Morning vs. Evening: When’s the Best Time to Take Medicinal Mushrooms?

So you’ve discovered medicinal mushrooms. Amazing.

You’ve heard they can help with everything from focus and mood to energy, sleep, immunity, and stress. Maybe you’ve even started adding Lion’s Mane to your morning coffee or taking a dropper of Reishi before bed.

But now you’re wondering…

“When’s the best time to take them?”

Is it better to take mushrooms in the morning? Or at night? Does it matter?

Short answer: yes, it can.

But the best time for you depends on your body, your lifestyle, and the specific mushrooms you’re taking.

Let’s break it all down in a simple, no-jargon way so you can make the most of these incredible natural allies.

First, What Are Medicinal Mushrooms, Exactly?

Medicinal mushrooms are functional fungi that have been used for thousands of years in ancient wellness traditions from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Ayurveda.

They’re not magic pills. They’re adaptogens, which means they help the body adapt to stress and return to balance. Instead of forcing a result (like caffeine or sleeping pills), they support your body’s natural systems gently, but powerfully.

Here are some of the most well-loved medicinal mushrooms:

Lion’s Mane – for memory, focus, and brain support

Reishi – for stress relief, sleep, and immune balance

Cordyceps – for natural energy and stamina

Chaga – for antioxidant support and cellular health

Turkey Tail – for gut health and immunity

Maitake & Shiitake – for metabolic and cardiovascular health

Each mushroom has its own strengths and choosing the right time to take them helps you unlock their full potential.

Why the Timing Matters

When it comes to mushrooms, consistency is king. But timing also plays a big role in how your body responds.

Think of it like this:

You probably wouldn’t drink coffee right before bed.

And you probably wouldn’t take melatonin first thing in the morning.

The same goes for functional mushrooms. Some help activate and energize your system. Others help slow things down and support deep rest and repair.

By syncing your mushrooms with your body’s natural rhythm (your circadian rhythm) you’re working with your biology, not against it.

When to Take Mushrooms in the Morning

Morning is a great time to take mushrooms that boost mental focus, physical energy, or immune readiness. Here’s why:

1. Lion’s Mane: Morning Brain Fuel

If your brain feels foggy in the morning (or you want to stay sharp and productive all day) Lion’s Mane is your new best friend.

It supports the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which helps your brain form new connections and stay healthy over time. Think of it as fertilizer for your brain.

People report that Lion’s Mane helps them:

  • Stay focused longer
  • Think more clearly
  • Be more creative and productive

Best time to take it: Early in the day, with your morning coffee or smoothie.

2. Cordyceps: Energy Without the Crash

Unlike caffeine, Cordyceps helps your body create natural energy at the cellular level. It increases ATP (your cells’ energy source), supports oxygen use, and may even improve stamina and recovery.

That makes it great for:

  • Morning workouts
  • Long days
  • Natural energy without jitters or crashes

Best time to take it: Morning or 30 minutes before a workout.

3. Chaga & Turkey Tail: Daily Defense

Chaga is loaded with antioxidants that help your body fight off free radicals, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Turkey Tail supports gut health and your microbiome, which plays a key role in immunity and overall wellness.

Taken in the morning, these mushrooms act like a daily multivitamin, helping your body stay resilient, centered, and strong.

Best time to take them: Morning or midday.

When to Take Mushrooms in the Evening

Your evenings should be about winding down, not ramping up. That’s where calming mushrooms come in. Some help you relax and sleep. Others support deeper recovery while you rest.

1. Reishi: Your Natural Nightcap

Reishi is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality.” But more than anything, it’s a deeply calming adaptogen that helps your body shift into rest-and-digest mode.

It helps:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Lower cortisol (your stress hormone)
  • Improve sleep quality (without being sedating)

If your mind races at night, or you wake up tired, Reishi may be what your nighttime routine is missing.

Best time to take it: 30–60 minutes before bed. Try it in a warm, caffeine-free tea or on its own.

2. Turkey Tail & Chaga: Overnight Recovery

Your body does a lot of behind-the-scenes work while you sleep: cellular repair, immune defense, memory consolidation, gut restoration.

Taking immune-supportive mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Chaga at night helps your body do what it’s already trying to do: just better.

Best time to take them: After dinner or right before bed.

Can You Take Mushrooms Twice a Day?

Absolutely.

In fact, if you’re working with more than one type of mushroom (and most people are), splitting your dose between morning and evening can be ideal.

Here’s an example of a balanced day:

Morning Routine

  • Lion’s Mane for clarity
  • Cordyceps for energy
  • Chaga for antioxidant protection

Evening Routine

  • Reishi for stress relief and sleep
  • Turkey Tail for immune and gut support
  • This “AM/PM” setup supports both halves of your day: action and recovery.

How Long Until You Notice Results?

This part’s important.

Medicinal mushrooms aren’t quick-fix pills. They’re more like daily habits: small steps that build up to big changes over time. 

Some people feel the effects in days, especially with Lion’s Mane or Cordyceps. But for deeper changes (like better sleep, immunity, or stress resilience), it can take 2–4 weeks of consistent use.

The keyword? Consistent.

If you want real results, make mushrooms part of your daily rhythm. Morning or night, just don’t skip a day.

How to Take Them (So You Actually Remember)

Your mushroom routine should be easy. Enjoyable. Something you look forward to.

At Earth’s Mushrooms, we make premium mushroom extracts that are quick, convenient, and easy to take anytime.

  • Mix them into your morning coffee or matcha
  • Add them to a smoothie or juice
  • Take them straight under your tongue
  • Mix into a calming evening tea

No capsules to swallow. Just powerful mushrooms in a form that fits into real life.

What Makes Earth’s Mushrooms Different?

Not all mushroom supplements are created equal.

Here’s what sets Earth’s Mushrooms apart:

  1. Fruiting Bodies Only: No grain fillers, no fluff. Just the actual mushroom (the part with all the good stuff).
  2. Small-Batch + Wildcrafted: Grown with care, harvested responsibly, and extracted for maximum potency.

Whether you’re new to mushrooms or you’ve been using them for years, our powerful mushroom extracts are crafted to help you feel your best naturally, consistently, and powerfully.

Final Thoughts: Morning vs. Evening? Listen to Your Body.

At the end of the day, the best time to take your mushrooms depends on you. At Earth's Mushrooms, we combine the best mushroom extracts into a powerful blend for you.

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer but when you match your mushroom to your moment, magic happens.

Start Your Routine with Earth’s Mushrooms

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.