Mushrooms Go Mainstream, but They've Been Here All Along
- Brainz Magazine
- May 1
- 3 min read
Written by Gemma Ogston, Chef, Author, and Wellness Advocate
Gemma Ogston is a chef, author, and wellness advocate passionate about nourishing food, mental health, and community. Founder of Mama Shrooms and Gem’s Community Kitchen, she blends plant-based recipes, recovery, and self-care into everything she creates.
Once considered fringe, functional mushrooms are now a wellness must-have. But the truth is, these powerful fungi have been supporting human health for centuries.
Not long ago, when I mentioned I was taking functional mushrooms daily, people looked at me like I'd said I was eating tree bark for breakfast. For years, I added reishi to my evening tea, stirred lion's mane into smoothies, and popped cordyceps before workouts, and no one quite got it.
Now? Mushrooms are everywhere.
Ellie Goulding recently announced the launch of her new functional mushroom brand, and it was all over the mainstream press. Marks & Spencer has jumped on board with their own mushroom wellness range. It's official: mushrooms have gone from niche to normal.
It reminds me a lot of when CBD suddenly exploded. One minute ,you had to explain what it was and why you were taking it – the next, it was in every latte, lip balm, and supermarket shelf. Mushrooms are having that moment now. And honestly, it's kind of wonderful to see.
But here's the thing: Mushrooms have always been here
Long before mushroom powders came in pretty packaging, they were a trusted part of ancient healing systems around the world. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and indigenous traditions, mushrooms have been revered for thousands of years, not just for survival, but for support, strength, and beauty.
Cordyceps were traditionally harvested from the Himalayan mountains and given to Chinese royalty and soldiers to increase energy and resilience. Think of them as ancient rocket fuel.
Lion's Mane was used by monks and herbalists to support memory, focus, and inner clarity. It's been a long-time ally for both brain and gut health, and is now one of the most researched mushrooms in the nootropic world.
Tremella, also known as the "beauty mushroom," was favoured by empresses in ancient China for skin hydration and glow. It's still loved today for its jelly-like texture and its ability to hold 500 times its weight in water (hello, dewy skin!).
So while the West is waking up to mushrooms now, the rest of the world has known their power for centuries.
So, are mushrooms the future?
As more people look for natural, effective ways to support energy, mood, skin, digestion, sleep, and immune health, mushrooms feel less like a trend and more like a return to something ancient and essential. They're adaptogens, meaning they help the body find balance during stress. They work gently, consistently, and holistically.
At Mama Shrooms, we've been celebrating these fungi for years. Not as fads, but as daily allies. Our capsules and blends are part of a rhythm – taken like a vitamin, a ritual, a quiet investment in your body's balance. They're not about hacks or hype. They're about harmony.
So yes, mushrooms are having a moment. But really, it's a homecoming.
We're not just discovering mushrooms – we're remembering them. And in a world that's always rushing toward the next big thing, that feels beautifully grounding.
Read more from Gemma Ogston
Gemma Ogston, Chef, Author, and Wellness Advocate
Gemma Ogston is a chef, author, and founder of Mama Shrooms, a wellness brand focused on women’s health and recovery. A former addiction counsellor, she’s now a recipe developer, community advocate, and bestselling author of The Self-Care Cookbook and The Healing Cookbook. Gemma regularly appears on BBC and ITV, works with brands like Soho House and Witch, and leads local projects promoting affordable, nourishing food. She’s also an ambassador for Young Minds UK and FareShare.
