Mushroom Supplement Guide
(updated May 2025)
More Than Half Of Commercial Mushroom Supplements Are Not What They Claim
If you want to experience the health benefits of functional mushrooms, it is important to understand how to identify a quality product. Many people never see the benefits from mushroom supplements, simply because the market is over run with bad business practices and low-quality products.
Study Shines Doubt On 75% Of Store Bought Supplements
In a 2017 study published in the journal Nature, researchers conducted chemical analyses on store-bought Reishi supplements to evaluate their quality. Their analysis revealed that almost 75% of supplements contained significantly fewer bioactive compounds than what should be expected. Some of the compounds that play an essential role in the therapeutic effects of Reishi were not even present in some supplements.
The Researchers Revealed
Innacurate Labeling
Only 26.3% of the tested products’ ingredients matched their labels.
Starch Fillers
Starch “fillers” not found in Reishi mushroom occured in 68.4% of the products.
Triterpene Variation
Triterpenes, a key bioactive component of Reishi, were only found in 42.1% of products.
Polysaccharide Differences
The specific polysaccharides found in Reishi were only present in 26.3% of the tested products.
To help you navigate the market and choose a high-quality medicinal mushroom supplement, we have put together this buying guide.
How To Choose A
Good Mushroom Supplement
The only way to really know the quality of the product, is to know the quantity of health-promoting compounds it contains. These are the compounds which have been shown by research to have therapeutic effects.
The quantity of these compounds can vary greatly depending on the quality/quantity of the primary materials used, and the production methods. This is why the best mushroom supplements are validated through analytical testing to ensure for potency of the researched-tested bioactive compoiunds.
Look For Beta-Glucan Content
of 20-30% or greater.
Beta-glucans are some of the most important therapeutic compounds found in mushrooms. When browsing products, consumers should look for labels which clearly state the quantities of beta-glucans, with levels of least 20-30%. Not only do beta-glucans play a significant role in the therapeutic effects of medicinal mushrooms, but they are indicators of other compounds which may be more difficult to test for. You can also ask brands for a Certificate Of Analysis which not only shows test results for bioactive compounds but also heavy metals or agrochemical residues.
What to Look For In Mushroom Supplements
*Note: The discussion isn’t as simple as fruiting bodies vs mycelium. Some products may use liquid-grown mycelium which is acceptable, but this is rare. Mycelium producst that do not offer analytical testing should not be trusted. Learn why here.
Red Flags On the Label
To learn, more about why there are so many low-quality products, make sure to check out our article “Why are there so many low-quality mushroom supplements?
Hint: It’s not the mycellium, it’s the grain“
Also if you want to learn how to test products at home for fillers, check out our article on how to test mushroom supplements for startch.
Note On Artisanal Products
We acknowledge that many small producers do not have the capital to test their products. If you prefer to buy locally, make sure to check out our guide on Artisanal Products here.
Recommended Mushroom Supplement Brands
Below is an analysis of many different brands. Some of these are reccomended due to the transparency and quality of their products, others are not. If you have any doubts or questions, please feel free to reach out. If you feel as though any brands have not been fairly analyzed, also feel free to communicate this with us. If there are brands that you would like us to check, please feel free to send an email. You can contact us at mushroomclinicaltrials@gmail.com
For full transparency, we are affiliated with these brands and may earn commission from your purchase. Your purchase will help us to maintain and update this website. Thank you. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any information given is not intended to replace medical advice offered by licensed medical physicians. Please consult your doctor or health practitioner for any medical advice.
Real Mushrooms are pioneers in the mushroom supplement industry and the direct-to-consumer outlet of NAMMEX (North American Mushroom Extracts). NAMMEX is one of the largest bulk distributers of high-quality mushroom supplements. This is one reason Real Mushrooms provides competitive prices along with premium quality. Their products are made with 100% fruiting bodies, USDA Organic, and are analyzed for bioactive compounds. They maintain close relationships with their growers, their customers, and the wider mushroom community.
Website: https://www.realmushrooms.com/
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
Nootropics Depot is a well-trusted source for many different types of supplements. They are 100% transparent and offer the results of their analytical testing. On top of the standard powders/capsules, they also offer specialized extracts with higher concentrations of bioactive compounds. Their Erinamax Lion’s Mane supplement is one of the only products on the market made with mycelium derived from submerged fermentation and standardized for the content in Erinacine A.
Website: https://nootropicsdepot.com/
100% Fruiting Body: Yes*
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
*Nootropics depot also offers high-quality mycelium derived products.
Mycogenius is one of the premier European mushroom supplement brands which has proven commitment to offering high-quality products. All of there supplements are tested in a ISO-accredited lab, and are verified for potency and high quantities of bioactive compounds. Test results are available on their website or upon request.
Website: https://mycogenius.com
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
Purest Mushrooms offers high-quality extracts that are backed by rigorous testing. Their supplier partners directly with mushroom growers to source high-quality materials. All their products are quality tested and analyzed for bioactive compounds. COAs of all their products can be found directly on their website.
Website: https://purestmushrooms.com/
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
Antioxi is one of the most trusted mushroom supplement companies based out of the UK. They provide test results on all their products, many of which have astounding levels of bioactive compounds. While it´s relatively unheard of outside of the UK, it is one of the top-brands advocated for by the medicinal mushroom community in the UK.
Website: https://antioxi.co.uk/
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
The most well-known and highly trusted mushroom supplements coming out of Austrailia. Dr.Noel is very well known in the herbalist community and his products are considered to be of exceptional quality.
Website: https://drnoelsmushroompowder.com.au
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
Very popular brand which has played a signifcant role in promoting medicinal mushrooms. Despite their popularity, their products are produced using myceliated brown rice and the company does not provide anlytical testing.
Website: https://hostdefense.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
OM is a popular mushroom supplement company commonly found in health food stores. They utilize myceliated oats and not fruiting bodies. While they provide analytics for beta-glucan content, this is likely plant-based betaglucans. They do not offer analytical testing for any other type of compound.
Website: https://ommushrooms.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
While we cannot vouch for the legitmacy of all their products, the mushroom powders they offer do no provide analytical teseting and appear to be myceliated milo.
Website: https://lairdsuperfood.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
This company produces many different plant and mushroom supplements. They make no statement regarding the presence of fruiting bodies, nor do they provide analytical testing. Likely produced from myceliated grain.
Website: https://www.microingredients.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Planet Organic provides many different supplements, including mushroom supplements. While they offer analytical teseting, it is only limited to beta-glucans and they are at relatively low percantage. Their products are made via fermented grain.
Website: https://www.planetorganic.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Utilizes myceliated grain and offers low-potency tinctures. No certificate of analysis that mentions bioactive compounds in their product.
Website: https://us.lifecykel.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Not reccomended. No specificaitons, analytical testing, and the dosage reccomendation is low. Not clear if the product is properly extracted.
Website: https://www.swansonvitamins.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Likely utilizes myceliated grain and does not provided a analytical testing or facts about bioactive compounds.
Website: https://thegeniusbrand.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Thanks For Reading!
We hope this text has been helpful. We encourage you to check out other aritcles, or search through our clinical trial database. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to mushroomclinicaltrials@gmail.com