No reviewed headline claim published yet. This page tracks identity; it does not establish effectiveness.
AttentionNot assessedNo current independent attention assessment
EvidenceNo mapped studiesNo reviewed experiment families currently mapped
ConfidenceNot assessedNo published headline claim. No current reviewed confidence assessment for this claim.
The GapAttention not measured
Attention describes reviewed public attention, evidence shows study types, and confidence applies only to the stated claim. There is no overall score.
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We haven't called this yet. Watch it and we'll tell you when there's enough to say something useful.
Why we checked it
Most attention goes to individual mushrooms rather than the term. In September 2026, English Wikipedia's Hericium erinaceus article had 23,996 views and Cordyceps had 21,486, against 702 for Medicinal fungi. PubMed added 70 records on these mushrooms in the 30 days to Oct 11 2026.
Here's where it actually stands
"Functional mushrooms" is a marketing term for mushrooms sold as supplements, foods or drinks. Common examples are lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps and turkey tail. They are not psychedelic mushrooms. Psilocybin, the compound in magic mushrooms, is a Schedule I drug. In the US, mushroom supplements are sold as dietary supplements, which the FDA does not approve before sale. Evidence differs by species and product, so this hub does not treat them as one group. Reviews of reishi trials did not find enough evidence that it treats cancer or improves blood sugar or cholesterol. A turkey-tail extract (PSK) has been tested alongside chemotherapy for colorectal cancer, mostly in Japan. A review found low-certainty evidence of a small survival benefit; evidence on side effects was very low certainty.
What we don't know
Do any "functional mushroom" supplements improve a health outcome in well-designed trials?
Claims
A Cochrane review of 5 trials (398 participants) found that reishi did not meaningfully lower HbA1c, cholesterol or body-mass index in the trials that could be pooled (2 small trials, all in people with type 2 diabetes).Adults with cardiovascular risk factors (mostly type 2 diabetes) · Outcome: HbA1c, lipids, BMI, blood pressureConfidence: Not assessed · source checkedSource: Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. · PMID 25686270 · Cochrane Database Syst Rev · Abstract, Main results: HbA1c WMD -0.10% (95% CI -1.05% to 0.85%); total cholesterol WMD -0.07 mmol/L; no significant differences for blood pressure or triglycerides · Verify ↗
A Cochrane review of 7 trials (1569 participants, mostly in Japan) of a turkey-tail extract added to chemotherapy for colorectal cancer rated the evidence on side effects as very low certainty. The same review found low-certainty evidence of slightly better five-year survival with the extract (risk ratio 1.08; 3 trials, 1,094 people), but the chemotherapy used in those trials no longer reflects current practice.Adults with colorectal cancer (stage II-IV) · Outcome: Adverse events; withdrawal due to adverse eventsConfidence: Not assessed · source checkedSource: Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer. · PMID 36445793 · Cochrane Database Syst Rev · Abstract, Main results: seven RCTs (1569 participants); withdrawal due to AEs RR 1.03 (0.45-2.34), very low certainty; five-year overall survival RR 1.08 (3 trials, 1094 participants), low certainty · Verify ↗
A Cochrane review of reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) trials in cancer found that the studies were generally of poor quality and did not find enough evidence to justify reishi as a first-line cancer treatment; effects on long-term survival were uncertain.People with cancer (randomized trials, mostly China) · Outcome: Tumour response, immune markers, quality of life, survivalConfidence: Not assessed · source checkedSource: Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. · PMID 27045603 · Cochrane Database Syst Rev · Abstract, Main results and Authors' conclusions: methodological quality generally unsatisfying; not sufficient evidence to justify first-line use; long-term survival uncertain · Verify ↗
Mapped studies / experiment families
One experiment counts once, even with several registrations or publications. Counts above describe the headline claim.
No reviewed experiment families mapped yet.
Studies & active trials
Only papers and registered trials an editor reviewed for this page. Being listed is not a finding; the claims above say what they show.
Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer.PMID 36445793 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD012053.pub2Study · Published · Nov 29, 2022 · Cochrane Database Syst RevOpen source ↗
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment.PMID 27045603 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007731.pub3Study · Published · Apr 5, 2016 · Cochrane Database Syst RevOpen source ↗
Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors.PMID 25686270 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007259.pub2Study · Published · Feb 17, 2015 · Cochrane Database Syst RevOpen source ↗
Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.PMID 18844328 · DOI 10.1002/ptr.2634Study · Published · Phytother ResOpen source ↗
Lifestyle Changes, Mushroom Supplementation, and Bupropion to Reduce Adiposity and Cardiometabolic RiskNCT NCT07806279Trial · Not yet recruiting · Sep 8, 2026 · Uppsala UniversityOpen registry record ↗
Prevention of Recurrence With Cordyceps Sinensis in Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary DiseaseNCT NCT07174076Trial · Recruiting · Sep 15, 2025 · Bin CaoOpen registry record ↗
Study Evaluating the Quality and Effects of Lion's Mane Product on Cognitive HealthNCT NCT06870136Trial · Recruiting · Mar 11, 2025 · M2 IngredientsOpen registry record ↗
What would change our mind
If a large, well-run trial of a standardized mushroom product shows a clinical benefit, we would add a species-specific claim to that mushroom's page, not to the whole group.
Study Evaluating the Quality and Effects of Lion's Mane Product on Cognitive HealthM2 Ingredients · checked Oct 11, 2026 · NCT NCT06870136; status:RECRUITING; primary completion 2025-07-25 (estimated)
Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · checked Oct 11, 2026 · PMID 36445793; DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD012053.pub2
Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · checked Oct 11, 2026 · PMID 25686270; DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007259.pub2
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · checked Oct 11, 2026 · PMID 27045603; DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007731.pub3
Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.Phytother Res · checked Oct 11, 2026 · PMID 18844328; DOI 10.1002/ptr.2634
Do any "functional mushroom" supplements improve a health outcome in well-designed trials?
Existing reviews found low-quality or inconclusive trials for reishi and turkey tail. Lion's mane trials are small.
What would answer it: Registered randomized trials with standardized, chemically characterized products and clinical endpoints, e.g. Cordyceps sinensis for recurrence prevention in MAC lung disease (NCT07174076; 300 participants; est. 2028-07).
Not shown: Cochrane reviews (2016 and 2015) found too little good evidence to support reishi as a cancer treatment, and no clear effect on blood sugar or cholesterol in the few small trials available, all in people with type 2 diabetes. For most other species and uses, there are too few good trials to say. Some products sold as 'mushroom' gummies or chocolates are not functional mushrooms: in 2024 the FDA said that Amanita muscaria and its compounds, used in some so-called psychedelic edibles, are not authorized in conventional food.