The Mushrooms Are Mushrooming: My First Month with Functional Mushrooms
I took my first two capsules with my morning coffee and thought, “Cute. Let’s see what happens.”
I always thought mushrooms came in two categories:
The ones you put on pizza.
The ones that made you stare at your hand for three hours. Have you ever seen the movie “The Hand”? IYKYK!
Functional mushrooms? Never really crossed my mind.
Until this year—when my brain fog got so dense I half-expected ships to start crashing into me like I was the lighthouse from The Goonies.
I had heard magical things about mushrooms, but mostly the kind you need a shaman, a Spotify playlist, and a tent for. (Love that for us, by the way. Big fan of their cancer-prevention magic and mental health benefits.)
I was fascinated by that mushroom documentary on Netflix (Fantastic Fungi, go watch it!) and even more fascinated when I started noticing little fungi popping up in my own garden after a good rain.
One day, I want to know enough to forage mushrooms confidently without accidentally poisoning myself. I think about this often, but haven’t dug in yet.
Today, I stick to capsules.
What Are Functional Mushrooms Anyway?
Functional mushrooms are basically nature’s original adaptogens—helping your body handle stress, improve focus, balance energy, and regulate immunity. No hallucinations. No hand-staring. Just functioning better.
The major players:
Lion’s Mane: Brain support, focus, and nerve health.
Cordyceps: Endurance and natural energy (without needing six shots of espresso).
Chaga: Immune system hero.
Reishi: Chill out, regulate your stress response, sleep better.
They’ve been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, and now science is backing up what our ancestors already knew.
One study even found Lion’s Mane stimulates the production of nerve growth factor, which protects against memory loss and supports brain repair. Yes, please.
My 30 Days on Functional Mushrooms: The Real Deal
Day 1:
I took my first two capsules with my morning coffee and thought, “Cute. Let’s see what happens.”
Day 3:
Wait... am I imagining this or is my brain firing a little faster?
Day 7:
Not a hallucination. I was already ordering my second bottle because I did not want to be without them. My focus was sharper, my mood steadier, and I wasn't slamming into that 3pm slump like a bird into a clean glass door.
Day 14:
No afternoon naps. No crashing into bed before 8pm.
And when did I crash? I slept more deeply. Better. Like a woman who might finally get her to-do list done this decade.
Day 30:
Honestly? I feel like myself again. Maybe even a slightly upgraded version.
Oh, and I Eat Mushrooms Too
I’m a little obsessed now.
Once a month, I roast a giant Lion’s Mane mushroom for dinner. Have you seen them? They look like a cloud. I just pan-fry with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
It tastes like lobster. (I'm not kidding. It's wild. I dare you to try it and tell me differently.)
Here’s My Simple Lion’s Mane Recipe:
Slice the mushroom into 1-inch “steaks”
Sear in olive oil over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes each side
Finish with flaky salt and lemon juice
Try not to cry happy tears
Eating the whole mushroom + taking the functional blends = a chef’s kiss to your nervous system. Yes, Chef!
Why I Chose Green Compass Functional Mushrooms
USDA Organic
No weird fillers, no garbage ingredients
Grown and formulated with transparency
Bonus: they're part of a company I trust
They made it easy for me to add mushrooms to my routine without overthinking it—and honestly, that’s all I needed.
Curious? Here's What I Recommend:
Try the Mindbloom Functional Mushroom Capsules for 30 days.
See what shifts for you.
Let it be subtle magic—less brain fog, more flow.
If you want to order the exact ones I use, here’s my link:
👉 Get your mushrooms here.
If you’re reading this thinking, “I could totally share this with my people,” you’re right. And you should.
It’s easy. It’s fun. It’s honestly the least weird thing I’m doing right now. Reach out if you want to chat about it.
(Or if you want Lion’s Mane recipes. Honestly, I'm here for both.)
xo,
Tara