Mushroom Coffee Research: What the Studies Tested and What the Label Says

Mushroom coffee is regular coffee with mushroom powder added, so it contains caffeine plus whatever mushroom the label names. Pilly Labs sells two, both Arabica coffee with Lion's Mane and Chaga: Premium Mushroom Coffee (instant, dissolved in hot water) and Vitality Mushroom Coffee (ground, brewed like regular coffee). The practical choice is preparation: instant needs no equipment, ground needs a brewer. Vitality lists 500 mg each of Lion's Mane and Chaga powder per 10 g serving; Premium lists about 300 mg each per 1 teaspoon/2 g serving. Neither states a caffeine amount, so research on Lion's Mane and Chaga below is context only.

Label facts are as published on each Pilly Labs product page on 2026-10-08. The package you receive is the final authority.

What's in each product

Premium lists about 300 mg each of Lion's Mane and Chaga powder per 1 teaspoon/2 g serving; Vitality lists 500 mg each per 10 g serving. These dry-powder amounts do not show how much ends up in the brewed cup or predict a health outcome.

What the research says about these ingredients

Lion's Mane

Evidence type: a small human trial. In 18 healthy adults aged 18 to 35, a single 3 g dose of Lion's Mane fruiting-body 10:1 extract did not significantly change overall cognitive performance or mood after 90 minutes; one task, the pegboard test, improved (PMID 40276537).

What this does not show: the study used a concentrated extract at 3 g, whereas Vitality lists 500 mg of powder per mushroom per 10 g serving and Premium lists about 300 mg per mushroom per 2 g serving. One acute dose in young adults does not show a daily focus outcome from coffee.

Chaga

Evidence type: laboratory and case-report literature. A laboratory study compared an aqueous Chaga extract's effects on cultured lung-derived cell lines (PMID 29484963). A 2014 case report described kidney injury from oxalate in one person who ate 4 to 5 teaspoons of Chaga powder a day for six months (PMID 23149251).

What this does not show: cell-line work is not evidence about people, a single case report cannot establish how common a risk is, and neither used a coffee product. We have not located human trials to cite for Chaga, so no benefit is claimed.

Caffeine

Evidence type: FDA consumer guidance. For most adults the FDA has cited 400 mg of caffeine a day, about two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee, as an amount not generally associated with negative effects, while sensitivity varies widely and some medications raise sensitivity. People who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to talk with a health care provider about limiting caffeine (FDA).

What this does not show: neither coffee has a disclosed caffeine amount, so the guidance cannot be turned into a number for these products. Mushroom coffee is not shown to be crash-free or jitter-free.

How to choose between the coffees

• You want no brewing equipment: Premium Mushroom Coffee. One teaspoon in hot water, with milk or cream if you like. Its label shows approximately 300 mg each of Lion's Mane and Chaga powder per serving; the caffeine amount is not stated on the label.
• You brew coffee the traditional way and want listed proportions: Vitality Mushroom Coffee: 90% roasted Arabica coffee, 5% Lion's Mane powder, and 5% Chaga powder, with 500 mg of each mushroom per 10 g serving. The caffeine amount is not stated.
• You want a lower-caffeine or caffeine-free routine: both contain caffeine, so look at drops, gummies or capsules, and verify each label.
• You want a stated mushroom amount per serving: Vitality lists 500 mg each of Lion's Mane and Chaga per 10 g serving; Premium lists about 300 mg each per 1 teaspoon/2 g serving; the Chaga capsule and the drops do.

Safety and who should check with a clinician

• Both coffees contain caffeine. Avoid if you are sensitive to caffeine, and ask a clinician about caffeine if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a heart condition or sleep problems.
• Children and anyone pregnant or nursing should get professional guidance before use.
• Chaga may interact with anticoagulant or blood-thinning medication, and Pilly Labs advises checking with a provider if you take medication for blood sugar management.
• Chaga contains oxalates; people with a history of kidney stones or oxalate-related conditions should ask a clinician first.
• Do not use with a known mushroom allergy. Keep out of reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

Does mushroom coffee have as much caffeine as regular coffee?

The caffeine amount is not disclosed for either Pilly coffee. Both are Arabica coffee and contain caffeine, but do not assume a figure.

Instant vs ground mushroom coffee: which is better?

Neither is better in general. Instant (Premium) is 1 teaspoon in hot water with 27 servings; ground (Vitality) is brewed, 1 tablespoon per serving with 34 servings. The choice is convenience versus brewing method.

Can I add milk or sweetener?

Premium's page says it can be taken black or with milk, oat milk or cream. Vitality is brewed like regular coffee, and you adjust strength to taste.

How much Lion's Mane is in a cup?

Vitality lists 500 mg of Lion's Mane powder per 10 g dry serving. Premium lists about 300 mg per 1 teaspoon/2 g serving. Dry powder is not the same as what is extracted into the cup.

Is mushroom coffee safe for everyone?

No supplement is right for everyone. Caffeine sensitivity, pregnancy, medications and kidney history all matter, so check with a clinician when in doubt.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.