Why Mushroom Coffee Feels Different: The Science Behind the Buzz

If you love coffee but hate the crash, you’re definitely not alone. A strong cup can kickstart your morning...until the jitters creep in, your heart races, and that clear focus turns into anxious overdrive. 

With mushroom coffee, especially blends like Motherbrew from Madre Mushroom, the buzz feels different. The energy is still there, but it’s smoother, more sustained, and noticeably less chaotic. Why? Well, it’s not just the beans we source or the way we roast them. It’s what’s infused into the coffee itself: functional mushrooms that quietly recalibrate how your body responds to caffeine.

Real Coffee + Real Mushrooms: What’s in the Cup?

Let’s be clear, Motherbrew mushroom coffee is still coffee. It’s not a “coffee alternative” like Mud/Wtr, Everyday Dose, or Om. This means you get the same bold flavor, the same caffeine content, and the same familiar ritual. You can brew it using your favorite French press or pour-over method. 

But unlike a standard cup of joe, Motherbrew contains six functional mushrooms: Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Himematsutake, Turkey Tail, and Maitake. These powerful fungi are well-researched adaptogens and nootropics that work with your body to regulate stress, attention, and energy. And while you can’t taste them in Motherbrew, you can definitely feel them.

As coffee drinkers, we’ve all been there. A strong cup hits just right until it...doesn’t. Sometimes that caffeine comes with a side of anxiety, jitteriness, or the dreaded crash that leaves you more drained than energized. So, rather than canceling the effects of caffeine in coffee, our mushroom blend helps modulate it by smoothing out the spike and keeping your head clearer for longer.

What Caffeine Does on Its Own: A Crash Course

Caffeine is effective because it blocks adenosine receptors in the brain which make you feel more awake and alert. But it also stimulates the release of cortisol (your stress hormone) and increases heart rate—both of which can trigger anxiety or restlessness in sensitive individuals. You might feel more productive but also edgy, scatterbrained, or even burned out after its effects wear off.

Many of us drink coffee for the focus, but struggle with the toll it can take on our body and mental health. That’s where mushrooms come in to balance things out!

How Do Functional Mushrooms Regulate Caffeine?

• Lion’s Mane is known for stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which can support memory and concentration over time. In clinical trials, it has shown promise for improving cognitive clarity without overstimulation.
  

• Cordyceps enhances cellular energy by increasing ATP production via cordycepin. Unlike caffeine, it boosts stamina without raising blood pressure or heart rate, leading to a cleaner and more physical type of energy.
  

• Chaga is rich in antioxidants, which neutralize stress at the cellular level. It also contains beta-glucans that support immune regulation and stabilize energy and inflammation, both key functions when caffeine pushes your system into high gear.
  

• Himematsutake, Maitake and Turkey Tail support the gut microbiome and immune system, which are increasingly recognized as key players in mental clarity, mood, and even how your body processes caffeine.

A Buzz That Builds Instead of Crashes

Most people don’t want less caffeine in their coffee, they want better caffeine. With fungi in the mix, like the ones in Motherbrew, you get a steadier ramp-up with each sip. This means a gentler plateau and fewer caffeine crashes. Many drinkers report improved focus with fewer distractions, and less of that post-cup anxiety—even after a second or third cup.

Things to Keep in Mind

At the end of the day, our mushroom coffee is still coffee. If you’re highly sensitive to caffeine, moderation is key. Also, some of the wellness benefits, like those tied to Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, are cumulative, meaning they take some time to build up in your body—a few days or even a few weeks. That’s why quality matters! Always look for transparency in labeling and measurable doses, and avoid vague terms like “mushroom extract” or unnecessary additives. 

For more information, check out our blog that explores the unique properties of mushroom coffee, and why you should consider making the switch!

Try Motherbrew Coffee and Feel the Difference

The focused energy you feel with Madre Mushroom's Motherbrew is the science (and beauty) of co-regulation. Functional fungi and caffeine working in unity! Try it for a few days and journal how you feel. Then, compare it to your usual routine with standard coffee. You might be surprised by just how much smoother your mornings can be!

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Geng, Ping, Ka-Chai Siu, Zhaomei Wang, and Jian-Yong Wu. “Antifatigue Functions and Mechanisms of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms.” BioMed Research International, August 14, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9648496.

Institute of Medicine. Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements: Examining Safety: Workshop Summary. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2014. https://doi.org/10.17226/18607.

Lovallo, William R., Thomas L. Whitsett, Mustafa al’Absi, Bong Hee Sung, Andrea S. Vincent, and Michael F. Wilson. “Caffeine Stimulation of Cortisol Secretion across the Waking Hours in Relation to Caffeine Intake Levels.” Psychosomatic Medicine 67, no. 5 (2005): 734–39. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.psy.0000181270.20036.06.

Song, Hyo-Nam. “Functional Cordyceps Coffee Containing Cordycepin and β-Glucan.” Preventive Nutrition and Food Science 25, no. 2 (June 30, 2020): 184–93. https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2020.25.2.184.

Image credit:

Photo by Francisco Javier Corado Rivera, via Pixabay. Licensed under Pixabay Content License.