The answer is unequivocally no. Lions Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps will not get you high. As a biologist and a passionate educator, I always want to show you why. Psilocybin mushrooms interact with your 5-HT2A serotonin receptors to create a hallucinogenic effect. Functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps work through different pathways that do not alter your perception.
They don't alter your perception at all; they help to maintain your body's natural and healthy stress response. One is a collision with your brain chemistry; the other is a supporter of your biological rhythm.
Functional mushrooms (Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps) are distinct species that contain zero psychoactive compounds. Unlike the cannabis plant, where hemp and marijuana are the same species (Cannabis Sativa) differentiated through selective breeding to elevate different cannabinoids (like THC and CBD), functional mushrooms belong to completely different biological Families and Genus groups than magic mushrooms. There is no scenario where these mushrooms can cause intoxication.
This scientific audit is part of our Ultimate Guide to Functional Mushrooms & Adaptogens—a deep dive into the biology, sourcing, and systemic benefits of these amazing fungi.
1. The Taxonomy Audit: Different Species, Different Worlds
The confusion today mirrors the CBD confusion of a decade ago (like we discussed in our guide: Will CBD Make You High?). When people hear the word mushroom, they often think of the one species they’ve heard about in the news. However, comparing a functional mushroom to a psychedelic one is like comparing Romaine Lettuce to Tobacco. They are both plants, but their chemistry and purpose have nothing in common.
This actually makes explaining the difference a lot easier for me than explaining the difference between hemp and marijuana. The subtle difference between hemp and marijuana, since they are the same species, comes down to specific levels of phytocompounds within individual plants bred to be either high in THC (marijuana) or below 0.3% THC (hemp). With functional mushrooms, I find it is better to think about them like you would any mushroom in the grocery store. They are utterly harmless from a psychoactive perspective, and just like mushrooms in the grocery store, they have health benefits.
To see how unrelated they are, look at the biological classification (Taxonomy). Psychedelic mushrooms almost exclusively belong to the Genus Psilocybe. Our mushrooms don't even share the same Family, let alone Genus.
*Note: Taxonomy isn't just a label; it’s a scientific classification and genetic blueprint. Functional mushrooms are biologically incapable of producing psilocybin or psilocin.
Living and working in Colorado, I see first hand the therapeutic research surrounding psilocybin through my state's forward-thinking views on understanding the potential benefits of plant-based wellness. While Kyoto Botanicals is strictly focused on non-psychoactive functional botanicals (broad-spectrum hemp and functional mushrooms), I fully support the ever expanding clinical research into the role of plants in modern health. We believe in the power of the entire plant kingdom, from Lion’s Mane to hemp and the emerging science of therapeutic psychedelics under professional medical supervision. They are different tools for different goals, and we are proud to be part of the broader conversation around botanical wellness and fully support more research into all nature has to offer.
2. Psilocybin vs. Functional Compounds (The Molecular Gap)
In the cannabis world, you can breed a plant to have more or less THC. In the mushroom world, you cannot breed a Lion’s Mane mushroom to get you high. It simply does not possess the genetic code to produce psilocybin. It would be like trying to breed a reptile to grow hair: it isn't a mammal so it just isn't going to happen.
Instead, functional mushrooms are packed with Beta-Glucans and Triterpenes. These compounds are great as they help to support balance and vitality. They do not interact with the serotonin receptors in the brain that trigger hallucinations and they make a smart functional mocktail base if you are looking to cut back on alcohol too.
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and its reputation for cognitive support center on hericenones, compounds found in the fruiting body that have been shown in lab studies to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF). Lion's mane helps support a maintenance pathway, not a perception pathway. Psilocybin works differently: your body converts it to psilocin, which activates the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor and changes how you perceive reality. Lion's Mane contains no psilocybin or psilocin. The human research is still early and mostly preclinical, and a 2025 systematic review in Frontiers in Nutrition listed stomach discomfort, headache and allergic reactions as the side effects, none of which involve intoxication.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is worth calling out specifically, because its calming reputation comes from a different pathway than Lion's Mane's cognitive one. Reishi's triterpenes, the same fat-soluble compounds our dual-extraction process is built to capture, have been shown in animal research to interact with GABA-A receptors through a non-intoxicating mechanism. A study published in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior found that Ganoderma lucidum extract measurably increased sleep time in animal models, and that the effect was blocked by a GABA-receptor antagonist, confirming the pathway. (Source) It's a real, mechanistically distinct reason Reishi shows up in calming formulas rather than focus-driven ones as it isn't interchangeable with Lion's Mane, it's doing a different job entirely.
The Kyoto Botanicals Standards for Functional Mushrooms
At Kyoto Botanicals, we don’t just source mushrooms; we audit them for purity and potency. Because we are creating for wellness, we are looking for bioavailability and fruiting body integrity.
- No Mycelium on Grain: We use 100% fruiting bodies (the actual mushroom), not the mycelium (roots) grown on rice or oats. This ensures you're getting the highest concentration of beta-glucans.
- Dual Extraction: We use both hot water and alcohol extraction to ensure we capture both the water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds (like those triterpenes) and free them from their chitin shell.
- Zero Extras: No fillers, no synthetic additives, no sugar: just pure mushroom extract. And, as the taxonomy proves, zero psychoactive compounds.
All the adaptive power, zero high
Upgrade your morning ritual with adaptogens. Four pure mushroom extracts and cacao to support your daily balance and give you that quiet focus vibe you need all day.
Shop the Adaptogenic Brew3. The Whole Foods Test: These are Food-Grade Fungi
If you are struggling to wrap your head around a mushroom powder, remember this: You can find Lions Mane and Reishi in the produce section of high-end grocery stores like Whole Foods. Chefs use them for their texture and savory flavor, I have even seen a chef on TikTok using Lion's Mane to make a steak that folks rave about. However, there is a massive gap between eating a mushroom and absorbing its benefits.
Mushroom cells are made of chitin, the same tough material found in the shells of lobsters and crabs. The human digestive system lacks the enzymes to break down chitin effectively, meaning if you just eat a raw or lightly sautéed mushroom, the wonderful compounds for our wellness remain locked away inside the cell walls. Super awesome source of fiber, which we all need more of, but a lot of the beta-glucans are not bioavailable.
We use a dual-extraction process (hot water and alcohol) to physically break down those chitin walls. This unlocks the beneficial compounds, making them bioavailable for your body to actually use. You aren't just eating fungi; you're accessing the molecular health & wellness benefits inside of them.
4. What You Will Feel: Nootropics vs. Psychedelics
Our Adaptogenic Brew was designed for daily wellness and balance. These functional mushrooms are categorized as nootropics and adaptogens. These aren't just marketing terms; they describe two distinct biological functions.
Focuses on Cognitive Support. Compounds like hericenones in Lion's Mane may help support healthy clarity without the jittery crash of stimulants.
Focuses on natural support for healthy Stress Management. Adaptogens help balance with a sense of balanced calm and lift and are about biological homeostasis.
- A psychedelic causes a break from reality by overstimulating serotonin receptors.
- A functional mushroom helps you stay grounded by helping to support your existing systems.
When you drink Kyoto Botanicals mushroom brew, the goal is to help you feel like the most resilient, focused version of yourself. For our full botanical experience to support your best self every day, check out our mushroom coffee guide to learn more about our formula and what makes it different.
5. Mushroom Safety & Trust FAQ
Is Lion's Mane legal?
Yes, 100%. Lion's Mane is a functional food and is legal in all 50 states and most countries worldwide. It is not a controlled substance and actually makes a delicious steak.
Can I fail a drug test from functional mushrooms?
No. Drug tests screen for specific illegal narcotics and psychoactive compounds (like THC or Psilocybin). Because our functional mushrooms contain zero of these substances, they cannot cause a failed drug test.
Are these safe to take while working?
Yes. Many professionals use functional mushrooms specifically to help support the focus and clarity needed for deep work. There is no impairment or fog associated with their use and I start every day with it in my mushroom coffee smoothie recipe.
Does Lion's Mane Get You High?
No. Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) belongs to a completely different genus than psilocybin-producing mushrooms and does not contain psilocybin or psilocin. Its best-studied compounds, hericenones, are researched for nerve growth factor support, not for any effect on perception. It cannot cause hallucinations or intoxication.
Does Reishi Make You High?
No. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is non-psychoactive and contains no psilocybin. Its calming reputation comes from triterpenes that interact with GABA receptors in a mild, non-intoxicating way.
Do Cordyceps Get You High?
No. Cordyceps is a fungus in the genus Cordyceps, a completely different organism from psilocybin-producing mushrooms, and it does not contain psilocybin or psilocin. Like Lions Mane and Reishi, it cannot cause intoxication or a psychedelic effect. Its reputation is for supporting energy and endurance, not altering perception.
