Mud, Mushrooms, and the Modern Mind

A New Kind of Awakening

I used to imagine my mornings as a ritual for the soul. . . a cracked mug, rich black coffee steaming up my face, and my hands absorbing the warmth before my first sip.

I also remember the jitters that followed, the crash that pulled my day down, and the insomnia that left my nights restless.

Lately, my mornings taste different. Mud Wtr and Ryze mushroom coffee have taken the place of my cup of Joe. I might end up switching brands if I can find a less expensive alternative, but these two offer more than flavor. They offer a way of feeling more awake without being hijacked by my own nerves.

I don’t particularly enjoy how either of them taste, but when I add cinnamon (great for inflammation) and the unsweetened almond/coconut creamer that I buy at Trader Joe’s and whip to a froth, it doesn’t taste bad at all.

In my humble opinion, both Mud Wtr and Ryze hold up like little altars of well-being. They are thoughtfully crafted blends of adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane, cordyceps, and reishi. I appreciate the ritual of swirling them into hot water or almond or the above-mentioned creamer , and breathing in a new kind of scent … earthy, spice-kissed, and more nuanced than bitter coffee. There is a softness to these drinks that never crash-lands into my day, and else minutes that late-afternoon desire to sleep.

Mud Wtr, born as a kind of rebellion against caffeine overload, leans into chai, cacao, and cinnamon, its flavor more like a dusky hot chocolate. It comes in a variety of finely-tuned blends that offer customizable benefits.

Its beauty lies in its gentle stimulation, one-seventh the caffeine of a traditional cup of coffee and its mix of functional fungi to bolster my focus and turmeric to soothe my inflammation. When I drink Mud Wtr, my thoughts do not leap like startled deer. They saunter along in a more alert, yet cool, calm and collected way.

Ryze, on the other hand, tilts a bit more toward coffee lovers.

Its powdered blend is smoother, more like a subtle cappuccino, with a slightly higher caffeine content. It features MCT oil and extra probiotics, making it feel like a fortified version of my morning ritual.

Many say Ryze provides a stronger lift, as if the mushrooms nestle deeper into the folds of one’s concentration, without that caffeine panic

According to their website, RYZE offers a variety of flavors across its mushroom-based beverage line:

Mushroom Coffee – a smooth, latte-like flavor with nutty, robust notes, featuring cocoa creaminess and about 48 mg of caffeine per serving .

Mushroom Matcha : earthy green tea mixed with the six‑mushroom blend, for a gentle, energizing matcha alternative .

Mushroom Chai – low‑caffeine, spiced like traditional chai, combining adaptogenic mushrooms and Ayurvedic spices .

Mushroom Hot Cocoa – caffeine‑free bedtime drink made from organic cacao and calming mushrooms, designed to support sleep and relaxation .

Mushroom Chicory – caffeine‑free blend based on chicory root, offering gut health benefits with the six‑mushroom mix

Both companies tout similar health effects: lion’s mane for sharper focus and neuroprotection; reishi for my stressed-out nerves and fragile immunity; chaga and cordyceps for sustained energy and endurance.

Neither of them provide noticeable differences right away. You have to drink them for from 30-60 days before they really begin to kick in, but when they do keep ck in, you may believe you’ve just signed a new lease on life.

Over the long term, I can feel these mushroom allies gently braiding themselves into my body. They seem to smooth my thoughts at the edges, tamping down the kind of mental static that can easily steal my calm. Some days I feel the same bright presence I might have chased after years ago with my espresso shots, but it is steadier now, built to last.

In terms of popularity, Mud Wtr claims a cult following, its name whispered across wellness blogs and Instagram stories like some hip secret. Ryze, though newer, is rapidly catching up . Some of my friends already swear by its rich flavor and its smoother drinkability. Mud Wtr is often more expensive, starting at around $40–$60 per month for a subscription. Ryze, usually around $30–$45, appeals to a slightly broader crowd.

For those with a leaner budget who want to explore this ritual, there are more affordable options.

Rasa is an herb-and-mushroom brew that rings in at a lower price point and leans into deep, roasted flavors, while Four Sigmatic offers simple mushroom blends that can be stirred into your own coffee. Groceriery Outlets also sell mushroom powders that enable you to concoct your own blends at the strengths you’d like to have them.

As my mornings continue to unfurl, Mud Wtr and Ryze have become more than products. They are my gentle rebellion against the crash and burn cycle of coffee, my invitation to a steadier rhythm. The mushrooms within them feel like tiny hands, reaching into my restless thoughts, smoothing my breath, my focus, my day — one earthy sip at a time.

Actually, I don’t even know when National Coffee Day is…

Mud Wtr. (n.d.). Mud\Wtr official website. Retrieved June 20, 2025, from https://www.mudwtr.com/

Ryze Superfoods. (n.d.). Ryze Superfoods official website. Retrieved June 20, 2025, from https://www.ryzesuperfoods.com/

Four Sigmatic. (n.d.). Four Sigmatic official website. Retrieved June 20, 2025, from https://www.foursigmatic.com/

Well+Good. (n.d.). Ryze mushroom coffee review: A wellness editor shares their thoughts. Retrieved June 20, 2025, from https://www.wellandgood.com/ryze-mushroom-coffee-review/

Healthline. (2021, August 23). Mushroom coffee: Benefits, risks, and more. Retrieved June 20, 2025, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mushroom-coffee-benefits

Medical News Today. (2021, September 21). What are the health benefits of mushroom coffee?. Retrieved June 20, 2025, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mushroom-coffee