instead of the fruiting body of the fungus , which is where most of the bioactive compounds are found.
The mycelium may contain too much starch and have little actual potency. For purposes such as mental focus, energy, stress adaptation, or immunity, it's best to ensure the product contains a fruiting body.
If you're looking for an option that meets these criteria (fruiting body, proper extraction, and transparency), you can check out our reishi supplements , formulated with these key points in mind.
3. Mixing too many mushrooms at the same time
Synergy is good, but going from the start with a "stack of everything" (lion's mane + reishi + cordyceps + chaga + shiitake, etc.) can generate two problems:
You don't know what's working and what isn't.
- You dilute the effective dose of each one since it is not possible to incorporate the necessary amount of each mushroom in one capsule or dose - especially when more than 3 mushrooms are sold together.
It's best to start with one or two separate fungal infections, observe for several weeks, and then adjust. Mycotherapy requires judgment, not accumulation.
4. Expect quick results
As with many other supplements, such as creatine or omega-3, mushrooms work over the medium term. Their effects tend to be cumulative , especially when it comes to mental clarity, memory, immunity, or stress management.
People tend to give up after a few days, thinking they're "not doing anything," when most of the benefits are seen between 4 and 12 weeks . Consistency is more important than immediacy.
5. Taking them at the wrong time
Timing also matters. Some mushrooms are more compatible with the morning (lion's mane for focus), while others are better suited to the evening (reishi for rest and stress).
Taking them without considering the context can significantly diminish the experience. It's not just what you take, but when you take it.
6. Assuming they are stimulants
Medicinal mushrooms are not caffeine , and comparing them often leads to frustration. They don't provide an immediate "high" or an artificial rush. Their effect is more about flow, clarity, and serenity , which is often much more helpful during long sessions (studying, creative work, exams, programming). But if you're expecting a pre-workout effect, you're mistaken and may end up disappointed.
7. Expecting miracles without context
Medicinal mushrooms don't compensate for bad habits. If you're sleep-deprived, stressed, have a poor diet, or lack organization , no mushroom can fix everything.
They work best when integrated into a realistic wellness or productivity routine. If the context is supportive, the change is amplified. If not, it stalls.
The world of medicinal mushrooms is experiencing a fascinating moment: there is increasing interest, more studies, more users and more different objectives — from improving concentration and memory to managing stress, supporting the immune system or increasing daily energy —.
That's precisely why shortcuts, myths, and mistakes abound when taking mushroom supplements, causing many people to give up prematurely or think that "they don't work for them."
The reality is that these supplements are a powerful tool, but they require a smarter approach than we usually apply to fast-acting vitamins or stimulants. The key here isn't immediacy, but consistency , context, and product quality .
Choosing the right type of mushroom, format, time of day , and specific goal often makes a huge difference.
Furthermore, it is important to understand that mushrooms work especially well in synergy with healthy habits: decent food, reasonable rest, stress management, and personal organization.
If you're thinking about incorporating medicinal mushrooms into your routine, do it wisely. Start with one or two, decide what you want them for, and give them enough time to do their job.
