Festival season is here - and that means long days, late nights, non-stop dancing, unpredictable weather (especially in the UK!), and a whirlwind of emotions. It’s a time for music, movement, freedom, and connection - but it also puts your body and mind through a lot.
That’s why more and more festival-goers are packing not just the usual camping gear and hydration packs - but also adaptogenic mushrooms. These functional fungi, rooted in centuries of traditional medicine and backed by emerging science, may help you stay grounded, focused and energised - naturally.
In this post, we’ll explore what adaptogenic mushrooms are, their potential benefits based on current scientific evidence, and why they may be the low-key wellness hack you didn’t know you needed to thrive at festivals. All of this, without making medical claims - just credible, well-sourced insights rooted in both tradition and research.
What Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms?
Adaptogenic mushrooms are a class of fungi that fall under the larger umbrella of adaptogens - natural substances believed to help the body adapt to stress and maintain physiological balance.
The term adaptogen was first coined in the 1940s by Russian scientist Dr. Nikolai Lazarev, who described them as substances that improve the “state of non-specific resistance” to stress. Unlike caffeine or stimulants, adaptogens work more holistically, with the goal of supporting homeostasis - the body’s natural balance.
Some of the popular adaptogenic mushrooms include:
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Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris or sinensis)
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Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
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Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)
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Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus)
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Turkey Tail ( Trametes Versicolor)
Let’s look at how each of these may help you navigate the demands of festival life - from physical fatigue to overstimulation and immune stress.
Cordyceps: A Natural Way to Support Endurance & Stamina
Festival Relevance: Long walks, dancing, heat and physical exhaustion
Cordyceps are known for their potential to support energy metabolism and physical endurance. In traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine, Cordyceps were used to invigorate the lungs and kidneys - associated with vitality and stamina.
What the research says:
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A 2010 clinical study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that older adults taking a Cordyceps supplement had improvements in exercise performance and VO2 max, compared to a placebo group.
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Cordyceps may help support ATP production (the molecule that provides energy to cells) by influencing mitochondrial activity.
How it helps:
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May support sustained energy without the crash of caffeine
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May enhance your ability to stay active for longer periods
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Could be a helpful addition to your pre-festival or mid-day routine
Reishi: Grounding Support for the Overstimulated Mind?
Festival relevance: Sleep disruption, nervous system overload, late-night wind-down
Often called the “mushroom of immortality”, Reishi has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 2,000 years. It’s known for its role in supporting relaxation and equilibrium.
What the research says:
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Reishi contains compounds such as triterpenes and polysaccharides that may influence stress pathways and immune modulation, according to research in Frontiers in Pharmacology.
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A 2021 animal study published in Phytotherapy Research found Reishi extract was associated with behavioural signs of reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality.
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Human evidence is emerging but still limited; however, anecdotal reports and traditional use are extensive.
How it helps:
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May help ease overstimulation and support mental balance
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Could be useful as part of a nighttime routine for better rest
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May support immune system resilience under stress
Lion’s Mane: For Clarity in the Crowd
Festival relevance: Mental clarity, focus, navigating large crowds, decision making
Lion’s Mane is famous for its potential in nootropic (brain-supporting) properties. It contains hericenones and erinacines - compounds that may support nerve growth factor (NGF) production, which is involved in the growth and maintenance of neurons.
What the research says:
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A 2009 randomised double blind placebo controlled trial found that individuals taking Lion’s Mane for 16 weeks showed significant improvements in mild cognitive impairment vs. placebo.
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Animal studies also support its potential to support neuroplasticity, memory, and mood balance.
How it helps:
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May support mental clarity and memory under sensory overload
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Could help keep your mind focused on the moment
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May be especially helpful for creative expression or mindful presence during sets
Chaga: The Festival-Ready Antioxidant
Festival Relevance: Environmental stress (sun, dust, UV), immune support, detox post-event
Chaga is a dense, charcoal coloured mushroom that grows primarily on birch trees in cool climates. It’s especially rich in polyphenols, melanin and beta-glucans, compounds associated with antioxidant activity.
What the research says:
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Chaga has demonstrated strong antioxidant properties in multiple lab-based studies, which may help combat oxidative stress from environmental exposure.
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Its immunomodulating effects have been explored in animal and in vitro studies, showing potential to support a balanced immune response.
How it helps:
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May help the body cope with environmental stressors
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Could offer antioxidant support during long days in the sun
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May be useful in helping your system bounce back post-festival
How to Pack and use Adaptogenic Mushrooms at a Festival
Personally, we stand by tinctures - they’re a festival essential in our book. You can pack light, wrap them safely in a jumper, and toss them in your bag without adding bulk. They don’t require any equipment, and there’s zero mess or clean-up. Just take a few drops under the tongue for fast absorption, or add them to your juice or water for a quick wellness boost on the go. That said, there are many other ways to incorporate functional mushrooms into your festival routine. Powders are great for mixing into smoothies or morning coffee, capsules are easy to transport and dose discreetly, and ready-to-drink options like sparkling or coffee infused canned drinks offer convenient hydration with functional benefits - all depending on what works best for your vibe and your packing list.
When to take them:
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Morning: Cordyceps & Lion’s Mane
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Mid-day: Chaga
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Evening/Bedtime: Reishi
Few Tips in Getting the Most Out of Your Mushroom Supplement
When choosing a mushroom supplement, make sure they are:
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Dual Extracted mushrooms (hot water + alcohol at minimum) for full-spectrum compounds
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Double check the sourcing of mushrooms
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Fruiting body vs. mycelium (fruiting body contains more bioactive compounds. You also know that your supplement is not filled with unnecessary starches from the mycelium such as grain)
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Third-party testing - heavy metals etc.
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No additives, sweeteners, palm oil etc!
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Check out the reviews!
Final Thoughts: Stay Balanced, Present, and Energised This Festival Season
Festival life is beautiful - but intense. Your body and mind are pushed to their limits with constant movement, noise, and emotion While there’s no single magic solution, adaptogenic mushrooms may offer a gentle, plant-based way to support your experience, helping you show up more fully - whether you’re dancing at sunrise or decompressing after a long day.
These mushrooms don’t replace good nutrition, sleep, or hydration - but they can complement a wellness-forward approach to living your best festival life.
So this year, as you pack your essentials, consider making room for these powerful fungi. They just might help you keep your spark going strong - from day one to the closing ceremony.
References
Chen, S., Li, Z., Krochmal, R., Abrazado, M., Kim, W., Cooper, C., & Tsim, K.W.K., 2010. The effect of Cordyceps sinensis supplementation on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(5), pp.585–590. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0238
Kimura, Y., Taniguchi, M., Suzuki, M., & Takahashi, T., 2021. Ganoderma lucidum extract induces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects through modulation of the gut-brain axis in mice. Phytotherapy Research, 35(1), pp.322–332. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6802
Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T., 2009. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), pp.367–372. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2634
Park, Y.K., Alencar, S.M., & Aguiar, C.L., 2004. Antioxidant activity of mushroom extracts and their effect on lipid peroxidation in vitro. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 6(1), pp.31–38. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v6.i1.40
Phan, C.W., David, P., Naidu, M., Wong, K.H., & Sabaratnam, V., 2014. Neuroprotective effects of culinary-medicinal Lion’s Mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage in cellular model of neurodegenerative disease. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 16(5), pp.465–476. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2014010776
Wachtel-Galor, S. & Benzie, I.F.F., 2011. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi). In: I.F.F. Benzie and S. Wachtel-Galor, eds. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/ [Accessed 19 Jun. 2025].
Zhao, G., Zhang, L., Wang, X., & Xu, X., 2021. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides exert protective effects on stress-induced immunosuppression in mice. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, p.661346. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.661346
