The Functional Mushroom Library

Every species in the functional mushroom category has its own research story — distinct compounds, distinct mechanisms, distinct evidence base, and distinct clinical applications. This library covers each one with the same consistent framework: key compounds, how they work, what the human evidence shows, what the limitations are, and what to look for in supplement quality.

We rate evidence honestly. When research is strong, we say so. When it’s preliminary, when it’s mostly animal data, or when marketing claims have gotten ahead of the science — we say that too.

Core Four: The Most-Studied Species

These four species have the largest bodies of published research and the widest presence in supplements. They’re a reasonable starting point for anyone new to functional mushrooms.

• Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
  Primary application: cognitive support, neurological health
  Key compounds: hericenones, erinacines, beta-glucans
  Evidence grade: Promising human data, strongest in older adults with mild cognitive impairment
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
  Primary application: stress modulation, immune support, sleep quality
  Key compounds: ganoderic acids (triterpenoids), beta-glucans
  Evidence grade: Strong preclinical base; meaningful human immune data; stress/fatigue research promising
• Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)
  Primary application: energy, aerobic performance, fatigue reduction
  Key compounds: cordycepin, adenosine, beta-glucans
  Evidence grade: Promising human data for energy and VO2 max, strongest in non-elite populations
• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
  Primary application: antioxidant support, immune modulation
  Key compounds: melanin, betulinic acid, polysaccharides
  Evidence grade: Strong antioxidant profile; limited direct human clinical data; preclinical immune research promising

Immune Specialists

• Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
  Primary application: immune support, gut microbiome
  Key compounds: PSK (Krestin), PSP, beta-glucans
  Evidence grade: Strongest human evidence of any functional mushroom for immune function; well-studied in oncology support contexts
• Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
  Primary application: immune modulation, metabolic support
  Key compounds: D-fraction (unique beta-glucan), polysaccharides
  Evidence grade: Good preclinical data; some human immune trial data; metabolic research early-stage
• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
  Primary application: immune support, cardiovascular markers
  Key compounds: lentinan, eritadenine, beta-glucans
  Evidence grade: Lentinan (injectable form) has strong clinical evidence; oral supplement data more limited

The Supporting Cast

• White Button (Agaricus bisporus)
  Often overlooked as a “common” mushroom, white button actually contains vitamin D precursors and aromatase-inhibiting compounds with a developing research base.
• Royal Sun Agaricus (Agaricus blazei)
  Brazilian medicinal mushroom with a notable beta-glucan and ergosterol profile; popular in Japan, underrepresented in Western research.
• Black Fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae)
  Traditional culinary mushroom with documented anticoagulant properties and a prebiotic fiber profile relevant to gut health.

How to Use This Library

If you’re trying to match a wellness goal to a species, our goal-based guides may be a more direct starting point. If you’re evaluating a specific product and want to understand what its ingredients actually do, the individual species pages give you the compound-level detail you need. If you’re new to functional mushrooms entirely, start with the Lion’s Mane or Reishi pages — they’re the two with the deepest research bases and the most nuance worth understanding.