A Little Mush-room for Magic: How I Discovered My Brain’s New Best Friends

There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who see the word “mushroom” and immediately think “pizza topping”, and the ones who see it and think “natural adaptogenic superfood that could revolutionize my life.”

I used to be the former.

I mean, come on—mushrooms? For wellness? Sounds like the sort of thing your friend who owns a singing bowl and an aggressively large crystal collection might rave about. And bless them, truly, but I didn’t think I was that kind of person.

Then life happened.

Let me paint you a picture. A few months ago, I hit what I like to call “The Mid-Morning Wall.” Not quite as dramatic as burnout, but certainly not as chill as just needing a coffee. It was this weird, dragging fog that rolled in around 10:37 every morning. My thoughts would slow to a crawl, my to-do list would become a hazy suggestion, and I’d find myself rereading the same email subject line like it held the secret to enlightenment. Spoiler: it didn’t.

My friend Sage—yes, that is her real name—told me I needed Lion’s Mane. I said, “Sounds like something from The Lion King.”

She said, “No, seriously. Mushrooms. But not just any mushrooms. Functional mushrooms.”

Naturally, I side-eyed her. But I’m a curious soul. And honestly? I was desperate.

That’s when I stumbled into the world of Ambrosia Harvest—a small, Colorado-based company with a big love for fungi and a surprisingly poetic way of talking about nature. And two products, in particular, caught my attention.

Focus Mushroom Blend with Lion’s Mane & Cordyceps

Chaga Mushroom Extract Tincture

Let me walk you through my wild little wellness journey, how these mushrooms changed my brain (and possibly my life), and why my morning routine now involves a mini ritual that’s part scientist, part witch, and 100% delightful.

The Brain Boost I Didn’t Know I Needed (aka Lion’s Mane + Cordyceps)
First up: the Focus Mushroom Blend. It’s a dreamy combo of Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps—which sounds like a mythical creature and an alien species, respectively, but turns out they’re two of the most well-researched mushrooms in the game.

Let’s start with Lion’s Mane. Legend has it that Buddhist monks used it to help with focus during meditation. More recently, modern science has decided it’s pretty fantastic at promoting nerve growth factor, which is basically Miracle-Gro for your neurons.

As someone who can forget why I walked into a room mid-step, I was intrigued.

Then there’s Cordyceps. This one’s the athlete of the bunch. It helps with energy production, oxygen uptake, and endurance. Perfect for me: someone whose cardio capacity tops out at chasing the bus and who once got winded walking up a hill with groceries.

Together, Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps are like the dynamic duo of the mushroom world. One clears the fog. The other gets you moving. A brain-and-body tag team. Batman and Robin, if Robin was a mushroom.

How I used it:
I started with just a dropperful of the Focus Blend in my morning tea. It’s mixed with organic vegetable glycerin, so it’s slightly sweet and mellow, not earthy or strange. You can drop it under your tongue too, if you’re brave or in a rush.

What happened next?
Okay, hear me out: the difference was subtle but undeniable. This wasn’t a jittery caffeine jolt. There was no crash, no tight jaw, no anxiety. What I noticed instead was…flow.
I didn’t have to force myself to focus. I just did. My brain wasn’t tripping over itself. I didn’t re-read paragraphs three times. I remembered things. I started writing in full paragraphs instead of cryptic, half-formed thoughts.

At one point I looked up from my laptop and realized I’d been working—solidly, joyfully—for two hours straight. I nearly cried. Then I texted Sage, who said, “Told you so.”

Thanks, Sage.

Chaga, Baby (aka the Mushroom That Hugs Your Immune System)

Let’s talk about Chaga, my dark, mysterious new best friend. This one is the wellness equivalent of a steaming cup of forest tea by the fire. Grounding. Nourishing. Comforting.

But don’t be fooled by its cozy vibes. Chaga is powerful.

It’s known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating superpowers. Some people call it “nature’s armor.” Others call it “the mushroom that saved their joints.” One guy on Reddit claimed it fixed his bad knee. I don’t know about Reddit guy, but I can tell you what it did for me.

I started taking the Chaga tincture every evening—a dropperful in warm water after dinner. And after about a week, I noticed something kind of amazing: I was waking up with less stiffness, especially in my neck and shoulders (hi, desk job life). I wasn’t reaching for the ibuprofen like it was a personality trait.

Then there was the immune system support. Everyone at my office got hit with a brutal cold. The kind that makes you sound like a goose and feel like a soggy tissue. I braced myself. Stocked up on soup. Waited.

It never came.

I got maybe a mild sniffle for half a day, and then nothing. Was it the Chaga? I like to think so. At the very least, it made me feel like I was supporting my body in a way that was proactive, not reactive.

Let’s Talk Ritual
One of the things I love most about these tinctures is how they’ve turned my daily routine into a small act of care.

I used to start my mornings with a sense of dread. Now? I get up, make a cup of herbal tea, and add a dropper of the Focus Blend. I sit by the window and write my intentions for the day. At night, after dinner, I cozy up with my Chaga tea and read a few pages of a book. No screens. No chaos.

It’s become less about fixing something and more about nourishing something. Me.

A Word on the Brand (Because It Matters)
I have a soft spot for small businesses that actually care. Ambrosia Harvest isn’t some giant factory churning out buzzword-filled potions. They’re a Colorado-based team handcrafting small-batch, organic, functional mushroom tinctures with actual science behind them.

Their vibe? Think: forest meets lab coat.
They source their mushrooms responsibly, they use organic vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol, and they’re committed to education and community. They even go to farmers markets to talk to people about their products. I love that.

It feels like buying from your brilliant, mushroom-obsessed neighbour instead of a faceless wellness brand.

Okay, But What Do They Taste Like?
Great question. I was nervous too.

The Focus Blend has a sweet, mild, almost maple-like flavor thanks to the glycerin. It’s not mushroomy at all. Honestly, I’d take it straight from the dropper if I had to.

The Chaga Extract is richer—earthy, with a hint of natural sweetness. It pairs beautifully with a rooibos or spiced tea. You could also drop it into a smoothie, though I love it hot.

Who Are These For?
Honestly? Pretty much everyone.

If you’re a student trying to remember what year it is mid-exam, try the Focus Blend.

If you’re a tired parent chasing toddlers and your thoughts at the same time, try the Focus Blend.

If you’re an athlete, a yogi, a weekend warrior, or just someone who wants to feel like their body and mind are on speaking terms again—try both.

If your joints creak like haunted floorboards or your immune system waves the white flag at the first sneeze—meet Chaga.

You don’t have to become a full-blown mushroom witch to enjoy the benefits. You just have to be open to something new, natural, and kind of magical.

Final Thoughts from a (Formerly Skeptical) Mushroom Convert
I never thought I’d be the person who waxes poetic about fungi, but here we are. Mushrooms have quietly rooted themselves into my daily life and my wellness routine, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

The Focus Blend gave me my brain back.
The Chaga Tincture gave me my body back.
Together, they gave me back a sense of flow I didn’t realize I’d lost.

And from one overthinker, occasional cynic, and recovering productivity junkie to another—if your body is tired, your mind is scattered, or your to-do list feels like a cruel joke, give mushrooms a chance.

Because sometimes, the best solutions aren’t flashy.
They grow quietly.
Underground.
In forests.
Waiting for you to notice them.