Functional or medicinal mushrooms offer a healthy, non-intoxicating option for people curious about mushrooms but not yet ready for a psychedelic experience. Cacao or carob are combined with adaptogenic mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, chaga, turkey tail, and lion’s mane to create mushroom hot chocolate.

These warm, healthy drinks are becoming more and more well-liked among people willing to give up the jitters associated with coffee in favor of concoctions that reduce stress and improve cognitive performance. The therapeutic qualities of medicinal mushrooms vary, but they all are thought to be adaptogenic. Adaptogens assist the body in adjusting to physical, chemical, or biological stress and aid in the body’s return to homeostasis, a balanced condition. These potent plant substances can also help the body manage its metabolic processes more successfully while enhancing both mental and physical performance.

Reishi and lion’s mane, for instance, are used in the Woodland Mushroom Hot Chocolate Super Adaptogenic Blend to improve immunological and brain function, lessen anxiety, and lessen inflammation. In addition, the company chooses carob over cacao to provide the chocolate flavor (which contains caffeine). Buoyant Chocolates, however, has created milk and dark chocolate bars with powdered lion’s mane and cordyceps for those seeking a greater chocolate fix. This useful treat is advertised as improving mental clarity, focus, memory, and physical endurance.

There are other alternatives available for people looking for a chocolate high with a side of psychedelics.