Does Mushroom Coffee Keep You Awake? Will It Affect Sleep?

By Mushroom Naturals | Last Updated: 20th February 2025

man awake in bed
 

For coffee lovers seeking a unique, sustained energy boost, mushroom coffee has emerged as a fascinating alternative. Enriched with medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps, this distinctive coffee offers many health benefits—minus the jitters or crashes associated with regular coffee. But if you’re accustomed to the invigorating effects of your morning cup of coffee, you might be curious: Does mushroom coffee keep you awake? In this article, we’ll delve into how mushroom coffee compares to regular coffee regarding energy levels, its impact on sleep, and whether it provides the same effects as traditional caffeinated beverages.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Mushroom coffee contains less caffeine than regular coffee, providing a gentler energy boost without the jitters or crashes.
  • Due to its lower caffeine content, mushroom coffee is less likely to interfere with sleep but should still be consumed earlier in the day to avoid potential disruptions.
  • Adaptogenic mushrooms like Cordyceps and Reishi help enhance stamina and reduce stress, contributing to sustained energy without the nervousness that regular coffee can cause.
  • Mushroom coffee is a great choice for those sensitive to caffeine. It offers energy and focus without the side effects of regular coffee.

What Mushrooms Are Used in Mushroom Coffee?

turkey tail mushroom

Turkey tail polypore (Trametes versicolor) mushrooms fruiting in autumn.

Mushroom coffee typically contains functional mushrooms known for their health-promoting properties, such as:

  • Lion’s Mane: Supports cognitive function and brain health, helping improve focus and mental clarity.
  • Reishi: Known for its stress-reducing and immune-boosting properties, Reishi helps calm the body and reduce anxiety.
  • Cordyceps: Enhances energy levels, physical performance, and stamina, making it a popular choice for athletes and those needing a sustained energy boost.
  • Chaga: Rich in antioxidants, Chaga supports immune health and fights inflammation.
  • Turkey Tail: A prebiotic-rich mushroom that promotes a healthy gut microbiome.

These mushrooms provide a healthier, more balanced energy compared to regular coffee.

Does Mushroom Coffee Keep You Awake? 

Mushroom coffee keeps you awake but is more gentle and smooth than regular coffee. While mushroom coffee contains some caffeine, it’s typically much lower in caffeine (around 30-70 mg per cup) than regular coffee (which has 95-150 mg per cup). This means you get a mild energy boost and enhanced focus but without the jitters, anxiety, or energy crashes often associated with high-caffeine drinks. Thanks to adaptogens like Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane, mushroom coffee provides sustained energy without overwhelming the body’s system.

Does Mushroom Coffee Keep You Up Like Regular Coffee?

Mushroom coffee does keep you up, but it works differently than regular coffee. Its lower caffeine content doesn’t stimulate the nervous system as strongly as regular coffee. Instead, it provides a smoother energy boost, keeping you alert and focused without the intensity or nervous energy that can come with high-caffeine drinks. For those who experience nervousness or jitters with regular coffee, mushroom coffee can be an ideal solution to maintain alertness without those uncomfortable side effects.

How Soon Do You Feel the Effects of Mushroom Coffee?

smiley face on mushroom coffee

Mushroom coffee takes about 20 to 30 minutes to start taking effect, though the energy boost is generally gentler and more sustained than what you might experience from regular coffee. The caffeine and the adaptogens in mushroom coffee work together to gradually increase focus and mental clarity, helping you maintain steady energy throughout the day. You won’t feel an immediate surge of energy like you might with regular coffee, but instead, a more sustained, steady energy that doesn’t peak or crash.

How is Mushroom Coffee Different from Regular Coffee?

Mushroom coffee differs from regular coffee in several key ways:

  • Lower caffeine content: Mushroom coffee typically contains 30-70 mg of caffeine, compared to the 95-150 mg in a regular cup of coffee, providing a smoother energy without the intense stimulation.
  • Health benefits: Besides providing energy, mushroom coffee delivers immune support, mental clarity, stress relief, and gut health benefits that regular coffee does not. This unique blend of health benefits makes mushroom coffee a smart choice for those prioritizing their well-being.
  • Gentler on the stomach: Mushroom coffee is less acidic than regular coffee, making it easier on the digestive system for individuals with sensitive stomachs or those prone to acid reflux.

How Does Mushroom Coffee Affect Energy Levels?

Mushroom coffee offers a balanced energy boost due to its caffeine content and the adaptogenic mushrooms it contains.

Mushroom coffee provides natural energy from both caffeine and adaptogens. While caffeine is lower than regular coffee, medicinal mushrooms like Cordyceps provide additional sustained energy without the jitters or crashes typical of high-caffeine drinks.

Mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps enhance focus, brain health, and stamina. They work with caffeine to provide a long-lasting and steady energy boost.

The lower caffeine content of mushroom coffee, combined with the adaptogenic properties of mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, helps improve alertness without triggering the jitters or nervous energy that regular coffee can.

Does Mushroom Coffee Contain Caffeine?

preparing mushroom coffee

Mushroom coffee contains caffeine, but it’s much lower than regular coffee. The amount of caffeine in mushroom coffee usually ranges from 30-70 mg per cup, depending on the brand and type of mushrooms used. This is about half the caffeine in a standard cup of regular coffee.

Mushroom coffee typically contains 30-70 mg of caffeine per cup, while regular coffee can have 95-150 mg. This significant difference in caffeine content makes mushroom coffee a gentler option for those sensitive to caffeine or who want to reduce their intake without sacrificing the benefits of coffee.

Mushroom coffee is a great choice for people who are sensitive to caffeine. Its lower caffeine content offers an energy boost without the jitters, nervousness, or heart palpitations that can occur with regular coffee.

Because mushroom coffee contains less caffeine and is combined with adaptogens like Cordyceps and Reishi, it provides a sustained, smoother energy boost that does not lead to the typical energy crash experienced after drinking regular coffee.

How Soon Do You Feel the Effects of Mushroom Coffee?

The effects of mushroom coffee are gentler and may take slightly longer to feel than regular coffee.

You may feel the effects of mushroom coffee within 30 minutes after drinking it. However, because it contains less caffeine, the energy boost is often more gradual and long-lasting than an immediate surge.

Mushroom coffee generally works slower than regular coffee because it has less caffeine. However, the adaptogenic mushrooms provide a more sustained and steady energy without the quick peaks and crashes that regular coffee can cause.

Drinking mushroom coffee on an empty stomach may enhance absorption and lead to quicker effects, but it’s not recommended for those with sensitive stomachs, as it could cause mild discomfort.

Can Mushroom Coffee Keep You Awake at Night?

Mushroom coffee is less likely to disrupt sleep than regular coffee, but its caffeine content can still affect sleep if consumed too late.

While mushroom coffee is gentler on the stomach and offers a steady energy boost, its caffeine content may still interfere with sleep if consumed late.

If you're sensitive to C, you should consume mushroom coffee in its best-to-consumer afternoon. For those who aren’t as sensitive, drinking it early in the evening may not disrupt sleep, but it’s still advisable to monitor how it affects you.

People sensitive to caffeine or insomnia should avoid drinking mushroom coffee late in the day to ensure it doesn’t interfere with their sleep cycle.

Does Mushroom Coffee Affect Sleep Quality?

Mushroom coffee’s adaptogenic properties can support relaxation, but its caffeine content may affect sleep quality if consumed too close to bedtime.

The calming properties of mushrooms like Reishi can help reduce stress and support relaxation, potentially improving sleep quality for some individuals.

Reishi mushrooms are known for their stress-relieving and relaxation properties, making them beneficial for those looking for a more calming effect from mushroom coffee.

Reishi in mushroom coffee can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which may benefit those who drink mushroom coffee earlier in the evening.

Mushroom Coffee vs. Regular Coffee: Which One Keeps You Awake Longer?

Mushroom coffee offers a more sustainable and gentle energy boost without the intense surge and crash that regular coffee often causes.

Mushroom coffee provides a smoother, more sustained energy boost than regular coffee, which can often lead to energy crashes later in the day.

Due to its higher caffeine content, regular coffee is more likely to cause jitters and energy crashes. Mushroom coffee provides a gentler energy without those effects.

If you’re looking for a late-night energy boost without risking sleep disruption, mushroom coffee is a better option due to its lower caffeine and smoother energy.

How to Drink Mushroom Coffee for Optimal Energy Without Sleep Disruption

mushroom coffee

To get the most out of your mushroom coffee while avoiding sleep disruptions:

  • It’s best to drink mushroom coffee in the morning or early afternoon for sustained energy throughout the day without affecting sleep.
  • If you’re sensitive to caffeine, avoid drinking mushroom coffee late afternoon or evening to prevent possible sleep disruption.
  • You can combine mushroom coffee with other adaptogens, such as MCT oil or collagen, for balanced energy and even more sustained focus without the jittery side effects.

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